Rosalie Murphy notes in her recent Desert Sun article that as the winter homebuying season draws to a close, prices across the desert have dipped and sales have jumped. The median price for a Coachella Valley home in February was $283,000, the lowest of this year's season, according to real estate research firm CoreLogic DataQuick. But sales remain brisk: resale home sales were up about 10 percent year-over-year in February, and new home sales jumped by more than 20 percent.

That median price, around $280,000, offers a variety of options, including large family homes, small condos and even a handful of new builds. All the listings in this article include HOA fees below the Coachella Valley median, which was $315 per month in 2015. A 20 percent down payment on a home at this price would be $56,000. A 30-year mortgage on the remaining $224,000, at a 4 percent interest rate, would require monthly payments of $1,069. 

Here’s a sampling of what $280,000 can buy in the desert right now:

  • An 898 square feet, one-bedroom, one bathroom, second floor condo in the Biltmore complex in Palm Springs. The unit features a big outdoor balcony, porcelain tile floors, a walk-in pantry, an in-unit washer and dryer and a garage. The Biltmore Colony is also one of only three condo complexes in Palm Springs eligible for financing from the Federal Housing Administration, which can make it attractive to first-time buyers. Down payments on FHA mortgages can be less than 5 percent of the cost of a home. The property is listed at $279,000 ($311 per square foot), with HOA fees of $279 per month.
  • Twenty-two new builds, by Gallery Homes, in a gated community at the northern edge of Desert Hot Springs, ranging from about 1,800 square feet to more than 2,600 square feet, starting at $279,900 ($126 per sq ft), with HOA dues of $81 per month. Five homes are now for sale, and remaining lots can be reserved.
  • A 1,938 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, ranch style pool house in Coachella. This big ranch features an open living area, light-filled French doors, a gas fireplace, rear yard pool and spa and a sliding door connecting the master bedroom to the backyard. Its neighborhood sits just east of Indian Palms Country Club, bordering Indio. The property is listed at $279,000 ($144 per square foot), with no HOA fees.
  • A cute 1,744 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, Spanish cottage in La Quinta Cove. This three-bed, two-bath house sits near the southwestern corner of La Quinta Cove. According to the listing, the ranch includes a fireplace, vaulted ceilings, several floor-to-ceiling windows, an AquaFit Sport Swim Spa (a pool will special jets for exercise) and artificial turf in both the front and back yards. The home is listed at $279,000, with no HOA dues
  • A 1,371 sq ft, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom vacation home in La Quinta's Puerta Azul community. The home comes with two ensuite bathrooms and a private outdoor patio. The gated community includes pools, tennis, outdoor fireplaces and a fitness center.

To read Rosalie Murphy’ original article and view the accompanying pictures, courtesy of The Desert Sun, please visit: http://www.desertsun.com/story/money/real-estate/2016/04/08/price-desert-homes-280000/82426782/