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112 Kiva, Palm Desert

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365 Things to Do in Palm Springs

The River in Rancho Mirage

Known as the center of it all, The River in Rancho Mirage is a spot where you can dine, shop, take in a movie, stroll in the sun, and meander in the moonlight. The beautiful open-air complex brings you premier dining experiences at Acqua Pazza, the Cheesecake Factory, Babe’s Barbecue & Brewery, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Yard House and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse…to name a few. Your favorite Starbuck’s is there, along with Five Guys Burgers, Baja Fresh and Ben & Jerry’s, too. You can do it all in one evening, all at one spot—dinner, cocktails, and a movie at the River’s Cinemark Century Theatres. Many fine boutique shops and stores comprise the River’s retail experience including Bath & Body Works, M.A.C. Cosmetics, Hats Unlimited, Bobby Chan, again, to name a few. A number of community special events and live concerts take place there when weather permits. The surrounding water lends a tranquil and cooling atmosphere as you explore all of the wonderful things that make The River so popular. It’s the center of it all in the center of the valley.

If you are interested in buying or selling Real Estate around the River in Rancho Mirage, please call our office today at 760-541-7006. 

The short sale Sale

 “Short Sale” has become an all-too-common term over the past few years. As frequently as we hear about Short Sales, many people have no idea what it actually means. It may be the right alternative to take to avoid foreclosure, to keep your credit intact, and eliminate the heartbreak of just walking away and abandoning the property. Banks agree to a short sale when an owner has lost their job or suffered some sort of personal hardship, or owe more on the mortgage than the home is worth. When the lender is shorted on a mortgage,  they will accept less than the total amount owed; enabling a buyer to purchase the property for less than what is owed while the home lies in a pre-foreclosure stage.

When it’s time to proceed with the Short Sale, the owner of the property will need to prepare a financial package to submit to the lender. A list of things to include in the package would be: the hardship submission letter, 2 years of tax returns and W-2 forms, recent payroll stubs, and the last 2 months of bank statements. Also a comparative market analysis report should be included, or a list of recent comparable sales of properties in the area, which can be received from the listing agent. Sign a listing agreement with the agent subject to selling as a short sale with third-party approval. The agent will seek a buyer who will make an offer for less than the total amount due on the mortgage. When all accept (seller and lender) a purchase offer, the transaction will close, the lender releases the lien and seller delivers the deed.

A Short Sale can be the perfect solution in order to avoid the blemish of a foreclosure on your credit report.

Call Rob Zwemmer and Associates for more details regarding Short Sales, we’re here to help.

Home Staging for the Best First Impression

Keeping your home in showplace condition is still crucial even in this “buyer’s” market. The objective is to sell your property in the shortest amount of time for highest price you can get. Time is money, so remember, buyers will pay a little more for a home in top condition. Spring is traditionally the busiest selling season, so start adding touches that produce the wow factor. It doesn’t take a lot of money or effort to make your home stand out from the rest. The key is to obtain a lasting first impression with potential buyers. How about washing all the windows to enhance the views…pulling up the blinds and parting the curtains to let the sunshine in? Painting a wall with a pop or contrasting color can add interest and depth to a plain room. Call attention to architectural details with an accenting color that coordinates with the patterns of throws, rugs, draperies, pillows and tabletop pieces. A modern color like lime green or tangerine can update a bland interior with amazing results. Paint doesn’t cost very much and can make all the difference. Brass fixtures such as door knobs, cabinet pulls, etc. can make a home look tired and out of date. Replace with gleaming nickel fixtures and lend a more contemporary touch. Remember, clutter draws attention away from the actual scale and appearance of a home. Donate non-essentials or stow them in a storage unit while your home is being offered for sale. Fix dripping faucets, ensure cupboard doors open and shut properly, and check for any peeling wallpaper or chipped paint. Hang pictures and place display objects strategically so they are pleasing focal points that work with the décor. Open windows for about 10 minutes before your home is shown to let in a little fresh air. Fresh flower arrangements are always a perfect touch to give the home a cheery and welcoming atmosphere. The right approach will help sell your home in record time.

Contact Rob Zwemmer and Associates for more home staging tips. Our on-staff designer is always available for consultation. 760-541-7006

365 Things to Do in Palm Springs

 COD STREET FAIR

What better way to kick-off the weekend than to visit the famous College of the Desert Street Fair! You can get out in the sun, meet some interesting people, and get in on plenty of great deals on interesting things. They say it’s best to visit the street fair between 7-9am so you can beat the crowds, have plenty of time to visit all of the booths, and grab a few ‘early bird specials’ that individual vendors have to offer. Over 300 vendors are on hand presenting entertainment, great gift ideas, arts and crafts, and products for you and your home. Refreshment areas feature breakfast selections from pancakes to breakfast burritos; and a wide range of lunch items are available including Mexican and Italian favorites, Polish sausage and BBQ, too. Held at the northwest corner of COD’s campus (near the intersection of Monterey Avenue and Fred Waring Drive), the Street Fair is very easy to access. Admission and parking are free, and a complimentary golf cart shuttle is provided for your convenience. It’s growing and improving all the time, so if you haven’t been by recently, you are really missing out! COD Street Fair is open every Weekend throughout the year from 7am to 2pm. Hope to see you there.

If you are visiting the Palm Desert area and are thinking about buying a property call us today. 760-541-7006.

Real Estate Transactions - Quick Do’s/Don’ts

Follow the rules, do your homework, and make it a successful transaction. All aspects of a Real Estate transaction are critical, and a lot can go wrong at the last moment making the bottom fall out of what appeared to be a solid deal. The Listing Agent should have the seller sign and verify information submitted to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service)—the MLS report should be signed before submitting. The buyer and seller need to sign all legal documents including the purchase agreement, and be sure to never allow “per telephone call signatures”; take the time to meet and affix a signature in writing. If an agreement is made to a settlement or condition of the property, obtain a Settlement and Release form that both parties sign. sellers should encourage an earnest buyer to get a professional inspection of the property; any issues with the home can come back to the seller if not divulged before transfer. Sellers may agree to credit for a certain condition or any defects within the property,

Find out more before embarking on your upcoming Real Estate transaction. Whether buying or selling, Rob Zwemmer and Associates can take you through the process, making it an adventure, not a challenge.  For more information please contact us today at 760-541-7006.

365 Things to Do in Palm Springs

 The Bump-n-Grind Trail

Yes, it’s a challenge, the renowned Bump-n-Grind Trail, where you can literally see forever across the valley floor. It begins at 250 feet in elevation and is considered a moderate to strenuous hike that reaches about 1000 feet up. It’s definitely one of the most popular hiking trails in the valley offering a challenging cardio workout. They say the right side of the trail is wider, making it easier to spot any of the rattlesnakes that tend to come out and meander when the weather gets warmer. At first glance it appears as a slightly elevated pathway; then you notice the rugged, rocky mountain terrain that seemingly reaches to the sky. Coming down can be a bit tricky, so watch out, it can be a bit steep. The access point is located on Painters Path (behind Target’s Palm Desert Store at Desert Crossing Shopping Center). The City of Rancho Mirage has restricted hikers from entering other trailheads located in various residential areas. The upper portion of the trail was closed in June, 2011 so bighorn sheep can reclaim and populate the area again. Many complete the hike in about 3 hours. You are encouraged to bring water, wear a hat and the proper footwear to tackle the more rugged and dusty terrain. If you’re up for the challenge, let’s take it to the top!

If you have questions about the Palm Springs area, or if you are interested in buying or selling Real Estate in the Palm Springs and La Quinta Areas please call our office today. 760-541-7006

Rob Zwemmer and Associates Inc., a division of Keller Williams Luxury Homes Division of La Quinta, sponsored a Disneyland day trip last month for a group of students from Olive Crest Academy of the Coachella Valley. The school’s principal selected seventeen of the top and most improved students to attend the day of Magic Kingdom fun.  

“This was our second annual trip to Disneyland in affiliation with Olive Crest,” stated Rob Zwemmer. “Last year we sponsored the trip for students from the Safe Families program associated with Olive Crest, and it was such an amazing trip that we decided to do it again this year. It is a thrill to work with Olive Crest and provide this day trip of fun and education for students who have worked hard to improve their grades and be placed at the top of their class.”

Rob Zwemmer and Associates is committed to continuing its support for Olive Crest Academy through fundraising vehicles. “We are currently working on a website to call for donations to help benefit these exceptional students of our valley. The goal is to raise enough funds to establish a scholarship, and provide various school supplies to help enhance their educational experiences,” he said.

About Olive Crest

Since 1973, Olive Crest has transformed the lives of over 50,000 abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families. They work tirelessly to meet the individual needs of kids in crisis by providing safe homes, counseling, and education for both youth and parents. Their many innovative programs reflect their conviction that strengthening the family is one of the most powerful ways to help heal children. With unwavering compassion, the Olive Crest family maintains a lifelong commitment to the youth and families they serve even after they have graduated from our programs.

Olive Crest serves nearly 1,000 children and families each day throughout California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest. For information call 1-800-550-CHILD (2445) or visit www.olivecrest.org.

About Olive Crest Academy

Olive Crest Academy is a tuition-free charter school dedicated to offering students an academic alternative to traditional classes. It is based on the Early College High School Initiative supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Rob Zwemmer and Associates Inc. is proud to be a contributing part of their efforts. Olive Crest’s programs are designed to promote a culture of high academic performance, encouraging logical and critical thinking. There are school locations in Coachella Valley and Orange County.

About Rob Zwemmer and Associates Inc.
Rob Zwemmer & Associates Inc. is a division of Luxury Homes by Keller Williams based in La Quinta. They are a full-service Real Estate team with a long legacy of delivering unparalleled service to clients. Keller Williams, founded in 1983, is an international real estate company with over 700 offices and almost 80,000 associates across the U.S. and Canada. Keller Williams is the second largest real estate franchise organization in the U.S. For up-to-the-minute Coachella Valley area property listings and timely Real Estate information, visit: www.DesertOnline.com.

What are REO properties, Foreclosures, and bank owned Homes 

When a property returned to the mortgage company after an unsuccessful foreclosure auction, it is referred to as REO (Real Estate Owned). Since what is owed to the bank is almost always more than what the property is worth, very few foreclosure auctions result in a successful sale. The bank is now owner of the property, the mortgage loan is no longer valid, and any liens and/or debts against the property are removed, and it is placed for a quick sale. 

Banks always sell an REO property in “as-is” condition, while providing a pest inspection and allowing the seller to obtain a home inspection of their own. You can possibly re-negotiate terms of the sale including purchase price if something doesn’t meet your approval following the inspection. But you need to remember—you are buying a property in “as-is” condition.

Before making an offer on the REO property have your agent contact the listing agent and ask about a special “as-is” form; how long will it take the bank to accept your offer;how does your agent deliver the offer, and if there are any inspection reports you can review. Maybe the bank will agree to make a repair or two—it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Make your offer a seamless transaction by having your pre-qualification letter and a buyer biography to present.

REO deals are out there now, so give Rob Zwemmer and Associates a call to explore the possibilities that exist for you.

http://www.desertforeclosures.net

VIEW FORECLOSURES IN Palm Springs

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First-Time buyers Take Note

It’s one of the most exciting experience you will ever have, and the most important purchase you will ever make—acquiring your first home. As the deal is in escrow, be extra diligent, continuing to make all of your payments on time and keeping your credit score high. Maintain a paper trail so you can document and keep the lender apprised of any large deposits that have been recently made to your bank accounts; they will want to know how you obtained the money. Keep a folder at hand with your bank statements, pay stubs, tax forms in case anything needs to be updated during the process. Ask questions—if there is something you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask. Refrain from major credit card purchases as you are in the process of buying the home, and do not apply for additional credit. Many buyers get excited and want to buy new furnishings for the home before the sale in conveyed, only to end up with a lowered credit rating, and no place to put all these new purchases in the end. Document that your earnest money deposit has cleared your account and have a copy of your canceled check or statement as proof, you don’t want to do anything to delay or derail your closing!

For more helpful first-time buyer tips, contact Rob Zwemmer and Associates. We will make your experience as perfect as it can be.