Short Sale vs Foreclosure` Do You Know the Difference? By now every household in America has heard the term Short Sale or Foreclosure. Sadly too many families have had to make a tough financial decisions that affect today and their future even in beautiful Palm Desert. I am a real estate professional and I chose Palm Desert as my home for the last 12 years . I have helped homeowners to make the best decisions possible and explained to them their options.  If you or someone you know is affected by today's market, let me help. I recently helped a couple shortsale their home on Oklahoma St in Palm Desert.   Was a bittersweet closing, but now they tell me they are free to move on with their lives and no longer have the financial worry everyday.  Lets talk, no obligation , no pressure, no co... 05/07/2012

Whether its comfortable or just down right hot, everyone loves to go to the Palm Desert Street Fair.  The summer hours are 7am to 12pm from June until September. You can easily find the Palm Desert Street fair by going down Monterey Avenue until you hit College of The Desert. The beautiful campus of College of the Desert is also home to the Palm Desert Street Fair. With tall date palms, blue skies and mountain views one can just stroll through the Palm Desert Street Fair and enjoy the views. Or enjoy your morning walk, while browsing through the many unique and fun novelties.  Or buy some fresh produce from our local farmers.  Many days you can walk in rythem to music and smell the funnel cakes and kettle corn cooking. From clothing to gadgets just about everyone can find something to t... 05/07/2012

Often when  I am driving around Palm Desert & Indian Wells I notice several people flying their American Flag.  Sometimes it is on days that I didnt even know we were supposed to fly the Flag. I felt that as an American I should know this. So I found these are days we fly our flag and show pride of being an American. New Years Day    Jan 1 st Presidents Inauguration Day      Jan 20  (every 4 years) Lincolns Birthday                       Feb 12 Washingtons Birthday                 3rd Monday in February Armed Forces Day                      3rd Sat in May Memorial Day                             Last Monday in May Flag Day                                   June 14th Independence Day                      July 4th Labor Day                                  1st Monday in September Citizens... 05/07/2012

Palm Desert Country Club is what I refer to as " An Oldie But Goodie."  Built in the 1960's Palm Desert Country Club still has the feel of the old Palm Springs area nostalgia but with modern touches and style.  With over 1800 homes in this non gated community every street is named after a state.   Therefor it is also known as Avenue of The States .   The community has a comfortable feel and people can be seen walking, riding bikes and just out and about.  Like the neighborhoods of the past, where the word community still had meaning. The Palm Desert Country Club public golf course and clubhouse recently went through approx 10 million in upgrades and remodeling.  The  18 hole course is beautiful and prices are affordable to everyone.  With water features and views of the Santa Rosa & San... 04/27/2012

Part 2 of 2: ByWayneS.Bell(Chief Counsel) andSummerB.Bakotich(Special Investigator) – California Department of Real Estate Part 1 click here Last week we discussed Fraudulent Deeds recorded against properties. This week we will discuss scams used to falsify deeds. Following is an article received from the California Department of Real Estate. There are numerous types and scenarios of deed fraud, and they are only limited by the creativity, abilities, and tactics of the fraudsters. Thus, the cases mentioned below are not exhaustive, but illustrations only. A fraudster may forge a homeowner’s name on a quitclaim deed or another deed to a home. The deed is acknowledged and signed by a notary public (either legitimately based on false identification or illegitimately), and then recorded, ef... 04/23/2012

PALM DESERT DOG PARKS Are you and your pooch looking for a place to socialize with other dogs,  and dog owners? Here is a list of the best places to have fun with your dog in Palm Desert~ Civic Center Park : enclosed dog park University Park : gated dog park Joe Mann Park: fenced-in dog run Freedom Park:  encolosed dog area Cahuilla Hills Park:  off-leash area for pooches Cap Homme/Ralph Adams Park:  off-leash area for canines 04/18/2012

Part 1 of 2: ByWayneS.Bell(Chief Counsel) andSummerB.Bakotich(Special Investigator) – California Department of Real Estate. I came across this article and felt every homeowner needed to be aware of this, so I am re-blogging and sending this article to you. This week I will alert you to what this scam involves, and next week I will identify the various scams and what you can do to protect yourself. I. Introduction. In the current economic climate, criminal fraud related to real property deeds appears to be on the rise. In that regard, the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) has received and continues to take reports of such fraud where forged, false and/or fraudulently induced deeds are recorded against properties in California without the knowledge or consent of the owners. The p... 04/17/2012

PALM DESERT REO's--->> Bank Owned Homes & Bank Owned Properties Palm Desert<<----- Foreclosed Homes n Condos in Palm Desert CA by map below. We've made it super easy for you to browse each and every PALM DESERT BANK OWNED HOMES, Palm Desert REO's, Foreclosures in Palm Desert CA. When you want to see the best deals ot of u all Palm Desert Homes For Sale,  inlcuding GOlf Homes, Condos for sale in Palm Desert, Palm Desert Luxury Homes, etc search all PALM DESERT BANK OWNED HOMES here.       04/16/2012

Villa Portofino in Palm Desert, California is a unique active adult community designed with Italian flair. Architectural details such as winding ironwork, grand columns, graceful arches and paver stone streets combine to give this 55+ community beautiful curb appeal. Set in the heart of the Coachella Valley, residents enjoy stunning views of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. This private gated community offers luxury villas at an attractive price point, starting from the mid $100’s and going up to the mid $200’s. Plans call for just 400 homes in this intimate sized neighborhood. The homes at Villa Portofino are available as new construction or resale with sizes ranging from just over 1,000 to just over 1,600 square feet. Features include stainless steel appliances, granite count... 04/11/2012

There's a sense of accomplishment and pride in owning your own home. The very word 'home' conjures up feeling of security, not just in the sense that you have a place to call your own, but also for financial reasons. When you rent, the money goes straight from your pocket to your landlord's pocket. As a renter, you are not the one to reap the benefits of federal and state property tax and mortgage interest deductions. If you are the owner, you will be the one building equity as your property appreciates in value. In today's shaky economy, where else can you get so much bang for your buck? The equity in your home may also entitle you to re-financing options and provide you with the needed cash for remodeling, adding on, or other equity building activities. Not so if you are simply rentin... 04/02/2012

The College of the Desert SWAP MEET in Palm Desert, CA – A New Look   The College of the Desert Swap Meet is an amazing array of vendors, selling their wares on Saturdays and Sundays year-round on the campus near the heart of downtown Palm Desert.   If you ever get a chance to visit this famous Swap Meet in Palm Desert, it is well worth it.   Picture a mobile outdoor mall of several hundred tents, with palm trees and mountains in the near distance, and the opportunity to spend hours browsing and shopping and probably not be able to take it all in.   Great people watching too, plus music and a farmer's market.   On our last visit a few weeks ago I decided to take a different look at the College of the Desert Swap Meet and just take pics of the signage. It will give you just a brief glimp... 03/30/2012

About a year ago, I was made aware that Veterans who served in Active Duty could be eligible for benefits should they be in need of funds to help with home care during their senior years. Apparently, although funds have been set aside to assist these veterans, little is known about these services. As a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES),I am often asked to assist seniors when it comes time to sell their property. There are times seniors need to move into assisted living, or move to another state to be closer to their children. Memories need to be packed away or given to family members. This can be a frightening time for an elderly widow who has relied on her husband to make all these decisions. Sadly, I had one incidence where I received a call from a family member who suspected their... 03/27/2012

Despite sparse home inventory, the National Association of REALTORS® reports that 4.59 million existing homes were sold in February on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis. An "existing home" is a home that cannot be classified as new construction. Last month's sales data represents a 9 percent improvement from the year prior. The market for home resales stays strong. There are now just 2.43 million homes for sale nationwide -- a 19% reduction versus a year ago. The complete home inventory would "sell out" in 6.4 months at the current sales pace. Some analysts believe that a 6-month home supply indicates a housing market in balance. The real estate trade group's report contained other noteworthy statistics, too : 32 percent of home sales were made to first-time buyers 33 percent of h... 03/22/2012

I received this notice from Linda Garrett with Property ID, an Independent Company who provides many of our clients with Disclosures regarding property matters.This Bill affects Homeowners in California. Senate Bill 183 Lowenthal (SB183) created the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 (Act). The Act requires carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to be installed in every dwelling unit intended for human occupancy. A CO detector is a device that detects the presence of CO and emits a loud noise to alert occupants that CO is present in order to prevent CO poisoning. Detection of CO in a home environment is impossible without a warning device because CO is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and invisible (unlike smoke from a fire). It is often referred to as the "silent killer" because ... 03/20/2012

‘Saturday Night Live’ alum Colin Quinn brings his one-man show to the McCallum Colin Quinn at the McCallum Theatre     McCallum Theatre will present “Saturday Night Live” and Comedy Central star Colin Quinn in his one-man show Colin Quinn: “Long Story Short,” directed by Jerry Seinfeld, on Wednesday, March 14, at 8 p.m.   If you loved the Mel Brooks comedies  History of the World Part I and Part II.... this could be the show for you! Comically channeling the demise of great world empires, Colin Quinn uses his “articulate brand of comedy” in taking audiences through an uproarious history of the world in 75 minutes. From his personification of Caesar as the original Italian mobster to his complaints about Ancient Greece and Antigone giving way to Costco and Snooki, Colin is at his satiric... 03/13/2012

This is a question I think every Buyer's Agent should ask their prospective Short Sale Buyer.  There are so many invisible obstacles in the path of a successful short sale closing, that educating your Buyer is absolutely critical! My area of Riverside County, the Palm Springs Valley, is seeing a huge decline in entry level inventory.  If you are looking at that price point, it is approaching the realm of "should I take the Short Sale or should I pay $5-$10/sf more and KNOW what I'm getting and when?" Even with an experienced List Agent, things can go very wrong.  So much is dependent upon which Lender or Lenders are involved.  The degree of default.  The willingness of the Seller to submit and re-submit docs and most of all...the Negotiator! THE SHORT SALE TRAIL CAN BE LONG AND ARDUOUS.... 02/26/2012

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 02/12/2012

WALKING FOOD TOUR OF EL PASEO! Sample the best of El Paseo while you stroll from restaurant to restaurant! Taste your way through Palm Desert’s upscale shopping and art district while enjoying an entertaining, cultural and educational journey. Walk away from your adventure with a newfound culinary perspective, a satisfied stomach and a local’s knowledge of this fun, interesting and beautiful destination. Tasting locations may include:  A popular Island themed restaurant  Genuine Italian Ristorante A spice & herb specialty shop Authentic Mediterranean restaurant Bistro and wine shop A bakery and dessert house Eating your way through the tour is just one of the tasty ingredients…add a dash of history, a cup of culture and a dollop of famous-resident name dropping…and you get a delicious d... 02/11/2012

Palm Desert Real Estate The Palm Desert real estate market has been extremely volatile in the past few years, from foreclosures, short sales and standard sales as well. But Palm Desert real estate transactions are still happening in spite of the market crash and tough market conditions. While it is true that many unfortunate Palm Desert homeowners are losing their properties to foreclosure, foreclosing banks and lenders are not in any hurry to list their Palm Desert foreclosed assets for sale. Banks have slowed the resale of their Palm Desert foreclosures to a trickle to keep the real estate marketplace competitive for buyers and to not flood the supply. It is a great time to buy Palm Desert real estate if you have the resources to do so, but there are many buyers and investors buying ... 02/10/2012

If you would like to see property for sale in Sun City Palm Desert , please call us at the numbers below. Were committed to helping you find the home of your dreams. Homes for Sale at Sun City Palm Desert Sun City Palm Desert Foreclosures 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 02/07/2012