I read the following article in About.com about caring for your dogs for those that live in Phoenix (Same type of severe weather that we have in Palm Springs). Most of it is just common sense. But for those of us that are dog lovers, there are some valuable tips offered here:
I receive many questions about living with a dog in the desert. Certainly, many desert area residents have dogs as pets, but living in a region where summer temperatures can be higher than 100 for a good part of the summer means that there are some things you should know to keep your pet happy and healthy.
Things to Know About Having a Dog in the Desert Heat
Dogs in the House
The best situation for your dog would be to have the dog be trained as an indoor pet, where she can keep cool inside the air conditioned house during the hot summer days. Keep the thermostat at a reasonable temperature for your pet.
Dogs in the Yard
If the dog must be kept in the yard during the hot parts of the day in the summer it is absolutely essential that there be a dark, shady place where the dog can escape from the blazing sun. A tree is probably not good enough. A ventilated dog house, or a pen with shade cover, or a covered patio is a must. Make sure that there is adequate shade at all times of the day that the dog is outside.
Dogs and Water
If the dog is outside, make certain that there is a good supply of clean water in a weighted dish (or two in different locations in case one gets knocked over anyway).
Keeping Dogs Cool
Some dogs enjoy water and can keep cool if a misting system is left on during the day, or if there’s a kiddy wading pool for them with a couple of inches of water in it where they can sit to cool off. Keep these in the shade, too. Sitting in a tub of 110 degree water won’t help the dog. Some people I know say that they provide a sandbox with damp sand for the dog. Digging must be allowed in the sandbox–you’ll only frustrate a dog with a sandbox where digging is not permitted!
Dogs in the Pool
If your dog has access to your swimming pool or spa, make sure the dog is trained to get out of the pool. The dog needs to know how to get to the steps. If there are no steps or shallow areas, like in some lap pools, make sure the pool is fenced and locked so the dog can’t get in. Every year puppies and dogs drown in backyard pools because they could jump in, but they couldn’t get out.
Dogs That Swim
Speaking of dogs that love to swim, we know that there are certain breeds that were born to do just that, and they are ever-so-happy cooling off at the beach or at the lake. Here’s the problem–we don’t have a beach in Phoenix, and animals are not allowed in our lakes or canals. Even if they were, you wouldn’t want your dog wading in, or even drinking, the water in our local lakes which are mostly reclaimed water and can easily make your pet very sick. If you have a breed that must play in the water, there is only one place in the Valley where you can take her, and it is in Gilbert.
Walking the Dog in the Summer
Can you walk your dog in the summer? Yes, but it is generally accepted that you should only walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening, about an hour after the sun has gone down. That’s because not only is the temperature high, but the sidewalks will be too hot for the pads of the dog’s paws. They’ll burn. General rule: if the sidewalk is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it is too hot for your dog to walk on. If you choose to walk your dog in the summer, hopefully early or late, bring along water and make frequent water stops for the dog. Don’t take long walks or over-exert in the summer. Consider these walks light exercise.
Dogs and Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is common in dogs. It can happen your own yard, or on a walk. Dogs cool themselves by panting. If panting does not reduce the body temperature the dog will develop heat stroke. Early signs of heat exhaustion include rapid breathing, heavy panting, and salivation. Other signs are fatigue, muscle tremors, and staggering. If you see a dog that is experiencing heat exhaustion, take the dog to a cool, shady place, and apply wet towels or cloths to help cool the dog’s body down. Try to give the dog small amounts of water, and immediately call a vet.
Dogs and the Sun
Dogs get sunburned. Especially dogs with short hair or little hair on some parts of their bodies. Keep them out of the sun.
Hiking with the Dog in the Summer
Like to hike with your dog? Please do it very early in the morning. Carry plenty of water, and make it the easy hike, please.
Dogs Breeds That Don’t Like Heat
Overweight and older dogs will have more difficulty with the heat. As far as breeds are concerned, it is generally accepted that snub-nosed dogs, like boxers, bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus have poor panting mechanisms, and so are more susceptible to being affected by heat. These should be indoor dogs, and should not be kept in the yard during the day. They should spend their days lounging in air conditioned comfort. Dogs with heavy coats can be trimmed for the summer, but not shaved bare or else they’ll have a hard time insulating themselves and will be prone to sunburn and other skin irritations.
Dogs and Summer Exercise
It’s never a good idea to exercise your dog by having him run alongside your bicycle. If for some reason you do this from time to time, please don’t do it in the summer.
Dogs and Trucks
If your dog loves to travel in the back of your pickup, please avoid the temptation. If for some reason you must take your dog with you in the back of your truck, make sure the surface of where the dog has to sit/stand is not metal, and does not absorb heat. Test it. Leave your truck out in the sun for two hours and then go stand in it for 20 minutes in your bare feet (or sit on it with your bare butt!). If it feels hot to you, or it burns the skin right off your body, it feels that way to your dog, too.
Dogs in the Car
I know that Fido loves to ride in the car, too. I’ve never met a dog that didn’t. If you are going to run some errands, and it’s 100 degrees outside, and the dog wants to come along in the car, please do him a favor and leave him home. If for some reason you have to take him along, do not ever leave him in the car without the A/C on. Even with the windows cracked, that car will heat up fast enough to cause brain damage or death in just a few minutes.
Using common sense, and taking some of these tips into account, you should be able to keep a happy healthy pet in our desert climate. If you have specific questions about your breed, contact a local breed club for assistance.
The report states that says Canadians have become the biggest foreign buyers of U.S. real estate. Per the National Association of Realtors, 23% of all foreign national purchases in the US last year from Mar 09 to Mar 2010, were Canadians.
“Although international purchasers from a wide variety of countries are present throughout the United States for a variety of reasons, proximity to the home country and the convenience of air transportation are believed to be important considerations in selecting the buying location,” the study reported.
And really, can we blame them??? Here’s a email I received from one of my Canadian clients in Calgary today, July 13, 2010:
“Our current temperature is 9°C or 48°F – yours is 39°C or 102°F. It’s also pouring rain with brutal winds but, that’s an improvement from the golf ball sized hail and tornado warnings yesterday! Luckily no damage to my car but, lots to many others – knocked out windshields, etc. from the monster hail.”
Seriously? I think I’ll take our 105 degree weather any day!!! (Makes me think twice about complaining about our weather).
Canadians continue to purchase in Palm Springs. A large majority of my buyers this past year, were from all over Canada, as more and more Canadians recognize the good buying opportunities in the US, let alone our good weather here.
Per a recent post on CNN Money, Vacation Home Ownership is on the rise. Per Liz Westman, “Don’t listen to the naysayers. Rentals can cover your second-home costs if you’re careful when you buy and you follow these 3 simple rules.”
In Palm Springs, many people rent out their homes as vacation rentals. The Palm Springs market is a popular destination for many travelers looking to escape, and wanting the comforts of a private home, as opposed to a hotel room. Palm Springs draws from a number of states all over the country, in addition to being only two hours from Orange County, San Diego and Los Angeles. Buying a second home in Palm Springs and renting it out, is a viable option for many.
Per the article, for a successful vacation home rental, here are the three basic tenents:
Vacation homes need to be rented 15 to 17 weeks a year in many areas to break even. This estimate is based on the assumption that one month’s mortgage payment would equal one week’s rental income in the peak season. More expensive homes would need to be rented longer.
Internet advertising is essential. You need to reach the widest possible audience of potential occupants to keep your place solidly rented. The more sites you can post on, the better.
Owners need to cut out the middlemen. Management companies take anywhere from 10% to 60% of rental income, making positive cash flow impossible. Handling rentals and maintenance isn’t that tough, even long distance.
Many of my clients rent out their 2nd homes here in Palm Springs on a part time basis. Let me help you find the perfect 2nd home, and I’ll be happy to share with you my knowledge of what is involved with making it a successful vacation rental.
A new listing just hit the MLS in Old Las Palmas, one of Palm Spirngs’ premier neighborhoods.
Facade
This is a classic mid-century home, with all the original details still intact, like walking into a time-capsule. Love it!
Here’s what the agent has to say about it:
“Wait ’til you see the original features in this mid-century gem: Stone fireplace, incredible tile work in showers, amazing original appliances in the party/pool room kitchen and decorative cement block on perimeter walls! Yes, she needs updating in places (you’ll have a ball picking your favorite foil wallpaper pattern and color), but WOW, what potential! Each bedroom has a private bath (two bedrooms are off the party/pool room wing) and the enormous master has two baths and giant walk-in closet. Located on a corner lot in Old Las Palmas, the L-Shaped home wraps around the pool on 2 sides allowing for uninterrupted mountain views.”
Offered at $795,000 Want this retro martini pad for yourself? Please call or text me at 760-285-8559 for a private showing. Or email me at paulkaplanre@gmail.com for more information.
Financing a home after foreclosure is possible for most homeowners. Those who default on their mortgages due to economic hardships, such as job loss, may receive approval for another mortgage in as little as two years, while it may take more than seven years for strategic defaulters to be approved.
Lenders utilize several methods in determining whether to grant mortgages, including the amount of money borrowers have saved; employment histories; and payment history.
According to the chief economist with the Mortgage Bankers Association, lenders may be more willing to finance a mortgage for a borrower who defaulted on their mortgage as a result of factors beyond their control.
Some homeowners who strategically default—intentionally not meet their mortgage obligations although they have the financial means to do so—assume they can raise their FICO scores by paying their others bills on time. However, most future loan underwriters will scrutinize their records very closely, and if they determine the borrower strategically defaulted on their previous mortgage, the repaired credit score will not overshadow the walkaway.
Although not impossible for strategic defaulters to finance another home purchase, it likely will be more difficult. Lenders may ask for down payments of 30 percent or more to provide sufficient collateral to enable the bank to recoup most of its money in a foreclosure. These borrowers also may be charged higher interest rates, even above the levels other borrowers with similar credit scores would receive.
I found this interesting article about Palm Springs real estate today:
The Palm Springs real estate market, along with the rest of the Coachella Valley real estate market, seems to be edging towards recovery, although it will be gradual and difficult. According to a May 14, 2010 article in the Record Gazette, “In the year since Beaumont initiated an economic stimulus plan to spur development, there appears to be evidence that its incentives are working. While the majority of Riverside County saw the number of permits for construction of new single family homes drop 10.6 percent last year, Beaumont boasted an increase of 16.7 percent over its 2008 volume, according to statistics presented at the May 4 city council meeting.” The article by David James Heiss continued to note that “In 2009, there were 350 permits for single family residential units – the highest number of any city in the country, followed by Meifee, which issued 325, and Temecula, with 323.”donovantalk.com, Palm Springs real estate market | DonovanTalk.com, May 2010
Many Palm Springs buyers, especially first-timers, hope to purchase a foreclosed property at a bargain price. While purchasing a foreclosed home can be a wise choice for some buyers, it is important that buyers understand the differences in buying at different stages of foreclosure and be prepared to take on the challenges typically associated with each. If you are looking for a property in Palm Springs, this will help explain foreclosures.
MAKING SENSE OF FORECLOSURES
There are three basic stages of foreclosure in California: Pre-foreclosure, trustee’s sale, and repossession, often called an REO or real estate owned by the bank.
Pre-foreclosure homes are in the foreclosure process, but have not yet been auctioned. Owners of pre-foreclosed homes often try to sell the properties because they are “underwater,” meaning they owe more on the mortgage than the home currently is worth. (often referred to as “SHORT SALES”). Many homeowners attempt to sell via short sale, where the lender must agree to accept less than the amount owed on the mortgage. Buying at this stage of foreclosure often is a complicated and slow process. This process may often take over 1 year in some cases, and not end up in a sold property. On average, a very small % of short sale deals every actually come together. However, buyers of pre-foreclosed properties often are given the opportunity to inspect the home prior to purchasing, whereas this is not always the case when buying at other stages of foreclosures.
The second basic stage of foreclosure is the public auction at a trustee’s or foreclosure sale. Homes in this stage often are well priced, but also come with challenges to buy. These homes may not be available for inspection and buyers may later discover the property needs numerous repairs. As a result, many of the homes at auction are purchased by investors and contractors who have experience working with homes needing numerous repairs, or taken back as REO by the foreclosing lenders.
If a home does not sell to a third party at the trustee’s auction, the bank takes the property–the final stage of the foreclosure process. Although homes in this stage typically do not offer buyers the best prices, buyers generally can perform a thorough inspection of the property prior to closing.
To read the full story, please click here.
Are you looking for a foreclosure property in Palm Springs to purchase? I have a vast amount of experience dealing with foreclosures and would be happy to help you with every step of the process. Look forward to hearing from you!
Brought to you by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
I put together a quick search by price for those looking for a mid-century home in Palm Springs. Pick your price range, and click the appropriate link- and you’ll see the current homes for sale in Palm Springs.
