Summer is in full swing—and that means lots of fun ways to cool down in the Palm Springs Valley. Whether you live here year round, are on vacation or are in town checking our homes for sale in Palm Desert, there are some great ways for the whole family to cool off here in the Coachella Valley.
On Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13, the Indio Performing Arts Center will host the 1st Annual Coachella Valley Comedy/Improv Festival. This celebration and competition of comedy and improv is the perfect way to unwind after a long day of hunting for homes for sale in Palm Desert and the surrounding desert cities. The Indio Performing Arts Center is located at 45175 Fargo Street in Indio.
On Friday at 7 pm there will be an awesome event that children and adults alike will enjoy—the Dive-In Movie at Wet ‘n Wild Palm Springs. The featured movie this week will be Frozen, starring Kristin Bell and Idina Menzel. The Dive-In Movies are free with park admission and intended to be family-friendly. Wet ‘n Wild Palm Springs is located at 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs.
On Saturday, July 12 at 8 pm, Intocable will perform at the Spotlight 29 Casino. Translated as “untouchable,” the Tejano/Norteño musical group from Zapata, Texas was started in the early 1990s by René Martínez and Ricky Muñoz. Some of their hit singles include “Prometi,” “Arrepientete” and “Robarte Un Beso.”
On Saturday and Sunday, the Idyllwild Nature Center will feature the Idyllwild Lemon Lily Festival and Blue Grass Music festival. This annual festival celebrates the special local wildflower that is such an important part of the San Jacinto Mountains’ ecosystem. There will be educational exhibits, speakers, a native plant sales, arts & crafts, Pioneer Town and more. The event starts both days at 9 am and is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
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Navigating a short sale can be complex and confusing, which is why it’s imperative to have a professional in your corner. If you’re looking for property in the desert cities, be sure to seek a Palm Springs area short sale expert so that you can benefit from their local expertise. They will have information about comparables in the area and can help prepare you for the intricacies of such a transaction.
Here is our part one of our basic roadmap series for preparing yourself to buy a short sale property. Good luck!
1. Identify potential properties. Start by researching pre-foreclosures in the area and letting your Palm Springs area short sale expert know what you’re looking for. You can also search online, peruse courthouse listings and look for legal advertisements.
2. Identify candidates. Once you’ve identified some properties that you’re interested in, try to figure out how much debt exists and what the actual value of the property is. If the debt is high, it could be a good candidate for a short sell. On the flip side, if the owner has a lot of equity, the lender may prefer to foreclose on the property and try to sell it for a price closer to the actual value.
3. Schedule viewings. Find out when the properties are being shown and start looking. Check the property thoroughly and try to gauge its condition as best as possible so that you can get an idea of what repairs and renovations may costs. Be realistic—if there is too much to fix, it might not be a good fit for you.
4. Perform your research. Have your real estate professional find out what the property is truly worth and try to figure out what your potential for profit would be if you resell it later on. Get estimates from local contractors and vendors to determine how much any repairs and renovations you want to make will cost so that you can factor that into your budget as well as your potential profit margin.
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The first half of 2014 has seen a lot of real estate sales—and according to our local Palm Springs area short sale expert, the valley has seen many as well. What’s happening throughout the country is that a lot of buyers are purchasing homes at depressed price levels. According to the National Association of Realtors, short sale transactions made up between 45 and 50 percent of all home sales during February of this year.
While it sounds exciting and like something you can’t afford to miss, it’s important to be very careful while navigating a short sale, as they can be trickier than a normal home purchase. Often times, due to the common occurrence of complications, short sales can take longer than other transactions to close. If you are looking for homes in the Coachella Valley, a Palm Springs area short sale expert will be instrumental in the process and can make it much less stressful.
A short sale is when a home is sold for less than the amount of money owed on it. It’s often confused with a foreclosure, which is when you buy a property that is owned by the bank. As you can imagine, this can be an amazing deal for buyers. It can also help sellers avoid having a full foreclosure on their record. It can be tricky, however, as the lenders involved will need to approve the deal—and they will be taking less than the total amount that the owner needs to pay off their mortgage. In the flip side, if they don’t agree, they may receive no payment at all. Yet many times short sales move slower than molasses and can fall through altogether.
Finding a great short sale deal can take a lot of patience, luck and the help of a real estate professional with expertise in short sales. For best results, do your research and keep your eyes wide open.
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If you’ve been looking at equestrian properties in the Coachella Valley, you’ve probably been focused on finding enough acreage for your horse, a barn and stables. Yet there are many other factors to consider that are often overlooked until too late—appropriate access for vehicles and horses is one of the most crucial.
Access roads for the property surrounding equestrian homes should be wide enough to accommodate your vehicles and trailers, as well as those for larger trailers—you never know when you may need a visit from a veterinarian who specializes in large animals. Plus, down the line you may purchase another horse or two, and would need to accept delivery from a much larger trailer than the one you own. Or you may sell a horse, which again, may require another trailer to access your stables.
Whether you’re searching for La Quinta real estate or are thinking about other areas of the valley, another important factor to consider is if the road provides enough room for the trailers to turn around safely and comfortably. Also, will there be enough parking for one or more trailers, while also leaving space for turning around? You don’t want a traffic jam to occur on your own property.
You’ll also want to consider the road’s actual surface. If you’re looking at graveled roads, keep in mind that maintenance will include filling in potholes and replenishing the gravel that diminishes over time. While those searching for La Quinta real estate properties will enjoy the warmer desert climate overall, there will be some times that area experiences a little bit of rain—in that case, keep in mind that gravel roads can produce a messy brand of mud when wet. If that’s an issue for you, you may want to consider resurfacing the road.
There’s a lot of thought that goes into purchasing equestrian properties in the Coachella Valley —the road into them requires thoughtful consideration. Once that you’ve found the perfect match, the experience is beyond rewarding!
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When it comes to rich tradition and luxe living, Mission Hills Country Club is unparalleled. If you’re looking for Rancho Mirage homes for sale, you won’t want to miss visiting this prestigious club. It offers exclusivity and world class amenities coupled with the exquisite beauty of the desert landscape.
Set against the mountains of the Coachella Valley, the Mission Hills Country club has received an array of accolades that attest to its many attributes. It has been voted the number Private Country Club in the Coachella Valley several times, and its golf course has been voted the number one private course in the Coachella Valley. It was deemed the 2009 USTA Tennis Facility of the Year, 2012 USCA Croquet Facility of the Year in the United States, and most recently, the number one USTA tennis facility in the nation.
Many search for Rancho Mirage homes for sale to enjoy the incredible golf this town has to offer—and the Mission Hills Country Club features 54 holes of challenging golf amidst a lush backdrop of picturesque beauty. Opened in 1972, the Mission Hills Country Club’s first golf course was designed by the renowned Desmond Muirhead. The course has been the site of many championship tournaments, including the Dinah Shore Tournament and the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Golf icon Arnold Palmer designed the second course, which opened in 1979. In 1988, a third course was added, the Pete Dye Challenge Course. There is also a 17 acre practice facility that includes an all-grass driving range, four putting greens and a short game area. The Tennis facility features 34 tennis courts on three different playing surfaces, including clay, grass and hard.
In addition to the bevy of incredible golf options available, there are unrivalled first class facilities that provide the premier club experience to anyone who spends time at the Mission Hills Country Club. To complement the tennis and golf offerings, there is croquet available on 10 impeccably manicured lawns, a 17,000-square-foot state of the art fitness facilities with a full class schedule and a Kinesis wall, a 21 meter lane pool complex, two championship bocce courts and a spa that features world class services. The Club is also renowned for its exceptional and welcoming Member service.
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If you’re looking at homes for sale in Palm Desert or the surrounding areas and are including condos in your search, there are a few things to consider before making a final decision. While there are many pros to buying a condo as opposed to a house, there are also some cons that may impact your decision—and what some may consider a plus, other may deem a minus. Read on for a few important elements to consider.
Convenience. Condos tend to have amenities that you would not otherwise have access to if you live in a purely residential neighborhood or buy a standalone residence. Many offers pools, fitness centers, play areas and clubhouses. Some even have tennis and basketball courts on the premises or a community park. In addition, building maintenance, landscaping and grounds keeping is typically included with your Home Owners Association (HOA) fees, which means one less thing to worry about.
Additional costs. Speaking of HOA fees—while condos are often cheaper than standalone houses and townhouses, there is an additional annual cost for enjoying all the amenities and upkeep. Often times, there are many rules and regulations in place that are enforced via fines and additional fees. While you don’t have to worry about paying for the type of building maintenance you would on a standalone home, there can sometimes be expensive renovations or maintenance projects planned by the HOA. Make sure to ask about HOA fees, carefully examine your contract and read the recent meeting minutes to make sure there aren’t any outstanding maintenance issues or upcoming projects.
Ownership. Technically, a condo is a building consisting of several apartments that are owned individually—condo owners do not have any ownership to the land that the structure is located on. On the flip side, if you are looking at standalone homes for sale in Palm Desert and find one you want to buy, you will hold the title to the land it sits on.
The social benefits. In a condominium development, you will be in close proximity to your neighbors and share access areas that afford opportunities to meet your neighbors. This can be ideal for some, but for others who appreciate more privacy, this may not be the perfect scenario.
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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.
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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.
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So much is happening this weekend—it’s an excellent time to visit or look for Palm Springs homes for sale, while still enjoying yourself on your downtime. Check out what the desert cities have in store to kick off of the weekend.
On Thursday, May 8 from 7:30 to 9 pm, Concerts in the Park: Britain’s Finest will take place at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park Amphitheater, a popular spot for live music under the stars every May. This free concert features a Beatles tribute band, Britain’s Finest. Sponsored by the City of Palm Desert, this event is a great opportunity for those looking to move to the area and hunting for Palm Springs homes for sale to check out this gorgeous, family-friendly park.
The Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival starts Thursday and runs through Sunday, May 11 at the Camelot Theatres. This unique festival sets itself apart from others by screening an eclectic array of landmark and obscure vintage movies from the classic film noir era. The event was founded by the late Arthur Lyons, who was a mystery author and community leader in Palm Springs. Each year, the festival showcases the best of film noir along with appearances from many of the movie stars and filmmakers at Q&A discussions, autographs and book signings after the film screenings. The festival opens with a screening of The Window, and a special appearance by actress Barbara Hale.
On Friday, May 9, the McCallum Theatre will host the Coachella Valley Symphony’s season finale: The Best of CVS. The event will be headlined by local physician and soprano Dr. Lisa Lindley with selections from the opera and pop genres, as well as performances of Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait and Gershwin’s An American in Paris. The concert will be followed by a grand VIP reception and auction.
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Horse property in Bermuda Dunes
When my clients, the buyers of this lovely estate, asked me to find them a home with several acres, near the center of the City, and not too far from the Polo Fields, I had to scour the East Valley. But..we got in to see this amazing property at 42605 Byron Pl, Bermuda Dunes, BEFORE it came on the market! We wrote immediately and 10 days later, my Seattle, Washington clients are working their magic on their new home.
If you are thinking of buying a home in the Palm Springs Valley, it really helps to have a detailed list of your “must-haves” We all come prepared to buy with a Wish List, but educated Buyers also know that they are going to have to compromise, (unless your budget is virtually unlimited!) The most important things to really be clear about..
1. Location. Which City in the Palm Springs Valley are you focused on?
2. Budget: Stick to it! Don’t out house yourself.
3. Bedroom count.
4. Gated or non-gated? Her in our Valley, this is a biggee as you don’t want to forget to budget in your HOA dues.
5. What do you like to do? Golf, Equestrian, Tennis, hiking, theatre, art, museums? Think about it.
Style of home, colors, layout..these can be altered, but LOCATION cannot.
If you’re looking to buy a home in the Palm Springs Valley, give me a call at 760-285-3578.
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