Do you have the fortitude to be a First Time Buyer in La Quinta? - 06/30/12 06:43 AM
What a nutty question?  But here in La Quinta and the Palm Springs Valley in general, it takes persistence, will and tenacity to get that house!
I'm talking about any properties listed at $300,000 and under that are in desireable locations.  Here in the desert, that usually means with Southern or Western exposure on your backyard or pool area, decent upgrades and just a clean, crisp home.
It took 6 offers for my most recent first time couple to finally get accceptance.  They are FHA approved with stated income and some savings.  We wrote each offer at or above List Price … (0 comments)

B of A Merger with Countrywide..the worst business decision ever???? - 06/29/12 05:37 PM
Well..we certainly can't say "ever", but it does seem that whoever was steering the ship went way, way off course.  The losses just keep piling up. 
Wouldn't that be something to be proud of?  Being known as the Lender that made THE biggest mistake ever?
I do many Short Sales and I would estimate that a good 1/3 of them are with B of A.  Some aren't that bad.  In fact, if I get lucky and I score a smart, experienced negotiator with some common sense, it moves right along.  I foresee several more years of Short Sales and a large number … (1 comments)

Horse Property in the Palm Springs Valley? You betcha! - 06/26/12 01:29 PM
Our beautiful Palm Springs Valley has lots to offer equestrians.  Palm Springs proper has some small horsey areas, including Smoketree Ranch.  North Palm Springs running into Desert Hot Springs is ripe with small, manageable properties.  Many have barns, paddocks, training areas, main homes + guest homes and of course miles of trails!
Thousand Palms has protected BLM around it for hours of serene horseback riding..and hiking.  Moving further Easterly, is the city of Coachella, Indio, Bermuda Dunes..all of which offer small to large equestrian properties.  La Quinta has several offerings with the La Quinta Polo Estates right across from the Eldorado Polo … (0 comments)

La Quinta Sales Numbers; Inventory is Dwindling.. - 06/25/12 06:41 AM
The Sales and Inventory numbers for the City of La Quinta are becoming pretty consistent month to month.
Sales are UP, inventory is DOWN!
According to the MLS, The change in the past 30 days is pretty significant and I am definately seeing it on the streets.  I showed property yesterday to a couple from the Beach Cities looking for a winter vacation home.  They had thought we'd have reams of homes in the $250-$350,000 range.  Even if we didn't want "good View, pool, 3bd/2ba, central location...", we had a total inventory of 8 homes to look at from Rancho Mirage … (0 comments)

Palm Springs Valley Home Sales AND prices increase in May - 06/23/12 05:50 AM
The Palm Springs Valley in it's entirty is a resort destination.  From Palm Springs proper (the city of Palm Springs), to Cathedral City, more Easterly through Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta and all the way East to Indio.  Apparently, many other people think so too!
Our Valley saw the Median Sales Price jump 6.1% from May of 2011 to $217,511.  What the median tells us is that more homes in various price ranges are selling.  The Median is half sold above and half sold below..not incredibly valuable in my world, but it does make it clear that homes are SELLING … (0 comments)

But where's the "bottom" in the Luxury Market? - 06/22/12 05:18 AM
Read this article in the LA Times and it pretty much states what I am seeing on the La Quinta and Palm Springs Valley streets.  The entry level housing market actually is increasing in it's price/sf, the mid-tier homes are moving at close to List Price, million dollar properties are selling if their Views and sun-orientation is maximized..but what about the Luxury home market?
The luxury market here in the desert would be the homes priced over 1.5 million all the way up to 18 million and above.  What is happening with these homes?  When I have been lucky enough to … (2 comments)

La Quinta Short Sale listed, worked and CLOSED! - 06/19/12 05:36 AM
This lovely 3bd/2ba pool home with enclosed front courtyard on Avenida Alvarado in the La Quinta Cove is SOLD!  Listed, negotiated, and closed in less than 120 days including the Lenders extensions to fund.  No negotiation companies needed, used or paid.  I like to have my hands and mind in every move of my Short Sales
Original Note:  Approx.  $386,000
New Sale Price:  $141,000
One note with Chase.  Primary residence.  Chase was quick to get me a negotiator and he was efficient and communicative.  When the first buyer cancelled, the back up buyer was moved right in with a loss of less … (0 comments)

La Quinta, California Short Sale..just listed! - 06/18/12 05:37 PM
Another beautiful La Quinta short sale listed just today at 52255 Avenida Obregon.  $148,000.  MLS #21456002.  Built in 1993, this lovely single family home shows beautifully.  Well maintained and thoughtfully laid out, it is meant for a family to enjoy.  The front door opens to a family room with a fireplace.  The large kitchen with dining alcove is to the left and the master bedroom is situated seperately from the two guest suites and their shared bathroom.
This cozy home has an enclosed and gated front courtyard, gated sideyards and Western mountain views from the lush, green backyard.  The Master Bedroom … (0 comments)

Short Sale updates from Bank of America - 06/16/12 07:06 AM
The Short Sale process with Bank of America has a couple of new updates that List Agents should be aware of...
 
1.  Bank of America Second Liens:  New, Enhanced guidelines as follows:
The Short Sale must be initiated on or after June 1, 2012 The second lien must be attached to a first lien mortgage owned by B of A. This waiver enhancement based on the Department of Justice settlement went into affect 6/1/2012.
 
2.  HAFA short sale update:  (Also applies to current HAFA short sales)
HAFA program extended to 12/31/2013.  If your contract is dated 12/31/2013, it must … (2 comments)

Appraisals aren't as scary in the Palm Springs Valley any more.. - 06/14/12 05:31 AM
I used to have heart palpitations waiting for the appraisals to come in.  That was last year.  The second Q of 2012, Lenders seem a bit more sane out here in the desert.
Have met appraisers in Indio, La Quinta central, La Quinta North, and Desert Hot Springs in the past week.  All appraisals are on target.  I try very hard to price my properties at Fair Market Value.  Equity Sales a bit higher/sf and Short Sales at approx. 10% below FMV due to the time frame involved.  Even so, it has been a struggle to get the Appraisals to come … (2 comments)

The "Bottom" rears it's beautiful head.. - 06/12/12 06:23 AM
I read alot of newspapers, blogs, articles that I see regarding real estate pretty much anywhere-including standing in line at a bookstore, grocery store, wherever.  The elusive "bottom of the market" always garners a ton of talk.
What IS the bottom anyway???  I figure it's like the bottom of my foot..the lowest point on my body.  So in real estate sales that would be the lowest point in the real estate market.  Unlike my foot however, I cannot see or feel it.  I think the true "bottom" will be the price/sf that shows up in our rear view mirrors in our particular … (2 comments)

FNMAE short sales..a new twist????? - 06/03/12 06:56 PM
So I got a phone call last week on one of my Short Sales.  It happens to be a short sale with GMAC, one note, primary residence for the borrowers who are relocating for work.  Slam dunk, right?  Apparently, but with a new and different twist to it.
This guy says he represents the Investor directly..FNMAE.  We are skipping GMAC entirely!  I had already submitted my GMAC package of course (have a good offer), but it appears this guy is my contact directly with the Investor.  I have to get a bunch more docs signed by my Sellers, upload it to … (2 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

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