If you’re in town to look at homes for sale in the Coachella Valley for your family to live in or for an international real estate investment, there are plenty of things to do that will give you an idea of how much fun it is to live in or vacation in the desert cities, no matter what time of year.
On Wednesday, July 16 from 6 to 9 pm, the Indian Wells Theater at CSUSB in Palm Desert will host a production of the classic from Broadway’s Golden Age of musicals, Fiddler on the Roof.
The performance, which features actors ranging in age from 13 to 24, will complete the Green Room Theatre Company’s fifth successful season. There will also be a short showcase of lighthearted scenes featuring the company’s youngest members, who range in age from 8 to 12. General admission is $18 and students and senior citizens can get tickets for $10. There will also be a showing on Thursday, July 17 from 1 to 4 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm. The Indian Wells Theater is located at 37500 Cook Street in Palm Desert. The event will be a great way for both visitors and those interested in international real estate in the area to witness the vibrant arts community of the desert cities.
On Friday, July 18 at 7 pm, Wet ‘n Wild Palm Springs will host another Dive-In Movie—this time it will be a showing of The Amazing Spiderman. The films start at dusk and are free with admission to the park. It’s an excellent way to cool down and enjoy time with the entire family.
On Friday from 7 to 9 pm, the Coachella Valley Repertory presents Bubblegum’s Anonymous: Chew on This, a unique cabaret-style performance featuring the bubblegum music from 50s, 60s and 70s. The performance also runs on Saturday, July 19 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm.
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When you’re selling Palm Springs real estate, it’s important to have a solid strategy you can follow, especially if you would like to sell it sooner rather than later. While real estate professionals will give you a wide range of advice, there are a few tips that those across the board agree on. Take a look at what a few of our clients shared as part of their approach to garnering as much exposure as possible for their Indian Wells homes for sale.
1. Make the online push. It’s very important to maximize the potential of online listings of Palms Springs real estate properties. If your agent or realtor provides five photos online, ask if you can upload more than that. Hire a professional photographer or purchase a good camera and get photos from every angle possible. This is definitely an area where less is not more. Write up good descriptions and provide ideas for ways different rooms can be used. However, don’t hide any elements of the house—people want to be able to get as much information as possible online before they travel to view a property. You can highlight its strengths though.
2. Get excellent help. It’s important to enlist the help of real estate professionals, especially those with local connection and expertise. Find someone you enjoy dealing with and who you can trust. Get referrals from colleagues and any friends and family who had good experiences working with certain agents. Then listen to the advice the professionals you hire give you.
3. Set the price right. Get a professional appraisal and then work with your agent to set the price. A typical practice we’ve seen among those with Indian Wells homes for sale is to set the price between 15 and 20 percent higher than the appraisal to leave some room for negotiations. This will also keep your expectations realistic.
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If you’re in the market for homes for sale in Indian Wells, a wonderful community to check out is the Desert Horizons Country Club. Centrally located in the heart of Indian Wells, this beautiful country club is in close proximity to all of the cities of the Palm Springs Valley—just minutes away from everything the entire region has to offer.
Homes for sale in Indian Wells are in high demand—and for many reasons. The beautiful town is minutes away from wide-ranging array of fine dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and first class spa services. The Desert Horizons Country Club provides all of the exclusivity and amenities that so many buyers look for when they seek Palm Springs real estate, from world class golf and recreational activities to high-end cuisine and impeccable services.
Located across 300 sprawling acres of picturesque desert landscape, the 510 homes within the development were built in several phases over a period of 18 years. The low density community won the Best Low Density Resident Development in the West by the Pacific Coast Builder Conference. The private equity Club features incredible amenities such as a 40,000 square foot clubhouse with an active social calendar, a brand new fitness center, 20 community pools with spas and five night-lit tennis courts, all amidst a tranquil atmosphere.
One of the major highlights of this amazing community is the championship 18-hole golf course designed by world renowned course architect, Ted Robinson Sr. The classic Robinson course, which first opened in 1979, features lush, impeccably manicured fairways and bunkers lurking around many of the greens. Many of the greens are elevated and have upslopes that require careful navigation, providing challenging play to all levels of players.
In addition, the Desert Horizons Country Club is in close proximity to all of the amenities of the desert cities, from the state-of-the-art Indian Wells Tennis Garden and the chic El Paseo Shopping District, to the myriad world class golf course and resort amenities throughout the Palm Springs Valley.
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One of the best parts about owning homes in Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage or other parts of Palm Springs is the many opportunities to enjoy the incredible weather and remarkable landscape that the Coachella Valley is so famous for. This weekend is the perfect example—the 10th Annual Lavender Festival will be in full effect June 14-15 and 21-22.
The Lavender Festival takes place at the Highland Springs Resort, a 2400-acre historic landmark located in the Southern California region known as the San Gorgonio Pass. The event is a celebration to kick off the lavender harvest season and enjoy the beautiful weather of the area. Guests can participate in an array of family-friendly activities, such as arts and crafts, horsehoe tosses, a petting zoo and croquet. Visitors can also stroll through winding pathways among the organic lavender fields and take guided tours in horse-drawn wagons. There will be live music on a concert stage, an organic marketplace and lavender-inspired food and beverages available, including lavender ice cream and lemonade. In addition, visitors can attend a distillation demonstration to see how lavender is grown, harvested and processed, and discover how essential oil is extracted from the multifaceted herb.
The Highland Springs Resort is located at 10600 Highland Springs Avenue in Cherry Valley. The historic landmark is a must-see for anyone considering buying homes in Indian Wells or other parts of the Coachella Valley. Originally a stagecoach stop along the Bradshaw Trail during the mid-1800s, the facility was later purchased by Fred and William Hirsch and transformed into a health resort in 1927. The Highland Springs Resort continues to focus on a healthy living, and at present, functions as a healthy sanctuary for all ages.
The Lavender Festival is open from 10 am to 6 pm each day. Parking is free. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, and free for children under age 12.
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Regardless of your target market, most buyers look for some of the same attributes in a home with a few specific preferences that reflect their individual needs. Whether you’re putting a beach cottage or Indian Wells real estate on the market, there are many things to consider when marketing your home.
While there may be a feature on your property that you are absolutely in love with, that same attribute may have no appeal whatsoever to someone else. Although you may not be able to change certain features of your home, you can learn what buyers are looking for and emphasize and enhance those features while staging your home in accordance.
A recent study reported that central air conditioning was very important to 65 percent of the people surveyed—when it comes to Indian Wells real estate, that number may be even greater. The same research showed that many buyers were looking for a property with a basement and either an in-law suite or maid’s quarters. Another area that is very important to buyers across the board is an upgraded kitchen and new appliances, with granite countertops rating as the most popular choice.
Closet and storage space is another important aspect for many buyers across the board, from singles and young couples to larger families and retirees. While you may not be able to add more closet space, you certainly can empty out them out as much as possible so that they appear more spacious.
Depending on where your home is located, you may want to research generational preferences to see what specific buyers are looking for. For example, if you live in an area that is popular for retirement, it would be helpful to know the preferences of baby boomers and those of the retirement age. Or if your home is located in a young, hip area, you’ll want to research the priorities of young buyers and market your property accordingly.
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Did you know that the busiest times of year in the residential real estate market are spring and summer? Whether you’re looking for Indian Wells real estate or homes in another part of Palm Springs, competition can get a little fierce this time of year, so you may want to take a few steps to help you stand out from the crowd of other buyers.
Read on for some excellent tips to help you get an edge on the competition.
1. Get your team in place. Get started with the process of finding a realtor as soon as possible. Ask friends and colleagues for referrals and start interviewing immediately.
2. Get pre-approved. Meeting with a lender and getting pre-approved offers you several advantages. You’ll be done with a process that can be annoying when you’re ready to make an offer, you’ll know the exact amount of the loan you have to work with and buyers will know you’re serious.
3. Determine your down payment. An ideal down payment is typically somewhere around 20 percent of the cost of the property. Start saving now or getting your financial resources in place so that you can plan your exact budget for the purchase, as well as your monthly household budget once you’ve already moved into your dream house. When planning for the down payment, make sure to remember to factor in closing costs and other associated purchases. Closing fees tend to be somewhere between two and seven percent of purchase price.
4. Be ready to go. When you work with a good realtor, they will review new listings constantly and send you those that fit your criteria. When you see a piece of Indian Wells real estate or home in another part of Palm Springs that you’re interested in, be ready and willing to view it as soon as possible—and prepared to make an offer if it’s as great in person.
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An Indian Wells Home
When buyers enter the market, especially those who are making their first real estate transaction, they often think they can save money by not using a realtor. The reality is, whether you’re looking for Indian Wells real estate, a home in another area of Palm Springs or property anywhere, for that matter, using a realtor can help you avoid costly mistakes and ultimately save money.
The benefits of using a realtor are wide-ranging. Obviously, you can spend significant time searching for your dream house on your own, while a realtor has access to many listings and opportunities that you don’t. Often times, while a listing looks ideal on a website, buyers arrive onsite and immediately realize the property is not going to work—a realtor can save you precious time by vetting your choices in advance, based on your family’s criteria that may not be easily garnered from an online listing. A realtor will have local expertise and can narrow down your choices to those best suited to your specs, based on size, number of bedrooms, lifestyle and whether you have children or not. For example, let’s say you have young children—imagine seeing the perfect home online and arriving to find out that it’s completely unsafe for children. A realtor will know details about the listings they share with you, so you don’t waste your time. One with local expertise can find listings that provide access to all the benefits an area has to offer for young children, such as parks and recreational activities, and will know where the best schools are.
In addition, whether you’re looking for Indian Wells real estate or property in another area, a realtor can provide valuable financial information as well. They will have local contacts for lenders, vendors and contractors that you may need to hire. A realtor will also have expertise in regards to local real estate values and taxes, as well as utilities and cable, and can therefore help you plan your household budget.
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This Friday, March 28, kicks off a couple amazing theater productions and offers wide-ranging music options for visitors, locals and those checking out La Quinta and Indian Wells real estate to enjoy. For starters, Robin Thicke performs at the Fantasy Springs Casino from 8 to 10 pm. Located at 84-245 Indio Springs Drive in Indio, this venue attracts world-class performers and audiences from all over the world.
Jazz lovers can enjoy an unforgettable concert under the stars from 7 to 9 pm: Pete Carlson’s Jazz for Jazz Lovers: The Music of Cal Tjader Featuring Gary Foster. Gary Foster pays homage to Cal Tjader, the most famous non-Latin leader of a Latin jazz band, renowned for bridging the worlds of mainstream bop and Latin jazz. Gary has worked on more than 500 movie scores, performed in more than 200 television orchestras and was featured on recordings by everyone from Mel Torme and Frank Sinatra to Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lee Konitz, among countless others. The show takes place at Pete Carlson’s Golf & Tennis from 7 to 9 pm and tickets cost $25.
Love, Loss, & What I Wore starts Friday and continues through Sunday, April 6 at the acclaimed Annenberg Theater, a favorite of everyone who owns Palm Desert, La Quinta and Indian Wells real estate. An intimate collection of stories by Nora and Delia Ephron, this production is an international hit, accomplishing a two-and-a-half year run in New York’s Westside Theatre and receiving a bevy of awards, including 2010 Drama Desk Award – Unique Theatrical Experience and Winner: 2010 Broadway.com Audience Award – Favorite New Off-Broadway Play.
From Friday through Sunday, March 30, the McCallum Theatre hosts Peter and the Starcatcher, a musical prequel to Peter Pan that was hailed by The New York Times as “the most exhilarating storytelling on Broadway in decades.”
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The active social season in Palm Springs is unparalleled—and what motivates many to search for Palm Springs homes for sale and other properties in the Coachella Valley. This week’s lineup is full of eclectic entertainment and fun, so whether you’re working all week, relaxing with the family or are in town to look at Indian Wells real estate, check out one of these activities to unwind and enjoy yourself.
On Monday, March 17 from 8 to 10 pm, the McCallum Theatre is hosting An Evening with Marilyn Maye and Clint Holmes. A Grammy nominee and recent winner of the prestigious Nightlife Legend award, Ms. Maye is a musical icon, appearing on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson a record-breaking 76 times. Mr. Holmes is renowned for his wide-ranging performances, from contemporary to jazz to Broadway. The show promises to be a delightful musical escapade.
On Tuesday, March 18 from 8 to 10, the McCallum Theatre will feature entertainment from the other end of the spectrum: The Pink Floyd Experience. This unique live performance replicates the theatrical, mind-blowing lights and unrivalled sounds of a real Pink Floyd show, including a flying pig, interpretive videos, airplane crashes and more. As you can see, this theatre alone provides a diverse array of great entertainment for local residents and those looking at Palm Springs homes for sale.
On Wednesday, March 19 from 6 to 8 pm, Leslie Odom, Jr. will perform at the Annenberg Theater. Mr Odom Jr. is a Broadway veteran and currently stars as “Sam Strickland” on the hit television show Smash. Also starting on Wednesday and running through Sunday, April 6, the Coachella Valley Repertory presents Frankie & Johnny in the Clair De Lune.
Click here to view listings of Indian Wells real estate and properties in the other desert cities.
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We’ve got another exciting week in store for visitors, locals and those in town to look at international real estate properties. If you’re in town to look at homes in La Quinta or Indian Wells real estate, there is plenty to do on your downtime this week.
On Tuesday, March 11 at 7 pm, Kaye Ballard’s Going Out of Business! Farewell Show will take place at the Camelot Theatres, featuring Veteran actress, Kaye Ballard. Ms. Ballard’s Going Out of Business! includes nearly two hours of live singing and entertainment along with some exciting guest appearances. At 88 years of age, Ms. Ballard is an icon—this last show will be Palm Springs audiences’ last chance to see her before she retires. Camelot Theatres are located at 2300 E. Baristo Road in Palm Springs.
Nature lovers will be in heaven, because on Wednesday, March 12 the Wildflower Bus Tour will take place from 7:45 from 3 pm. A luxury coach will take participants on a quest to find local desert plants in bloom, with several stops along the way to allow the chance to walk around and discover the area as well—it’s a wonderful opportunity for people in town to look at international real estate properties or real estate for vacation homes to get a taste of the gorgeous weather and beauty of the natural desert landscape. Field guides, handouts and hand lenses are provided, and participants are recommended to bring a sack lunch, sunscreen, a camera and comfortable walking shoes. The coach departs from the McDonalds Parking Lot located at 72255 Varner Road in Thousand Palms.
From Thursday, March 13 through Sunday, March 16, Run For Your Wife will play at the Sun City Shadow Hills Montecito Clubhouse. Written by Ray Cooney and directed by Desert Theatre League award winner Arnie Kleban, this hilarious comedy shows each night at 7 pm, with an additional matinee performance at 2 pm on Sunday.
Click here if you’re interested in viewing listings of Indian Wells real estate or another part of the Coachella Valley.
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If you’re in town to look at homes for sale in the Coachella Valley for your family to live in or for an international real estate investment, there are plenty of things to do that will give you an idea of how much fun it is to live in or vacation in the desert cities, no matter what time of year.
