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!

Palm Springs

Is Palm Springs the new Hamptons???

The Movie Colony in Palm Springs, CA.

The Movie Colony in Palm Springs, CA.

IS PALM SPRINGS THE NEW HAMPTONS?  Kim Kelly, Coachella Valley Realtor, heard this reference over the past week, and it has inspired some market status inquiries.  Socially, it could very well be true. Palm Springs, our most Westerly lying Coachella Valley city, is HOT!  I don’t mean temperature either, but rather in demand for Real Estate.  Why?? Chalk it up to Modernism Week, and our Valley’s close proximity to Los Angeles, (movie star land).  We have been “discovered”.  Seems so funny as I’ve lived here for 35 years, and knew all those years ago, how incredible our desert valley is.  What’s happening in Palm Springs?  What’s selling, and for how much? Interested in a tour of available Palm Springs area properties for sale..give Kim a call at 760-285-3578.

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Palm Springs Art Museum Is Ever Expanding

Architecture and Design Center in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Art Museum’s newest addition – Architecture and Design Center

Palm Springs Art Museum is getting ready for a new season with a growing list of exciting changes.  If you enjoy art, or even if you just love to get out and do things around the Valley and check out what’s new, then you’ll want to keep up with what’s going on with the Palm Spring Valley’s premiere Museum.

NEW ADDITION IN DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS

The latest change at the Palm Springs Art Museum is the opening of The Architecture and Design Center located in the hub of downtown Palm Springs.  The classic Midcentury Modern International Style building that houses the Center is in itself a work of historical art, having recently received Historic Site designation.  Modernism is trending now, especially in Palm Springs, where it’s popular Modernism Week held twice a year in the spring and fall attracts participants from all over the world.  Not surprising, since Palm Springs has the world’s greatest concentration per capita of Midcentury Modern architecture.

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Palm Springs, California Real Estate Trends Update

Palm Springs Valley Attraction

Palm Springs is undergoing a Downtown Renaissance

Palm Springs, California is a community ripe with change.  Its downtown is undergoing a Renaissance, with projects aimed at improving its lure to visitors and residents alike.  Currently, 14 acres of prime real estate in downtown Palm Springs is being transformed into an upscale attraction composed of new hotels, a park, shops & restaurants, underground parking and more.  It has gained attention as one of the largest and most prominent downtown redevelopments in Southern California.

So how is all of this development and the promise of more to come in the future affecting the real estate market in Palm Springs?  Is now a good time for you to take the plunge and move to where the living is easy and the sun shines 360 days of the year?  Full time or maybe part-time living in Desert Paradise . . . a place to come for long weekends, holidays or for the entire “Season.”

Home resale inventories in Palm Springs, California remained the same with a 0 % change in August 2015, as did Foreclosures and Short Sales.  The median listing price for homes in Palm Springs stayed the same in August and there were a total of 10 price increases and 31 price decreases.

historic district real estate palmsprings

The Movie Colony is home to some great historic Palm Springs homes for sale!

With the market holding steady, NOW is a good time to buy your Desert Modern or Historic home in the Mesa or a home in one of the many new developments just built or being built in the area.  Call Kimberley Kelly at 760-285-3578 for a preview of the amazing Palm Springs homes on the market today !

Take a look at this video on “How to Make an offer”

 

 

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Palm Springs Grand Opening of New Super Chic Restaurant EIGHT4NINE Today

Palm Springs premieres it’s newest restaurant EIGHT4NINE Restaurant & Lounge today with a noon ribbon cutting sponsored by the City of Palm Springs, Chamber of Commerce and Local Celebrities.  If you’re a foodie, the opening of a new local dining establishment is always exciting… especially one that has received the kind of hype that EIGHT4NINE has.  The event today is being held in from of the new eatery located at 849 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

It should be fun to see the attending local celebrities attending, including Bella DaBall, Gavin MacCleod, celebrity photographer Michael Childers and last but not least, Carol Channing.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend and you can stay and make a reservation for lunch.

Now, what makes this restaurant so special?  It promises to be a respite… an intimate hideaway where you can mingle and talk while enjoying a glass of wine and an appetizer or dinner in an environment that is both relaxing and welcoming.  And we all crave that kind of experience with the busy lives we lead.

Palm Springs newest restaurant EIGHT4NINE

Palm Springs lucky to have chic new place to dine and unwind called EIGHT4NINE

The EIGHT4NINE menu is a celebration of West Coast Modern American Cuisine and they will offer signature dishes that absolutely make your mouth water.  Chef will offer a daily prix fixe dinner menu and for the casual customer, a HAPPY DAYS menu will be available every day, all day long in the lounge.

Palm Springs is fortunate to be offering this new dining venue, described as “Primitive yet cutting edge; ageless and contemporary.”  That is provocative enough to have me making a reservation sooner than later… how about you?

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Desert Horizons Country Club in Indian Wells

Desert Horizons Country Club in Indian Wells

Palm Springs homes for saleWhen it comes to Indian Wells real estate, the Desert Horizons Country Club is a dream come true for buyers looking to live in a world-class resort community. Residents enjoy one of the most amazing lifestyles imaginable, complete with panoramic views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, a central location, championship golf and access to fine cuisine and impeccable service. What more can you ask from homes for sale in Palm Springs?

A private equity club founded in 1980, Desert Horizons provides an unrivalled gated community with all the benefits of a financially sound location and a wide-ranging mix of award-winning home designs and architectural styles. The homes are privy to gorgeous views of the greenbelt, lake and wide fairway of the golf course. In addition, Desert Horizons is renowned as one of the safest places to live, with a 24 hour security staff and patrol.

What many buyers of homes for sale in Palm Springs look for is access to first-class amenities and an impeccable golf course—Desert Horizons has all that and more. The championship 18-hole course is designed by the world famous golf architect, Ted Robinson, and provides challenge for all levels. There are five night-lit tennis courts available for year-round play, personalized concierge services, a stellar fitness center with personal trainers available, and 5-star cuisine available at the Country Club, as well as exclusive live entertainment with dancing three nights a week.

What sets this community apart and makes it such a superb example of Indian Wells real estate is the low-density, intimate environment that leads to a close-knit membership that feels like family. With only 510 homes situated on 300 acres amongst more than 2000 stately palm trees, the Desert Horizons Country Club received the coveted award for Best Low Density Residential Development in the West by the Pacific Coast Builders Conference.

Click here to view some fabulous listings of Indian Wells real estate.

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3 Signs That You’re Ready to Buy

3 Signs That You’re Ready to Buy

indian wells real estateAre you wondering if this is your year to buy real estate in the Palm Springs area? While it can seem like an overwhelming decision to make, there are some indicators that will shed significant light on whether you’re ready to make this kind of transaction. Read on for a few ways to determine if you’re ready to make a move.

1. You have substantial savings. Probably the biggest deterrent for most would-be buyers of homes for sale in Indian Wells and other areas is saving up for a down payment and the closing costs associated with a real estate purchase. Typically, a good down payment should be around 20 percent of the total cost of the property, though there are some mortgage lenders who will work with smaller amounts. Closing costs usually include points, financing costs, taxes, title insurance and other items. If you have a significant savings in place and can afford these fees, you are most likely ready to take the plunge.

2. Market familiarity. If you’ve been watching the Palm Springs real estate market for a while already, you probably have an idea of what homes cost in the neighborhoods you are looking in. This means you’ll have a realistic view of costs and which features to expect.

3. Your credit is in good shape. If you have a good credit score already, you’re in the perfect position to be looking at homes for sale in Indian Wells and the surrounding areas. It’s always important to check to make sure that the information on your credit report is all correct and that any negatives have been addressed. Lenders will evaluate your debt, your payment history and how many loans and credit card accounts you have open. If you’ve already checked with all three credit reporting companies, which include Experian, Equifax and Trans Union, then you’re ahead of the game.

Click through to view listings of homes for sale in Indian Wells and the other desert cities.

image credit: financeandcareer.com

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5 Reason Families Love Palm Desert

5 Reason Families Love Palm Desert

Palm Springs real estateTourists, 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.

image: palm-desert.org

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5 Tips for Preparing Palm Springs Homes for Sale

5 Tips for Preparing Palm Springs Homes for Sale

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.

image credit: violasnj.com

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3 Tips to Boost Curb Appeal of Palm Springs Homes for Sale

3 Tips to Boost Curb Appeal of Palm Springs Homes for Sale
Curb appeal

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.

image: zippyshell.com

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4 Tips for Real Estate Photography

4 Tips for Real Estate Photography

Real estate photographyNow 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

image: fastweb.com

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