Get Your Holiday Shopping On at the College of the Desert Street Fair (a.k.a. Swap Meet)    It’s time to get your holiday shopping on at the College of the Desert Street Fair in Palm Desert California.   It’s a veritable mobile mall surrounded by palm trees, the California desert, and mountains in the background, on the grounds of the College of the Desert. Get it?   The College of the Desert Street Fair, affectionately known by its other monicker – Swap Meet – is an amazing thing to see. This is NOT your average flea market or garage sale. In fact, other than resembling such an event because of hundreds of vendors in tents and shoppers everywhere trying to find a bargain, it’s not a garage sale or flea market at all. Don’t be mislead. You CAN find some great stuff at a great price, an... 12/01/2011

The highest recorded Luxury Home Sale to Date for the Palm Springs Valley just closed. Listed at 9.75 million, the sale is second only to the sale of the former Blixseth estate, Porcupine Creek. Porcupine Creek is not a good comparable (Sold for 42.9 million recently), because it included a private Golf Course as well as four guest homes! But..for a single family residence, this 9,798 sf home on approx. 2.2 acres at the Bighorn Golf Club pushes our Luxury Home prices to anotehr level. A sale of this magnitude, in this market, lends some weight to the theory that the market is very strong at the very top. Luxury Homes in the Valley have continued to sell, although many have experienced drops of approx. 35% from the housing peak days of 2005-2006. When a great value comes up, or a luxury ... 11/28/2011

Palm Desert Real Estate - Hot Deals on Foreclosures Search Palm Desert Foreclosure Listings  73438 Irontree Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260 is located in Ironwood Country Club and is listed at $161,500. This bank owned condo/townhouse is a spacious 1525 square feet with 2 master suites - each with private balconies for ultimate desert living. The condo also features a den/office area, new carpet, fresh paint, a 2 car attached garage for easy living, and a private spa - maintained by the HOA in the enclosed front patio. The most recent comparable sale for this floor plan sold for $178,000. Call me to grab this deal before its too late!   45950 Shadow Mountain Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260 in South Palm Desert is listed at $249,900 and is bank owned. This bank foreclosure is an ideal buy for an inv... 11/23/2011

This may seem like a very unlikely Thanksgiving Day message, but after you read this article written by Katharine Herrup, Opinion Editor or Reuters and WATCH this Heartfelt Video, you will be Proud to be an American, and you will feel truly blessed to see how a group of folks (like you and me), pulled together to rescue so many people in their time of need. This is a story I never heard before.. This is a story you will not want to miss. So on this Thanksgiving Day, give thanks to all the “blessings” you have. Today I woke up. Today I felt the warmth of sunshine as I stepped outside. Today I smelled the flowers blooming in my courtyard. Today I looked across my patio to the mountains in the distance. Today I heard the ducks playing in the pond. Today I was greeted by my loved ones…even ... 11/22/2011

I was pleased to see that the November/December issue of Realtor Magazine has a great article regarding California's new (as of July 15) Anti-deficiency Law, SB931.  As a Short Sale Listing Agent in the Palm Springs area, this is a question I get asked frequently.  Here is a short re-cap.. The original anti-deficiency law, SB580e was revised on July 15, 2011 stating that "No deficiency will be owed, collected, requested, or rendered upon a note secured SOLELY by a deed of trust on a dwelling of not more than four units, in a SHORT SALE, where the written consent of the holder of the deed of trust has been obtained." The effect is to protect junior mortgage liens with anti-deficiency judgments.  It also covers both owner occupied as well as investment properties and, refinanced loans.  B... 11/22/2011

I recently decided it would be a good idea for me to add Dave Sawyer from Publishers Clearing House to my "Permanent Guest List" at our gate so he wouldn't have any trouble trying to gain entrance when he arrived to present me with the $1,000,000 checkhe keeps telling me about through emails and snail mail. I've both read and watched the DVD on "The Secret," telling me the importance of positive thinking and believing that what I visualize today will become tomorrow's reality.So I have been visualizing just how I would react whenDave rings my doorbell with the full camera crew behind him waiting to capture my surprised and excited look. I just hope I am dressed properly, have my make-up on and hair combed. Can you imagine the embarrassment of being caught unexpected? I've been visualizi... 11/15/2011

Palm Desert Mortgage Rates This weeks mortgage rates are slighty better than last week with most home loan rates falling below 4.000%! When mortgage rates are lower, home buyers can afford more house for the dollar. Today's rates are:                                        Rate                      APR          FHA  30 year fixed         3.875%                4.125% Conv 30 year fixed        4.000%                4.250% Conv 15 year fixed        3.500%                3.750% 5/1 Conv Arm               3.000%                3.250% It's an excellent opportunity to lock a rate for your home loan. Todays Loan Solutions does all types of financing so if you don't see your loan program here, call 760-668-8642 for further information. Rates will vary depending on your credit and qualifications ... 11/08/2011

I used to spend a lot of time syncing Contacts, Emails and Calendars back n forth between my IPhone, IPad and (3) Computers. I also spent sleepless nights imagining I would be out of business in a flash if my computers crashed. Everything I have done, or will be doing, is dependent on those devices. I also worried I might lose my Contacts which I had built up over 20 years of doing business as a Realtor in this beautiful sunny Palm Springs California Desert. Then, like a miracle in the night, I discovered two things that have saved me time and worry. DropBox Microsoft Exchange Server I now drop all my files into Dropbox and I can access these files from any computer, from my IPad and from my IPhone. What a simply marvelous invention!Dropbox sits in the Cloud patiently waiting for me to ... 11/08/2011

Indian Ridge Country Club Membership Update Indian Ridge Country Club starts a new season with the opening of both the Grove and Arroyo golf courses! Indian Ridge is an established private equity golf club in Palm Desert, CA - search homes for sale. Home sales in Indian Ridge Country Club are outpacing last years activity.  There was a total of 69 homes sold from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. This compares to 63 homes sold in the same time frame the year before and 23 homes sold in 2008-2009. Indian Ridge offers smaller condos to large freestanding homes. Current prices range from $450,000 to $2,500,000. Please contact me for a personal list of qualified homes or condos that fits your budget. Indian Ridge Country Club strives to ensure that the club is constinently being ... 11/08/2011

HAFA short sale approved to close in South Palm Desert, CA.  This one is on it's way to close after approximately 60 days on the market.  Conventional loan so we have until mid December to close.   Primary Residence for the Seller who will need that HAFA relocation feeof $3,000  to start over in a rental.   Bank of America: One Note with an approx. value of $193,000 Accepted Sale Price of $58,500 which is fair market value for these lovely Condos in Indian Creek Villas, South Palm Desert.   Hard to believe what you can buy for $60,000!  This condo was built in 1982, 2bd/2ba in a low HOA community in a cherry location.  Hwy 74 about 2 blocks above El Paseo, our famous shopping district.   HAFA Short Sales DO close if you have the right Listing Agent! 11/04/2011

Palm Desert Mortgage Rates Check out my weekly rate sheet here every Monday.  Todays mortgage rates for Palm Desert and the surrounding area are still phenomenal!               Rate                  APR          FHA      4.000%            4.375% Conv    4.375%            4.750% VA       4.125%            4.500% Rates have improved from the previous week due to a down stock market making it an excellent opportunity to lock a rate for your home loan. Todays Loan Solutions does all types of financing so if you don't see your loan program here, call 760-668-8642 for further information. Rates will vary depending on your credit and qualifications so please contact us for a free no obligation quote. Visit our web site to complete a secure loan application today! What can I afford 10/31/2011

Palm Desert Country Club to Open in January     Things are looking brighter or should I say “greener” for Palm Desert Country Club. The golf course was previously facing bankruptcy before being bought by a Canadian group of investors in September. Escrow closed September 9 on the 180-acre, 27-hole public golf course and clubhouse. Palm Desert Country Club Homes for Sale          The new owners are working around the clock in order to open the Palm Desert Country Club golf course on January 1, 2012. The new owners said they could open the course sooner but wanted to take the time to make sure everything was in place for a good first impression so people keep coming back. Golf and club membership fees are being finalized but a round of golf is expected to cost approximately $60 - $75.   P... 10/27/2011

  BIGHORN HOMES FOR UNDER $2 MILLION DOLLARS   Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert has set the standard for luxury homes, amenities,  ( including their own on-property Steak House and Starbucks) 2 Championship golf courses, spa, exercise facilities and panoramic sweeping views of the mountains and valley.  Currently there are 32 homes for sale at Bighorn and 11 of those homes are priced under $2Million dollars.  The "value-priced" homes are currently in the 500 price/sq.ft range.  The lowest entry-level home at Bighorn Golf Club was built in 1995 and is 2985sq.ft. with 3 Bedrooms and 4 Bathrooms-- it has been on the market for 374 days... and is priced at $1.395Million. The highest priced home at Bighorn right now is a custom home with over 8,000 sq.ft. of living space, 5 Bedrooms and 7 Ba... 10/24/2011

If you would like to see any of the properties listed below which are new listings this week for Palm Desert Real Estate , please call us at the numbers below. Were committed to helping you find the home of your dreams. Elaine Stewart has been a Real Estate Business for over 15 years and has extensive experience in the Palm Springs, and surrounding cities Real Estate market, Elaine truly enjoys helping people in the process of buying or selling a home. Elaine Stewart - Remax Real Estate Consultants Mobile: (760) 668-2399 - Office: (760) 391-4415 Email: desertrealestate1@yahoo.com 10/22/2011

Things to do in Palm Desert Centrally located in the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is a fabulous place to call home in the desert. Palm Desert has many things to offer that other desert cities don't have. Palm Desert has the only shopping mall in the desert, Westfield Shopping  and also outdoor shopping along El Paseo, the Redeo Drive of the desert with high-end designer shops, art galleries, coffee shops and restaurants. The Living Desert is also a part of Palm Desert. A great place to take the kids for a day or hike along the guided trail with viewing stations of the San Andreas fault line. The Living Desert has something for everyone to enjoy. Palm Desert is also home to many hiking trails from various degrees of difficulty including the well known and challenging Bump in Grind - Yes... 10/19/2011

South Palm Desert Home Prices Home prices in Palm Desert are stabilizing over the the same period last year but none-the-less prices are significantly less than there were in ten years ago. Take for example the home at 48989 Barberry Lane, Palm Desert, CA 92260. It is a 3 bed, 4 bath home of 3209 square feet. It sold for $525,000 in 2002 and is now listed as Contingent-other (awaiting third party approval) for $399,000 as a short sale. At $399,000, this home is priced at $124.34/square foot. During the previous six months, south Palm Desert (the area south of Highway 111 or El Paseo) has had 56 single family homes sold. This does not include condo sales or sales of single family homes in gated communities of south Palm Desert. Why is south Palm Desert such a great place to call home?  R... 10/13/2011

Palm Desert Conventional Home Loans Todays Loan Solutions specializes in conventional home loans and is conveniently located on El Paseo in Palm Desert, CA. Almost half of the home buyers in Palm Desert purchase their home in cash. However, the second largest percentage of home buyers in Palm Desert use conventional financing. What are the benefits of conventional financing? Conventional home loans with a minimum of 20% down payment void the  mortgage insurance requirement. Conventional loans also offer buyers competitively low interest rates, less stringent qualifying terms, and easier underwriting guidelines as compared to FHA financing. Visit Todays Loan Solutions website to complete a secure loan application form online. Complete our secure Mortgage Loan Application online   LOAN PR... 10/13/2011

The Living Desert is selling tickets online for its spooky holiday event, Howl-O-Ween, Oct. 28-30.  “It is so much fun to host the valley's largest Halloween event, which will be full of surprises this year,” spokeswoman Nyla Patzner said. “In our safe and family-friendly environment, The Living Desert is certainly the most unique of Halloween venues.” Revelers can take home some candy loot at more than a dozen trick-or-treat stations in Berger bluff's Main Street all dressed up in this year's Wild, Wild West theme with an old-fashioned general store, bank, saloon and livery stable. Other exhibits include the Doom Buggy fright ride through Africa and the ghosts and goblins on Zombie Country Club as well as costumed characters, rodeo trick roper Dave Thornbury and live music by children'... 10/12/2011

Most Expensive Home Sold in Palm Desert The most expensive home sold in Palm Desert to date for 2011 was in Bighorn Golf Club located at 542 Mesquite Hills, Palm Desert, CA 92260. It sold for $5,100,000 furnished and was on the market for 175 days. It was originally listed at $5,500,000.    There have been 33 home sales over $1 million so far this year in Palm Desert. The majority of these sales have been located in Indian Ridge, Cahuilla Hills, Ironwood Country Club, and Bighorn Golf Club. Half of these sales were reported as cash sales. The average price per square foot is $433.97. Home sales in all price ranges have been brisk this year with a total of 511 single family homes and 599 condos or townhouses SOLD in Palm Desert to date. If you are looking to buy or sell luxury real estat... 10/12/2011

Palm Desert CA Real Estate House Sales and Home Listings - Short Sales, Foreclosures and Standard Sales - September 2011 Market Report News   This is a market activity report of closed house sales and active home listings in the city of Palm Desert California, for September 2011. According to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), there were 116 closed Palm Desert home sales from September 1st to September 30th, 2011. 49 were Palm Desert Foreclosures 34 were Palm Desert Short Sales / Short Pay 28 were Palm Desert Standard Sales 5 were Palm Desert Probate or "Other" Sales And according to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), there are 210 Palm Desert active listings from September 1st to September 30th, 2011. 69 are Palm Desert Foreclosures 78 are Palm Desert Short Sales / Short Pay 60 are P... 10/12/2011