Info to Know Before for Buying a Home or Condo
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Swimming Pools & Palm Springs Area Homes
Swimming pool properties (Palm Springs area homes featuring private swimming pools) are abundant in the Palm Springs area. There are literally thousands of swimming pools in each community and city. More than 60% of the single family residential homes in the Palm Springs area have their own private swimming pools.
In certain upscale neighborhoods and communities in the Palm Springs area, more than 75% of homes have private swimming pools and whirlpool spas. Many condo communities or Home Owner Association condominium developments have more than one shared community pool. Some condos in the Palm Springs area have both private pools associated with individual units plus community pools for all HOA members to share.
Because swimming pools are often used year-round in the Palm Springs area they require ongoing maintenance and upkeep, and can consume a considerable amount of electricity and water. For single family residences, as a buyer, you’ll want to consider the condition of the private pool or spa that is associated with an individual property.
Some questions you may want to ask a pool inspector or pool service professional prior to purchase: What is the condition of the pool, its mechanical systems and its plaster or finish? Is there deferred maintenance? What are the approximate annual operating costs? Is there a functioning pool & or spa heater? What is its condition?
Leased Land or Fee Simple Land?
In some real estate for sale listings in the Palm Springs area (perhaps 20% or so) you may notice references to “leased land” or “land lease,” as well as to “fee simple” land ownership; “fee simple” is sometimes abbreviated to the word “fee.” Fee simple ownership is the most common form of land ownership in California and throughout the United States, and means that when you purchase a property you also purchase the land on which the property sits.
In the Palm Springs area, some houses are built on “leased land,” land that is owned by members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the earliest settlers of Palm Springs, in which case the land is offered for lease separately from the structure that you may purchase.
Land is laid out by sections in a checkerboard fashion throughout Palm Springs and also in sections of Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage. Approximately every other section of this checkerboard-layout is owned by the Agua Caliente Tribe or tribal members, the earliest settlers of Palm Springs.
There can be both advantages and disadvantages to purchasing a property located on leased land. A benefit may be that you pay less for a property and can have a smaller mortgage or cash outlay, because you’re leasing rather than purchasing the land. A disadvantage may be that when a land lease comes up for renewal, you have no control over the amount of any rate increase. Therefore, be sure to find out if a property you are considering is located on leased land and the terms of particular lease, particularly the expiration and renewal dates for the land lease.
Homeowner's Associations (HOAs) or Common Interest Developments
The Greater Palm Springs area is home to literally hundreds of Home Owner Associations, such as country clubs, condominium developments and golf course properties, that often include common ownership elements such as grounds, shared walls, and amenities such as shared swimming pools, clubhouses, golf greens and clubs.
This shared form of HOA ownership, also known in California as a Common Interest Development, comes with many owner benefits and responsibilities. HOAs are governed by the votes of owner members. Each association has its own important information, rules, regulations, enforceable codes, covenants and restrictions that apply to all homeowners in the shared community development. You should review carefully the HOA By-Laws, Financial Statements and “CC&Rs” (Codes, Covenants & Restrictions), which should be made available to you before you purchase any property where you are required to be an HOA member.
What might you look for? You should verify the approximate monthly and/or annual fees or dues you will be required to pay, the amount of financial reserves in the event of planned or unplanned HOA expenditures, and ask if there are any special owner assessments that are currently in place or anticipated in the near future.
Suitability for Rental Generating Rental Income
Greater Palm Springs Realty and affiliated company Vacation Palm Springs assist many home-buyers in generating income from their property after representing a homebuyer in the purchase of a Palm Springs area home or condo. Certain properties can make better rentals than others, offering greater potential for income generation. Key features – for example, location, amenities and views -- have greater appeal to the large number of renters for which Vacation Palm Springs provides lodging every year.
Also, it’s important for homebuyers to explore and understand the guidelines or regulations that are in place, and these guidelines vary by City and by individual HOA community. In the Palm Springs area, some cities and Home Owner Associations or Cities have ordinances or regulations governing short-term rentals (for example, requiring that the minimum rental period be at least 30 consecutive days).
For example, the City of Palm Springs has a Vacation Rental Ordinance that went into effect in January of 2009. For a copy of this Palm Springs Palm Springs vacation rental ordinance, a buyer can contact City of Palm Springs City Clerk’s office, phone 760-323-8299. Other desert area cities may have other requirements or ordinances.
As a buyer, you’ll want to investigate the rental possibilities that are available in the development of interest to you, and should investigate the HOA authorities and municipal regulations affecting the subject property.
Greater Palm Springs Realty, Vacation Palm Springs, its agents or broker, do not make projections about, nor guarantee any rental revenue income from the property acquired via this transaction.
Rental income can vary significantly from property to property and year to year based on market conditions, location or new or existing HOA guidelines and municipal ordinances. Buyer assumes all responsibility for investigating rental income potential and applicable ordinances related to property. Our Company has detailed historical information and income history that may be helpful for buyers. Past performance does not guarantee future success, but what else can you go by?
Palm Springs Area Golf Courses & Golf Course Properties
Purchasing a golf course property in the Palm Springs area, or purchasing a home next to, adjacent to, or on a golf course may or may not include a membership or right to use or access any part of the golf course.
Our licensed Palm Springs Realtors can help you find a golf course property that suits your likes and requirements, and can guide you in finding the information about whether a particular property has golf course access or memberships available.
As a buyer, it’s important to investigate the property and nearby golf course to determine its impact on the use and or desirability of this property. It’s also important to find out the additional fees and membership dues that are required to use nearby courses.
Hillside Homes & Condos
Individual city ordinances and general plans regulate and limit new hillside development and changes to existing hillside properties in all of the Palm Springs area communities. Hillside properties are very limited in supply in the Palm Springs area. Ordinances are in place in many of the cities throughout the Palm Springs area to limit and/or rezone hillside property to restrict new residential development.
If you are considering the purchase of vacant hillside lot or an improved property, a visit to the respective Palm Springs area city’s Planning Department is encouraged. Take with you a parcel map of the property and a city planner at the appropriate City Hall can assist you by to you explaining restrictions that may apply. A trend toward restrictions on hillsides, intended to protect the natural beauty and the wild-life of the hillside areas, has created a strong appreciation in value of developed hillside properties.
Because of the limited supply of hillside properties in the Palm Springs area, hillside homes often command a premium price and are likely to have solid price appreciation for the future.
The Wind
Desert winds can be very vigorous at times throughout the area in every neighborhood and every township or community. However, certain locations in the Greater Palm Springs area can experience a higher degree of wind than the more secluded canyons and other low-lying areas that are somewhat sheltered from higher winds. Be sure to ask questions about wind and make sure you investigate how the wind impacts each area to satisfy yourself before purchasing a home or condo in the Palm Springs area.
Desert Climate - Natural Elements
The desert is different. Because of the unique desert climate, certain types of construction fare better and are more economical to own than others. Be sure to carefully consider the energy efficiency of any improved property before buying or leasing it. You may want to look for well-insulated walls and roofs, double paned or insulated windows and doors, pitched roofs, and smartly placed landscaping.
Earthquake Insurance
Common throughout the State of California, earthquake faults, including the San Andreas fault, run through the Palm Springs area. Although many homes have been built to withstand some earthquake activity, you may want to determine how close a home or condo in a particular area may be to an active fault line. Maps designating earthquake fault lines in the Greater Palm Springs area are available through the County of Riverside, California. Earthquake insurance is available and some homeowners elect to purchase this coverage through an insurance vendor or state agency.
Property Taxes
As of 2010, State of California property taxes are limited to an annual assessment of approximately 1.25% of the purchase price. For example: a $200,000 home would generate a $2,500 per year state of California property tax. In addition, some cities in the Palm Springs area have small local tax assessments such as the utility tax (approximately 1% based on utility usage that is in effect in Palm Springs). Some areas have assessments for street and sewer improvements. If you have concerns or questions about taxes or assessments, be sure to ask questions and investigate.
The Summer Heat
It is true that during the hot summer months (June, July, August, September) the daily temperature reaches over 100 degrees many days during the month. However, most of the time it is a dry heat, and most residents here consider this a small price to pay for the nine months of ideal weather that the Palm Springs area enjoys. Many areas of the USA (and Canada) offer only three to six months of quality weather as compared to the Palm Springs area’s nine months of beautiful weather and approximately 350 days of sunshine each year.
Working with a Palm Springs Realtor
Working with a licensed California Realtor offers you a great insight to the unique opportunities and distinct market dynamics of each community and neighborhood in the Palm Springs area. Our fully licensed state of California Realtors know the nuances and opportunities available for home and condo-buyers in Palm Springs.
Whether you’re from California, Washington, Oregon, other USA states, Canada, the United Kingdom or Europe, we offer you experience, information, resources and energy – plus an excellent track record – to assist you in finding a home in the Palm Springs area. We successfully assist dozens of well-satisfied buyers offering personal service and attentive listening that make a big difference.
We can help you find what you’re looking for in style, price and lifestyle -- as all real estate is a uniquely local proposition. Let us be of assistance in your search for a Palm Springs area vacation home, condo or full-time residence.
Contacting Us: Call Palm Springs Realtor Rob Kincaid
Rob’s direct phone line: (760) 333-3300 or office (760) 778-7832, extension 111.
Our offices at Greater Palm Springs Realty Inc and the Vacation Palm Springs Rental Agency are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year
More Information About Buying a Home or Condo in the Palm Springs Area
At Greater Palm Springs Realty, we understand that listening to you is the most important thing we can do to ensure your satisfaction in buying a home or condo. Our fully licensed California real estate agents (Realtors and Real Estate Brokers) are committed to providing every buyer or seller of homes or condos in the Palm Springs area with all of the important information and insights that are important to making smart decisions. We want you to make a good decision that you’ll be happy about for years to come.
Listening Before Looking
We listen carefully to what you say is important to you and to what you’re looking for. We’ll ask you questions. We’ll answer your questions. And we’ll go to work to help you find exactly what you seek.
We understand that each property, each neighborhood, each community is unique. Just like you. And we work hard and smart to find a great match for you. So we take time to really listen and find the answers to your questions in a prompt, courteous and professional manner.
Call Rob Kincaid, Palm Springs Realtor/Real Estate Broker, today. Or email Rob, owner/broker, Greater Palm Springs Realty Inc. email us today.
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Office Location:
Vacation Palm Springs & Greater Palm Springs Realty
1276 N Palm Canyon Drive Suite 211
Palm Springs, California 92262
Phone: (760) 778-7832
Toll free: (800) 590-3110
Although the above information is deemed reliable it is not guaranteed and is subject to change.