About La Quinta's Estates At Point Happy Ranch

Washington Street south of Hwy 111

Homes 72 (upon build-out)

HOAs $216

Prices $540K to $645K

Built on 22 acres of pristine land once home to historic Point Happy Ranch, the community of Point Happy Estates is figuratively embraced by history and literally embraced by the Santa Rosa Mountains.

Point Happy—the northern curve of the mountain range as it undulates its way north to Palm Springs—was once home to an Arabian horse ranch around the turn of the 20th century. The stallion Rudolph Valentino rode in his iconic 1921 film The Sheik was bred at Point Happy.

The Estates at Point Happy Ranch, reinvisioned as an intimate enclave of luxury homes, debuted in 2004 with first-phase homes—not even built—snapped up lottery style from the sales-office trailer! Initial prices of the five floorplans ranged from $640K to $800K. When the La Quinta and desert cities' real estate market ratcheted up the next few years, the homes soared in price to the seven figures.

With the market downturn, the original developer stopped building and the community languished unfinished.

Fast forward to autumn 2010 and it's a new start with new ownership. Point Happy Estates—the new name—just debuted 15 homes with great pricing in its newest phase of homes. In addition, the brand new homes are located on easily the nicest lots in the development—with in-your-face mountain views.

The courtyard-oriented homes are front-loaded with saltwater Pebble Tec pools and spas; homeowners choose among four different styles. Homes feature Mediterranean and Tuscan architecture; insides boast rounded arches and niches. Three floorplans offer double and triple garages; all offer fireplaces in the master suites. Smooth stucco finishes and stone-clad facades enhance the curb appeal.

Nine-foot retractable glass sliders in each model invite the vaunted Palm Springs indoor/outdoor lifestyle.

Greatrooms with integrated kitchens provide casual, easy living and entertaining. Double entry doors, 10' and 12' ceilings, gourmet kitchens, and gated courtyards augment the amenities.

Home prices range from $540K to $699K for the 3- and 4-bedroom homes. Square footage of the three floorplans ranges from 2800 to 3452 and lots average about 10,000 square feet.

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Now is the time to act if you're interested in snagging a La Quinta foreclosure. The number of new listings has increased significantly the past few weeks and there have been some amazing home bargains among them. Here in the Palm Springs valley, we've commenced the high season with its influx of warmth-seeking Canadians and Americans. In addition to sunshine, the hunt is on for home bargains on distress-sale properties such as bank-owned homes or short sales.



Here are two La Quinta foreclosures that merit serious consideration.

The first, in Desert Cove, is a substantive home at 3047 square feet, and 5B/4b. With a greatroom, formal fireplace
and dining room, lots of architectural detail, and granite kitchen with steel appliances, this home also boasts a detached guest casita on a large 11,000 sf lot.


Desert Cove, an intimate gated community of only 36 homes, debuted in 2006 with asking prices in the $700Ks. Each home features a detached casita, a unique community feature. It is centrally located in La Quinta and just across the street from Rancho La Quinta Country Club.

This lender-owned home is now on the market for only $408K ($133/sf).

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This next REO (bank-owned home) is located in Estates at Point Happy Ranch, another La Quinta gated community which has seen its fortunes temporarily decline after succumbing to speculative buying at the height of the market. The intimate gated community of 72 homes (upon build-out) is located off Washington just south of Hwy 111. Tucked in the shadows of the Santa Rosa Mountains on 22 acres once home to historic Point Happy Ranch, the community features in-your-face mountain views.

Point Happy debuted in 2004 with asking prices from $639K to $800K, soared into the seven figures in 2007, and has now come down to earth. About half the upscale homes are built and occupied and I fully expect the project will be completed at some point.

This La Quinta foreclosure is priced to sell quickly at $440K ($122/sf). The home features a south-facing, pool/spa front-loaded courtyard with mountain views. The Siena floorplan is one of my favorites since it incorporates an expansive greatroom and master suite laid on an angle while inviting the vaunted Palm Springs indoor/outdoor lifestyle with its retractable glass sliders. With 3B/4b and 2790 square feet, it is an open, inviting and eminently livable space.


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Aggressively-priced homes—both regular and distress sales—appear regularly but are often snapped up quickly by ready-to-pounce buyers. If you're interested in these homes or other Coachella Valley foreclosures, give me a call.