The World Famous Bighorn Country Club
If you’re looking at Palm Desert real estate, you will definitely want to look at a gem of an area—Cahuilla Hills. Located off Highway 74 in South Palm Desert, 932 feet above sea level, this beautiful community provides one of the most serene and beautiful settings you can find in the Coachella Valley.
Cahuilla Hills’s stunning desert landscape provides gorgeous mountain and valley vistas that are hard to match. The 620 residences in the community feature a wide range of architectural designs and styles, as well as sizes and acreage. The non-gated development includes many unique properties, from exquisite luxury homes and vacation residences to rustic style ranches and equestrian properties on lots spanning five acres. This area of Palm Desert real estate is perfect for everyone from retirees and families to golfers, equestrians and horse owners. A huge benefit is that Cahuilla Hills is in very close proximity to Indio, which is the home of two renowned polo clubs, The Eldorado Polo Club and the Empire Polo Club, and the world-famous Shield’s Date Garden.
For golf lovers, the very exclusive Bighorn Golf Club is also very close by. The esteemed club features 366 holes of championship golf, in addition to a world class spa, state-of-the-art wellness center, and five star cuisine among its seven indoor and outdoor dining venues. Located at 45825 Edgehill Drive, the Cahuilla Hills Park is a favorite of both locals and visitors alike—approximately 26 acres of undeveloped, open space that features a picnic area, trails, a tennis court and four pickleball courts.
The spacious and picturesque setting of Cahuilla Hills provides privacy and sanctuary, while being just minutes away from the chic El Paseo Shopping District, art galleries and bevy of entertainment options that characterize Palm Springs. It’s the perfect property for anyone considering homes for sale in Palm Desert.
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We know it can be all about location—especially for those of you who have chosen to search for Palm Springs homes for sale. Yet each community is different and has its own pros and cons that are specific to each buyer. What’s right for one family may not be right for another, so it’s important to determine in advance what you need from the community you live in so that you can factor that into your search and make your realtor aware of your needs. Read on for a few elements to consider.
Determine your deal breakers. Whether you’re buying on your own or with a spouse/partner, you should sit down and write a list of the things you need and what you want from a home. Figure out which things you cannot live without so you know what your deal breakers are. For example, some families, especially those searching for Palm Springs homes for sale, really want a home with a pool or yard so they can enjoy the outdoors. Others may be looking for a particular style of architecture or number of bedrooms. Figure out what matters most for you.
The Commute. A major consideration for many buyers is the commute they will have to work, school and other places they and other family members need to go on a regular basis. Think about your parameters for the longest amount of time you’re willing to spend in the car and factor that into your list.
Amenities. Many move to the Palm Springs Valley so they can enjoy some of the myriad amenities available, such as golf, tennis, shopping, fine dining, nightlife, cultural options and spa services. If you love the great outdoors or you have children who like to play sports, you may want to live in close proximity to pools and parks, as well as golf and tennis courts, hiking trails, and any other outdoor activities that your family enjoys.
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If you’re ready to put your Rancho Mirage or Palm Desert property on the market, then it’s time to prepare your house for all the prospective buyers that will come through it. While Palm Springs homes for sale are in demand, you still need to highlight your home’s strengths, while de-emphasizing its weaknesses. Try these home-staging tips to appeal to the widest range of potential buyers.
- Alleviate clutter. This is, by far, one of the most important things you can do maximize your home’s appeal. Often times, an owner will have one of the most beautiful Palm Springs homes for sale, but the cluttered look makes the property appear smaller and is too overwhelming for the potential buyer to see past. Avoid having too much furniture; in fact, get rid of whatever you don’t need. The house will appear much more spacious and you’ll streamline your own move.
- Establish the right lighting. Have you ever noticed how staged homes look so warm and inviting? Nine times out of ten, it’s due to great lighting. Increase the wattage in your fixtures and strive to have ambient, task and accent lighting in every room.
- Group furniture. A mistake that many amateurs make when selling a home is to push all the furniture against the walls to make the rooms appear bigger. A better route is to position furniture into conversation groupings and allow the pieces to indicate the room’s flow.
- Create the illusion of space. Two easy tricks that will maximize the size of a room are to paint it the same color as the room next to it, as well as the draperies or window treatments. This will make the rooms appear seamless and spacious. If you’re selling a Rancho Mirage or Palm Desert property with a patio, paint it green to make it blend and reflect the gorgeous colors outside.
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Whether you’re in town on vacation, to visit family and friends or view Indio real estate, it seems like there is always something vibrant happening in this charming town. During the last two weekends, Indio’s own Empire Polo Club hosted the world famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2014, which featured world class performers ranging from Pharell Williams, Calvin Harris and Lorde to Outkast, Muse and AFI, among many other notable musicians.
This weekend, the equally renowned Stagecoach Festival will be in full swing. The three-day event also takes place at the Empire Polo Club—an absolute must-see for those interested in Indio real estate, as the popular venue is the site for many incredible concerts and the much-anticipated, action-packed polo season each year.
This year’s Stagecoach Festival features a wide range of musical acts that will entertain even the most discerning of country fans. In addition to legends such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and Crystal Gale, a bevy of amazing artists will take the stage throughout the weekend. Some of these fabulous country artists include The Whiskey Shivers, Chris Cagle, Ashley Monroe, Wanda Jackson, Blacksmith Boys, Sarah Haze, Luke Bryan, Spirit Family Reunion, Brantley Gilbert, Charlie Worsham, Corb Lund, Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, Susanna Hoffs, Lera Lynn, Shelby Lynne, Michael Nesmith, The Wailin’ Jennys, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Calico the Band, Asleep at the Wheel, Shakey Graves, Shelly Colvin, Tyler Farr, Shovels and Hope, The Seldom Scene, Lindsay Ell, Trampled by Turtles, Willie Watson, Nocona and The Wild Feathers.
The three-day festival starts Friday, April 25 and continues through Sunday, April 27. The family-friendly event also features attractions for all ages such as the PlayStation Experience, a ferris wheel, appearances by the Budweiser Clydesdales, the Half-Pint Hootenanny presented by the Girls Scouts & Boy Scouts, the Toyota Drive Center and the Barefoot Refresh Zone, among many other cool things to do.
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It’s easy to see why living in Palm Desert appeals to people of all ages and from all over the world. We could actually list about 500 reasons why buyers tell us they choose to purchase Palm Desert real estate, but instead we’re going to explain three of the most common reasons we hear from those who on the hunt for beautiful Palm Springs homes for sale.
1. It’s the perfect place to retire. Those who are over 55 and want to find the ideal community for their twilight years liken the Palm Desert community to paradise. The active lifestyle, gorgeous weather, championship golf courses and amazing tennis courts offer something for literally everyone. There are also many clubs and groups to join, as well as special events for residents to get to know each other. In addition, there is a multitude of exciting golf tournaments with celebrities, pro golfers and amateurs, to both watch and participate in.
2. There are activities for everyone in the family. Another draw of Palm Desert real estate are the wide-ranging outdoor and indoor activities the desert communities offer. The beautiful parks are perfect for playing sports or skateboarding, as well as gathering with friends and family for picnics and barbecues. Swimmers can get their fix at the Olympic-sized pool at the renowned Palm Desert Aquatic Center. Excellent spas are ubiquitous and Desert Hot Springs is nearby, for those who enjoy the properties of its world famous healing waters. Hikers, runners and cyclers can challenge themselves on of the many trails surrounded by stunning mountain views. For the small kids in the family, Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland are only about an hour away.
3. The vibrant culture and shopping. The incredible McCallum Theatre offers a broad array of shows and performances that encompass everything you can imagine, from The Nutcracker and musical performances by Grammy award-winning artists, to Broadway musicals and productions for children. In addition, Palm Desert is renowned as ones of the best shopping destinations in California, a feature that nearly everyone who’s looking for Palm Springs homes for sale mentions. Upscale shopping can be found at El Paseo Drive, aka the Rodeo Drive of the desert, and the premium designer outlet shopping is unparalleled.
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Many foreign investors from Europe, Japan, Scandinavia, Russian, Hong Kong and China are searching for Palm Springs homes for sale to add to their international real estate investment portfolios. It’s a strategy with loads of potential and plenty of upside. Whether it’s done purely for investment or to obtain a vacation home, there are a few things you can do to maximize the benefits.
Location is everything. When you’re trying to decide whether you’re more interested in Palm Springs homes for sale or another type of international real estate opportunity, consider the desirable aspects of each specific area, from climate and lifestyle to amenities and the average age range of community residents. Also keep in mind that areas with limited inventory usually make an excellent investment.
Work with someone you can trust. Whether you need a realtor or another type of licensed agent, try to get a referral from someone who has had a good experience in the area. If you don’t know anyone with local connections, look for associations that can recommend the right type of agent for you to work with. You want someone who knows the area very well, so they can help you navigate the area-specific red tape and tell you everything you need to know about the areas you are interested in.
Be open to updates. Have vision and don’t fear properties that may need some improvements—often times, these homes have the most potential as both an investment a vacation home. This is also where working with a local expert benefits you—they will have many resources you can tap in regards to trustworthy contractors and vendors who will provide solid remodeling work.
Think cash. If you don’t already have a credit line in the United Sates, you probably will need to pay cash for that piece of Rancho Mirage real estate you’ve been eyeing. While it may seem daunting, it will be a lot more appealing to the seller. If you’re working with a short sale realtor, they may be able to negotiate a much better deal for you if the purchase is going to be free of financing.
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Whether you’re trying to sell Indio or Palm Desert real estate, or simply want to upgrade your property, there are definite advantages to making improvements to your home. Here are some tips for getting started.
Spend some time with a professional. One of the easiest ways to get ideas for improving your property is to hire an interior designer, decorator or professional organizer for a consultation. Having a professional come in and look at your home with a fresh, objective eye helps you to see what you can do to maximize your space. They can provide you with a multitude of ideas for making improvements, and show you how to improve the flow of your house. We had a client recently do this for their Palm Desert real estate property, and they received so many great ideas, they didn’t even know where to start!
Get inspected. Not all upgrades and improvements are necessarily cosmetic. If you don’t know something needs fixing, it could turn into a worse problem or negatively impact the price if you decide to sell later. Have an inspector come in and do a thorough evaluation of your property so that you know what you are working with. Even a small plumbing issue can turn into a large, expensive one, so better to be safe than sorry—have your property looked at now in its entirety. If you have a pool, which is a commonality among owners of Indio real estate properties, have that inspected as well.
Get your landscaping in check. Assess your landscaping with a discerning eye and see what needs to be updated. If your lawns or overgrown or have “bald spots,” get that taken care of! When you’re an owner of Palm Desert real estate, you want to stay on top of your landscape, as the lifestyle focuses heavily on the outdoors. When you try to sell your house, the potential buyers will most likely survey the yard in detail, as they may plan to spend a lot of time there. Get a head start and hire someone to trim the hedges and clean up the lawns, and then plant bushes, trees and flowers so that your first impression on both guests and prospective buyers is always stellar.
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This time of year is beautiful in Palm Springs—and whether you live here seasonally or year round, are visiting or are here to look at international real estate opportunities, there is plenty to do to celebrate the Easter holiday, no matter your age.
On Saturday, April 19 from 10 am to noon, The Gardens on El Paseo will host its Hop Into Spring Easter Egg Hunt on the center lawn in front of Saks Fifth Avenue. Children will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Easter Bunny, get their faces painted and participate in arts and crafts. A $10 donation benefits Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Desert. Also on Saturday from 9 am to noon, the YMCA will present an Easter Egg Hunt at the state-of-the-art Palm Desert Civic Center Park—an absolute must-see for anyone considering international real estate opportunities in the area.
Nature and animal lovers will be in heaven at the Easter Eggstravaganza at the Living Desert. The children’s event takes place both Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm and features photo opps with the Easter Bunny and his strolling friends, an enormous Easter Egg hunt with 10,000 eggs and an array of other fun activities such as a parade, games, Easter crafts, face painting, bounce houses, musical performances and a Golden Egg hunt for adults. Attendance at the Eggstravaganza is included with park admission.
Music lovers can get their fill with a performance of the legendary Temptations & Four Tops at the Fantasy Springs Casino on Saturday from 8 to 10 pm. Teo Gonzales will perform his comedy show at the Spotlight 29 Casino from 8 to 10 pm.
On Easter Sunday, grab brunch at the Desert Willow Golf Resort from 10 am to 2 pm or hit the Saint Margaret’s Easter Egg Hunt from 10:15 to 11:15 am at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
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Spring is officially here, and whether you just bought your dream house or are trying to sell your gorgeous Indio real estate, planting a spring garden is a great way to beautify your property and enhance its curb appeal. Since we’re already experiencing beautiful sunny weather in the Palm Springs Valley—which we get to enjoy nearly all year long—now is the perfect time to get started. The good news is, gardening is easy to do, even for beginners. Read on for some tips for planting a beautiful spring garden.
Container gardens. While container gardens are some of the easiest for beginners to plant, the payoffs are significant—they can easily spruce up a patio, terrace, windowsill or deck. Try filling containers such as pots, planter boxes and hanging baskets with flowers that will overflow and brighten up the environment. If you own Indio real estate, you can also group cactus plants of different sizes to infuse some desert landscape into the mix, or cluster plants of different shapes on a potting table for a unique look.
Greenhouses. While they may sound like a daunting project, greenhouses are actually easy to maintain once installed. However, if you live in an arid climate like the Palm Springs Valley, you must make sure your greenhouse is well-ventilated and stick to a consistent fertilization and watering schedule.
Watering. When you live in the desert, a regular watering schedule is essential for healthy plants and to prevent them from drying out. Establish a regular system and keep a hose and watering can easily accessible at all times.
Get creative. If you have a little experience with gardening, why not take your landscape to another level with a rose garden? Or if you have a courtyard, fill clustered plants in antique pots on an outdoor table.
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While weekend two of the Coachella Music and Arts Annual Festival will be in full swing at the Empire Polo Club this weekend, there are still plenty of other things to do if you’re in town to relax or check out Palm Springs homes for sale. Below are just a few of the myriad activities to keep your occupied and entertained on this beautiful weekend in the desert.
On Thursday, April 17 from 6 to 8 pm, the University of California, Riverside Palm Desert will host the Palm Desert Art Documentary Series 2013-2014: Stolen. The film tells the powerful story of how on St. Patrick’s Day in 1990, thieves disguised as police pulled off the largest art heist in modern history at the Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the co-founder of the FBI Art Crime Team, Lynne Richardson.
On Thursday and Friday from 7 to 9 pm, Saturday the 19th from 2 to 4 pm, the McCallum Theatre—a must-see for those looking at Palm Springs homes for sale—will feature the 16th Annual Open Call Talent Competition, where the Coachella Valley’s best performers of all ages perform in an exciting and colorful talent competition that is always a sold out event. Winners will be chosen at the dynamic final performances on Saturday.
On Saturday from 5 to 10 pm the Desert Willow Golf Resort will host Classic Cars Under the Stars, an auto/motorcycle show with live music and great dining. To round out the diverse slate of events, the Joshua Tree National Park Visitors Center will feature Free Entrance Days to National Parks on both Saturday and Sunday. It’s an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beautiful sights of this amazing park that is a must-see for anyone visiting or living in the Palm Springs Valley.
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