Ma Kettle's Hollywood Hideaway in Palm Desert

Ma Kettle's home in Palm Desert is up for grabs. Marjorie Main—the domineering actress with the strident voice who appeared in numerous movies from Meet Me in St Louis to her iconic role in ten Ma and Pa Kettle movies—built her own Hollywood get-away home here in the Coachella Valley back in 1949. The sprawling hacienda-style home is now bank-owned and a veritable bargain to boot.

Located close to Hwy 111, the 8 bedroom/6 bath one-of-a-kind compound could easily slot into the rustic homes found in the Palm Springs Movie Colony, and exudes Spanish flair with Santa Fe touches. It merely needs some TLC to restore its unique charms. Resting on a huge 19,602 square-foot lot, the red-tile-roofed home boasts stellar views and two capacious casitas, each with its own complete kitchen.

From the circular driveway and panoramic window framing the Santa Rosa Mountains, to the saltillo floors, handcarved pillars and wood ceilings in the primary residence, the home features one distinctive room after another.

The previous owners did major renovations, evinced in the travertine-clad kitchen (with twig-slatted cabinets) and luxurious slate-clad master bath.

Five sets of pine French doors open from the huge great room to the veranda-shaded backyard with its additional buildings, pool/spa, and palapas-covered BBQ kitchen. There is an outdoor bathroom to complement the entertaining-ready area.

Steps from one casita lead up to an expansive skydeck with 360° views of Palm Desert. Each of the casitas is approximately 600-700 square feet and feature some remodeling as well.

I explored the property today with a colleague. Mary Pat and I were incredulous as we explored the warren of rooms and expansive yard.

Two of the vintage bathrooms are replete with tilework as pristine and glossy as the day they were laid. The vibrant color schemes are turquoise and black, and yellow and black.

The 5365 square-foot residence was on the market until earlier this year at $799K. It is now a lender-owned foreclosure (REO) and priced at only $500K ($93/sf). It hasn't been marketed correctly and has been overlooked since it came on the market in July.

This property awaits the right person and represents an amazing bargain. If you're intrigued with the possibilities, give me a call to take a closer look.

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