Home on the Golf Course at Indian Springs Country Club

I have a new listing in the beautiful golf community of Indian Springs Country Club in Indio, on the border of east La Quinta. I have sold a similar home in there, representing the Seller AND the Buyer in that deal so hopefully, Lady Luck will shine on me twice!  I am holding Open Houses every Sunday between 1 and 4 pm to give it maximum exposure to as many buyers as possible.

This immaculate home is the popular Manhatten model which features an open floor plan, and an attached casita, and comprises 1981 square feet, with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, and has a two-car garage with direct access to the kitchen.

There are many designer upgrades and much of the designer furniture is available outside of escrow.

A private pool with views of the golf course and mountains provides a wonderful respite from the sun.

 The list price for this beautiful home with so many amentities is $525,900, a great value for all that this home offers!  The HOA dues are low, at around $266/mo., and covers the 24 hour guards at the gates, the front yards, the community pools and spas, the community clubhouse with fitness center, cable TV, and community maintenance. The 18- hole golf course is consistently voted as one of the top rated public golf courses in the desert, and membership is available to Indian Springs Country Club home-owners.

The master bathroom is exquisite!

 The kitchen has granite counters and a tiled island, along with all appliances, including a double oven!

And the washer and dryer, which is in a separate laundryroom,  is also included in the sale.

There is a dramatic fireplace in the living room.

Now here is some history about Indian Springs Country Club, which is close to many stores and restaurants.

The Indian Springs Golf Course was built in the early 1960s.  Only a few homes were built around then adjacent to the golf course, but in the last twelve years, a total of around 760 beautiful Spanish style stucco homes  with clay tile rooves were built in gated communities on the east and west of Jefferson Street.  They range in size from 1500 to 2500 square feet.  Most are single story but there are a few two-story dwellings.  There are good schools nearby for families with children.

Indian Springs Country Club homes offer alot of bang for your buck, no doubt about it!

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this property or any property in Indian Springs Country Club or any property in our desert community, since I have sold properties throughout the Coachella Valley. The best way to reach me is to call me on my cell: 760-587-6009.

New Homes Being Bought in the Desert, from Palm Springs to Indio!

The Morrison, new homes in downtown Palm Springs

The snowbirds are back and buying up real estate, since everyone loves a good deal.  From Palm Springs to Indio, there are not only great deals as in short sales and foreclosures but resales and new homes are often priced just as competitively by their sellers.

For example, the picture above is The Morrison, which is now selling like hotcakes, 6 today alone!

These brand new contemporary homes consist of three bedrooms and three bathrooms, approximately 2100 square feet, with high end fixtures and appliances included.  The price range is from the mid $400s to the mid $500s.

Close to the action of downtown Palm Springs, where no other place in the desert matches the nightlife!

On the other side of the valley, east Coachella Valley, there is Indio, one of the oldest desert communities, but which has experienced incredible growth over the last decade.

Indio is home to two world class polo clubs, world class music festivals including Coachella and Stagecoach, many restaurants, shopping malls, and all surrounded by breathtaking mountain views and towering palm trees.

One example of a fabulous value for home buyers is Whittier Ranch, a brand new home development with Tuscan and Spanish-style single family homes from 1674 to 2335 square feet of living space, starting in the low $200s. There are only 9 left now, and if you buy now, Whittier Ranch is paying for your closing costs and offering to give you a 46″ flat screen TV!

Right now, qualifying FHA buyers can get a 30 year fixed rate loan under 4% and with only $8047 down, you can own this home for less than $1300 per month!

Whittier Ranch home in Indio, CA

Clearly, now is a fantastic time to invest in real estate.  I am even working with investors who are buying fixers and fixing them, and flipping them, again!

 

If you have the cash, and cash is king, real estate is a tangible investment, and although there is always an element of risk in any financial investment, at these prices, I think it makes sense to invest in real estate today, provided you have a seasoned realtor such as myself to help you do the due diligence required to assure you that the particular property you are thinking about buying will be a smart investment. This applies also to those who will be needing a loan to purchase real estate. 

A Night at Porcupine Creek, Larry Ellison’s Estate in Rancho Mirage

The author enjoying the ambiance at Porcupine Creek

Porcupine Creek in Rancho Mirage is one of the premier estates in the Coachella Valley. It boasts the exclusive and private Porcupine Creek Golf Course which is touted as one of the finest by golf enthusiasts.

 

Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle and a true bon vivant who owns mega-yachts and prime real estate in other parts of California including Malibu, bought the property which had been foreclosed on by banks when it was previously owned by Tim and Edra Blixseth, who after a bitter divorce, faced many financial disasters.  It was first listed at $75 million, then reduced to $55 million and Mr. Ellison picked it up for a cool $42.9 million.

 

As a realtor who loves luxury real estate properties, I really wanted to be able to see Porcupine Creek in person myself, so when it came on the market, I called the listing agent and asked if I could be allowed to preview it, or if they were going to have a brokers’ open house (for brokers and realtors only) but I was told that since only about 1500 individuals in the country (or perhaps in the entire world) would be able to afford such a property, that they were not opening it up to anyone except for those who were truly in that category.

 

So, for the time being, I had to be satisfied with reading about it in the Palm Springs Life Magazine and the view from the Bump and Grind Trail, as portrayed in the photo I took below of Porcupine Creek.

View of Porcupine Creek and its golf course from the Bump and Grind Trail

Then I saw the advertisement in the Palm Springs Life Magazine that Larry Ellison would be hosting a charity event there for the Desert Cancer Foundation, and so I decided to go! That way I could support a good cause and satisfy my curiosity.

 

Driving through the gate and down the winding driveway lined with majestic towering palm trees and up to the main entrace where there were beautiful fountains and water features was impressive.

 

Once inside, I loved the wood parquet floors and in the main living room, there was an intricately carved wooden fireplace mantle that looked like it was probably an antique from a French hunting lodge.

 

We weren’t allowed to tour the house or much of the grounds, and of course we weren’t allowed to take photos of the property.  I did walk out to the pool area which was expansive and the view of the house all lit up from that angle was impressively beautiful.  The place was made for parties and entertaining, that was for sure.

 

The people at my table were all very nice and the food was delicious. Alas, the generous host Larry Ellison himself was not in attendance. Someone outbid me on the two Malbec bottles of wine at the silent auction, but that is just as well! All in all, it was a lovely evening and a great way to see Porcupine Creek in person, as limited as it was.  Hats off to Larry Ellison for hosting the event!

Hot Summer in the Desert, But Great Time to Buy or Sell!

Too hot to swim by day, but great at night!

With the temperatures into the 110 degrees plus, it’s simply too hot to swim by day, but at night it is divine to float in the pool and look up at all the stars in the desert sky.

It’s also a hot time to sell and buy real estate in the desert, and there are several reasons why.

One is that only serious sellers have their properties on the market in the summer.  They have a goal and that is to SELL.  The good thing for sellers who have to sell is that during the summer months, many sellers take their properties off the market during this time, thinking that they will wait until the “snowbirds” come back during our season, which begins late October and runs until late May.  This means that for the sellers who leave their properties on the market, there will be less competition for buyers, since the inventory of homes will be lower.

As for buyers, any buyers who brave this heat have to be serious buyers!  And many of them expect to find better bargains since only serious sellers hav their homes listed, and generally at competitive market rates.  And of course, there are still many short sale and foreclosure listings on the market as well.

I can assist both serious sellers and serious buyers with achieving their real estate goals, so please call me on my cell: 760-587-6009 for a free consultation.  Serious buyers should have Proof of Funds and/or a Pre-Approval Letter from their Loan Agent, not dated more than 30 days ago, to accompany any offer to be treated as a serious offer.  Please contact me for more details. I am glad to be of assistance!

Foreclosure in Indian Wells Ultra-Luxury Gated Community: Toscana

Gorgeous house in exclusive Indian Wells gated community: Toscana

I have pre-viewed many luxury homes in almost all the exclusive luxury golf communities throughout the desert here in the Coachella Valley, and I personally think that Toscana Country Club offers some of the best values for those seeking a premium home at a prestigious address in Indian Wells.

 

Per capita, Indian Wells probably has the highest number of wealthy individuals who are lucky enough to call this desert city their home, or at least home-away-from-home!

 

There are many prestigious gated communities in Indian Wells, however Toscana is quite new in comparison, has spectular views and feels like a paradise upon entering, and for those who love their creature comforts, their spa center is probably the best of all of them!

 

It is very rare to find a foreclosed home anywhere in Indian Wells, but especially in such prestigious gated golf communities such as Toscana Country Club.

 

The foreclosed property pictured above is one such foreclosed property, and offers 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms within 3766 square feet of luxurious living area on a spacious 11,761 square foot lot.  The kitchen offers all the top-of-the-line appliances and materials such as granite countertops with a center sink island.

 

It offers a spectacular view of the second fairway!

 

The master bedroom offes a sunken tub, dual vanities, and a glass encased shower.

 

Besides the fabulous golf courses,there are five tournement tennis courts, and much more.

 

As is typical with virtually all offers, it is required that buyers also submit Proof of Funds (dated within the previous 30 days), and pre-approval letter from a direct lender.  Other requirements for special addendum also often apply when buying a foreclosed property of any kind.

 

Please contact me for more details and if you would like to view homes for sale in this or any other desert community at 760-587-6009.

Short Sales for Luxury Estates in the Desert: Amazing Deals Now

Stunning Tuscan Villa Bought for 50% Off Original Price

Sometimes a Short Sale does not seem worth anyone’s effort, for a number of reasons.  The main reason is because a high percentage of short sales don’t sell as a short sale, but end up either being saved at the last minute by the owner, or going through the long process of foreclosure, and all the twists and turns often prove to be a complete waste of everyone’s time.  Not only that, but there is a fairly large inventory of aggressively priced standard sales as well as REO (Real Estate Owned by banks aka foreclosed properties) that are available to buy in a streamlined process compared to the generally arduously long short sale process.

However, when the stakes are high as in the Big Ticket luxury estate market, it can be well worth everyone’s time to pursue a short sale.

 

Case in point, on this second day of summer in the desert, two luxury homes closed escrow that are tremendous bargains.

 

Pictured above is a gorgeous newish construction home (built in 2005) in the south of La Quinta, in a gated community called Stone Creek Ranch, which was built out by Toll Brothers around 2005.  The HOA dues are only $136.00. The seller bought this exquisite property around that time for $1,695,000.  It just sold for $850,000 in a short sale transaction — that’s 50% off!  Wow.

 

Just take a look at what this 3381 square foot estate on a 11,326 square foot lot offers:

Your own Tuscan village-- or so it seems!

A stunning infinity views with fabulous views!

 

Fabulous gourmet kitchen with island and top of the line appliances!

The private courtyard with a fountain, fireplace and a 2 room detached casita for guests truly lends the owner the feeling of owning a Tuscan village estate.  The gourmet kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances, granite counter tops, an island counter to making cooking up a feast a delight, a wet bar, a formal dining room, a great room with a fabulous rock fireplace, electric patio pocket doors (no struggling with sliding glass doors!), wired for stereo music throughout the estate including pads in rooms to activate the system, vaulted ceilings, regal rotundra entry with beam ceilings, the fabulous infinity pool with spa, outdoor kitchen with BBQ, and much more.  Additionally, golf memberships are available at PGA West, Andulusia, The Quarry, the Palms, and Plantation. I think you would agree with me that the new owners of this Tuscan dream got an Amazing Deal.

This 4 bedroom, 4 bath luxury estate is located in the south of La Quinta near other luxury estate communities such as The Quarry and Andalusia.  The ONLY drawback to some people is that one must drive a bit of a distance to get to the shopping areas in Palm Desert, and even in La Quinta, although that is steadily changing.

If buyers of luxury real estate prefer to be closer to “the action” in terms of being close to Palm Desert’s El Paseo, here is another fabulous property that sold today, and it’s in the highly desirable city of Indian Wells.

Remodeled luxury estate in Rancho Palmeras Estates of Indian Wells

Residents of Indian Wells receive many benefits from the City of Indian Wells, including highly reduced rates at golf courses there, and free tickets to the world class tennis matches at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, just for a couple examples.

It has its own shopping areas for convenient shopping and great restaurants such as Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Vickys Santa Fe and Don Diegos.

And as mentioned it is very close to the high end shopping on El Paseo that not only has Saks Fifth Avenue and fabulous boutiques, but also many art galleries, which open their doors every first Thursday each month during our Season, from October to June.

The  3556 square foot luxury estate on a 10,890 square foot lot featured in the above photo is in the Rancho Palmeras Estates community of Indian Wells, and there is no gate.  The HOA dues is only $50 annually and covers a big community get-together at St. Germain Restaurant. 

This particular property was bought for $1,100,000 in 2007 and it just sold today in a short sale transaction for $650,000.  That is 59% off!  Another Amazing Deal!

Although it was originally built in 1987, it has been extensively remodeled with travertine floors, custom paint, slab granite in the kitchen with stainless steel Thermador and Bosch appliances, custom cabinetry and more.  Other features include two fireplaces, walk-in closets in all bedrooms, side courtyard, built in BBQ, retractable weather proof awnings, and lush landscaping.  And of course, there is a fabulous pool and spa for relaxation and entertaining.

Private pool and spa!

Gourmet kitchen with many upgrades!

As you can see, pursuing  luxury real estate via a short sale can really, really pay off.  If this appeals to you, please call me to help assist you with acquiring a fantastic luxury estate for the best possible price.  I can be reached easily via my cell: 760-587-6009.

 

Choose Realtor Wendy Campbell to List Your Luxury Estate: Here’s Why!

Equestrian estate in La Quinta, in the Vista Santa Rosa area

At a board meeting the other day in Palm Springs, one of the speakers said that he advises owners of luxury real estate to hold on to their properties to ride out this sluggish, cruel market.

 

However, I noticed that my broker, who sells luxury listings like clockwork every week, and who was also on the panel, did not concur with the other broker’s opinion.

 

That is probably because of her amazing ability and leadership position in selling luxury real estate in the Coachella Valley!  She works hard at it too. “Obsessed” is a word that some apply to her drive! Since this little article is a commercial for me and not for her, I will leave her unnamed for the time-being.  But call me and I’ll tell you who she is if you don’t know already!

 

I feel privileged to work in the same office with her, and her team, and actually in a way, I am a part of her team and vice versa, since I sometimes do open houses for them, and also when I have questions about situations that come up in my real estate deals, I get advice from them.  So, it’s a win-win all around!

 

The property in the photo above, is a listing I had, which started out listed as over $10 million! Other listing agents had the listing, but when it expired, I was persistent in persuading the owner/seller to award me with the listing.  I started out listing it for around $8.25 million.  But as the summer wore on, the price came down to $6.95 million, still a hefty price tag for most people.

 

To make a long story short, I showed it to an agent and his clients (who coincidentally enough had refused to look at it previously with me because of the price tag, and so I showed them another property, but lost contact with them).  Since it was summer, and my client was cutting corners with the upkeep of the 9.44 acre property, I put in a good three days of personally cleaning, trimming trees and shrubs, picking up litter and overseeing the clean-up of the pool and windows to make it presentable.  So by the time the agent and his clients came to see the property, it was back in dazzling shape.

 

I left the agent and his clients alone at the estate to savor and fall in love with the place.  And they did.

 

We received an offer.  But for only $3 million!  I needed some armor to put on before I presented that to the seller, who I knew would be extremely unhappy with that offer.  As it turns out, he did not want to even counter it, although I convinced him to at least counter something, but it was not enough.

 

As it turns out, since my client, the seller, had agreed to the clause  in the listing contract, that anyone I showed the property to while it was my listing, I would be able to receive a commission for the time frame (after the listing expired ) as specified in the contract.

 

Therefore, even though the buyers’ agent negotiated a short sale after my listing officially expired, I did receive a reduced commission, when it finally sold to the buyers a few months down the road. For $3.6 million. What a deal for the buyers.  My seller was able to move on with his life and his investments on the East Coast.  It was the largest sale of the east Coachella Valley of the year, 2010.

 

I feel I certainly deserved that commission since I put my all into that listing, which I do for all my listings, but for luxury listings, since the stakes are higher and since it takes a special outreach to find the right buyer from the smaller pool of buyers for luxury real estate, I go far beyond that to achieve my goals on behalf of the seller that I represent.

 

Since this property was an equestrian property, I advertised in equestrian magazines as well as luxury real estate magazines.

 

I also hosted a Broker’s Open House, serving champagne, caviar, wine and other appetizers along with red roses, since it was around Valentine’s Day.  Brokers and realtors came and were wowed by the property.

 

I purchased a large sign on wooden stakes that advertised the features of the property and it was placed on the main thoroughfare, next to the little road leading to the property. 

 

I hired the people from Real Estate Showcase to come over and film me and the property for their TV show which airs every night on local TV, and is available 24/7 on-line.

 

I made custom brochures. 

 

I advertised in the local newspaper, the Desert Sun.

 

I even actually pitched the property to real estate investors in Dubai during my short trip there!

 

I personally networked with luxury realtors, especially those who specialized in equestrian properties, in Malibu and Rancho Santa Fe.  I put up flyers in upscale equestrian stores and stables in those areas, and here in the valley.

 

And of course, as I mentioned above, I oversaw the intensified upkeep of the property so that it showed in the best light possible.

 

You could say that I get “obsessed” with successfully selling my listings,and especially when I am charged with selling a luxury listing, I move into turbo-charged high gear.

 

While it is true that there are some luxury estates that have been sold lately as foreclosed properties or short sales, the majority of them are standard sales.  As with most real estate, these luxury estates often sell at  prices that are discounted compared to what they could have sold for during the real estate bubble and before the crash of 2008, however, depending on your situation, you still might find it advantageous to sell now, at a discount, and then buy somewhere else, also at a discount.  Or take your proceeds and put them to good use in another venture, whatever that may be.

 

You can count on me, Wendy Campbell, a full-time realtor and resident of the desert, to perform a stellar job listing, promoting and selling your luxury estate. 

 

For those who wish to buy luxury real estate, I have a thorough knowledge of and access to all the luxury estates actively listed on the MLS.  If you want someone who can expertly guide you and assist you in acquiring a luxury estate here in the Coachella Valley, please contact me directly.

Wendy Campell, Realtor

 

Gorgeous luxury estate in the Hideaway Country Club in La Quinta

 The best way to reach me is by calling me on my cell phone: 760-587-6009. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOLD in Palm Desert: A cute condo in Shadow Mountain Resort

Here's a toast to getting another listing SOLD!

The real estate market is actually quite strong here in the Coachella Valley, because buyers realize that now is most definitely the time to buy with prices down 35% to 55% of their peak prices in “the day” of the heights of the real estate bubble , which was around 2005 to 2007, and even 2008, before “the crash”.  We have many “snowbirds” from colder climates who have been coming to our beautiful desert resort area during our season for years, and they know a good deal when they see one.  Rather then continuing to rent, they see the value in buying condos and houses here to not only live in but to rent out if they wish to.

Case in point, this is a very cute studio condo which my client bought for $180,000 in 2008.  She used it mostly as a rental because there is an on-side rental agency at Shadow Mountain resort, and it was frequently rented (which hampered getting it sold quicker than it did!). She wanted to sell it since she is down-sizing her real estate portfolio and lives in Northern California.

We received an all cash offer for $110,000 from a Canadian “snowbird” and decided to accept it.

In appreciation for my diligence in getting it sold, my client, who is a fine jewelry designer sent me a note and a gorgeous necklace and matching earrings (you can them in the above photo!).  The note read: “Dear Wendy, As a sign of my appreciation find the necklace and earrings I made for you. I hope you like both. Thank you for your help in selling my little place. I wish you all the best, Carmen”.

It is so nice to be appreciated! And, wow, to receive this beautiful jewelry custom-made for me, is truly a treat and heartfelt.

As with all my listings, I try to go beyond my clients’ expectations and go the extra distance to service the listing, be it to check on the property frequently and sweep and dust as necessary, follow up with all the agents and prospective buyers, hold as many open houses as possible and desired, advertise as necessary, network with other agents, and so on.  I can also organize the painting or fixing whatever, when clients are far-off.

Shadow Mountain Resort condo by the creek

Whether you are buying or selling in the Coachella Valley, which is getting more popular by the moment, please contact me to help you accomplish your real estate goals.  As a full-time resident and realtor here in our beautiful desert, I am dedicated to helping you achieve your real estate goals in the best possible way.

Whether you are interested in real estate in Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City or Palm Springs, I can professionally and expertly guide you to a successful transaction as I have many times before.

Even the summer is a good time to visit the desert. Warm summer nights are fantastic for star-gazing while you float in a warm pool!

Where the City Meets the Beach: Marina Del Rey

Houses on the Grand Canal of Marina Del Rey

I received an e-mail flyer about an exciting Broker’s Open House in a $1.695 mil condo in Marina Del Rey the other day, so I decided to go check it out.  It was going to be filmed for a show on HGTV, which added another layer of excitement to the adventure.

When I pulled up, I saw that they had a valet service for the brokers! We don’t see that very often, if ever, out here in the desert for Broker Open Houses!

The outside of the building was bland, the stairs leading to the hallway to the door of the condo, likewise unimpressive.  But once inside, one was transported to a Balinese fantasy with designer finishes on three floors, and lush greenery outside the balconies.  The only problem is that the other condos in this older building had not been similarly updated and jazzed up, but maybe they will follow suit eventually.

The TV camera crew was there filming the scene of realtors exploring the condo, or chatting in the kitchen area, and the realtor who was hosting the open house was the image of a young Hollywood star.

Even though I was not a ”local” realtor, everyone was very friendly and talkative.

I spoke with someone who owns a fabulous, fully furnished Mediterranean three story home, with a rooftop deck, on the Grand Canal  which was across the street from the condo where the open house was. He and his wife are leasing it, asking for $12,500 month, and so if anyone reading this is interested, please contact me, because I can arrange a tour of it if you are seriously interested in leasing a property in this prestigious area, just 4 minutes away from the beach.  Many celebrities and dignataries have leased this home long-term, so it is a wonderful opportunity.

Not only is it so close to the beach, but to the south, there is the largest man-made marina with many fine restaurants, but to the north, it is bordered by Venice Beach and is an eclectic, established neighborhood with many cafes, restaurants and boutiques.  The hip Abbot Kinney Road, lined with boutiques and eateries, is a short stroll away.

An attendee at the open house gave me a hot tip, that just around the corner was another party at a brand new condominium called Lattitude 33, comprised of three mid-rise buildings.  Is mid-rise a word? Well, they aren’t quite high rise. These modern condominiums seemd to me to be a good value, starting in the low $800s.

Entering the courtyard of Latitude 33 for the party

The party was great for people-watching and swelled in size as the night went on.

Great people watching!

There was a silent auction of surfboards that were painted upon by artists, starting off at $400, all to benefit the charity “Heal the Bay”.

The sunset from the second story exposed hallway was spectacular!

Marina Del Rey Sunset

The band that played was very talented and I hope to see them at the Emmy’s someday winning an award.  The name of the band is Makepeace Brothers, and the two lead singers and guitar players are actually THE Makepeace brothers, that is their real name. And some of the songs they sang were about peace and love.

At about 9:30 pm, things wound down and it was time to hit the road, back to my beloved desert.

Keep in mind, if you or anyone you know is looking for a fabulous house to rent in this fabulous area, please contact me for more information.

Trifecta Perfecta! The Desert, The City & The Beach

Desert Living, fantastic in the winter months!

Southern California offers such a rich diversity of wonderful places to live! If you have the means, you can choose to also have a second or even third home! Why not?

A home in the desert, whether it’s your primary, secondary or tertiary, is very desirable for so many reasons, as people who have been here know.

During the winter and spring months, it’s simply divine weather here, for the most part.  Surrounded by mountains, groves of palm trees, blossoming trees and colorful flowers in great abundance, what is not to like? Rain is unusual, and so hiking, biking, golfing, tennis, swimming and horseback riding are the order of the day. Or watching polo games, shopping along El Paseo, dining at our many restaurants may be. It’s all up to you! At night, there are the casinos, or concerts and top entertainers at the McCallum Theatre, or take in a newly released hot movie. So much to do, so little time!

The fabulous modern contemporary home pictured above is in Palm Springs, however each desert city offers its own charms and attractions. Palm Springs has the world class cachet and world recognition, but some of the best luxury real estate in the desert can also be found in Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and La Quinta.

During the year, you might get the itch for some Big City excitement. What better place to go than the new L.A.Live area, the new Times Square West area, around the Staples Center of downtown LA?

Fabulous new condos in downtown LA!

I explored some of the new condos in downtown LA, and I was impressed! I took the photo above from the pool area of the EVO condos, a 24 story, eco-friendly constructed complex.  The two sister condo buildings at the left of the photo, the Elleven and the Luma condos sold out immediately when they were completed during the hey-day of real estate buying, just before the 2008 crash.  There are some resales in there now, some short sales and some foreclosures, for the bargain-hunting buyers.  However, at EVO, which is brand new construction, there are now only 30 units left to buy.  The great downtown location with all its entertainment venues, along with many amenities that come with the condos, and most importantly, the spectacular views afforded by the walls of glass, combined, make these condos quite attractive indeed! Prices at EVO start at around the low $500,000s.

I understand that it’s mostly owner-occupied in these condos, which attract mostly professionals who work in downtown LA, but also many empty nesters.

To step it up quite a few notches, there are the fabulous new condos at the Ritz-Carlton Residences.  This building can be seen to the far right of the photo above, and is a spectacular, blue-hued tower that sparkles at night.  I learned that they just closed escrow on their first condo residence just recently! About one third of the condos are still available, and most are still waiting to be completed.  These condos with spectacular floor to ceiling views have attracted top entertainment figures in music and sports, as well as those who can afford this level of luxury and want to be in the midst of all the excitement that L.A. Live has to offer.  Don’t forget the Walt Disney Hall is close by as well as too many interesting markets, venues, restaurants and attractions to list here!  Prices start at around $800,000 and the amenities are top-notch, as you can imagine!

Finally, on a hot day, where else would you want to be but at the beach?  And perhaps the most amazing stretch of beachfront properties to be found in the world are in Malibu!

To have a house on the beach in Malibu would be like a dream come true in many people’s minds, and there is quite the variety of homes to choose from along this rarified 27 mile stretch of shoreline.

Spectacular views from this newly built Malibu beach house!

Last time I looked, they were asking $14 million for this newly constructed home with this to-die-for view of the Pacific Ocean.  I have a feeling that if it is still available, it is listed for considerably less.  However it does have a great location on Malibu Road, very near Malibu Colony, which is gated and perhaps the priciest real estate in Malibu.

If you watch the Bravo show “Million Dollar Listing” like I do, you can see that there are spectacular houses on the beach in Malibu listed for in the $5 million range now. Amazing but true!

Now that our MLS encompasses real estate from the desert to the sea, I can help you make your dreams come true, from a fabulous desert getaway, to a condo in the midst of  the excitement of downtown LA, to the best beachfront property perhaps in the world!