Luxury Real Estate The New Bargain?

As the Real Estate market continues to move through the massive changes in the marketplace different bright spots come and go almost like meteors passing across the

night sky. Certain types of properties, certain price ranges will be hot for a few months and then fade.  Some of that is dictated by prevailing loan programs and seller incentives.


In my market place, just a few months ago, any property priced under $150,000, would immediately receive multiple all cash offers.  In that price range at least it seemed like the heady  days of 2005-2006. Bidding wars and buyers falling out of trees.  That has quietly faded probably because many buyers have spent their cash and also the inventory in this price category is drastically reduced from what it was. Investors who bought most of these seem to be rehabbing them and entering them into the rental pool - which is quite competitive in its' own right.

Currently the best deals are starting to be seen in the higher end up to and including the luxury homes.  There are some truly stunning deals out there.  Some of the homes have been reduced as much as 50%.  While you may not be in the market for a luxury property the near luxury properties in the $700, 000- one million dollar range are also seeing dramatic price reductions.

The Banks have been slow to foreclose on these larger properties but there are foreclosures and more coming.  Most industry insiders are reporting that the next two years will see a much larger percentage of luxury real estate and commercial real estate  go on the market at very competitive prices. The number of lower priced homes will slow and the inventory start to dwindle.  In my market place we are seeing the under $250,000 homes actually go up slightly in value.

You can look at some of the great luxury values in the Palm Springs are by using this link.

January 2010 Sales Stats Palm Desert

Palm Desert California experienced a slower than expected start to the new year. We are seeing  such a high level of activity these numbers surprised me a bit. I attribute it to the fact that at the first of the year many people put their properties on the market - condo inventory went up by about 44 units - homes by 73 units.  The lower sales figures for homes I would attribute to buyers taking longer to make up their minds plus short sales really slow the system down taking three times as long, in most cases, as bank or regular sales.  Condo sales increased in total units from December.

Palm Desert	January 2010
Houses Sold	35
Houses In Escrow	49
Houses Available	443
Condos Sold	56
Condos In Escrow	49
Condos Available	533
Notes:	3 homes over 1 million sold

The most expensive home sold in Palm Desert so far this year was an eye popping $8,000,000 - 8,885 square foot property at Big Horn in South Palm Desert.  This beautiful country club frequently takes the award for most expensive home sold.

See more million dollar homes in South Palm Desert California