Palm Desert, CA

BIG HORN in Palm Desert is considered one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the Coachella Valley. This private guard gated golf course community is built at the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains sharing views with the Big Horn Sheep of the valley floor below. There are approximately 570 homes at Big Horn located at 255 Palowet Drive in Palm Desert. Big Horn is a full service club offering the following amenities:

Two Championship Golf Courses

1. Mountains by Arthur Hills - spectacular elevations with five teeing areas from novice to competitive
2. Canyons by Tom Fazio - wide rolling fairways and water features with spectacular valley vista views.

Clubhouse- 40,000 Square Feet of Member Services with dining, golf shop, locker rooms offering steam, sauna and whirlpools.

Tennis Courts (4) and Full Tennis Program with weekly clinics, professional lessons & tournaments

Pools - 25 yard lap pool and separate water exercise pool

Golf Pro Shop- listed among the top 25 Private Shops for 7 years includes

1. Junior Golf Program
2. 2005 PGA Teacher of the Year & 4 Golf Professionals on Staff
3. Golf Hosts Available Daily and ProVI Practice Balls on 4 Driving Ranges

Fine Dining Restaurants include:

1. The Pour House
2. The Golf House
3. The Marketplace
4. Canyons Fine Dining
5. Clubhouse Dining Room
6. Poolside Dining
7. Take Out Service

Spa & Salon - 13,000 Square Feet with personal trainers, therapists & fitness classes

Annual Member Events - From 60 - 70 events to meet the interests of all members

Private Jet Service & Private Club Limousine

Dog Park with separate areas for large and small dogs

Onsite Concierge & Business Service Center

HOA Dues include common area maintenance, 24 hour guard gated community, in-house privacy staff, on-site central security station monitoring homes, roaming security staff, cable television, trash removal and recycling.

CURRENT AVAILABLE LISTINGS IN BIG HORN GOLF CLUB

1. $1,995,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 2,905 sq. ft.
2. $1,995,000 - 3 bdrms/3.5 baths, apprx. 2,660 sq. ft.
3. $2,295,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 2,905 sq. ft.
4. $2,695,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 3,537 sq. ft.
5. $2,950,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 3,314 sq. ft.
6. $2,965,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 3,314 sq. ft.
7. $2,995,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 4,513 sq. ft.
8. $2,995,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 3,376 sq. ft.
9. $3,200,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 4,650 sq. ft.
10. $3,200,000 - 5 bdrms/5.5 baths, apprx. 5,046 sq. ft.
11. $3,750,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 5,023 sq. ft.
12. $3,950,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 4,596 sq. ft.
13. $3,975,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 5,500 sq. ft.
14. $4,850,000 - 5 bdrms/5.5 baths, apprx. 5,618 sq. ft.
15. $4,980,000 - 4 bdrms/5.5 baths, apprx. 5,031 sq. ft.
16. $4,995,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 5,656 sq. ft.
17. $5,200,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 5,920 sq. ft.
18. $5,600,000 - 5 bdrms/5.5 baths, apprx. 6,065 sq. ft.
19. $7,300,000 - 4 bdrms/5.5 baths, apprx. 7,200 sq. ft.
20. $7,995,000 - 4 bdrms/5 baths, apprx. 5,974 sq. ft.
21. $9,985,000 - 6 bdrms/7.5 baths, apprx. 9,550 sq. ft.
22. $11,900,000 - 4 bdrms/4.75 baths, apprx. 9,798 sq. ft.
23. $13,900,000 - 7 bdrms/7.5 baths, apprx. 12,248 sq. ft.

RECENT SALES IN BIG HORN GOLF CLUB

1. Sold 5/13/08 for $1,750,000 - 3 bdrms/3.5 baths, apprx. 2,486 sq. ft.
2. Sold 5/23/08 for $2,500,000 - 3 bdrms/4 baths, apprx. 4,094 sq. ft.
3. Sold 7/01/08 for $2,500,000 - 3 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 3,900 sq. ft.
4. Sold 5/02/08 for $2,900,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 3,314 sq. ft.
5. Sold 7/31/08 for $3,000,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 4,320 sq. ft.
6. Sold 4/09/08 for $3,600,000 - 3 bdrms/3.5 baths, apprx. 6,233 sq. ft.
7. Sold 6/09/08 for $4,000,000 - 3 bdrms/3.75 baths, apprx. 5,224 sq. ft.
8. Sold 3/28/08 for $4,700,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 7,078 sq. ft.
9. Sold 3/13/08 for $4,750,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 6,061 sq. ft.
10. Sold 7/01/08 for $5,725,000 - 5 bdrms/5.5 baths, apprx. 6,700 sq. ft.
11. Sold 6/13/08 for $5,700,000 - 4 bdrms/4 baths, apprx. 7,112 sq. ft.
12. Sold 7/25/08 for $6,250,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 7,988 sq. ft.
13. Sold 4/23/08 for $6,650,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 6,856 sq. ft.
14. Sold 4/03/08 for $6,830,000 - 4 bdrms/4.5 baths, apprx. 7,411 sq. ft.
15. Sold 5/30/08 for $9,600,000 - 4 bdrms/5.5 baths, apprx. 8,878 sq. ft.

If you are interested in searching for homesat Big Horn Golf Club or any other community in the Coachella Valley, researching the current value of your home, viewing our Desert Real Estate Website, or learning more about the current housing market please give us a call at (760) 567-9100.

Copyright 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Big Horn Golf Club - A Golf Course Community in Palm Desert". Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Listing information is from Desert Area MLS and is subject to change without notice.

AVONDALE GOLF CLUB located at 75-800 Avondale Drive in Palm Desert is one of the first private golf clubs in Palm Desert. The club was opened in 1969 and Jimmy Hines was the golf course architect who designed this beautiful traditional tree lined course. Avondale not only has the traditional tee time system, allowing members to complete a round in approximately 4 hours, but you can walk the course or ride in a cart. The membership caps out at 300 and as an equity club member, you have an undivided 1/300th interest in the club.

There are approximately 310 homes that line the fairways and surrounding streets and the condominiums start from the low $400,000s and the homes from $500,000s. Avondale is a 24 hour guard gated community located within the Imperial Irrigation District which prides itself in lower electric bills, compared to other areas of the Coachella Valley.

CURRENT AVAILABLE LISTINGS IN AVONDALE

1. $459,000 - 3 bdrms/2 baths, apprx. 1,632 sq. ft.
2. $534,000 - 3 bdrms/3 baths, apprx. 2,400 sq. ft.
3. $595,000 - 3 bdrms/3 baths, apprx. 2,393 sq. ft.
4. $600,000 - 3 bdrms/3.25 baths, apprx. 3,003 sq. ft.
5. $659,000 - 3 bdrms/2 baths, apprx. 2,223 sq. ft.
6. $1,095,00 - 4 bdrms/3.5 baths, apprx. 3,965 sq. ft.
7. $1,690,000 - 3 bdrms/4 baths, apprx. 4,039 sq. ft.

Street names in the Avondale Golf Club include Heritage West, Kilimanjaro Drive, McLachlin Circle, Nyasas Drive, Sweetwater Drive, Tandika Trail North, Tandika Trail South and Temple Lane.

If you are interested in searching for homes in Palm Desert or the Coachella Valley, researching the current value of your home, viewing our Desert Real Estate Website, or learning more about the current housing market please give us a call at (858) 245-9905.

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "Avondale Golf Club - A Palm Desert Golf Course Community". Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Listing information is from Desert Area MLS and is subject to change without notice.

Recently the State of California passed the Assembly Bill 811, which offers California cities a new way to help citizens finance energy improvements. Residents of Palm Desert, after today's vote, will be able to borrow money through the City and pay it back, over time, through a property tax assessment. If approved, the Energy Independence Program will be the first in the State to be established under Assembly Bill 811, which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law last month.

Financing is available for new energy efficiency improvements to existing structures, not for new construction. It is also for new installations only; existing installations cannot be refinanced by this program. Eligible improvements will include a variety of energy-saving upgrades including:

• Solar Systems
• Air Conditioners - High Efficiency
• Dual Glazed Windows, Skylights & Door Replacements
• Insulation
• Pool Pumps
• Reflective Roofs & Coatings

Solar systems are one of the most popular measures because the program will allow residents to "go solar" with the least possible upfront cost, locking in the cost of their new clean energy, and paying for it over 20 years. Improvements covered by the program will be Energy Star-rated efficiency measures that stay with the property.

The City is currently finalizing the exact terms and conditions of the loans including minimum and maximum loan amounts, interest rates, and procedures for advancing the payments to the property owners and contractors. City officials are currently reviewing the program with a 7% interest rate for the loans with a maximum term of 20 years. However, these details will be presented and voted upon by the City Council at its meeting today, August 28.

The anticipated advantages of using an Energy Independence Program loan include:

• Immediate savings on utility bills
• Ability to transfer whatever balance remains on the loan to the new owner when the property is sold
• A higher tax payment but one that is offset in part, or completely, by utility bill savings
• Ability to borrow without impacting personal credit

Other loan program details include:

• The city will advance the program $2.5 million to start, with $1.25 million reserved for residential loans.
• To be eligible, applicants must be the title owners of their properties and current with property tax payments.

The minimum loan will be $5,000, with loans more than $60,000 approved by the City Manager and loans more than $200,000 approved by the City Council. One potential drawback for contractors is that loans will only be paid after energy-efficient equipment is installed and inspected, with a two-week to four-week turnaround on checks.

Here's How it Works:

Under Assembly Bill 811, cities can finance low-interest loans to residents for energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. The loans could be used only for improvements such as solar panels or air conditioners that stay with the house.

Here is a hypothetical case provided by EcoMotion, the consultants helping Palm Desert set up its Energy Independence Program:

A resident with a 2,000-square-foot home wants to replace a low-efficiency, SEER 6 air conditioner with a high-efficiency SEER 17 unit, which costs around $12,000.

The resident can get a $1,000 rebate from Southern California Edison under Palm Desert's Set to Save Program and gets a $11,000 loan from the city's Energy Independence Program. The term on the loan is 7 percent for 10 years.

Loan repayments are $766 every six months, or about $127 per month, but projected savings on electric bills are about $187 per month - a net saving of $60 per month.

Once the loan is paid back, savings on energy bills in a 15-year period are estimated at $40,000 to $50,000.

Palm Desert City Council meeting is scheduled for today at 4 pm at the Civic Center Council Chamber located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive.

Should be designated THE GOLF CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!

1. Perfect weather for golf - sun, sun and more sun.
2. Access to Golf Club Equipment & Manufacturers
3. Easy accessibility via Palm Springs International Airport
4. Potential Golfer Population in California - Over 36.5 million residents
   1. Only 121 miles from Los Angeles - Population over 10 million residents
   2. Only 154 miles from San Diego - Population over 3 million residents
   3. Only 104 miles from Orange County - Population over 3 million residents
5. Everything is minutes away! Coachella Valley is a small area extending no more than 30 miles from Palm Springs to Indioand 45 miles from the San Bernardino Mountains to the Salton Sea and is approximately 15 miles across.
6. The local cities tend to compete for the tourism dollar with new golf courses, shopping venues and entertainment. There are nine (9) incorporated cities (Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs & Rancho Mirage) each with their own mayor, police department and city government & five (5) unincorporated communities (Bermuda Dunes, Mecca, Oasis, Thermal & Thousand Palms).
7. Top golfers who have homes here or have built world-class golf courses here include Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones, Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones, Tom Fazio, Ted Robinson, Gary Player, Cary Bickler, Ken Venturi and many others.
8. Famous people who play golf and have homes here are likely featured in a "Who's Who of Hollywood, Politicians, CEOs and Entrepreneurs".
9. We do not have annual hurricanes, tornadoes, twisters, or winter blizzards. We do not have flooded streets or golf courses with gators, snakes or "floating balls of fire ants"... As I tell my brother, who lives in Pennsylvania, "we may "shake and bake", but we will never "sneeze and freeze"!
10. There are 130+ golf courses in play or under construction within the 30 miles of Coachella Valley. There is literally a golf course for every age, every style of swing and every budget.

Don't you agree that Coachella Valley should be officially named the "Golf Capital of the World"?

If you are interested in learning more about La Quinta and surrounding communities, the current housing market, or if we can assist you in the purchase or sale of a home, please contact us by phone or text at (760) 567-9100. SEARCH MLS BERMUDA DUNES HOMES VALUE YOUR HOME CONTACT US All content copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson

The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) reports that entry level housing affordability has increased by 50% in the second quarter of this year compared to a year ago. More families are now able to buy homes and this is GREAT news for the real estate market!

The minimum housing income needed to purchase an entry-level home at $329,120 in California in the second quarter of 2008 was $62,870, based on an adjustable interest rate of 5.69 percent and assuming a 10 percent down payment. First-time buyers typically purchase a home equal to 85% of the current median price. The monthly payment including taxes and insurance was $2,100 for the second quarter of 2008.

At $62,870, the minimum qualifying income was 38 percent lower than a year earlier when households needed $101,440 to qualify for a loan on an entry-level home. Recent decreases in home prices and mortgage rates have brought affordability into better alignment with income levels of the typical California households, where the median household income is $59,160.

At 68 percent, the High Desert region was the most affordable area in the state. The Palm Springs/Lower Desert, in Riverside County, reached record-high affordability levels in the second quarter of 2008.

Are you thinking that NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY A HOME? Contact us at (760) 567-9100 or visit our website at www.Resort-Home.com to view all the current available homes in the Coachella Valley.