The Golf Course at the Rancho Mirage Country Club
If you’re searching for homes for sale in Rancho Mirage, there’s a community that is a dream destination for many, whether you’re looking to retire, own a vacation home or simply live the good life. Victoria Falls is located at the corner of Bob Hope Drive and Gerald Ford Drive, an premium location in the idyllic town of Rancho Mirage.
The luxury community of Victoria Falls was developed between 2000 and 2004 by famed builder Peter Solomon, who planned one and two story, single-family homes ranging in size from 2200 square feet to 5700 square feet. Beautiful gates adorn the entry and gorgeous water features create a serene and relaxing atmosphere that appeals to residents and guests alike. Many of the homes were built on spacious lots with private swimming pools—perfect for enjoying the gorgeous mountain vistas of the Coachella Valley. The streets are shaded and picturesque, providing the ideal space for walking, jogging and bicycling all year long.
Many dream of living in Rancho Mirage because of its amazing array of resort amenities. For starters, the town has 15 golf courses to choose from, including the renowned Arnold Palmer course at Mission Hills Country Club, The Sunrise Country Club, The Tamarisk Country Club, Rancho Mirage Country Club, The Desert Island Country Club and The Club at Morningside, among others. In addition, Rancho Mirage is in close proximity to the array of impeccable courses in the other desert cities, including La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Palm Springs. For tennis lovers, Victoria Falls features lighted tennis courts and is a short drive away from the state-of-the-art Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Residents of Victoria Falls can also enjoy community basketball courts on the premises.
Rancho Mirage also boasts incredible fine dining options and world famous shopping, including the high-end boutiques and shops on El Paseo Boulevard and the lifestyle, shopping and entertainment complex of The River in Rancho Mirage. Also close by is the renowned designer shopping outlets in Cabazon and the Desert Hills Premium Outlets.
This upscale gated community is an absolute must-see for those in the market for homes for sale in Rancho Mirage.
image: palmssprings.com
More
If you’ve been considering homes for sale in the Palm Springs Valley, this is a great weekend to visit. Whether you’re a music fan or an avid foodie, this is the perfect time to fall in love with the desert cities.
On Thursday, May 29 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, the beautiful Palm Desert Civic Center Park Amphitheater will host Concerts in the Park: Palm Desert High School Band, playing Jazz ensemble. Presented by the City of Palm Desert, these free concerts under the stars is an incredible way to enjoy the beautiful weather with your friends and loved ones.
From Friday, May 30 through June 8, the exciting Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week will be in full swing. It’s an incredible opportunity to experience some of the Valley’s most renowned restaurants and try out new, delicious cuisine. Many of the participating restaurants will offer specially priced three-course meals prepared by some of the region’s most acclaimed chefs. In addition, an array of Palm Springs hotels and attractions are offering special rates this week to make your visits that much more enjoyable. This popular event is an excellent way to get a taste of the area if you’re in town to look at homes for sale in the Palm Springs Valley.
On Saturday, May 31 from 8 to 10 pm, The Show at Agua Caliente Casino will feature The Greatest Love of All – The Whitney Houston Tribute. The popular venue is located at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive in luxurious and beautiful Rancho Mirage. On Sunday, June 1 from 2 to 4 pm, the Arthur Newman Theatre will host Warren Delange in: “Swingin’ The Dream” paying homage to his father, lyricist and bandleader Eddie DeLange. Mr, DeLange was well-known for writing songs for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. The Arthur Newman Theatre is located at the Joslyn Center, 73750 Catalina Way in Palm Desert.
More
Ron Gerlich, Harvey Katofsky, Zack Wright.
When it comes to luxury international real estate, Christie’s International is the world’s leading network—which makes it an incredible honor that Coachella Valley-based HK Lane Real Estate was recently honored with its prestigious Affiliate-of-the-Year Award in the Medium Market Category for 2013. The award recognizes excellence in branding, marketing, leadership and innovation. Recipients of awards are selected from brokerages in the various market categories: small (population under 275,000), medium (population totaling between 275,000 and 1,750,000), and large (population of more than 1,750,000).
Christie’s International Real Estate presented the special award to the locally owned and managed HK Lane at a special breakfast meeting that took place earlier this month at the Toscana Country Club. While the honor was bestowed at the Global Annual Leadership Conference in Barcelona, Spain, Zack Wright of Christie’s International Real Estate attended the local meeting to present the award to the President and CEO of HK Lane, Harvey Katofsky.
The HK Lane real estate brokerage, which our own Kim Kelly is a part of, is one of the 139 affiliate members of the Christie’s International network, which is renowned for luxury international real estate. Operating in Coachella Valley, HK Lane boasts a 35-year history of catering to buyers and sellers of luxury properties within the much desired areas of Palm Springs, including La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta.
“I am extremely proud and honored to have won this prestigious award. I am truly blessed to employ such wonderful staff and agents who now share this tribute with me,” Harvey Katofsky, President and CEO of HK Lane Real Estate stated, “Our partnership with Christie’s has established HK Lane as the major force in the desert’s luxury market. We will continue to uphold the wonderful reputation that Christie’s has bestowed upon us.”
image: PHOTO BY GREGG FELSEN
More
The Annual Memorial Day Flower Drop & Air Fair
There are amazing performances and events lined up for Memorial Day weekend in Palm Springs. If you’re simply in town to relax or if you’re looking at homes for sale in Rancho Mirage or another of the desert cities, there will be an array of entertainment options taking place all weekend long, from concerts and ballet to a spectacular Memorial tribute.
On Friday, May 23 from 7 to 9 pm, the Annenberg Theater will host a beautiful performance of the classic tale of ill-fated passion, transformation and forgiveness set to Tchaikovsky—CK Dance Presents “Swan Lake“. There will be an additional performance on Saturday, May 24 from 2 to 4 pm.
There is a bevy of entertainment options going on Saturday night, starting with a Mariachi Extravaganza at the Spotlight 29 Casino from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. From 8 to 10 pm, the Fantasy Springs Casino will feature a performance by Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, Maxwell. From 9 to 11 pm, television personality Theresa Caputo will make an appearance at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino.
On Sunday, May 25 from 2 to 4 pm, the Arthur Newman Theatre will host Terry Gallagher in: “From Convent To Cabaret.” This dynamic musical production shares life lessons in a bittersweet, song-filled journey.
On Monday, May 26 from 1 to 4 pm, the Palm Springs Air Museum hosts the Annual Memorial Day Flower Drop & Air Fair, an impressive ceremony to honor all of our fallen comrades and veterans. The service includes a special fly-by and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from a B-25 Mitchell bomber. Attendees are encouraged to take a flower home with them. Located at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, the unique Palm Springs Air Museum is a must-see for anyone considering homes for sale in Rancho Mirage, La Quinta or any other of the desert cities.
image: desertentertainer.com
More
Musician and Painter Llyn Foulkes
Whether your work week is dragging or you’re in town searching for Palm Springs real estate and are ready for a break, this is a great time to check out the community. Even though it’s just a Wednesday, the desert cities are hosting a slate of activities that promise to get you through the midweek slump. Check out the lineup for this Wednesday, May 21.
From 5:30 to 8 pm, the Wolfgang Puck Pizza Bar will host Paint, Sip & Inspire, where participants make a great piece of art to take home. Painting supplies are provided at the event. At 7 pm, a performance of Cabaret Theatre West presents Meet Us “At The Copa” will take place at the Desert Willow Golf Resort. The production takes the audience down memory lane to pay homage to all the legendary musicians who performed at the Copa, including icons such as Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen Miranda, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.
From 6 to 8 pm, the Annenberg Theater will host a free screening of Llyn Foulkes One Man Band, featuring a Q&A afterwards with director Tamar Halpern and painter and musician Llyn Foulkes. The compelling documentary includes commentary from George Herms and Dennis Hopper, and chronicles years 70 through 77 of Llyn Foulkes’ artistic journey and struggle for recognition. In addition, from approximately 7:30 to 9 pm, the Annenberg Theater will host the Emerging Collectors Reception: Light Supper & Hosted Bar following the screening. The event provides the opportunity to enjoy an entertaining and educational reception and viewing of a special exhibition featuring works acquired with the fundraising and support of the Contemporary Art Council. The wonderful Annenberg Theater is a cultural center in the desert cities; a must-see for anyone considering Palm Springs real estate.
image: llynfoulkes.com
More
If you think you have found your dream property in Rancho Mirage or another part of the Palm Spring Valley, you may be close to making an offer. Narrowing down your choices to one is a very exciting prospect, but don’t jump the gun too early. Below are a few essential things to investigate before you actually make an offer—your realtor may be able to dispense much of the information needed and some of it you can research on your own.
- Evaluate safety. One of the first things you should do when considering a neighborhood is to check the crime report. The local police station will post crime statistics on line and you can also check CrimeReports.com.
- Check out the school system. If you have children, this is very important—even if you don’t, the school systems rankings can affect your home’s resale value.
- Assess your commute. This is an important detail that many people forget about doing. Drive from your job, during rush hour, to your potential new property in Rancho Mirage. Since you probably viewed the home on a weekend, it’s not a good representation of what traffic will really be like during busier times.
- Hire a home inspector. It’s essential to find out all the repairs that may be necessary before you make the offer so you can have an accurate picture of the kind of budget you will need to have in place. You can negotiate to include a home inspection in the offer, and then possibly require the seller to make some of the improvements.
- Determine other costs. It’s important to understand that your monthly mortgage payment can be more than the principal and interest on the loan. Ask your realtor about taxes, homeowner association dues and utility bills. You should also get some quotes in advance for homeowners’ insurance.
img credit: ranchomiragegolf.com
More
Selling your home is easier then you thought!
Whether your’re listing equestrian homes or a single-family residence, selling your home may seem like an emotional decision. The truth is, it’s essential to remove all emotions from this life-changing process and completely detach from your abode. Whether you’re working with a realtor or a listing agent, there are some basic steps you can take to help prepare the property for listing.
Every seller wants to get top dollar for their home and for the process to move along as quickly as possible. It’s understandable that homeowners have a hard time letting go of the family residences, condos or equestrian homes they’ve spent so much of their life in, but a critical part of the detachment process is to learn to think about the property as a commodity. Sellers need to be objective and consciously think of the property as an asset that must be liquidated.
The first step in preparing a property for sale is to de-personalize it as much as possible. You’ll want to start this process as soon as you make the decision to sell, especially if you’re working with a short sale Realtor. The more time you can avail yourself to do this, the smoother the transition will be.
Start by packing all the family photos, albums, keepsakes and heirlooms—you may want to rent a storage space so you can strip as much as possible from the walls, closets and rooms. If there are products in your bathroom that you don’t use all the time, pack them up and store them as well. By removing these types of items from the property, you make it easier for potential buyers to visualize themselves living there.
You’ll also want to make the decor as neutral as possible, since everyone’s taste is different. Think about the demographic your property appeals to and try to visualize what may turn those potential buyers off. Eliminating items that showcase your personal style will actually help you maximize the amount you may be able to get for your house.
De-personalizing is also instrumental for selling equestrian homes. Stables, barns and outbuildings should be neat and tidy and the entire property should be as clutter-free as possible.
Image Source: www.forbes.com
More
The Sunnylands Center and Gardens in Rancho Mirage
If you’re interested in Palm Springs real estate, now is a great time to check out the valley and the vibrant entertainment options that always take place in our sunny haven. You’ll never run out of things to do when you live in one of the beautiful desert cities. There is music, art and more, starting with the renowned Joshua Tree Music Festival that takes place from Thursday, May 15 through Sunday, May 18 in the famed Joshua Tree National Park.
On Thursday, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, the Palm Desert Civic Center Park will feature another of its free concerts under the stars series presented by the City of Palm Desert. This week, it will be: Concerts in the Park: R Buckle Road. It’s an excellent opportunity to enjoy a picnic and listen to beautiful music in this amazing outdoor venue.
On Friday, May 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, the Palm Springs Art Museum continues its Free Friday Film Screenings with a showing of The Draughtsman’s Contract, directed by Peter Greenaway. At the Fantasy Springs Casino, country music singer Alan Jackson will perform from 8 to 10 pm. Over 50 of Mr. Jackson’s singles have appeared on Billboard‘s list of the Top 30 Country Songs. Also on Friday, the legendary Smokey Robinson will perform at the Morongo Casino from 9 to 11 pm. On Saturday night, The Show at Agua Caliente Casino will host the The Battle of the Badges from 6 to 8 pm. Each of these venues are must-sees for anyone who is interested in Palm Springs real estate, as they each host a bevy of performances and concerts from talented, world-class entertainers.
On Sunday, May 18, Hands-On Art: Family Day at Sunnylands will take place from 9:30 am to 2 pm at the Sunnylands Center and Gardens. Families have the chance to get creative together with Sculpture Taking Shape: Cast, Carve, Combine. A free slate of activities will be in full swing, including games, arts and crafts, games, walks and talks.
image: sunnylands.org
More
The breathtaking beauty of Joshua Tree National Park
It’s easy to understand why Palm Springs homes for sale are in such demand. The weather in Coachella Valley is amazing, and the lifestyle makes residents and owners of luxury properties in Indio, La Quinta and Rancho Mirage wax poetic about feeling like they’re on vacation every single day of the year.
Below are three reasons owners of luxury properties in Indio and other parts of Palm Springs Valley recommend living in one of the vibrant desert cities:
1. The best outdoor activities. The Palm Springs Valley offer stunning views of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountain ranges, which make perfect backdrops for the myriad hiking and cycling trails throughout the entire region. In addition, Palm Springs boasts some of the top golf courses in the country, as well as a multitude of tennis courts such as the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, home of the BNP Paribas Open. There are also many great areas for horseback riding and swimming, such as the beautiful Olympic-sized pool at the Palm Desert Aquatic Park.
2. The best attractions. Palm Springs boasts a wide range of stellar attractions, and is very close to Joshua Tree National Park. Palm Springs is home to the renowned Palm Springs Art Museum, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the breathtaking Moorten Botanical Gardens and incredible wildlife at The Living Desert. The unique Palm Springs Air Museum is dedicated to the restoration, preservation and operation of America’s legendary fighters, bombers and trainers, and the Palm Springs Walk of Stars pays homage to some of the amazing Hollywood Stars who lived in this gorgeous oasis, from Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Liberace and Marilyn Monroe to Rudolf Valentino, Clark Gable, Shirley Temple and former presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, among many others.
3. The best things to do. From streets filled with unique and chic shopping boutiques to an abundance of fine dining options, there is something to do every day in Palm Springs. Incredible art galleries, resort spas and free concerts under the stars are just a few of the many things to do in the desert cities. In addition, the world famous Palm Springs International Film Festival takes place every January, and there is a plethora of other art, film, music and cultural festivals happening all year long.
Sold yet? If so, click here to browse listings of Palm Springs homes for sale.
images: ocdeals.ocregister.com
More
The Joshua Tree Music Festival
The 12th annual Joshua Tree Music Festival (JTMF) will be in full effect from Thursday, May 15 through Sunday, May 18. It’s the perfect time for music lovers, fans of the great outdoors and those in town to look at international real estate opportunities to visit the Coachella Valley.
The JTMF is a family-friendly event featuring live music in a multi-day campout environment that takes advantage of the magical natural setting of the world famous Joshua Tree National Park. One festival takes place in the Spring and another in the Fall; The Spring festival features an eclectic lineup including dance-world-electro-funk’n groove, while the fall event features different genres of music.
The Spring festival lineup is sure to entertain those of all ages, from locals and those who own vacation homes in the area to tourists and those in town to look at international real estate opportunities. Musicians performing include Nahko & Medicine for the People from Portland, The Revivalists from New Orleans, Kraak & Smaak from the Netherlands, Future Rock from Chicago, Miguel Migs from San Francisco, La Santa Cecilian of Los Angeles, Fly Moon Royalty from Seattle, Oumar Konate of Mali, The Magic Beans from Colorado, Ian Winters of Santa Cruz, Colin Curtin of Oakland and Joshua Tree’s own Third Ear Experience, among many other musical talents.
In addition, there is a bevy of children’s activities that take place at the JTMF, as well as Camp Family, a special area for families that prefer a quieter setting after hours. There are yoga classes taught and healings performed throughout the event, incredible art installations, an astronomy theater in the corner of the festival’s lake area and a “Positive Vibration Station.”
Located in the high desert of the Mojave, Joshua Tree is only 50 minutes from Palm Springs, two and a half hours from Los Angeles, three from San Diego and three and a half hours away from Las Vegas.
image: joshuatreemusicfestival.com
More
