Palms Springs Homes Sold and in Escrow

For the week ending 8/25/07, there were six properties (single family) in Palm Springs that sold, two that went into escrow. Five moved to pending status from Contingent, meaning that all contigencies have been removed.

North Palm Springs:

Sold

No sold this week

In escrow

2101 N Blando Rd, Visctoria Park, $399,000.

Central Palm Springs:

Sold

1633 Via Roberto Miguel, El Rancho Vista Estates, $350,000. ($350,000.)
573 N Paseo de Anza, Ruth Hardy Park, $405,000. ($479,000.)
1500 E Paseo el Mirador, Ruth Hardy Park, $545,000. ($660,000.)
821 N Mission Rd, Las Palmas, $2,200,000. ($2,600,000.)

In escrow

None in escrow

South Palm Springs:

Sold

1937 S Toledo Blvd, Canyon North, $650,000. ($839,000.)
1631 E Palm Tree Dr., Deepwell, $800,000. ($1,250,000.)

In escrow

505 S Vista Oro, Warm Sands, $710,000.

Russell Hill, 760.902.3121, RussellHill.net

Toyota Prius

We left last Thursday for a roadtrip to see John's family in southeastern Idaho. Since we've been considering buying a Prius, we decided to rent one to see how we like it. It handled well and had no problems keeping up with the 80mph speeds that almost obligatory on the interstates. It did wel going up the many steep inclines (not a great mileage, of course). We averages 43.3mpg, not really that bad considering what nonhybrids get! I think we'll certainly give even more serious thought to a purchase.

Palms Springs Homes Sold and in Escrow

For the week ending 8/18/07, there were nine properties (single family) in Palm Springs that sold, four that went into escrow. Three moved to pending status from Contingent, meaning that all contigencies have been removed. I will now list the original list price of the sold homes. Original means from the time the seller listed their home with a broker(s) preceding sell.

North Palm Springs

Sold:
385 Desert Willow Cir., Racquest Club East, $376,000. (original list price - $419,000.)


Median: $376,000.

In Escrow:
1430 E Via Escual, Palm Springs Colony, $879,000.

Central Palm Springs

Sold:
585 N Chiquita Cir., Sun Villas, $515,000. (original list price - $599,000.)
155 Villagio West, The Villas in Old PS, $830,000. (original list price - $1,250,000)
580 N Arquilla Rd., Ruth Hardy Park, $1,040,000. (original list price - $1,149,000)

Median: $830,000.

In Escrow:

2880 N Plaimore Ave., Sunrise Park, $525,000.
995 N Fairview Cir., Vista Las Palmas, $999,000.

South Palm Springs:

Sold:
2962 E Sonora Rd., Los Compadres, $408,000. (original list price - $449,000.)
1650 N Riverside Dr., Tahquitz River Estates, $477,000 (original list price - $477,000.)
3140 Cambridge Ct. S., Los Compadres, $525,000. (original list price - $619,000.)
1130 S Driftwood Dr., Deepwell, $529,000. (original list price - $594,900)
1177 S Driftwood Dr., Deepwell, $949,000. (original list price - 975,000.)

median: $525,000.

In Escrow:

1104 E Cactus Rd., Deepwell, $899,000.

Open House - Rancho Mirage, CA

Rancho Mirage open house, Sunday, 8/19/07, 12-2pm

Sunrise Country Club, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, vaulted ceilings, no popcorn, courtyard entry, oversized single car garage, laundry.

Listed at $306,900.

Russell Hill, 760.902.3121, RussellHill.net

Open House - Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs open house, Los Compadres

2193 E Amarillo Way, Palm Springs, Saturday and Sunday, 8/18/07 and 8/19/07, 12-3pm

4 bedrooms, 3 baths, pool/spa, vaulted ceilings, large 13K sf + lot with fantastic mountain views. Listed at $599,000.

Russell Hill, 760.902.3121 RussellHill.net

Palm Springs homes for Sale

Homes for sale in Palm Springs' Vista Las Palmas, one of our city's most sought-after neighborhoods.

There are currently just eight homes for sale in Vista Las Palmas, ranging in price from $939,000. to $2,295,000.

815 N Fair Cir., $939,000.
995 N Fairview Cir., $999,000.
823 N Topaz Cir., $1,093,000.
720 N Dryfalls Rd., $1,100,000.
925 W Crescent Dr., $1,129,000.
847 N Topaz Cir., $1,195,000.
1077 W Capistrano Ct., $1,195,000.
697 Camino Sur, $1,215,000.
1197 N Via Monte Vista, $1,490,000.
1401 N Via Monte Vista, $1,645,000.
960 N Rose Ave., $2,295,000.

Russell Hill, 760.902.3121, RussellHill.net

Palm Springs Homes Sold and in Escrow

For the week ending 8/12/07, there were nine properties (single family) in Palm Springs that sold, five that went into escrow. Eight moved to pending status from Contingent, meaning that all contigencies have been removed.

North Palm Springs

Sold:

2360 E Acacia Rd., Desert Park Estates, $285,000.
2905 Puerto del Sol Rd., Racquet Club West, $1,550.00

Median: $917,500.

In Escrow:

2266 N Alamos Rd., Desert Park Estates, $360,000.
823 E Via Escuela, Victoria Park, $489,000.

Central Palm Springs

Sold:

544 N Tecero Cir., Sun Villas, $440,000.
241 N Luring Dr., Sunrise Park, $600,000.
1055 N Rose Ave., Vista Las Palmas, $750,000.

Median: $600,000.

In Escrow:

898 N Avenida Palmas, Movie Colony, $1,495,000.
1230 E Alejo Rd., Ruth Hardy Park, $415,001.

South Palm Springs:

Sold:

6 Karlisa, Demuth Park, $165,000.
2080 S Gene Authy Trl, Tahquitz River Golf, $550,000.
1978 Mesa Dr., The Mesa, $1,019,000.
1031 Andreas Palms Dr., Andreas Palms, $1,325,000.

median: $784,500.

In Escrow:

1984 S Navajo Dr., Twin Palms, $559,000.

Cactus flower

I took these photos of a cool cactus in my front yard. The red flowers are magnificent. Unfotunately, I have no idea what the name of this cactus is. How can people not like cactus when they have beautiful flowers like these? The fun shadow is from a prickly pear (opuntia) that's right next to the flowering cactus.

Open House, Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs open house, Los Compadres

2193 E Amarillo Way, Palm Springs, Sunday, 8/12/07, 11-2pm
4 bedrooms, 3 baths, pool/spa, vaulted ceilings, large 13K sf + lot with fantastic mountain views. Listed at $599,000.

Russell Hill, 760.902.3121 RussellHill.net

Open House, Palm Springs, CA

2602 N Biskra, Desert Park Estates, Palm Springs. Saturday, 8/11/07, 1-3pm
4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Built in 2002. Pool/spa, outdoor shower. Tile, carpeting in the bedrooms. Large laundry room. Family room, formal living and dining. Over 2400sf living space. Listed at $499,000.

Russell Hill: 760.902.3121. RussellHill.net

Palm Springs homes for Sale

Homes for sale in Palm Springs' Mesa neighborhood. The Mesa, as it's called locally is home to Suzanne Summers and to Barry Manilow. There are currently only eight homes listed for sale in The Mesa. This is the lowest inventory in quite a while.

1839 S Palm Canyon Dr., $565,000.

1842 S Mesa Dr., $799,000.

213 W Camino Descanso, $895,000.

386 W El Portal, $949,000.

103 W Camino Encanto, $949,000.

246 W Camino Alturas, $1,049,000.

279 W El Camino Way, $1,300,000.

265 W Crestview Dr., $1,495,000.

Palm Springs condos for sale

Sunrise East and Versailles are two great condo developments in South Palm Springs. If you're looking for a condo in Palm Springs, you might want to take a look at some of these. There are nine listings combined in Sunrise East and Versailles.

Versailles

1638 S Andee Dr., $239,900.

1017 Normandy Ct., $260,000.

1621 S Cerritos Dr., $269,000.

1590 S Andee Dr., $279,000.

1040 Versailles Dr., $399,000.

1472 S Andee Dr., $420,000.

Sunrise East

2354 Oakcrest Dr., $355,000.

2452 Oakcrest Dr., $399,000.

2235 Oakcrest Dr., $399,000.

Palm Springs Homes Sold and in Escrow

For the week ending 8/05/07, there were six properties (single family) in Palm Springs that sold, seven that went into escrow. Twelve moved to pending status from Contingent, meaning that all contigencies have been removed.

Sold:

North Palm Springs:

3670 Western SkyWay, Four Seasons, $300,000.
944 E Grace Cir, Victoria Park, $335,000.
854 Summit Dr., E, Mountain Gate, $390,500.
2650 N McCarn Rd., Victoria Park, $420,000.

Median: $362,750.

Central Palm Springs:

No Sales

South Palm Springs:

1070 E Mesquite Ave, Tahquitz River Estates, $500,000.
1036 Andreas Palms Dr., Andreas Palms, $1,325,000.

Median: $912,500.


In Escrow:

North Palm Springs:

3968 Mission Peak, Mountain Gate, $342,500.
1874 N Alamos Rd., Desert Park Estates, $395,000.
3958 Mira Arena, Mountain Gate, $399,900.
1804 Savannah Way, Four Seasons, $400,000.
1780 N Whitewater Club Dr., Desert Park Estates, $399,000.

Central Palm Springs:

565 W Santa Rosa Dr., Tennis Club, $1,695,000.

South Palm Springs:

1925 S Joshua Tree Pl., Twin Palms, $789,900.

Another good week for sales in Palm Springs. And, it's August!

Russell Hill, 760.902.3121, RussellHill.net

Parking on the lawn in Houston

Apparrently, in some American cities it's still ok to park on the lawn. Houston's city council may decide that that practice is not ok anymore in Houston. Unfortunately, and worse than having a Chevy on the grass, the law will allow homeowners to pave their yards to make room for additional parking.

Realtor Magazine has the story:

Lawns no place for cars. The Houston City Council in late June seemed rady to pass a law making it illegal to parl a vehicle on the front lawn of a single-family home or duplex. Supporters of the ban claim the vehicles depress property values and leak fluids that damage grass, trees, and buried utility lines. Opponents say it's a matter of the haves versus the have-nots. "We have a new generation of people moving into the city", says director of The Greater Houston area chapter of the league of United Latin American Citizens. "They grew up in the suburbs, where everyone had a nice green, pretty lawn. The have-nots have been living in this style for many years." Even opponents of lawn parking, though, won't be entirely happy should they win: The law would allow home owners to pave over their yards to accomadate their cars. The issue was reported in the June 20 Houston Chronicle.

I know that Palm Springs and Cathedral City have codes against parking on the lawn and paving over your lawn for parking. I believe, too, that code says your front lawn must be landscaped in some fashion. I think these are good codes to have. It's not about rich or poor, it's about quality of life. Everyone deserves to have "public" spaces that are pleasing to look at and to experience. Our front yards, in essense, are public spaces. While they are private property and belong to the homeowner to do "what he or she wants to do with the property", there are certain societal restrictions or acceptances to what someone may do with or in their front lawns. One can think of a number of things to do in their front lawn that wouldn't be accepted or allowed by society. These "restrictions" are for the common good of the community. I think any city or community that values it public spaces and the quality of life for its citizens will make it a priority to enact and enforce codes that resrict where cars may or may not be parked and that call for some sort of landscaping in areas that are visable to public.

Russell Hill, 760.902.3121, RussellHill.net

Aqua Running in Palm Springs

I started a new exercise program last week. It's aqua running! It's actually a good workout and with out the impact on the bones of traditional running. I'm up to 25 minutes in the pool. My goal is 45 minutes to one hour.

I used to run cross country in high school (many, many years ago) and with a "bum" ankle for several years, I've never been able to run for very long before my ankle would give out. So far, aqua running seems to be working ok for me. The experience is amazingly similar to land running. I must admit that it's a little more boring, since I'm stuck in the deep end of the pool, going in circles. I do have the beautiful mountians and palm trees to enjoy while I'm "running, though. I'm still working on form. If anyone has any suggestions as to perfect form, I'd be interested in hearing from you.

I'm looking forward to getting in "athlete's" shape again. Wish me luck!

Russell Hill

Open House, Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs open house, Sunday, 8/5/07, 12-2pm.

2336 Girasol Ave, Chino Canyon. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. 20,000+ sf lot with pool and spa and huge mountain views.

Russell Hill, 760.902.3121, RussellHill.net

Palm Springs homes for Sale

Palm Springs houses for sale in the Twin Palms neighborhood, located in a great South Palm Springs area, close to shopping, and outdoor recreation.

1984 S Navajo Dr., $559,000.

1050 E Marion Way, $630,000.

1920 S Caliente, $699,000.

1940 S Yucca Pl., $725,000.

1958 S Navajo Dr, $740,000.

1994 S Yucca Pl., $750,000.

1132 E Marion Way, $759,000.

1925 S Joshua Tree Pl., $789,900

1924 S Navajo Dr., $795,000.

1190 E Marion Way, 875,000.

940 E La Verne Way, $1,399,000

Russell Hill, 760.902.3121, RussellHill.net

Energy Matters

Today's LATimes has two articles related to energy.

The first invloves Southern California Edison's hope to convert to "smart meters". The plan is controversial because of costs, which obviously would be passed along to consumers. In the long term , SCE argues, the devices will pay for themselves by reducing energy consumption by residential users and operating costs for SCE. One of the best, immediate benefits that I saw was the fact that the smart meters don't require humans to drive to the location to read the meter. It's all done electronically. This will mean huge savings from reduced gas consumption and fewer carbon emissions. Of course, we'll need to find new employment for all the former meter readers! I support the new meters and would volunteer to have one installed at my home.

The second article was a story on solar power in Germany. While Germany doesn't have nearly the sunshine that the American west does, they currently get 3% of their energy from the sun. They expect that number to increase greatly over the next several years. 13% of Germans' power comes from renewable sources. 55% of the world's photvotaic power is generated on solar panels installed in Germany.

Solar is so popular in this often overcast country because of goverment incentives and German's enthusiasm in accepting new technology. The goverment, on its part, makes it quite attractive financially for people to install photovotaic panels on their roofs. There is a "feed-in tarrif" that requires all power companies to pay anyone who generates power fron the sun, wind or from hydo 49 cents per kilowatt hour. There is a huge incentive to invest in renewable power sources.

I imagine that this country would see a huge investment in solar power if our goverment were as progressive as Germany's. Perhaps we can do it on a state level?

Russell Hill, 760.902.3121, RussellHill.net