Kaminsky Falls Bar
Palm Springs is an amazing place to spend New Year’s Eve—just ask those with homes in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells or Palm Desert! You don’t need snow to enjoy your winter holidays… the desert offers many unique and exciting ways to celebrate.
1. It’s the last day to see the amazing lights! December 31st is the final day of the magical WildLights Festival at The Living Desert in Palm Desert. Now in its 22nd year, this famed event entertains people of all ages year after year, from owners of Indian Wells real estate to visitors from all over the world. Check out more than 750,000 dazzling lights that illuminate the stunning park at night, transforming it into a sparkling wonderland. This is a great celebration for the entire family, as there are carousel and camel rides, and lots of diverse entertainment. For more information on this event presented by the City of Indian Wells, visit TheLivingDesert.com
2. You can jump aboard the trolley! Palm Springs revelers won’t have to worry about driving—they can jump on the new Buzz trolley to get a ride before and after the clock strikes midnight. The service will start at 5 pm and run through 1 a.m. on January 1. Enjoy your champagne toast!
3. You can shake it at one of the many nightclubs! There are dinner specials and DJs and dancing all over Palm Springs for New Year’s Eve! The world famous Riviera Palm Springs will host “Voyeur After Dark,” with a fire show and dancers at the Sidebar Ultra Lounge with Will Champlin and DJ 4 Play, as well as Jeffrey Sanker’s and Steve Machuca’s New Year’s Eve Party with DJ Manning in the hotel Grand Ballroom. At the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, there will be dance music by DJ Alf Alpha. There are many other club events and dinner specials at an array of restaurants including Lulu Palm Springs, Kaminsky Falls bar, La Vallauris, the Hyatt Palm Springs, Escena Lounge & Grill, Mango Restaurant & Ultra Lounge, Melvyn’s and more!
Click here to view Indian Wells real estate and other Palm Springs homes for sale.
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Tourists, locals and residents of neighboring cities all understand the appeal of Palm Desert real estate—beautiful weather, unparalleled shopping, fine dining and a wide range of outdoor activities that are perfect for the entire family. Palm Desert isn’t all spas and golf, though many buyers from all over world seek out both Palm Desert real estate and Palm Springs homes for sale for those reasons alone. There are plenty of family-friendly activities and things to do that all ages will truly enjoy.
1. Head to the Park. Grab a football, skateboard and all your other favorite sports gear and make a trip to the Palm Desert Civic Center park. It’s the perfect place for a family picnic, friendly game of football, day of cycling and just walking around and exploring. Beautiful ponds filled with ducks and grassy areas that seem to go on for miles make this a popular recreation destination.
2. Dive in. The Palm Desert Aquatic Center at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park is an eight–acre facility with a shallow splash pool, water slides and an Olympic-size pool that’s perfect for swimming laps and practicing dives.
3. Feel the rush. For the adventurer, the thrill rides at Wet ‘N Wild in nearby Palm Springs promise a fun day of adrenaline rushes. It makes sense that this adds an element of fun appeal to Palm Springs homes for sale, but it’s truly just a hop, skip and a jump from Palm Desert as well.
4. Off-road discovery. The rugged desert offers the perfect locale for all-terrain vehicle adventure tours of the rocky terrain and steep mountainsides.
5. Absorb some culture. The state-of-the-art McCallum Theatre offers an incredible variety of performances by world-class artists that include everything from ballets and symphonies to productions of children’s fairy tales and magic acts.”
Click through to browse listings of Palm Desert real estate and homes in other parts of the beautiful Coachella Valley.
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Preparing Palm Springs homes for sale is really no different from doing so in any other region, except for the fact that you’re dealing with milder weather, making the overall experience a much more pleasant one. Since most sellers want to complete real estate transactions as soon as possible,we thought we’d offer an outline of what needs to be done so that you can get started and expedite the process.
1. Disassociate with the property. That’s right, it’s time to call it a property—not a home. That’s the first step. Start thinking of that stunning Rancho Mirage house as a piece of real estate, a product that you need to unload. Say goodbye or adios to every room and move on mentally.
2. Depersonalize. Pack and store all those family mementos and photographs, as well as your favorite furniture and household items. Go so far as to remove books from shelves and clothing from closets. You want buyers to see a blank canvas that they will be able to envision as their own home.
3. Rearrange. Move furniture around to maximize the space and make it look as roomy as possible. If you have workout equipment such as a treadmill or stationary bicycle, move it out. Get rid of anything superfluous so that the space looks large and potential buyers can see the possibilities.
4. Replace. Assess your house as objectively as possible. Look for areas that need minor repair, such as holes in the walls from artwork, cracks in tile or grout, leaky faucets and peeling paint. The less that buyers think they need to do or fix on the Palm Springs homes for sale that they’re viewing, the better.
5. Clean! Make sure the house is sparkling whenever it’s shown, down to the nitty gritty details. Hire a crew to perform a deep cleaning, so whenever a buyer is viewing that gorgeous Rancho Mirage house or other piece of real estate, all they’ll be thinking about is its amazing view, French doors or incredible layout, not the cobwebs in the kitchen or dirty windows.
If you are on the other side of the fence and are interested in buying, visit this link to browse our listings of Palm Springs homes for sale.
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If you’re looking for one of the best private golf communities in the Palm Springs Valley, The Quarry at La Quinta is perfect—plus, it has something for everyone in the family. For the equestrian wife who competes in horse shows, the renowned Horses in the Sun (HITS) Desert Circuit takes place in nearby Thermal at the state-of-the-art HITS Desert Horse Park. The husband with a passion for golf will always be able to get his fill at the championship 18-hole course or the 10-hole short course at the Quarry, both designed by the legendary Tom Fazio. If you’re looking for homes for sale in La Quinta, this gorgeous, exclusive community is a must-see.
Tucked into the foothills between the Coral and Santa Rosa Mountains, the beauty of this location is inspiring and private—an enclave where undulating fairways and incredible landscape provide a backdrop for the sheer natural beauty of the desert. The stunning homes are architecturally diverse and each homesite is positioned to showcase and enjoy the environment.
The Quarry was originally founded by two avid golfers seeking less crowded courses, who purchased 105 acres in La Quinta. They were then joined by 13 founding associates, who together purchased the adjacent 255 acres, which comprise The Quarry today. If you’re looking for homes for sale in beautiful La Quinta, you’ll want to see what’s available among the 100+ homes and sites that range from move-in ready properties, The Villas that offer three floor plans up to 4,600 square feet, or residences that may be custom designed for your family’s needs.
While The Quarry offers premier levels of privacy and safety with round-the-clock security, residents can easily access all that La Quinta has to offer, from the chic boutiques and fine dining options of Old Town La Quinta to picturesque hiking and biking trails in the vicinity. Horse lovers and equestrians can quickly get to Thermal for the 6-week HITS Desert Circuit, or nearby Indio to enjoy polo at one of the beautiful clubs, the Eldorado Polo Club or the Empire Polo Club.
The luxury provided by this member-owned golf club is perfectly exemplified by the stunning courses, set against the pristine desert landscape with distinctly elevated areas, waterfalls, streams and lush native plants and trees. As a result, The Quarry’s championship course is ranked in the top 50 among Golf Digest’s 100 top courses and has attracted a wide range of golf legends, from Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to Arnold Palmer and many others. The elegant 21,000 square foot Mediterranean style clubhouse features a spacious veranda and serves breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner. There is also a golf shop and fitness center with a tennis court, pool and spa.
Visit this link to view listings of La Quinta homes for sale.
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Symmetry boosts curb appeal
Even those who are selling gorgeous Palm Springs homes for sale can benefit from making improvements to the property’s curb appeal. It’s one of the easiest and least expensive ways to give potential buyers a positive image and feeling of the property from the minute they get out of the car, especially international visitors considering real estate transactions in the United States. In our last blog post, we discussed landscaping, so now it’s time to advance to all the little details that will give your property a cohesive and attractive appearance.
1. Strive for symmetry. Perfect symmetry is very pleasing to the eye yet is very easy to arrange and achieve. To create a welcoming entry, aim for symmetrical balance when it comes to compositions of light fixtures, planters and other front-door accents. For example, if you choose sconces for lighting, make sure to have one on each side of the door.
2. Install outdoor lighting. Outdoor illumination is key for safety and boosting curb appeal, plus it makes for a very attractive esthetic. You have many options—from adding lighting to trees, the exterior of the house, the fencing or simply illuminating a walking path. If you have a swimming pool, which is very appealing for international visitors considering real estate transactions, then try to create an interesting lighting schematic that highlights the back yard’s features as well.
3. Replace hardware. Replace any hardware that is old, damaged (even if it’s from wear and tear) or out of date. This will give the property a fresh feel, while adding style and interest. Aim for a cohesive schematic, as collectively functioning pieces will appeal more than those that don’t match whatsoever. Elements that can add or detract appeal include the mailbox, house/address numbers and overhead light fixtures.
Click through to browse a gorgeous array of Palm Springs homes for sale.
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Do you want to retire in a community that serves as a personal haven? Or would you like to enjoy resort-style amenities while living in a single family home? Are you looking at luxury properties for an international real estate investment or are you considering buying a vacation home? If any of these apply, you may want to consider buying property in one of the beautiful resort communities in Palm Springs.
A gated or master planned community that boasts luxurious amenities such as spas, fitness centers and restaurants, in addition to the feeling of community coupled with exclusivity, is usually what defines a resort community. Many are actually located right at the foot of a major attraction such as a golf course or actual resort, which is easy to find in the Palm Springs area. Buying property in a resort community can be a great investment and is sure to be enjoyed be the entire family.
Much of the appeal of resort communities are the large array of amenities. Many buyers in the Palm Springs area, especially those interested in luxury properties for an international real estate investment, want a home that provides access to enjoy the beautiful weather and the great outdoors. Swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses and close proximity to parks, fine dining and shopping are often what draws buyers to these type of developments.
What’s so exciting about many modern resort communities are the multigenerational residents. This makes the prospect of living in this type of development equally exciting to those who want to live in the community year round and those who seek a vacation home.
For those who are looking for a second home or international real estate investment, the residences in resort communities can be very appealing to tenants who wish to rent. In golf communities, it can be very easy to find tenants for short-term stays, which can lead to very lucrative rental income.
Visit this link to browse listings that are perfect for an international real estate investment.
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Are you ready to sell your Indio real estate? If you’ve been considering putting your home on the market, you should start taking steps to prepare for the big event. Read on for two very important things to consider.
1. Timing. When you list your home can have some effect on your pool of buyers, but ultimately, you should list your home when you feel your property is ready and you’ve retained the services of a well-reputed realtor with local expertise. Some families are on the house hunt during the summer so that they can enroll their children at their new school at the beginning of the academic year. However, many other prospective buyers, such as those without children, singles and retirees, don’t take the school year into consideration. In general, a lot of the activity in the marketplace may depend on supply and demand, as opposed to the time of year. If you have a desire or need to sell, then by all means, find a realtor and start the process.
2. Improving value. Once you’ve made the decision and found a good realtor to list your Indio real estate, you should strive to get your property into the best shape possible. Start de-cluttering as early as possible and assess your home to determine which repairs and improvements need to be made. Cosmetic improvements, such as a fresh coat of paint and landscaping, can help boost curb appeal and ensure that your home shows better. You may want to plant flowers, repair anything that is broken, and ensure that all lighting, both interior and exterior, is working properly. You should also clean out the garage—many families use their garage for storage which ultimately makes the space appear smaller and cluttered, which can be a turn off for prospective buyers. In addition, you should make all minor mechanical repairs that are necessary and ensure that all the appliances are in good working condition.
If you’re on the hunt for Indio real estate or another of the desert cities, click here to view some spectacular listings.
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The international real estate market is heating up—and if you’ve got Palm Desert real estate on the market, foreign buyers should definitely be part of your target market. Many are seeking a second residence, a vacation home or an investment for their portfolio.
An important way to expand your pool of buyers to tap into this trend is to take your digital listing to another level with a stellar virtual tour. This will allow prospective buyers who are traveling from abroad the opportunity to browse your luxury property’s features before they get into town. Doing so will not just boost exposure in the international real estate market; locals will also appreciate getting a look in advance of an actual viewing or open house. Plus, your real estate agent will really appreciate your initiative.
Here are a few tips to help you get started with the amazing virtual tour you’re going to create to showcase your gorgeous luxury property.
- Plan your tour in advance. Walk through your house with the most objective eye possible and try to determine the best angles for shooting. Plan your shots in a way that will show how the rooms flow and highlight your property’s best features.
- Film short clips. Move very slowly as you shoot each room of your house. To ensure a steady hand and the most professional looking results, you may want to employ the use of a tripod. Use it to swivel from side to side so that you can provide 360 degree views of each room.
- Take lot of great stills. Even though this is essentially a video, you will want to include some photos as well, especially if your property features a lot of amenities, such access to a golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools and picturesque views.
- Find easy-to-use software to edit your clips together. If you have a Mac, iMovie will be your best choice. For PCs, Movie maker is equally user-friendly.
If you’re on the other side of the fence and are looking for Indian Wells, La Quinta or Palm Desert real estate property, click here to browse some amazing listings.
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Now that we can list homes with photos online, our market of prospective buyers has opened up tenfold. Yet this also ups the ante on the photos we provide, whether we’re listing Palm Springs homes for sale or property in another part of the country.
The bottom line is that more attractive images help entice buyers. You want your photos to tell the truth, yet also convey some pizzazz and flair. The appeal of photos has become almost as important as curb appeal—maybe more so. No matter how gorgeous Rancho Mirage real estate that you’re selling is, if the photos don’t convey its beauty, then potential buyers may not even give it a chance.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to hire a professional photographer or become one, even if you’re selling large properties, such as equestrian homes. There are a few easy strategies that you can implement to give the photos you take a significant boost in quality.
- Know the power of your pics. Good photos can be powerful bait. While attractive ones will lure buyers to that open house or entice them to schedule a showing, unappealing ones will do the opposite. While it’s important that your photos give an honest look at your property, they should also portray your house in the most flattering light.
- Less is not more. When it comes to photos of real estate, the more you can provide, the better your chances are of luring prospective buyers to come take a look in person. Include as many angles as possible from every room in the house, and several of the exterior. If your home has some standout features, like a gorgeous fireplace or a home theater, make sure to include those as well. For those looking to sell equestrian homes, you’ll want to include pictures of all the property’s additional features, such as the barn and stable.
- Break through the limits. If the listing services you’re working with allow for a limited number of photos, then create an online slide show so that you can provide an additional link for interested parties. This is especially helpful for those who are selling large properties, such as equestrian homes. There are several free photo sites that will allow you to upload large photo albums and provide access to the public, or you can password protect your albums and only offer them to select parties. Try PhotoBucket, Picasa, Shutterfly or Snapfish.
- Showcase all the amenities. If you’re selling Rancho Mirage real estate, for example, and the view is spectacular, make sure to include shots of it. If you’re selling a condo and there are myriad amenities such as a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, tennis court or proximity to a golf course, make sure to get photos.
Click here to look at listings of Palm Springs homes for sale to get an idea of what type of photos other sellers provide.
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There are many advantages to owning Palm Springs real estate or a home in one of the other beautiful desert communities, and one of them is having a wide-ranging array of amenities at your fingertips. A spectacular feature of this gorgeous desert community is The Tennis Club in Palm Springs. It’s the ideal place to hone and fine-tune your tennis skills amongst truly stunning desert and mountain views and simply enjoy the benefits of desert living.
The Tennis Club resort features a variety of amenities that are conducive to the laid-back desert lifestyle,which is a major reason why many move to the area and buy Palm Springs real estate. In addition to practicing tennis here, you can relax by one of the three pools or soak in one of the five spas, work out in the fitness room or have fun with the family in the game room. In addition, there are several championship golf courses in close proximity.
Many who consider buying in the desert communities, from those interested in Rancho Mirage homes for sale to buyers eyeing homes in Indio, choose to buy at this beautifully maintained resort so they can enjoy the atmosphere, recreational opportunities and the opportunity to take their tennis to the next level. There are floor plans designed to suit the needs of the gamut of buyers, and all make for perfect vacation homes.
The Tennis Club is located at 701 West Baristo Road in Palm Springs, a short drive for those who own Rancho Mirage real estate and property in any of the desert cities. There is a broad variety of local restaurants and nightlife available on the strip nearby, including Spencer’s restaurant onsite. The Tennis Club is also only a short distance from many art galleries, casinos and the historic downtown, as well as the chic boutiques and designer shopping outlets are renowned for.
Visit this link to browse listings of Palm Springs real estate and Rancho Mirage homes for sale.
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