Existing-home sales declined slightly in September but continue to out-pace activity from 2010, according to a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). Existing-home sales, which include recently purchased single family, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops, dropped 3 percent to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.91 million units expected to sell in 2011. This represents an 11.3 percent increase over the pace set last year at this time.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, sees stability in the market place. "Existing-home sales have bounced around this year, staying relatively close to the current level in most months," he said. "The irony is affordability conditions have improved to historic highs and more creditworthy borrowers are trying to purchase homes, but the share of contract failures is double the level of September 2010. Even so, the volume of successful buyers is higher than a year ago and is remaining fairly stable – this speaks to an unfulfilled demand."
With interest rates at the lowest point seen in years, many homeowners are tempted to borrow against their home equity to finance upgrades to their property, college tuitions, a new family car, etc. It’s important to do the homework before applying, and know all the facts up front. Here are 5 common mistakes to avoid:
#1 – Not knowing the difference between a Home Equity Loan and a Home Equity Line of Credit. Remember, a home equity loan is a one-time transaction allowing you to draw all the funds available. A home equity line of credit is open; you can select an initial advance against the full amount of the line; then reuse it as often as you want during the time the line is open. The monthly payment is based on the outstanding balance. Consider a home equity loan when you need all of the money at once for a large sum one-time purchase or service. To have a steady stream of cash you can access at any time, the home equity line of credit is a better selection.
# 2 – Not checking your credit score before applying. To receive the best rates and terms, you will naturally need a strong credit score. Do the research up front before applying and find out where you stand. Any credit problems incurred will seriously affect your ability to qualify.
# 3 – Taking on a home equity loan when you have plans on refinancing a first mortgage. Many mortgage companies look at the combined loan amounts (the sum of the first and second loans) even when you are refinancing only your first loan. If you plan on refinancing your first loan, the lender may require a pay-off of both first and second mortgages, or close your home equity line. Ask your mortgage company about that second loan, as it may cause your refinance to be turned down.
#4 – Not knowing the hidden costs. It is important to be aware of all the costs that add up when taking out a home equity loan or line of credit. With any loan secured against your property there can be major insurance and appraisal costs, as well as other fees that can cut into your total loan amount.
# 5 – Applying for a loan only at your bank. Many just consider their regular bank when applying for a home equity loan, which can be a costly mistake. Always shop around to secure the best deal. Your own bank may not be able to match the great interest rate and terms the bank across the street can make available to you.
If you would like to learn more about luxury homes in La Quinta, California, or surrounding areas please visit our site at:
It’s that time again for a stroll through Palm Springs history. The city is preparing to welcome the public to tour and observe the many unique boutique hotels and historic inns that define its landscape. On Thursday night, December 8, you can have a chance to get a rare and up-close look at some of Palm Springs’ rarest gems during the 16th Annual Walking Tour of the Inns from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Visit historic inns established back in the 1920s, a century-old adobe, and 1950s mid-century modern marvels that have played host to celebrities and VIPs over the years. The walk is free but donations of new toys are appreciated to benefit Toys for Tots. A few of the establishments participating that evening will be Korakia Pensione, Viceroy Palm Springs, McCallum Adobe, Chase Hotel, the Orbit Inn, Casa Cody Inn and many more. Check out Walking Tour of the Inns.com for more details on how you can be a part of this exciting opportunity to tour Palm Springs historic inns within the historic Tennis Club District (neighborhoods located between Ramon Road and Tahquitz Canyon Way). The self-guided tour begins at any of the participating hotels, and at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Free maps and flashlights will be provided.
If you would like to learn more about luxury homes in La Quinta, California, or surrounding areas please visit our site at:
An iconic hotel and valley must-see destination has re-emerged with more Hollywood glamour and style than when it originally opened back in 1959. A true legacy continues at the historic RivieraPalm Springs, recently renovated and transformed in signature contemporary style. Over 406 superbly appointed guest rooms are available with marble baths, sumptuous beds dressed in upscale linens, and a host of pampering amenities. Swimming pools and private cabanas are set within lush courtyards; the Circa 59 restaurant rewards all culinary expectations with signature entrees presented with flair, and cocktails that sparkle just a little more when mixed at the Starlight Lounge or Bikini Bar. SpaTerre features a decadent combination of Balinese, Thai and Indonesian rituals, private retreat areas and steam rooms, a fitness center and salon. The Riviera offers business travelers executive services to make it easy to mix business with pleasure. Whether you are a local, or out-of-towner heading out for the perfect Palm Springs weekend, hit The Riviera to stay or play.
1600 N Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs 760-327-8311
If you would like to learn more about luxury homes in La Quinta, California, or surrounding areas please visit our site at:
Direct mail brochures, catalogs, the Yellow Pages, are all going by way of the dinosaur as the internet soars to greater heights. What company, large or small, young or old, doesn’t have a website these days?
Back in the day, almost all businesses and services had at least a phone number listed in the yellow pages. Now Google takes the place of “letting your fingers do the walking through the yellow pages.” instantly answering every question on a uniform page: who has the sale going on, where the business is located, what is their background, etc. Businesses today need to tap into the savvy marketing power of social media sites, e-mail campaigns, and well-developed websites to generate sales leads.
The world changed with the Internet, and business marketing strategies were affected like everything else. Businesses know that if they can allure visitors to their site, they are more likely to generate sales leads via calls to action placed on their web pages. The call to action is a contact form, free offer, free subscription, or some other incentive for visitors to identify themselves to the business online. A lot of effort is spent converting these sales leads into sales. One method is to use email campaigns targeted at sales leads. E-mails and texts have replaced the phone and “snail mail” as the preferred means of communication. A savvy business sends out steady streams of e-mails containing useful content to interest potential customers… not just an ad-based message that will be regarded as spam and deleted. The public looks for a reason to open and read e-mail beyond just raw ads. This is one of the challenges facing business people today, and the future will see only increased pressure on businesses to add substantial content to their mailings.
Companies will also increasingly rely on social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, to get their messages out. Corporate Facebook pages will proliferate over time, and business-oriented social sites, like LinkedIn, will continue to experience growth in the future.
If you would like to learn more about luxury homes in La Quinta, California, or surrounding areas please visit our site at:
It doesn’t have to be a difficult task to decide on which wine to accompany a special dinner. You want to compliment and enhance the flavors of the meal, not overpower them. A nice white wine can serve as a perfect companion to fish or poultry dishes; a heavier red wine enhances the flavor of steak—remember, the heavier the wine, the better its ability to combat the other tastes in your meal. Heavier foods often overpower the taste of a good white wine, just as a heavy red will overpower lighter fare.
Everyone’s tastes are unique, and perhaps your dinner guests may want to sample a different type of wine or two and experiment a bit. Here are a few common pairings to keep in mind: Chardonnay is a perfect match with chicken, shellfish, salmon and other grilled fish; pasta or red meat goes tastefully with a rich Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon is a great choice to pair with steak and various beef entrees; Sauvignon Blanc is a must with lighter white fish and chicken dishes, and Pinot Noir delightfully enhances pork, beef and red sauces.
Set an impressive table and savor your wine with the right wine glasses. For red wines, select glasses with a wider bowl as reds need to spread out. The wider bowl allows in more air and releases bolder flavors and aromas. Whites are better in a narrower bowl that helps keep temperatures cooler longer. The lighter aromas combine better in a narrower glass with a narrow opening. The generic tulip-shaped wine glass is a great all-purpose glass for those who enjoy various types of wine.
When pouring wines, keep the level to the lower one-third of the glass. The objective is to leave a lot of air so the wine has room to swirl within the glass. Be sure to always hand wash delicate wine glasses in warm water with a mild detergent.
If you would like to learn more about luxury homes in La Quinta, California, or surrounding areas please visit our site at:
Picture the level of luxury you’ll find at a 600+ acre private golf club featuring 18 holes designed by Clive Clark and another 18 by the famous Pete Dye. Add to that image, a newly constructed, 50,000 square foot clubhouse. Now imagine that lavish lifestyle not for a few hours or a few days, but for the rest of your life. Hideaway, located in La Quinta, California is a members-only golf club featuring a village of luxury bungalows and single-family villas for residents as well as a large number of custom residences lining the fairways and tucked between and around the golf course features. Many home lots also remain undeveloped just waiting for buyers who want to construct their own dream homes.
The Hideaway can certainly live up to its name if you choose, allowing you to disappear from La Quinta’s population of about 41,000. If, on the other hand, you decide to spend a day or an evening outside the lush and luxurious setting, the city of La Quinta is home to a very charming Old Town shopping district and boasts easy access to everyday needs for its residents through the Plaza at Point Happy located on Highway 111. Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant on 52nd Avenue is a must-see as is Desert Sage Restaurant and Piano Bar as well as the famous La Quinta Resort with its various lounges, grill and American bistro dining options.
Of course, one of the main reasons to move to Hideaway Golf Club is the golf. The club’s two courses are each par 72 and feature dramatic and beautiful landscaping which includes streams and waterfalls, rolling fairways, brightly blooming flowers and towering palms. In addition to these two irresistible courses, the Club also has tennis courts and a swimming pool for member use. The Club upholds its commitment to its members, that at any one time, no more than 290 members per 18 holes will be accommodated by the club. This keeps member satisfaction up and maintenance costs down.
And the benefits of relocating to The Hideaway Golf Club don’t end when you drive off the property. The city of La Quinta is home to a number of trails, wildlife preserves and parks where the natural beauty rivals that of Club landscaping, and children and adults can get involved in any number of team sports or just spend a day walking or jogging through the stunning landscape of the Coachella Valley. In addition to its designation by the Robb Report as “America’s ultimate golfing destination,” La Quinta hosts the nationally ranked La Quinta Arts Festival, every March. In fact, art enthusiasts will find a thriving community here as well as destinations including the Old Town Artisan Studio and La Quinta Museum. Getting back to golf, La Quinta hosts the Bob Hope Classic every year in January. Come, stay a few days and see for yourself while you browse Real Estatelistings. Every season of the year is a season for celebration when you live at The Hideaway Golf Club in La Quinta.
You probably saw it on Food Network; perhaps you’ve been there in line waiting for a dozen or two of Grandma Lupe’s award-winning tamales. The Indio International Tamale Festival happens just once a year, so mark your calendar for the weekend of December 3-4. It’s a holiday tradition that started back in 1992, and has grown into a global event, ranked within the top 10 of “All-American Food Festivals” in the nation. The city of Indio welcomes the world to its downtown area to sample the most delicious and unique tamales ever created. From dessert tamales with chocolate, pineapple or strawberry fillings, to the old favorites from chicken, pork, cheese or beef, the Festival has them all. It is estimated that over 160,000 visitors come to stroll, sample and enjoy the weekend’s events. In addition to the vendors offering tamales and other treats, there are rides for the kids, rock climbing, live entertainment including Mexican Folklorico dancing, a tamale eating contest, and the judging of course—all kicked off by a festive parade that takes place on Saturday morning. Come out and meet local and global tamale aficionados and food experts that have gathered together to bring you a full weekend of food and fun. For more information, contact the City of Indio, Special Events Office: 760-391-4175.
If you would like to learn more about luxury homes in La Quinta, California, or surrounding areas please visit our site at:
A Tip When Looking for the Perfect Home in La Quinta. Many upscale properties are not listed on the MLS, or widely advertised. Develop a close relationship with a Real Estate Agent Luxury Home Specialist to ensure you are receiving the most up-to-date and complete information and listings; they have market connections you may not access to. Don’t miss out on the deal of a lifetime!
If you would like to learn more about luxury homes in La Quinta, California, or surrounding areas please visit our site at: http://www.desertrealestateprices.com/La-Quinta-Real-Estate-and-Information
