Whether it be real estate updates, restaurant reviews, events, or highlights of unique homes in Palm Springs, follow Sheri as she covers all that Palm Springs and the surrounding area has to offer.
Complimentary Palm Springs Area Real Estate Map Showing Popular Golf & Country Club Communities, Points Of Interest, Palm Springs Area Shopping & More. View Online, Download Your Own Copy Here, or pick up your own 11 x 17 map at our Sheri Dettman & Associates La Quinta offices.
Download Your Real Estate Map Here:
Palm Springs Real Estate Map - (1MB PDF)
Palm Springs area vacation rentals are a very specialized area. Sheri has found that she can best serve her rental clients by referring people to a vacation rental specialist that specializes in rentals, leases and property management. Sheri Dettman & Associates does not book rentals directly.
Royale Vacation Rentals, La Quinta
Royale Vacation Rentals has Palm Springs vacation rentals to fit any budget with private rental homes and condos, from modest to spectacular! Many of their available homes in the desert cities of La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage offer views of the golf course right from your back door. Royale Vacation Rentals trained professionals can help you make the most of your vacation in this desert paradise.
Please let Gabe Franco (email Gabe here) and his Royale Vacation Rentals staff know that Sheri referred you.
Property Management For Owners
For owners of vacation properties, Sheri is also happy to offer referrals to qualified rental management services that can assist in the rental and property management of your home or condo.
Andalusia La Quinta
Legacy Villas La Quinta
Mountain VIew Country Club La Quinta
by Sheri Dettman, Resort Lifestyle Realtor
Many Palm Springs area home and condo buyers choose to live in their new property on a part-time basis. Others consider their desert purchase more of a vacation property and rent it out when not using it personally. Either way, you’ll want to make sure you discuss your property’s potential use and/or non-use with your insurance agent.
Many insurers will consider a Palm Springs area home vacant if it is not occupied for extended periods of time. But what is considered a vacant home? I checked in with local agent Richard Cox of Cox Insurance to get the scoop on this subject.
“Insurers know that vacant homes have a much higher occurrence and possible severity of damage,” Richard said. “Most companies want the homeowner to be in the home every 30 days, but they will accept a visit from friend or even a hired property watch-type service.”
“There are many official and unofficial services of this type offered in our desert. Most carriers will accept this type of service. Many of these services will feed cats, walk dogs, flush toilets and even run sinks and water plants. Some will even send or email a ‘property check report’ to the homeowner at a very reasonable cost on a regular basis. These documented reports are perfect for showing insurance carriers that the property was not abandoned in the event of a claim.”
Short-Term Palm Springs Area Vacation Rentals Are Often Miss-Categorized
“Short term rentals are often the most miss-categorized property. Second homeowners really need to let their insurance agent know if they are renting their property for periods of less than six consecutive months. There is almost nothing worse than finding out there is a problem when you are filing a claim,” Richard said.
Local property watch services charge as little as $30 to $35 per visit to check a property and then send you a report. Rental management companies can also include this service in addition to booking rentals of your property.
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.
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:
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 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.
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).
<< Back to Information For Palm Springs Home Buyers
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.
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!
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.
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!
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).
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
<< Back to Information for Palm Springs Area Home Buyers
by Sheri Dettman, Resort Lifestyle Realtor
If you've never visited the desert, or haven't visited it for many years you may just call the area Palm Springs. Actually, The City of Palm Springs is only the westernmost city of The Coachella Valley. The Valley also includes the popular Palm Springs area cities of La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Indio. Each city offers community features that appeal to both seasonal and year round residents.
The Palm Springs real estate market has many popular resort style communities. Many offer world-class golf (over 150 golf courses and country clubs), tennis, fitness facilities, social activities and more. With lots of great choices you'll want to spend some time thinking about what is most important to you and what you really want in a community. Define the kind of lifestyle you desire and the important features you want in your new desert home. You might start by exploring our Palm Springs Area Golf Communities.
Early development in the Valley was centered in the Palm Springs area and then spread eastward. In general you'll find most newer communities and homes in the La Quinta area which is forecast to be the upcoming center of the Valley.
City demographics also peg La Quinta, Palm Desert and Indio as three of the youngest cities in the desert. Palms Springs has seen a lot of redevelopment over the last decade, led to a large extent by Palm Springs gay community, which is the largest per capita in the United States.
Not everyone wants to live within a Palm Springs golf or country club community. There are also many wonderful non-golf communities that offer other options and amenities, yet are in proximity to golf courses or country clubs. Keep in mind, also, that many Palm Springs golf and country club communities offer social (dining, spa and club house privileges) and/or sports (tennis and/or fitness) memberships for non-golfers.
In terms of value in today's market, re-sale homes and condos generally present the best real estate opportunities here in the Palm Springs real estate market. If however you are considering a new construction home keep in mind that your realtor can assist you with most any onsite sales office. It costs you nothing and you get the added benefit of extensive and unbiased local real estate knowledge.
My team and assist buyers on a regular basis in comparing new home inventories to resale opportunities, and keep in mind that like shopping for a new car, almost everything is negotiable, and not everyone pays the same price. To take advantage of this value added service we simply must accompany you on your first visit to the new home community. We regularly help buyers with new construction homes in dozens of Palm Springs are communities.
Annual property taxes in Riverside County are set at a rate of 1.25% of the appraised value of the property. The new appraised value will be set at your purchase price, even if the previous value was higher. Annual property taxes are divided into two payments and paid semi-annually (due 12/10 & 4/10). If you are purchasing a property via a loan you can request that your lender add the property taxes to your loan amount each month (called impounding taxes) with the lender then paying the property taxes for you twice annually. You can also pay your property taxes on line via this link to the Riverside County Property Tax Portal.
Some communities in the desert may also add a supplemental tax called Mello-Roos which funds new infrastructure for the communities. Your Realtor can tell you if a property is located in a Mello-Roos area.
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A fantastic two weeks in Tennis Paradise was topped off with a pair of truly incredible finals matches in Stadium 1. Congratulations to our 2019 champions: Canada's Bianca Andreescu and Austria's Dominic Thiem!
From Sheri Dettman
In Lifestyles & Things To Do, Tennis Anyone?
We recently updated our exclusive video tour of The Madison Club located in La Quinta. Here’s the thing. Our Sheri Dettman & Associates team works hard at creating the fresh website and newsletter content for you on a daily basis. Heck, communities change over time. HOA or golf dues go up and down; landscaping matures, and new community amenities can be added. But on to our Madison Club video shoot.
The Madison Club in La Quinta is one of the most exclusive private country clubs in the Palm Springs Real Estate market. Our marketing team was on the golf course for about half a day, and they got some great shots. And speaking to exclusivity, they did not see another golf cart on the Madison Club course until after 11AM.
My husband Bill Dettman headed up video production, and he reported that the on course amenities offered around the Madison Club course were top-notch as always. And while he could have indulged in a variety of snacks, food and libations at several stops, he stuck with a healthy banana, cold water and Gatorade to keep the production moving.
Bill noticed a number of impressive luxury homes in stages of development around the Madison Club golf course. Developers and Realtors call this “sticks in the ground.”
One of the unique things about Madison Club golf course home locations is their raised elevations above the golf course fairways. This unique elevation creates added privacy and some pretty spectacular views.
When you see the elevated video shots of the clubhouse you can see the impressive elevation changes at Madison Club. Even more impressive when you realize that Madison Club’s entire 500 acres were completely flat before being developed!
Madison Club offers some of the best and most exclusive amenities in the desert. The spa, fitness facilities, golf and dining opportunities are hard to top. Bill’s video shoot took place shortly after the Coachella Festival at the nearby Polo Grounds. The Madison Club staff was telling Bill how families at Madison Club hung out with their kids over that weekend, and how the club offered private VIP transportation to the event for Madison Club families and guests.
Enjoy the video, and please don’t hesitate to contact me about The Madison Club, or to view any Madison Club property offered for sale. At the time we produced our new vide tour, available Madison Club properties were priced from $2 million to $39 million.