2 More(affordable) Bob Hope homes for sale in Palm Springs!   A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about the famous Bob Hope mansion going on the market for a "rumored" $45Million... it was a very popular post, even though it's price tag is well out of most peoples range.  These 2 new listings formerly owned by Bob & Delores Hope are much more affordable!  A celebrity owned home for under $1Million is rare! The listing agent, Patrick Jordan describes the first home as a “Spanish charmer”.  Located at 1014 E. Buena Vista in Movie Colony East. It was built in the mid-1930s, and bought by Hope in 1941. It’s a fairly typical little three-bedroom, three-bath, 2,126-square-foot house. It’s been in the Hope family all these years, and is now going for $469,000. The second home, which is nearby at 11... 12/23/2012

Seems pretty selfish, I know, in the wake of the Fed Fiscal cliff, but there you go.  My own fiscal cliff is in action.  Two large deals just went south yesterday, both my listings, and they are fantastic, so they'll sell in 2013, but they crashed and burned due to Buyer's issues.  One more is tipping and swaying at the Cancellation Cliff, but seems it may be easing itself back to safer ground..who knows?  My smaller deals appear to be sailing forward to closing.. Real Estate is such an interesting profession..you just can NEVER assume you "have it in the bag."  After 12 years in the biz, I have found that when I receive bad news about one escrow, I have to absorb it and move on to the next deal.  If I have done all I can as a caring agent, then that's the best I can do.  None of us, no... 12/19/2012

(760) 861-0625 - http://www.YourDesertHomes.com   Click here to see the newest listings for sale in Palm Springs. 24 Hour Market Watch for Palm Springs and Nearby Desert Cities Tuesday, December 18, 2012 New Listings: 41 Back on Market: 8 Went Under Contract: 50 Sold: 34     The Year in Review for Palm Springs and nearby desert cities: Number of homes for sale January 1, 2012 = 4,800     End of March, 2012 = 4,472   End of June, 2012 = 3,103           End of September, 2012 = 2,820            End of November, 2012 =  3,566 Number of Homes Sold in 2012: January = 678 February = 735 March = 1,021 April = 990 May = 1,060 June = 961 July = 718 August = 774 September = 555 October = 748 November = 635 December = ? 12/17/2012

One of the most centrally located neighborhoods in all of central Palm Springs is the historic Tennis Club area.  This area is comprised of approximately 240 single family homes and a couple of small condo developments.  The draw???  Two things.. 1.  Steeped in Palm Springs History:  The area was named after the Tennis Club itself which was developed in 1937..named by Helen McManus (McCallum), one of our Valley's most notable women.  The homes introduced the "modern" architectural designs of the 1950's, and remains today, an incredibly popular location.  Homes are purchased, updated, lived in, enjoyed and often resold as renovated "mod" homes.  Prices range from fixers in the $300's to estates at $1-$2.5million.  2.  Downtown Living:  The Tennis club is literally a wallk, or bike ride a... 12/13/2012

There are so many different areas of Central and South Palm Springs to consider when you are thinking of buying in Palm Springs proper.  By that I mean, within the City limits of Palm Springs.  Palm Springs itself is one of several desert Valley cities and is generally considered the most Westerly of our Valley cities. Palm Springs is enjoying new interest the past few years.  The downtown strip is walk friendly, offers quaint inns and shops, art galleries, coffee shops, fine dining, dancing..all within a few blocks.  For people that like to live where they can "get to" things to do, it's a great solution.  There are also golf courses, the Tram, a fantastic museum and loads of hiking trails. The Twin Palms neighborhood is located in South Palm Springs.  It's a family friendly neighborho... 12/11/2012

The winter weather here is about 80 degrees daily with nights dipping into a cool 50 degrees or so..what a perfect place to live in the winters!  Tons of activities kick in during season, which officially starts NOW and goes through to mid-May.  Palm Springs has a ton of history behind it with all the celebrity residents, movie clientel, and history with regards to how people settled here in the heat of the valley.  One way to be a part of the history of the Palm Springs Valley is to Tour our Historic Inns.  Worth your while if you're thinking of visiting the Valley! If you're interested in real estate in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Palm Desert or Palm Springs, now is a great time to buy! 12/08/2012

I am always struggling with how to educate my new Buyers (and Sellers too!), about how I make my living.  Many people..buyers and sellers alike..have a very warped idea of all the huge chunks of commission we are raking in.  Here's the real deal.. 1.  We are Independent Contractors.  That means that we must pay our own expenses..for just about everything.  No matter how much our gross commission may be.  We pay all or part of our E & O insurance (for me $1200/year), all marketing fees..both online and paper, Brokerage splits (ranging from 10-50% of our earned commission), Health Insurance, dental care, retirement contributions.  2.  We put out a ton of money up front of every sale:  I do not get paid unless I CLOSE a sale.  Nothing, not a cent.  This may be after months of hours spent d... 12/04/2012

  Best Hotel in the Desert I was really surprised to hear the results of this Palm Springs Life Reader's poll.  We have many first class resorts in our area- many associated with luxury brand names.  The little and mighty Terra Cotta Inn edged out all the big boys! One resort I missed on this list is the La Quinta Resort & Spa.  It is not only historic, but world famous.  It was a favorite for the Hollywood set in the good old days... and still attracts a jet-setting crowd.  Hopefully they will make the list next year! The Best Hotel in the desert, as voted on by Palm Springs Life readers in their Best of the Best Contest for 2012/2013 is 1st - Terra Cotta Inn, Palm Springs 2nd - Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs 3rd - JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert 4th - Agua C... 12/04/2012

A first-quarter survey of home buyers and sellers done by HomeGain.com, a real estate services website, revealed that 76 percent of homeowners believe their home is worth more than the list price recommended by their real estate agent. Home buyers usually have a better grasp of current market value in the area where they’re looking to buy than do sellers who own and live there. Buyers look at a lot of new listings. They make offers, know what sells quickly and for how much, and what doesn’t and why. HomeGain reported that home buyers still think sellers are overpricing their homes. Your home is worth what a buyer will pay for it given current market conditions. This may not be the same as your opinion of what your home will sell for, or what you hope it’s worth. Relying on emotion rathe... 12/04/2012

Property Pick of the Week - 461 E Mariposa Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264 "Contemporary Modern Home in Canyon Colony West, South Palm Springs" Ideally situated on a private cul-de-sac this 3-Bed 3-Bath condo features walls of glass offering mountain and greenbelt views. Totally remodelled and move-in ready! Pics courtesy of The MLS - Listed by Joe Simeone of Windemere Real Estate.       Whether you're buying or selling a home in Palm Springs, contact: Stewart Penn - Realtor / Broker - Penn Properties - "An Independent Brokerage"Direct: 760.618.1822  Cell: 310.866.1818stewart@stewartpenn.com 12/03/2012

(760) 861-0625 - http://www.YourDesertHomes.com   Click here to see the newest listings for sale in Palm Springs. 24 Hour Market Watch for Palm Springs and Nearby Desert Cities Saturday, December 1, 2012 New Listings: 76 Back on Market: 14 Went Under Contract: 57 Sold: 55 Another amazing 24 hours in Palm Springs Real Estate! New listings, under contract and number of solds way higher than usual the past two days. Inventory is coming back and people are buying at great prices.   Thinking of selling?  Contact us now at (760) 861-0625 to find out what your home will sell for.   The Year in Review for Palm Springs & nearby desert cities: Number of homes for sale January 1, 2012 = 4,835                                   End of March, 2012 = 4,472                                     End o... 12/01/2012

 “Bob Hope: An American Treasure” exhibit will open at the Palm Springs Air Museum on December 12th. The exhibit is brought to the desert by the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum. Built with the support of the Bob & Dolores Hope Charitable Foundation, the 2,500 square-foot exhibition highlights several aspects of Hope’s incredible life, including his time as the face of one of golf’s iconic tournaments, the Bob Hope Classic. The exhibit will be on display through early April 2013, so fans of both the PGA Tour’s Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation and the LPGA’s Kraft Nabisco Championship can view the exhibition. “Both my Dad and Mother would have loved to know that this exhibit would be housed just down the street from their much loved home on Southridge Drive,... 11/29/2012

The Rotating D'Angelo House near Palm Springs is For Sale at $279,000. The 1963 built D'Angelo House is one of a handful of homes in the world that rotates electrically. Although only 857 sq ft in sise, the home features one-bedroom, one-bathroom, a living space with a central fireplace and unspoiled mountain and valley views. The house was built in 1963 by Los Angeles business man - Floyd D'Angelo of Aluminum Skylight and Speciality Corporation. Originally solar powered, the home rests on a cement block and has rubber tire casters and sixteen struts to support it. According to The MLS Listing this unique home "is set on an acre of land that lies adjacent to a two-acre parcel that cannot be built upon". The house is located in a private community of 39 homes known as Snow Creek Village.... 11/29/2012

  Palm Springs Homes For Sale If you are currently looking to purchase a home for sale in Palm Springs California, but don't know where to begin, SCA Real Estate is here to help! Our friendly Realtors can provide you with instant access which will allow you to view all Palm Springs Homes For Sale with the simple click of your mouse!   Palm Springs MLS Home Search  Often times Real Estate websites can be confusing and misleading, and most have outdated data! Our Palm Springs Homes website is updated daily, which means you will only be shown Homes for sale in Palm Springs that are actually available!, vs homes that are pending or already sold.    Work with a top Palm Springs Realtor When you choose to hire an experienced and knowledgeable Palm Springs Realtor, it can & will make all the d... 11/28/2012

How much is hype and how much is true, what's on the street, real estate news?  I personally think there IS alot of media coverage when home sales are moving up.  Why not?  Our local Palm Springs Valley cities NEED a recovery!  On the street real estate news?  Low Inventory...period! My Palm Springs Valley (same as the Coachella Valley), is recovering from 6 years of housing meltdown.  As it should be, right?  This Valley is also a heavily seasonal, resort area.  We have a key feature...beautiful winter weather!  That is what has always driven our housing market, and that is what continues to drive it..in my own opinion of course! Sales of existing homes & also new homes continue to creep up.  Because I have been a solid Short Sale List Agent for almost 5 years, I've seen my % of Short ... 11/27/2012

Palm Springs Buyers Agent     Stewart Penn - Realtor / Broker Windemere Real Estate Palm Springs Contact Resident Real Estate Broker Stewart Penn - Penn Properties, Palm SpringsCell: 760-618-1822  Office: 760-325-9091stewart@stewartpenn.com 11/27/2012

  Good News on Home Prices! RISING HOME VALUES are bringing Home Equity to its highest level since the third quarter of 2008. This rise in value has helped lift 1.3 million families above water! Homeowner equity has jumped $400 billion, or 5.9% in the second quarter of 2012. Unfortunately, according to the Desert Sun Newspaper November 22nd, 44% of the homeowners in the Coachella Valley, often referred to as the Palm Springs Desert Area, are still underwater!. The number of underwater borrowers has declined by 11% since the end of 2011. Much of this is attributed to the Making Affordable Home Assistance Program enacted by congress last year. Additionally, HOPE Now lenders, another government program put into place to help families and individuals, has helped more than three million folk... 11/27/2012

The Palm Springs Valley home sales have remained strong in pretty much all price points over the past year.  The entry level, ($250,000 and below), has actually increased in price/sf since 4th Quarter of 2011 and remained very steady with low inventory and plenty of buyers throughout 2012.  The mid-range homes (500-800,000), has moved laterally over the past year.  Meaning..if the Seller prices their property appropriately for the sales in the development, and the property shows well, it will sell very near to List Price. The Million to 2 million price point is now the one that's popping!  This article was front page news on our daily Desert Sun yesterday.  So far this past year, 328 homes have closed at 1 million or above.  Remember that does not include Seller Financed properties, Exc... 11/26/2012

I'm a Vegetarian so Turkeys are safe with me, but there are other things to enjoy in Palm Springs over Thanksgiving! Take a look at the polo field track here..amazing! People travel from all over the world to visit and enjoy themselves in Palm Springs. Many come for a vacation and within a few days find themselves looking for Palm Springs homes for sale. The region is warm, relaxed and beautiful—and the perfect place to spend a four day weekend like Thanksgiving. Here are the top 5 reasons to spend this indulgent holiday in Coachella Valley. 1. The weather. Few people around the country will be able to sunbathe and relax on this holiday—except for lucky owners of Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and Palm Desert real estate. The weather is beautiful year round, and this weekend is no exceptio... 11/21/2012

This week, many family and friends will be gathering together to celebrate Thanksgiving together. Tables will be piled high with turkeys, hams, both sweet and mashed potatoes; Grandma’s famous cranberry sauce and lots of gravy. There will be apple, pumpkin and pecan pies and many “special” side dishes to make this a very festive event.Unfortunately, not everyone is fortunate to have family or friends to celebrate this holiday with. Many are homeless or living in shelters. Many are still suffering from the ravages of Hurricane Sandy. These last few years have been very difficult for those who have lost jobs and homes. Perhaps you might find a little “extra room” at your table to invite someone to share your meal and home with them. Or you might offer to volunteer in one of the many shelt... 11/20/2012