Have you found your dream plot of land and are ready to make a move? Or do you have your heart set on buying Indian Wells real estate but aren’t sure how much to save and what else to have in place before you start looking? Buying property is typically one of the most important investments you can make, and therefore, requires some strategy and forethought.
Timing can be a very important facet of your foray into the real estate market. If you’re not in an urgent hurry to buy, then you have time to clean up your credit rating, watch the market and get your finances in order. If you are already looking at Rancho Mirage homes for sale, then there is no time like the present to get started with preparations. Here are a few things you can do:
Observe housing prices. Take the time to watch and see if house prices are rising or falling and observe pricing for homes in the area you are interested—this helps you assess whether the area you’re looking at is right for you and your family. If prices are increasing, you may need to make a move sooner rather than later. If prices are decreasing, observe how quickly they are falling. If the pace that they’re decreasing is slower, then it may make sense to wait for prices to continue dropping.
Save up. It’s never too early to start putting funds aside for a down payment. Typically lenders expect around 20 percent of the asking price. If you don’t think you will have that much, then it makes sense to wait to look at Indian Wells real estate.
Clean up your credit. Do you know what your credit rating is? If not, get a report done immediately and then see what you can do to improve it. Contest anything you believe to be inaccurate and try to get your credit card balances as low as possible.
Research mortgages. As soon as you start looking at Rancho Mirage homes for sale, you should also start shopping around for the best mortgage rates. Most local banks will offer competitive rates, but don’t be afraid to negotiate. Keep in mind that if you have filed for bankruptcy in recent years, it can be more difficult to get a mortgage, so it’s best to see if you will pre-qualify now.
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This is a KILLER deal! 31 Camino Royale S., Palm Desert is offered for just $298,700. Not only is the price aggressive as the Sellers are re-locating, but this Condo is absolutely one of the nicest, (remodeled in 2013), and features arguably, the BEST Western view in the Club.
Extended back patio with electronic awning.
The rear patio has been extended with tiled floor, ceiling fan, a kitchen pass through and an electronic awning. The better to enjoy the spectacular views of Hole #1 fairway, the lake and the Santa Rosa Mountains beyond. Sliders from both the kitchen and the great room create the desirable desert Indoor/outdoor flow.
The grass is being over-seeded on the Ted Robinson golf course which is why it’s not green, but note that there are no condos across from you! Very unique to this unit.
Featuring 3 bedrooms/3 ensuite bathrooms, a dining room, wet bar, laundry area, interior atrium and 2 car attached garage, this unit is special. Some of the newly updated features are: Granite counters, new Lighting, new fixtures, new carpets, new paint, new ceiling fans, new stainless steel appliances and much more.
If you are interested in taking a tour of this property at the Chapparel Country Club, Palm Desert, give me a call! 760-285-3578
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There’s a lot that goes into selling property these day—even the most gorgeous homes for sale in Palm Springs and the surrounding area need to be decluttered, depersonalized, staged, marketed online and—get ready for it—de-petted.
This may be a surprise to many who have an adorable ball of fur who lives with them on their Indio real estate property. While your pet may be the most low-maintenance senior cat, a sweet bird or a smart, well-trained Labrador, prospective buyers have no interested in seeing or smelling evidence of them in their potential new home.
Unfortunately, many people are very sensitive to the smell of pets, and even worse, many are allergic to pet hair and dander. A not-uncommon reason that realtors have passed on beautiful homes for sale in Palm Springs is due to an odor left behind by the family pets. It may seem hard to believe, but it’s a legitimate reason that will cause many buyers to take a pass.
If you and your pet have lived at your home for years on end, it may seem difficult to eliminate all traces from your property. However, it can be done and will make a difference in the potential offers you may receive on your Indio real estate property or home in a different area.
Stat by identifying and rinsing any soiled spots in the carpeting—even old ones. Once you’ve spot treated, hire a crew to come in and do a deep cleaning. Once the carpeting is dry, use an odor neutralizer to complete the process. If you prefer natural remedies, try vinegar and baking soda.
Make sure to wipe and scrub down every single surface in the home, including cupboards, cabinets and every crack and crevice. Hair and dander can linger for ages.
Don’t neglect the exterior of your home either. Remove any dog poo from the yard so that potential buyers don’t accidentally step in it on their way inside. An accident like that can counteract even the best curb appeal!
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We’re all set for a weekend of eclectic and exciting events in the Coachella Valley. Locals, visitors and those who own La Quinta real estate can look forward to a variety of ways to spend their weekend. The wide-ranging activities are the perfect way for visitors, such as family members, tourists and those in town to look at luxury international real estate properties, to get a sampling of all Palm Springs has to offer.
Starting Friday, September 27 and continuing through the weekend, the Morongo Casino will host the Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow, a celebration of Native American culture and heritage featuring live music, dance, refreshments, shopping and more.
On Friday, September 27 at 4 pm, the 16th Annual Mayor’s Cup Golf Challenge Shotgun Start will take place at the gorgeous and exclusive La Quinta Country Club. Produced by the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce, the event features a “Nine Hole” competition with the coveted perpetual Trophy at stake. After that part of the event, there will be a “Shootout” whereby competitors are eliminated until there is one final winner. Spectators can follow the event in a golf cart and cheer for their favorites. The games will be followed by a mixer with prizes, raffles and awards. It’s an event that community members, including owners of La Quinta real estate, look forward to every year.
On Saturday, September 28 from 8 to 10 pm, Bill Maher will perform at the McCallum Theatre. Bill Maher is known for unflinching candor and hilariousness that has earned him more than 20 Emmy Award nominations.
On Sunday, September 29 from 2 to 4 pm, the Sundays in Summer Cabaret Series 2013 continues with Janene Lovullo in Broadway, Intimate. The event takes place at the Arthur Newman Theatre. Ms. Lovullo performs song from her latest CD, which includes Broadway favorites. Chris Marlowe is the Musical Director & Arranger for this performance.
Whether you’re a local looking for an upgrade or visiting from abroad to look at luxury international real estate properties, if you click here you’ll find some unparalleled listings.
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Many consider the kitchen the most important room of a house. It’s the area where families prepare their meals and catch up on the day, and where guests often congregate at dinner parties and special events. When potential buyers look at Rancho Mirage homes for sale, it’s often the first room they want to look at.
If you’re ready to put your Indian Wells real estate on the market, one of the first things you should do to prepare is declutter the kitchen. It’s actually a great place to start the process—from there, it will be snap to take on the bathrooms, bedrooms and main living areas.
Start by removing everything from the counters. That includes the toaster, blender and coffee machines. Store them in a cabinet or drawer and take them out only you need them. Low on cabinet space? Get rid of all those pots, pans, utensils and dishes that you don’t use. That wok that’s stayed in the box since you bought it? Give it away or put it in a storage facility.
When buyers are viewing Rancho Mirage homes for sale, one of the first things they do is open the drawers, cabinets and the refrigerator. Some even examine the dishwasher! If the storage doesn’t look sufficient and your drawers are crammed, they’re going to think there’s not enough room for their own belongings. Your goal should be to create as much space as possible—if you can empty out some drawers, you’ll be ahead of the game.
Another area that needs decluttering that you may not have thought about is under the sink. Remove everything you keep under there—dishwashing soap, garbage bags, cleaning supplies and whatever else you store underneath. Have the area scrubbed down thoroughly so that it doesn’t look like there are any plumbing problems.
If you’ve already sold your home and are ready to look at Indian Wells real estate, click here to see some unforgettable listings.
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When it comes to pricing and staging luxury properties to appeal to international real estate buyers, it helps to have a well-designed home that looks modern and sophisticated. For some potential buyers, especially those from Europe, a minimalist design works well, as it leaves more to the imagination and looks less personalized. However, if you’re not planning to sell your home for a year or so but it needs a design update, it helps to take some of the current trends into consideration.
Whether you plan to sell real estate in Palm Desert or a home in Beverly Hills, there are a few trends that you can incorporate to make it easier to appeal to a wide-ranging market in the near future, while allowing you to truly enjoy the design of your home for as long as you’re living there.
A lighter look. Make sure rooms don’t look cluttered by scaling back on certain pieces and choosing tailored furniture instead of anything bulky. Swap large bookcases out for mounted shelves and think “less is more” in terms of décor that has no utility. Boosting illumination is also an excellent way to update and brighten your home, especially when dealing with a smaller space. Choose great lighting and make space to maximize natural light.
Double-Duty Furnishings. Another great way to maximize the space of your real estate in Palm Desert is by opting for furniture that does double duty. A popular trend is using ottomans for seating and storage, sleeper sofas and coffee tables that rise for dining purposes.
Outdoor Spaces. Moving functional spaces outdoors is a popular trend, especially among the desert cities, where good weather can be enjoyed all year long—and this will definitely appeal to those international real estate buyers who live in colder climates. You can create an outdoor kitchen with a simple cook’s station and grill, or a screened off patio to serve as a family or recreation room.
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There are many reasons why it’s so important to find a good realtor with the right expertise, but especially when you’re trying to sell a home in a competitive market. When it comes to Palm Springs homes for sale or real estate in any other area, an experienced realtor knows best how to price your home accurately and can help make it stand out among similar properties.
Whether you’re selling a property in La Quinta or another part of the desert, there are some standard methods that a realtor will do to make your property stand out. In addition to tapping into their own referral network, where they can provide exposure to potential buyers across the world, there are several other integral avenues that a good realtor will typically pursue.
Realtors will also use their own online presence to promote your property. They will typically feature your home on a web page, with photos that highlight the house’s best features. Research shows that buyers are more likely to visit a property that has an array of photos online, so it’s important to feature as many photos as possible from wide angles and with good lighting. Even the most gorgeous Palm Springs homes for sale need to be represented in the best possible light.
In addition to the “for sale” yard sign and open houses your realtor will set up, they may sometimes post your listing on other websites so they can maximize exposure among search engine results. This opens up your market significantly, and can even attract buyers from foreign countries who are interested in investing in the international real estate market. Believe it or not, often times these buyers will travel across the world to come take a good look at equestrian homes, beach condos, a mountain cabin or property in La Quinta.
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Regardless of whether it’s a buyers’ or sellers’ market when it comes to La Quinta real estate, homes that are staged well will attract more attention from prospective buyers. The more you can increase your property’s appeal, the greater chance you have of a buyer falling in love at first sight and making an offer.
Even the most gorgeous Palm Springs homes for sale can benefit from some additional work and tweaking to maximize their appeal in the marketplace. Most sellers are aware that their home should be thoroughly cleaned up and shown in its best possible light, but there is more to staging than just cleaning house. Potential buyers want to walk in and be able to imagine themselves living in it without having to put a lot of work in.
If your house is already vacant, it may behoove you to hire a professional stager to furnish some of the rooms with a stylish flair. While minimalism is good, when a property is completely vacant it leaves too much to the buyer’s imagination. While an occupied home filled with another family’s belongings can overwhelm viewers, it can likewise be difficult for someone without design experience to walk in and visualize a house furnished and decorated. Even the most gorgeous Palm Springs homes for sale need a little help.
If you are still inhabiting your home, jumpstart the process now by decluttering and depersonalizing so that you can allow your potential buyers to envision their own life in the house. Start removing as many of your personal possessions as possible—and that includes family photos and memorabilia. Other things to alleviate are seasonal items and holiday decorations.
Just remember, your goal is to create a clean, uncluttered space that anyone can walk into and feel good in. Sometimes it helps to freshen up the paint and hardware and remove some of the appliances. Reduce the items in the closets to only those you need, and pare down the bathroom items as well.
If you’re in the market for La Quinta real estate, click here to browse our listings.
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Wynonna Judd & The Noise perform at the Fantasy Springs Casino this weekend
The lineup of shows this weekend is certain to thrill people with every type of musical taste. When people buy homes in Palm Springs Valley, from Indio real estate to properties in Indian Wells, they are always excited when they realize how much there is to do in the desert cities. You don’t have to travel far from any part of the valley to enjoy a diverse and eclectic array of entertainment options.
On Friday, September 20, Little Big Town performs at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino from 9 to 11 pm. The American country quartet, which has charted 14 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, features a musical style focused on four-part vocal harmonies. The Show is located at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive—making it the perfect way to end a day of looking at homes for sale in Rancho Mirage.
Also on Friday night, the Latin American icon, Luiz Miguel, will perform at the Fantasy Springs Casino, a favorite of those who own Indio real estate. The Mexican singer, who is considered one of the world’s best male pop vocalists, has won five Grammys and four Latina Grammys. The venue is located at 84-245 Indio Springs Drive in Indio. The show will take place from 8 to 10 pm.
On Saturday, September 21, Wynonna & The Big Noise will perform live at the Fantasy Springs Casino from 8 to 10 pm. This is the band formed by world famous Wynonna Judd in 2011.
On Sunday, September 22, the Sundays in Summer Cabaret Series 2013 continues with Let Me Be Frank, starring Angelo Divino with famed pianist Howlett Smith as Musical Director. The show pays homage to Frank Sinatra’s life and career that spans more than five decades. The show takes place from 2 to 4 pm at the Arthur Newman Theatre.
If you plan to do some house hunting as well this weekend, click here to view our listings of homes for sale in Rancho Mirage.
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The Palm Canyon Trail
One of the best parts of living in Palm Springs is the unlimited access to the great outdoors and amazing year round weather. Many locals and owners of Palm Desert real estate take advantage of this by enjoying some of the gorgeous hikes that are so easy to reach from all of the desert cities. Here are a couple of our favorites:
Palm Canyon Trail. This picturesque hike can last anywhere from a half mile to 15 miles—it’s up to you to decide how far you want to hike. Walk deep into the canyon and enjoy the abundant desert vegetation and groves of Palm trees, where you can catch glimpses of mesmerizing desert wildlife—it’s the ideal way to relax after work or a day of viewing La Quinta homes for sale. You can climb above the oasis if you’re a serious hiker, or simply enjoy the many trails that offer stunning views of the oasis, waterfalls, the gorgeous San Jacinto mountain range and the equally beautiful Santa Rosa mountains in the distance.
The Araby Trail. This lovely trail provides excellent views of the entire Coachella Valley. What’s exciting to many visitors or those in town to look at La Quinta homes for sale is that the trail leads you right past Bob Hope’s house. Once your pass it, if you’re still feeling ambitious you can continue along to access other trails, including the Henderson, Berns and Garstin Trails.
Maynard Mine Trail. Approximately six miles long, this trail leads to the remains of an old tungsten mine that was worked by Jim Maynard during World War II. It’s a rugged, uphill trail that climbs the mountain continuously, and is best suited to hikers with a little more experience. At one point you will gain approximately 2200 feet in elevation, making for incredible views of the canyons and entire Coachella Valley.
If the gorgeous weather and awesome outdoor activities such as these type of hikes has you clamoring to make a move to the Palm Springs valley, click here to view listings of Palm Desert real estate.
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Have you found your dream plot of land and are ready to make a move? Or do you have your heart set on buying Indian Wells real estate but aren’t sure how much to save and what else to have in place before you start looking? Buying property is typically one of the most important investments you can make, and therefore, requires some strategy and forethought.
