Information for Real Estate Agents

Did you know . . . . .  about some rules, regulations and fees?

Let‘s get them out of the way first:

Lifestyle Enhancement Committee or LEC

• The Lifestyle Enhancement Committee, or LEC, keeps our community looking its best. It is staffed almost entirely by resident volunteers. Its purpose is to ensure the beauty of the community through conformance with the Design Guidelines, which are part of the official documents provided in the escrow process.   The LEC volunteers perform periodic drive-by audits of both residential and common areas, and may issue violation notices.
• When the Association is notified that an escrow has been opened on a home, the LEC does a very thorough physical inspection of the property’s exterior for potential violations of our Design Guidelines. If violations are noted, they will become part of the escrow documents forwarded by the Association. Examples might be a non-approved house color, or stains on the driveway, or patches of bare dirt. Violations of the Design Guidelines must be fixed prior to the close of escrow.  These fixes may be part of the contract negotiations. If not fixed, they may result in fines.
• Buyers who may be contemplating changes to the home’s exterior must be informed of the requirement of pre-approval by the LEC for any alterations to the exterior of the home, front or back.  These would include painting, landscaping, exterior alterations such as upgraded windows, addition of pools, spas, water features or patio covers, installation of artificial turf, etc.

Closing Costs—Sale of Home

• The fee charged by the Association as part of the closing costs of any sale of a Lot/Dwelling Unit covers costs associated with setting up the new Member’s membership account, as well as providing other information to the new Owner. The Association office shall be notified at the time a Lot/Dwelling Unit is sold. Upon completion of the sale, the seller will relinquish Resident ID Cards and/or Renter ID Cards, RFID Tags and provide a forwarding address. Thereafter, future Assessments for the Lot will be the obligation of the new owner.
• State law obligates the seller to provide the buyer with copies of the Governing Documents (CC&Rs, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, Rules, Compliance Procedure, Collection and Full-Pay Policy and Design Guidelines) as well as a statement showing the status of the Owner’s account with the Association.

Realtor Signage—restrictions by Design Guidelines

• One FOR SALE sign in the front yard of the house is allowed.  It must be beige and brown and no more than 6 sq. ft. (plus one trailer of 1 sq. ft.) and not more than four feet tall. All "For Sale," "For Rent," and "For Lease" signs are to be placed on free standing steel stakes (not on any portion of the structure, walls, mailboxes, etc.).  Signs must be removed within two working days following the closing of the property, or the termination of the listing agreement. Hand-held signs and/or the distribution of fliers outside of the lot being advertised for sale are not permitted.
• OPEN HOUSE signs are not permitted except for one sign in the front yard during the hours of that open house showing and must be removed immediately afterwards. The Open House sign shall be limited to a maximum area of one and one half (1½) square feet and may be in any color due to its temporary status. Open House directional signs that give directions to a house that is for sale and open for public inspection are permitted with permission of the Lot Owners.
• Lists of open houses given out at the main gate are not presently allowed by the Association.  Typically, realtors inform their prospective buyer clients in advance of the homes to be shown, and the clients inform the guard at the gate of their appointment with the realtor.

Now let’s get on with some of the great things about SCPD . . . . .

Homes and population

• There are 4,985 all single-level homes in Sun City Palm Desert (SCPD).There are over 50 floorplans ranging from 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1,000sf up to 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and 3,300sf. Whether it be a traditional or great room layout, a home with a casita (guest house) or a home with a golf cart garage, each floor plan has its own personality and the interiors can be completely remodeled, renovated or upgraded by the owners as desired, allowing owners to turn the house into their home. Prices range from the mid $300,000’s to over $800,000.
• The property is geographically divided into 15 districts, each with a delegate and alternate delegate to the Delegate Council.
•  District Delegates are elected each year by the residents in their districts. They help residents with questions and concerns, and represent their district in monthly meetings with the General Manager and Board of Directors.
• Each district holds quarterly district meetings and most hold events such as holiday parties.

Affordability

When prospects drive through the main gate to Sun City Palm Desert, they are immediately captivated by the lush resort like beauty of the property and when one learns of the amazing facilities, recreation and socialization opportunities, they often wonder if this might be too expensive. However, Sun City Palm Desert is surprisingly affordable, possibly the most affordable active adult community in its class in the area. Many prospective buyers just compare HOA fees but you can help your clients compare all the recurring costs, which at some communities can run thousands of dollars more per year than at Sun city Palm Desert.

Sun City Palm Desert has:

• Among the lowest HOA fees in the area at only $348.50
• The lowest property tax bill rates in the Valley.
• No Mello-Roos or Community Facilities District Fees (CFDs); unlike Del-Webb Shadow Hills and Rancho Mirage which both have CFD fees.
• Ultra low monthly fee for premium cable TV and Internet service.
• Very low fees for pest service and golf course glass breakage coverage.
• IID electric service; which is much lower cost than Edison resulting in lower air conditioning and electric bills.
• No city utility taxes that Indio and some other Valley residents have to pay.

Amenities

• Inside Sun City Palm Desert, a gated and patrolled resort style community, an amazing array of amenities offer an opportunity for equally amazing activites. 1,600 groomed acres offer tennis & pickleball courts, two 18-hole golf courses, a driving range, chipping and putting areas, an 18-hole putting course, a softball field, bocce courts with a covered eating & meeting area, a fishing lake, miles of bike and jogging paths as well as green belts, dog parks, walking paths and three large clubhouses offering a combined total of over 115,000 square feet for health, fitness, dining, recreation, entertainment and more.
•  For more information on our amenities please see our main Amenities page, our Amenites Comparison page and the list of amenities below.

 Homeowners’ Association

• The Sun City Palm Desert Community Association is in very good financial condition.  The annual budget for 2023-2024 totals about $26 million.  We keep a separate Reserve Fund for repair, maintenance and replacement of all assets over $500. This Reserve Fund is scheduled to have a balance of at least $10 million and is complimented with about $25M in liability insurance, $71M of property Insurance and about $67M of Earthquake insurance that will be available to deal with unanticipated catastrophic events, thus keeping SCPD's financial condition very sound.
• The Association is self managed—that is, we do not contract any services to a management company, nor to concessionaires for golf courses or restaurant. We have a seven-member board of directors elected by the residents, and a General Manager, senior staff, and about 220 employees.
• Monthly association dues are $348.50 (as of FY beginning July 1, 2023). There is a secondary very low fee for premium TV services and Internet, payable by every homeowner even if you do not have TV or Internet service, or if your TV or Internet service provider is a company other than Spectrum.
• Monthly pest service may be purchased for an additional charge of $12 per month.
• Some homes are in so-called “maintained districts” which have additional monthly dues for landscape maintenance, periodic repainting, etc.
• The Association hosts a New Resident Orientation.  New owners are invited and given an introduction to their new community and a thorough packet of information.  

Association dues cover:

• One 24-hour manned guard gate
• One part-time manned guard gate
• 24-hour roving patrol(s)
• Maintenance of common areas and streets
• Maintenance of two 18-hole golf courses and the putting course
• Pickleball, Tennis and Paddle Tennis courts
• Bocce ball courts
• Softball field
• Pools and spas
• Clubhouses (3)
• Restaurants (2)
• The Daily Grind/ Martini’s coffee/wine bar
• Fitness centers (2) and classes; many classes are free
• Dog Parks (2)
• Monthly magazine News & Views
• Website at www.SCPDCA.com
• Contributions to reserves

On-Site Amenities

• Golf pro shops, with rounds of golf at very reasonable rates
• Ballroom for performing arts, parties, meetings, etc.
• Crafts rooms for art, ceramics, sewing/quilting, jewelry, stained and fused glass, and photography
• Dedicated rooms for computer classes, card games, aerobics, dance, etc.
• Indoor track and two fully outfitted fitness centers
• Five swimming pools, three with 75 foot lap lanes
• About 80 Resident Groups and Chartered Clubs
• Post office plus notary, UPS & Fed Ex, and copying, email and fax services
• Free first-run movies in auditorium
• Annual Parking Lot Sale
• Green belts and walking paths
• Miles of bike and jogging paths
• Sidewalks on all streets
• Golf cart access to Marketplace with Stater Bros, hair and nail salons, barber, hardware store, drug store, banks, dry cleaner an ice cream parlor, two restaurants and more

Private events

• Room(s) may be rented to hold private functions
• Catering services are available

Activities for children

• Catch-and-release pond
• Children’s hours at MV Clubhouse indoor and outdoor pools
• Play area with slide and swings
• 18-hole putting course

Estate Sales

• Each homeowner is allowed one “garage sale” on their property during the entire time they own the property.  Prior approval from the Association is required.  Rules for estate sales are in the Rules & Regulations.
• Typically estate sales are held when the home is going on the market.  The homeowner / heir / executor must be present.  The sale may last for up to three days, and may be advertised in the News & Views and on the Association bulletin board in the MV clubhouse.  Signage in front yards is allowed but restricted.