Coachella Valley Real Estate By Kimberley, SFR, HAFA, GREEN
Residential, Equestrian, Land
I Do Real Estate The Same Way I Played Polo – To Win!
Coachella Valley Properties By Kimberley, SFR, HAFA, GREEN
Residential, Equestrian, Land
I Do Real Estate The Same Way I Played Polo – To Win!

Archive for June 2013

Favorite ways to spend your time in Palm Springs

Favorite ways to spend your time in Palm Springs
Sunnylands

The gardens at Sunnylands are a gorgeous sight.

There are so many ways to spend summer days in beautiful Palm Springs, but we thought we’d give you just a few to consider if you’re wondering what to do this weekend or if you’re planning a Palm Springs getaway. In addition to relaxing poolside and golfing the many verdant fairways, here are some recommendations from tourists, residents and proud owners of Palm Desert and Indian Wells real estate.

Explore Sunnylands. Located in Rancho Mirage, The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands was the winter home of Ambassador Walter Annenberg and his wife, Leonore. Designed by renowned Mid-Century Modern architect A. Quincy Jones, this compound hosted several U.S. presidents including Ronald Reagan, as well as international dignitaries, such as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II. Visitors can tour the garden with a reservation.

Shields Date Garden. Have you ever had a date shake? If you own property in Indio, chances are you’ll answer “yes.” Palm Springs and The Coachella Valley are considered the “Date Capital of the World.” Founded in the 1920s, Shields Date Garden is a family-owned business that grows its own dates free of any chemical fertilizers or pesticides. You’ll find every date imaginable in the store, where you can sample and taste test. One trip to the café in the back, where you can order breakfast or lunch, will make you understand why this destination is not only a favorite for tourists, but for locals and owners of property in Indio as well. Make sure to try one of Shields’ famous date shakes.

The Living Desert. This one-of-a-kind zoo and botanical garden is home to more than 450 wild animals and desert inhabitants. Spanning 1,200 protected acres, this spectacular sight represents the desert environments of both North America and Africa, and features live animal shows and a model train exhibit. You can take a stroll through the gardens, trek along hiking trails or take a tram ride. It’s an absolute favorite amenity of residents and those who own nearby Indian Wells real estate.

Click here to browse listings of Palm Desert and Indian Wells real estate.

image: sunnylands.org

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Celebrate Summer in Palm Springs

Celebrate Summer in Palm Springs

Summer Film SeriesSummer is officially here, which translates to myriad opportunities to explore the thriving arts and cultural communities in the Coachella Valley. If you’ve had your eye on homes for sale in Palm Springs or Indio real estate, this is a good time to visit and get a true feel for what goes on during the summer season in the desert cities. There are plenty of things to do while keeping your cool this summer, no matter what number the temperature reaches.

On Thursday, June 27 from 6 to 8 pm, the Summer Film Series at the Palm Springs Art Museum features a screening of The Fantastic World of Juan Orol at the Annenberg Theater. Mexico’s B-Movie master and “involuntary surrealist,” Juan Orol, is paid homage for his incredible career that spanned almost 50 films.

On Friday, June 28, the Band Europa will perform The Ultimate Santana Experience at the Morongo Casino. The renowned show takes place from 10:30 pm to 12:30 am.

On Saturday, June 29, The Show at Agua Caliente Casino hosts the Michael Jackson History Show II, the Ultimate Tribute featuring Kenny Wizz. This exciting performance takes place from 8 pm to 10 pm.

On Sunday, June 30, the Sundays in Summer Cabaret Series 2013 continues with a performance of Yes To You… A Tribute to Alice Faye starring Nicole Dillenberg. The vibrant musical theater production takes place from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Arthur Newman Theatre. An original one-woman show, this creative tribute explores the life and career of Alice Faye. Faye was America’s sweetheart during her years starring onscreen in Fox musicals of the 1930’s and 1940’s. Dillenberg is joined by Musical Director Bryan Miller on the piano.

If the broad spectrum of events inspires you to move to the desert cities, click here to view listings of Indio real estate and beyond.

image: hablemosdecine.com.mx

 

 

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The Basics of Homeowners Insurance

The Basics of Homeowners Insurance

homeowners insuranceYou’ve found that gorgeous piece or Rancho Mirage real estate and you’re ready to move in. Your next step should be to buy a homeowners insurance policy. Most of the time, mortgage lenders require it, but even if they don’t, home insurance is an important purchase that you should definitely consider.

Buying a home is a large investment, and for many people, the biggest purchase they make in their entire lifetime. Whether you’re investing in luxury properties in the international real estate market or buying your first home, it makes sense to protect such an important expenditure, which is why many homeowners opt to buy insurance to protect the value of their property.

Similar to others types of insurance contracts, when you buy a homeowners policy, you pay premiums and meet their policy requirements. In return, the insurance company guarantees to reimburse any losses due to damage incurred. A basic policy protects typically protects owners against damage from fire, lightning, wind and hail storms, as well as damage caused by theft or vandalism. It also usually includes funds for the cost of a hotel and food if you are required to leave your Rancho Mirage real estate property while the damage is repaired. While flood or earthquake damage is not typically covered, there are options to buy separate policies for those types of occurrences.  In addition, a homeowners policy provides liability coverage against lawsuits brought by someone who was injured on the owner’s property.

Whether you own your home outright or have a mortgage, a homeowners insurance policy is the best way to protect this important investment. It can be the best way to keep costs low in the long run, and to provide peace of mind for your family and future.

Click here to view luxury properties for the international real estate market.

image: homeownerdigest.com

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Real Estate Photography Part 2: More Interior Tips

Real Estate Photography Part 2: More Interior Tips

Are you practicing with your camera so you can get some gorgeous photos of your Rancho Mirage real estate property yet? As we mentioned in our last blog post, good photos are critical to expanding your pool of prospective buyers from both the domestic and international real estate market. Hopefully, you’ve been figuring out good angles to highlight your home’s best features so you can get started soon if you haven’t already.

Here are a few tips for improving your photography skills so you can present your Rancho Mirage real estate in the best possible light.

1. Use your self-timer. The best way to shoot is with a tripod, so that you don’t ruin a great shot due to unsteady hands. Turn the timer on and take your hands off the camera so you don’t jar it.

2. Make adjustments. If you’re not using a tripod, you’ll need to adjust your position accordingly. If you’re tall and when you aim the camera straight it’s too high to get the entire room, then sit on a chair or get down on your knees and aim high. If you’re too short, stand on something. Either way, it’s ideal to shoot from different heights to get some variety in the mix. If you have a staircase, try shooting from different levels.

3. Take care of the details. Even the latest Smartphones have impeccable resolution, so all the nitty gritty details will show up clearly in digital photos. Make sure your house is sparkling clean and that you’ve fixed any little cracks in the paint or similar issues. Schedule your photo session right after spring cleaning or a visit from your housekeeper. Straighten up all your furniture, steam the curtains if they’re wrinkled and move all garbage cans out of sight.

Click here to browse listings if you’re in the domestic or international real estate market and ready to find your own dream home.

image: thesanmarinorealestatereport.com

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Dance, Love and MC Hammer

Dance, Love and MC Hammer

BackhausdanceThe entertainment options lined up this weekend for Palm Springs are unique and exciting—from performances of a fusion of dance style and vibrant cabaret to the sounds of a legendary, old school MC, there won’t be a dull moment for anyone. Families, retirees, tourists and those in town to look at luxury international real estate properties have plenty to choose from when it comes to things to do. Take a break from viewing La Quinta real estate and hit up one of these amazing shows.

On Friday, June 21 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, the McCallum Theatre will host a live performance of Elasticity of the Almost: Performed by Backhausdance. As part of the McCallum Theatre Institute’s 2013 Summer Session Festival, a favorite among residents and La Quinta real estate owners, Backhausdance returns to our stage with two inventive dances choreographed by Jennifer Backhaus. Backhausdance was recently recognized by New York’s Joyce SoHo as one of seven emerging dance companies in North America to watch.

On Friday night, legendary rapper, producer and entrepreneur, MC Hammer, will take the stage at the Morongo Casino. The show runs from 9 pm to 11 pm. On Saturday, June 22, The Art Laboe Summer Love Jam will take place at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino from 7 pm to 9 pm.

On Sunday, June 23 from 2 pm to 4 pm, the Sundays in Summer Cabaret Series 2013 continues with Karen Giorgio in Trains & Boats & Planes, Oh My! Confessions of a Globe-Trotting Songstress.

The Arthur Newman Theatre is proud to feature Giorgio, along with special guest Vinny di Figlia and Musical Director Shelly Markham.

If you’re visiting the desert cities and are considering luxury international real estate properties in Palm Springs, click here to look at some spectacular listings.

image: backhausdance.org

 

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A week of film screenings and live performances

A week of film screenings and live performances

Palm Springs International ShortFestThere are a ton of ways to beat the heat this week in Palm Springs, and some especially great ones for film buffs and fans of live performances! If you’re in town looking at international real estate or Palm Springs homes for sale, or if you need to unwind after a hard day at work or just want to do something unique, there’s a film festival, a cutting-edge performance and the Summer Film Series to keep you occupied.

From June 18 – 24, the Palm Springs International ShortFest is in full swing. Sponsored by the Palm Springs International Film Society, this annual festival features a special selection of short films, from a wide array of genres that tell an equally diverse range of stories. From sibling tales of relationships and true stories from the front pages of news, to romance, road trips and cautionary tales, there is something for every taste imaginable. Whether you’ve spent the day working, relaxing or considering listings for the international real estate market, you will have an amazing time at this film lover’s mecca.

On Wednesday, June 19 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, the McCallum Theatre will host a Live Performance of MU: One Ocean, One World: A Fable for the 21st Century based on a Japanese legend. A work in progress that is slated to premiere in September 2013, this event is part of the McCallum Theatre Institute’s 2013 Summer Session Festival. The performance tells the story of a lonely young man who rescues a Mermaid and journeys to the Land of the Dragon Queen at the bottom of the sea.

On Thursday, June 20, the Summer Film Series at the Palm Springs Art Museum continues with a screening of Cairo 678. This compelling film tells the tale of three Cairene women from different backgrounds who band together in volatile solidarity to combat the sexual harassment that each has endured. The screening takes place at the Annenberg Theater from 6 pm to 8 pm.

There is always something going on in the desert Oasis of Coachella Valley. Click here to see listings of stunning Palm Springs homes for sale.

image: psfilmfest.org 

 

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Real Estate Photography Part 1: The Interior

Real Estate Photography Part 1: The Interior

Photographing Indian Wells real estateHaving good photos of Indian Wells real estate, equestrian homes and other Palm Springs homes for sale is critical to fostering interest in the land you’re trying to sell. In this day and age, people want to use the internet to check out potential leads, rule out what they know isn’t going to work for them in advance and get excited about those listings that are within their parameters. This is why it’s essential to post the best photos you can find to populate your online listing.

Since many sellers don’t want to spend the time and money hiring a professional real estate photographer, they often take photos for their listing themselves. If this is your plan, then you’ll need to optimize your photography skills to give your listing what it needs to attract the largest amount of prospective buyers. Your Indian Wells real estate property may be absolutely stunning, but if your photos don’t display it in the best light or show off its greatest features, buyers may not see its potential. When it comes to large scale properties, such as ranches or equestrian homes, it’s even more important to show off as much of the land as you can.

Luckily, we’ve created this blog series to provide some easy yet effective techniques for photographing real estate. Here are some basics to get you started on photographing the interior of your home:

  1. It’s all about the angles. When it comes to showing off your home’s angles, more is more. You want to show buyers as much of the interior as possible. Move around and shoot from different angles so you can find the most flattering ones when you go through the pictures. You can highlight a house’s best features and hide any weaknesses simply by changing positions.
  2. Back it up. Squeeze yourself into a doorway, corner or wherever you can best position the camera to show off as much of the room as possible. Shooting from the middle of the room is probably not going to give you what you need.
  3. Invest in a tripod. There are actually many inexpensive quality options available, and using one will let you get excellent steady shots that you may miss or ruin when using a handheld camera.
  4. Get straight. To get the best shots, focus your camera straight on, as opposed to at an incline.

That should get you started in the right direction for taking some stellar photos. In the meantime, you can get started looking for your own dream property! Click here to view listings of Palm Springs homes for sale.

image: jasoncollinphotography.com

 

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Ways to show your Palm Desert real estate

Ways to show your Palm Desert real estate

Showcase your homeWhen you’re working towards selling your Palm Desert real estate, it’s important to understand how critical showing your property is to getting it sold. It’s very important to work with a seasoned agent who understands what buyers want and knows how to showcase your property in its best light. When you own beautiful luxury property such as La Quinta real estate or a stunning home in Indian Wells, it’s easy to believe it will sell itself. Yet to get the best price, you should display your property’s best features so it will appeal to the widest pool of potential buyers.

Here are a few ways to best showcase your home:

Open Houses. The majority of open houses take place on the weekends, primarily on Sunday afternoons as most people have the least amount of obligations and are free from work. It gives sellers a block of time for a greater number of prospective buyers to see their Indian Wells or La Quinta real estate property all at once. Buyers like open houses because it allows them to shop around without committing to an agent or realtor.

Private showings. When a buyer views your property and is serious about it, they may request or you may want to offer the opportunity for a private showing. While you will need to maintain staging condition to make the most of this situation, it gives buyers a chance to ask questions and not be distracted or feel pressure due to others viewing it at the same time.

Online listings. Thanks to the internet, we can now expand our market exponentially with online listings that people anywhere with internet access can view. This is a tremendous opportunity as the international real estate market continues to heat up. Make sure to include as many photos as possible at as many angles as you can think of.

Lock box. Often times, both buyers and sellers are unavailable on the weekends. If this is the case, a lock box may be the answer. Having one outside the house for agents to access makes it possible to have your property shown when you are out of town or otherwise unavailable.

With a little coordination and forethought, you’ll be on your way toward selling your property and looking for your own next dream home. If you’re interested in browsing Palm Desert real estate, click here for some phenomenal listings.

image: firstamtech.com

 

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Father’s Day weekend in Palm Springs

Father’s Day weekend in Palm Springs
Bad Company

The world famous Bad Company performs at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino on Saturday, June 15

It’s a weekend of legendary music in Palm Springs. Some classic, legendary musicians will perform at various venues, providing the perfect opportunity to hang with dad or just get your music fix. If you own Indio real estate, live in a nearby desert city, or are in town viewing luxury homes or equestrian properties, you’ll be thrilled at the lineup—and if you’re in town for vacation, you picked the perfect weekend.

On Saturday, June 15 from 8 to 10 pm, the legendary Little River Band will perform at the Spotlight 29 Casino. Sometimes referred to as LRB, the Australian rock band is considered one of Australia’s most significant bands. In May 2001, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) named the LRB’s classic hit, Cool Change, one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time. Another hit, Reminiscing, was listed by BMI as one of the most frequently played songs in the history of American radio, with more than four million plays.

Also on Saturday, June 15 from 8 to 10 pm, The Doobie Brothers will perform at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio. This classic all-American rock band has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide and was inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. Their music stands the test of time, as you will witness from this amazing concert.

Saturday, June 15 from 8 to 10 pm the world famous Bad Company Starring Paul Rodgers will perform at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino. Singles by the English rock super group, such as Bad Company, Can’t Get Enough, Good Lovin’ Gone Bad and Feel Like Makin’ Love are considered classic staples of rock radio.

On Sunday, June 16, take a break from looking at equestrian properties and luxury homes to check out the Sundays in Summer Cabaret Series, which will feature Soft Lights & Sweet Music – Ron Cohn Sings Irving Berlin.The show takes place at the Arthur Newman Theatre from 2 to 4 pm.

Click here to see listings of Indio real estate and other luxury properties in the area.

image: badcompany.com

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A weekend of film and classic theater

A weekend of film and classic theater
Summer Film Series

Beijing Flickers will screen this weekend at the Palm Spring Art Museum

Palm Springs is filled with cool cultural activities taking place this weekend. When you’re done relaxing by the pool, you can round out your day with one of the wide array of film screenings happening all weekend long. The cutting-edge AMFM Fest celebrates independent filmmakers and talented DJs with an Opening Night Gala, live music, art shows and screenings all weekend long. Whether you’re in town checking out the international real estate market or luxury properties in La Quinta or Indian Wells, you’ll be inspired by the creative vibe at this unique event.

In addition to the innovative films showing at AMFM, the Summer Film Series at Palm Springs Art Museum features Beijing Flickers this Friday, June 13 from 6 to 8 pm. Directed by Zhang Yuan, Beijing Flickers tells the story of San Bao, a young man down on his luck after losing his job, dog, apartment and girlfriend, yet finds moments of euphoria amid his own despair, while roaming with the dregs of society. The annual Summer Film Series is a component of the Palm Spring Art Museum’s free community programming, and a favorite among those who own properties in La Quinta, Indian Wells and all the other cities in Palm Springs. The screening takes place at the Annenberg Theater.

On Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 the Annenberg Theater will host live performances of Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland, presented by Desert Dance. In their tenth year running at the Palm Springs Art Museum, these performances are perfect for the entire family to enjoy.

The incredible cast of talented dancers fuse classical and contemporary dance in an unforgettable production. The show takes place from 8 to 10 pm.

If you’re in town checking out luxury properties in the international real estate market, click here to browse some amazing listings.

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