Sheri’s Palm Springs Area Blog

About Palm Springs Area Home Owners Associations (HOA’s)

Many gated and even some non-gated developments in the Palm Springs area include an Home Owners Association or HOA. For our Canadian friends, an HOA is similar to Canadian Strata Associations. Most of the Palm Springs area golf communities and non-golf community profiles on this website include recent HOA information.

 

Palm Springs Area HOA Dues: What’s Included?

Home Owners’ Association dues can vary widely from community to community depending on the amenities and services that are available to property owners. HOA dues in condo communities will generally be higher than those of most single-family home communities because they include exterior building insurance (not contents), exterior building maintenance (walls, roofs and painting) and community shared amenities such as pools, spas, clubhouses, trash pickup, and, often, basic cable TV.

When comparing monthly HOA dues in the Palm Springs area you’ll want to look beyond the numbers and see what’s actually included in these dues. As an example, let’s compare two different HOA’s and what is included:

Community A ($335 Monthly HOA):

• Common area maintenance
• 24/7 Access gate control.

Community B ($520 Monthly HOA):

• Common area maintenance
• 24/7 Access gate control
• Front yard landscape and irrigation
• Exterior painting
• Side-yard pickup of trash
• Basic cable TV

On the surface $335 looks better. Add it all up though and Community B's dues - while higher - include more services and, in fact, may cost the homeowner less over time. HOA’s in other developments might include community pools and spas, clubhouses, tennis and fitness centers while others may include discounted or even full golf privileges.

 

Most Palm Springs Area HOA's Dues Are Paid Monthly

Most HOA dues are usually billed monthly. A few desert communities bill dues quarterly. HOA’s have the legal right to file a lien against a property and possibly even sell the property at auction to recover dues if the owner(s) neglect to pay their HOA dues. Property owners may wish to consider setting up an automatic payment of HOA dues through their bank or set up an automatic debit payment with their HOA.

After signing a purchase contract for a property located within an HOA, and during the escrow ‘due diligence’ period, buyers are entitled to receive a copy of the HOA CC&R’s (declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions), community rules and regulations and financials for their review.  It’s always a good idea to retain a copy of these for future reference.

 

Palm Springs Area Condos Compared To Canadian Strata Ownership

Here in the desert a condo does not usually refer to a high-rise community as found in many Canadian Provinces. While there are a few high-rise developments here, most condo communities in the desert are actually single level or two story buildings. This is similar to Canadian Strata communities. There are a wide variety of condo types here including those with no shared walls. Condo communities usually offer a 'lock and leave' lifestyle where exterior building maintenance, insurance, landscape and more are taken care of by the condo association or as they are called here in the desert, the Home Owners Association (HOA).

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Tips For Choosing Your Palm Springs Area Realtor

One of the smartest things you can do before beginning to look at Palm Springs area homes or luxury condos is to choose a local real estate agent to represent your best interests. And finding a local agent that has a proven track record of helping lots of buyers like you is a good place to start.

I like to think of a buyer’s agent as a part guide and part negotiator. Top local agents keep on top of the changing desert inventory and trends within our local Palm Springs area golf and country club communities–saving you both time and hassle. Later, once you’ve found your desert home, top agents will likely have the most experience of negotiating the best price and terms on your behalf.

 

Who You Gonna Call?

It’s very common to find and even start working with a Palm Springs area real estate agent from out of the area, or even out of the country using online resources. But what’s the best way to discover the agent that is the best match for your goals?

You can start by comparing the online information and website resources each agent that your considering offers you. Agents that offer you a lot of valuable resources are likely the agents that can make your overall buying experience smoother and more profitable. Their goal is to help you be an informed buyer. And I believe that being an informed buyer is a very good thing!

 

How Quickly Are Your Calls & Email Messages Returned?

Consider how quickly a prospective agent responds to your phone calls or email message. Top agents return both calls and emails promptly, and that's one of the reasons those agents are highly successful.

Some Palm Springs area real estate agents can even make real estate fun! Does the prospective agent sound boring over the phone or do they ‘smile’ while they are speaking with you? Do they seem happy to help you or do they make you feel like they’re doing you a favor?

Palm Springs area real estate is more about your family and friends lifestyle than simply real estate. And it doesn’t have to be boring or stressful. Consider that top agents won't waste your valuable time going to properties that they know don’t match your criteria.

 

Busy & Successful Agents Are Busy & Successful For A Reason

One of the first questions I suggest in asking any prospective Realtor (including me) is: “How many sales transactions did you complete last year, and in what price ranges and communities?” I mention this because the average Realtor completes just 12 transactions annually or one per month.

In contrast, our small team of specialists at Sheri Dettman & Associates will complete over 100 sales transactions this year ranging mostly from the $300,000’s to $5 million. If not us, you’ll want to choose an agent that is busy and successful. I choose my doctor, dentist and accountant the same way!

 

 

Working With Multiple Real Estate Agents

Some homebuyers think that the best way to find a great deal is by working with multiple real estate agents. Is it? Top agents don’t usually work with buyers playing the field, and buyers playing the field with multiple agents seldom receive the best representation (think price and terms).

Summary

Interview and check out the sales history of any agent you are considering.  Then, make a smart choice; choose a busy and successful agent that will truly listen to you and represent your best interests.

 

Other Suggested Articles For Buyers

Palm Springs Area Open House Tips
Am I Ready To Submit An Offer On That Desert Property?
Your Buyer/Broker Agreement Explained (And How This Can Benefit You)

 

Finding The Right Palm Springs Area Location

 

by Sheri Dettman, Resort Lifestyle Realtor

It’s possible to buy the right home here in the Palm Springs area but in the wrong location. The old adage of "location, location, location," is repeated three times to emphasize the importance of location. It basically means that similar or identical homes or condos can be valued differently based on their location.

 

Palm Springs Area Community And Amenities Equal Location

Location here in the Palm Springs area starts with the city and then the community which best matches your criteria. Top agents will work to first identify your criteria and then guide you to locations which best match your choices.

Once your real estate agent helps narrow down your overall location criteria, she/he will then help you discover the location options within each community to form your ‘short list’, One example is sunlight exposure; Year-round residents and winter residents will likely have different needs and preferences where this is concerned.

 

Homes Or Condos Offering Views

Homes offering views are one of the most requested location options here in the desert. And since outdoor living is so popular here, sweeping views can and will add value to an identical home or condo with limited or no views. Some buyers prefer golf course views, while others choose the mountains. And here in the desert you can actually have it both ways.

 

Outdoor Recreation And Things To Do

One of the great things about the Palm Springs area is that there’s something for everyone throughout the valley and in nearby areas. For those who love to walk to restaurants and shopping, proximity to city centers becomes an important requirement on their ‘short list’ of desirable locations. Most Palm Springs area activities are only a short drive away as well. In many gated golf and country club communities, great restaurants and shopping are only a short golf cart or bike ride away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Best Palm Springs Area Rental Locations

If you are considering renting your home you’ll want to think about what locations seasonal and long-term renters prefer. Palm Springs area golf course homes and condos always seem to top the list as do resort lifestyle communities offering nearby pools/spas, tennis, or fitness facilities. Most seasonal renters of single-family homes want a private pool. Condos and town homes in gated communities with resort amenities are also popular as rentals, both as short and long term rentals. Your realtor can also advise you about which communities have rental restrictions versus those that don’t.

 

Palm Springs Communities With HOA’s

Community locations with HOA’s (home owners associations) offer benefits to some buyers and drawbacks to others. HOA’s have rules and regulations. On the plus side is the fact that most HOA’s work hard at maintaining high community standards and appearances so your neighborhood doesn’t become run down or have blighted homes.

Keep in mind that there are usually HOA dues to pay and you’ll need to be aware of any HOA rules pertaining to using or modifying your property. Before buying a home or condo located within an HOA, you’ll want to read your copy of the HOA CC&R’s (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) that you’ll be provided with during the start of escrow after your offer is accepted on a home or condo.

 

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