La Quinta, California; Did you know? - 02/27/10 08:46 AM
La Quinta, California;  Did you Know?  The City of La Quinta is known as "the GEM of the Desert.", and it is.  In 1982, La Quinta was named for the resort opened in 1926 by Walter Morgan..La Quinta Resort & Club.  Still here, operating and a huge "snowbird" draw, the hotel is only part of it..When the floor of the valley first began sinking, it was covered by the Pacific Ocean.  Over a period of hundreds of years, the Colorado River flowed into the Gulf of California and deposited silt, forming a large delta fan.  The silt deposits got larger and … (5 comments)

La Quinta's Farmer's Market...Come on Out! - 02/25/10 11:13 AM
La Quinta's Farmer's Market...come on out!  Old Town in La Quinta has developed into quite the local hot spot for La Quinta residents of the La Quinta Cove area, including visitors staying at both the La Quinta Hotel and also Embassy Suites Hotel.  Each Sunday through about mid-June, the main street is a walking, moving jumble of people, vendors, store owners, restauranteers, dogs and kids.  There are tents with fruits, vegetables, cheese, nuts, flowers and fresh baked goods.  Organic, fresh, colorful selections sold to you by the actual growers or other family members for the most part!Last Sunday, sitting at my … (1 comments)

Speculators or Investors? - 02/24/10 08:17 AM
  La Quinta and Coachella Valley Speculators vs. Investors.   
I have mixed feelings about the affect Speculators are having on our California market.  Investors in La Quinta and the Coachella Valley, are basically defined as Buyers that purchase a distressed property, rehabilitate it and sell it at a reasonable, market supported profit.  Speculators in La Quinta and the entire Coachella Valley are basically cash buyers that buy an REO property and either flip it very quickly or rent it until the Market increases.  This can actually depress Sales figures because they often buy at Auction, thus lowering the statistics.  BUT, … (0 comments)

La Quinta and Coachella Valley Luxury Properties..Price Drops Ahead. - 02/21/10 12:15 PM
La Quinta and Coachella Valley Luxury Properties..Price Drops ahead.  This is a great article from yesterday's Business section of the L.A. Times.  In La Quinta and the Coachella Valley, luxury home Sellers are often left "chasing the market", exactly as our low to middle priced residential Sellers were doing up to about a year ago.  Buyers set the Prices!  Homes priced above $2,000,000, vacant land and of course Commercial properties in La Quinta and the Coachella Valley are still dropping..finding that spot (usually about 50 to 60% below peak pricing), where the Buyers return.  Keep in mind that there are also … (2 comments)

Short Sales Grow..a Cheaper alternative to Foreclosure - 02/20/10 08:57 AM
Short Sales Grow..a Cheaper alternative to Foreclosure.  Short Sales are still few compared to foreclosure numbers, but policymakers are looking at them to help shrink the number of bank-owned homes on the market. The biggest problem with Short Sales are the junior liens and in California, it is estimated that 280,023 properties are in foreclosure with approx. 46% also having a second or junior loan.  Junior Lien Holders get zero from a Foreclosure, so they try to be really nasty as far as settling on an amount to accept a Short Sale.  Makes no sense of course since the Seller usually … (2 comments)

Coachella Valley Equestrian Property For Sale! - 02/18/10 10:36 AM
Coachella Valley Equestrian Property For Sale!  East Coachella Valley is a mecca for the horse lovers that abound in the La Quinta, Thermal, Vista Santa Rosa, Indio and Coachella areas..all considered to be the East Coachella Valley.The Horseshow In The Sun (HITS) show grounds in Thermal, draws hundreds of top competitors every season with the Grand Prix Jump events pulling in some of the top riders in the State.  World Class Polo is featured at Eldorado Polo Club, Empire Polo Club and La Quinta Polo Club.  Horses are a big deal in the East Coachella Valley..Here's a new listing for either an … (5 comments)

Housing in La Quinta, Calif. Recent Sales Update. - 02/16/10 08:45 AM
Housing in La Quinta, Calif.  Recent Sales update.  Following are statistics I have compiled from the MLS.  These would not include pocket listings, or properties sold that were not listed in the Desert area MLS..La Quinta Single Family Residences: 
74 Sales Total Highest Sale:  $2,175,000 in Andalusia Lowest Sale:  $81,000 in the La Quinta Cove La Quinta Condominiums:
30 Total Sales Highest Sale:  $610,000 in PGA West Lowest Sale:  $80,000 at Casitas Las Rosas Vacant Land:
4 Total Sales Highest Sale:  $2,170,000:  90 acres in Coachella Lowest Sale:  $64,000:  Desert Club Estates … (0 comments)

La Quinta Home Sales..Jan 1 to Feb. 14 - 02/15/10 09:19 AM
La Quinta Home Sales.  Jan 1 to Feb. 14.  Following are statistics I have compiled from the MLS.  These would not include pocket listings, or properties sold that were not listed in the Desert area MLS..La Quinta Single Family Residences: 
74 Sales Total Highest Sale:  $2,175,000 in Andalusia Lowest Sale:  $81,000 in the La Quinta Cove La Quinta Condominiums:
30 Total Sales Highest Sale:  $610,000 in PGA West Lowest Sale:  $80,000 at Casitas Las Rosas Vacant Land:
4 Total Sales Highest Sale:  $2,170,000:  90 acres in Coachella Lowest Sale:  $64,000:  Desert Club Estates … (2 comments)

La Quinta, California; What to do on Valentine's Day? - 02/14/10 09:25 AM
La Quinta, California;  What to do on Valentine's Day?  Another beautiful weekend in La Quinta.  Yesterday was the Tour de Palm Springs bike ride.  There were bikers all over the valley.  It's a Charity ride that brings hundreds of riders of all levels.  I bet there are some "saddle sores" today..ha!La Quinta's "Art Under The Umbrella's" was also held yesterday in La Quinta's Oldl Town..approx 75 artists displayed their work and it was glorious.  The weather was about 80 degrees, balmy and the sun just created sparkling displays.  La Quinta's actual Valentine Sunday could be spent picking up some fresh flowers … (1 comments)

New FHA Guidelines; Bye-bye Flipping Rule - 02/11/10 08:27 AM
New FHA Guidelines;  Bye-bye Flipping Rule..Great summation of the new FHA guidelines courtesy of RealtyTrac.  Working with first time buyers and investors here in the Coachella Valley, both of these issues will be important in 2010.
Securing FHA-insured mortgages are attractive to borrowers because down payments are only 3.5 percent. Most conventional loans now require 20 percent down, keeping many creditworthy borrowers on the sidelines.
New Guidelines
The new rules - which are temporary and take effect this summer - come after more than a year of stringent standards from lenders. Among them:
Better Credit Score - New borrowers will have … (1 comments)

Coachella Valley property is Hopping! - 02/10/10 11:32 AM
Coachella Valley Property is Hopping!  The market has risen again..totally different conditions and terms, but it is definately alive.  La Quinta, Palm Desert, West Indio, golf course communities and high end properties..and yes, dare I say it..even vacant land is generating interest.Vacant land prices have dropped spectacularly..from a high of approx $250,000/acre in the East Valley to a range between $30-50,000/acre now.  That is what is driving interest again.  Developers are looking as always, but also small farmers, equestrian riders, date farmers, ag farmers.  They are able to pick up parcels at a reasonable price, with plentiful water, and amazing views.  … (1 comments)

La Quinta offers a serene beauty.. - 02/08/10 11:01 AM
La Quinta offers a serene beauty...Before the game on Super Bowl Sunday, I took a hike behind the La Quinta Cove.  Ended up in Old town and swung back to the park across the street.  It is the BEST family park.  There is a shaded area with a jungle gym and swings and the best thing is the footing.  The ground is a padded, cushioned thing..amazing.  I don't even have kids, but it's fun!Looking North from hiking trail towards Old Town.The beauty of no HOA's!Street Scene in Old Town Baseball field at the parkwhich also has outdoor fitness area along with … (5 comments)

Coachella Valley Theaters..Live Entertainment! - 02/07/10 09:06 AM
Coachella Valley Community Theaters...Live Entertainment!  Nothing like seeing a play in a more intimate setting.  When there are 40 to 200 seats, you feel like you're part of the acting family..and your family members are performing for YOU especially!  Great fun, and also supports the Arts and Entertainment of your community..Here are some ideas for Coachella Valley Live Theatres..La Quinta Playhouse: #104 La Fonda, Old Town, La Quinta.  760-360-9191  "The Fantastics"  Feb18-March14Indian Wells Theater:  37-500 Cook St.  Palm Desert:  760-341-2883"Trying" starring Harold Gould,    March 5-14The Thorny Theater:  2500 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs  760-325-0853"MENsky's Burlyesque"  Feb 5-28Indio Performing Arts Center (IPAC):  … (1 comments)

Income Producing Farm for Sale; Slashed almost 50% in Price! - 02/06/10 12:10 PM
Prime, 28.6 acre Farm For Sale in Coachella, Ca...Slashed almost 50% in Price!  Seller has reduced this gorgeous farm almost 50%/acre from last season..now $65,000/acre.  Currently planted in alfalfa which is locally harvested 3x/year, this parcel can be easily sub-divided into 4 parcels. 
INCOME PRODUCING: 
Small, older 3/2 ba SFR which is currently rented at $500/month.  This would be perfect for your caretaker, or to live in while you build your custom estate home or barns. Outbuildings which are currently leased to a local businessman at $2,000/month.  He would like to continue to lease them if possible.  Alfalfa business which produces … (4 comments)

Qualifying Short Sale Sellers. - 02/04/10 01:06 PM
Qualifying Short Sale Sellers.  If a Short Sale is judged to be a distresed homeowner's best option, the Realtor on the Listing side has to be exact and thorough in qualifying the homeowner for a Short Sale.  Not every Seller is a Short Sale candidate..unfortunately, not every Seller can  be saved from Foreclosure.Are you a Short Sale Candidate?
Do you have a valid hardship? Is there enough time to accomplish the Short Sale? Have you contacted the appropriate finance, tax and legal professionals? What is owed on the property? Are there other liens?  Such as...tax liens, HOA liens, seconds? The condition … (4 comments)

Qualifying Short Sale Buyers... - 02/03/10 11:16 AM
Qualifying Short Sale Buyers.  Sounds kind of crazy since we have been told by our Brokers over and over again to qualify our Short Sale Sellers, but in this market, we also need to qualify our Short Sale Buyers.  Ideal Buyer candidates for Short Sales are:
Ready to purchase with few to no contingencies Do Not have to sell their property before purchasing a Short Sale Are not within a 1031 time frame period Are patient and hav time to wait out the months of delay Have resources to repair/rehab the property if necessary As a Buyer's Agent, we need to … (3 comments)

Foreclosed Homes Compete with Apartments in Inland Empire: La Quinta, Coachella Valley - 02/02/10 08:35 AM
FORECLOSED HOMES COMPETE WITH APARTMENTS IN INLAND EMPIRE;  La Quinta, Coachella Valley.
 
Don't expect to see much apartment construction in the Inland Empire any time soon. As everyone knows, a glut of foreclosed homes has flooded much of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and those homes compete with apartments for tenants, according to a new report by real estate brokerage Marcus & Millichap.
That's especially true in outlying areas such as Palm Springs, Perris and southwest Riverside County, the report said.  Certainly true in La Quinta, Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley in general..there are some low income housing projects … (4 comments)

 
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Kimberley Kelly

La Quinta, CA

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HK Lane, Christie's International Affiliate, 760-285-3578

Address: La Quinta & The Palm Springs Valley, California , 760-285-3578, La Quinta, CA, 92253

Office Phone: (760) 285-3578

Cell Phone: (760) 285-3578

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