Catch a live performance of Pam Ann Starring in the Cockpit at the McCallum Theatre
As usual, the entertainment lineup coming up this week in Palm Springs is fun and exciting, with enough diversity to cover the spectrum of tastes and interests. When people search for Palm Springs homes for sale or properties in Indio, they’re always pleasantly surprised at the wide range of offerings in the desert communities.
On Thursday, May 9, 2013 the ever popular Palm Desert Civic Center Park Amphitheater will host an exciting outdoor concert from the 50s-Style Rock ‘n’ Roll band, the Bobby Sanchez Combo, as part of its Concerts in the Park series. These free concerts under the stars are sponsored by the City of Palm Desert. Beverages and snacks are available for purchase, and concertgoers are encouraged to bring picnic baskets, lawn chairs and blankets. The show will take place from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
On Friday, May 10, the McCallum Theatre will host a unique theatrical production, Pam Ann Starring in the Cockpit. Comparisons to Dame Edna, Lily Tomlin and Tracey Ullman abound when it comes to Australian performance artist Caroline Reid, who stars in the show as her alter ego, Pam Ann. An established LGBT icon, Reid shines as the flight-attendant-from-hell in this hilariously wicked mixture of vamp, camp and sky high insanity. The show runs from 8 pm to 10 pm.
Also on Friday, May 10, The Show at Agua Caliente Casino will feature the comedic brilliance of Penn & Teller. The show takes place from 9 to 11 pm.
The exciting spectrum of events is just a sampling of what Palm Springs Valley has in store for the community every weekend. If this inspires you to make a move to the desert communities, click here to browse listings of Palm Springs homes for sale and properties in Indio, Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage.
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This weekend, April 26-28, the famous Stagecoach Festival will take place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. This outdoor country music festival features a wide range of artists, from mainstream to relatively unknown musicians, in genres including mainstream country, alternative country, folk, bluegrass and roots rock. This amazing event is a favorite of those who own homes in Indio and other parts of Palm Springs, as well as all California residents and country music lovers from all over the United States.
The first ever Stagecoach took place in 2007. While it’s held at the same venue as Coachella and also put on by Goldenvoice, this festival has grown faster, with 55,000 attendees in 2012, resulting in a sold out crowd. Past performers include Grammy-award winning acts and standout performances including Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Brooks and Dunn, Sugarland, The Charlie Daniels Band, Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan,Taylor Swift, Martina McBride, George Strait and legends like Alabama, the Eagles and Willie Nelson, among others. You can see why lucky owners of real estate in Palm Desert, La Quinta and other nearby desert cities look forward to this amazing event each year.
This year’s Stagecoach lineup includes a wide array of popular musicians including Lady Antebellum, Nick 13, Maggie Rose, Lonestar, Darius Rucker, Don Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Jeff Bridges & The Abiders, Haunted Windchimes, Charley Pride, Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Waddie Mitchell, the Honkytonk Angels Band and the Zac Brown Brand, among others.
In addition to all the great musical acts that will perform at Stagecoach, there is a slate of fun activities, including family friendly things to do. Attendees can check out the famous Clydesdale Horses, sing Karaoke and take in the breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley from the Ferris Wheel. The Half-Pint Hootenanny includes rawhide games, crafts, jewelry making, music and dancing for children.
This amazing music festival is a perfect example of how diverse the culture and activities are in Palm Springs Valley. If this inspires you to check out listings of homes in Indio or real estate in Palm Desert, La Quinta or any of the other desert cities, click here.
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OPEN HOUSE today, April 20 from 12-3 pm!
Today, Saturday, April 20 from 12-3 pm at 40389 Calle Estela. This home is offered for $575,000 and offers one of the premier locations at Sun City, Shadow Hills in Indio, CA. Amazing Western mountain views over a double fairway PLUS the driving range. The views are stellar, but the privacy is a true surprise in this 55+ community for active adults.
No neighbors close enough to bug you, and the peace, serenity and quiet are why a buyer would choose this particular location. Calle Estela is one of the premier streets in Sun City, Shadow Hills and it’s easy to see why. Come on out to our Open House and see for yourself!
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Living in Palm Springs Valley has its benefits. For some, such as owners of Indio real estate, that may include easy access to Coachella, while for others who opt for more relaxing activities, this may translate as the availability of impeccable golf courses or hiking trails with stunning views. If you’re interested in seeing houses for sale in Palm Springs, then you probably want to check out what some of the cultural amenities of living in this beautiful region entail.
On Tuesday, April 16, the Coachella Valley Symphony will offer the best of three musical worlds with A Symphony of Rockin’ Jazz! Located at the Sun City Palm Desert–Sierra Ballroom, this concert will feature local legends Tom Keenlyside and Steve Madaio, who will perform their unique and exciting jazz versions of the great rock hits from the 60’s with a symphonic background. The show takes place from 7 to 9 pm. For more information, visit CVSymphony.com.
On Thursday, April 18, from 6 to 8 pm, Palm Desert’s chic shopping district will host Night B4 @ The Shops on El Paseo. This cool shopping event kicks off weekend two of Coachella, with top DJs and other entertainment. It’s an excellent way to celebrate one of the world’s top international music festivals.
Also on Thursday, April 18, the University of California, Riverside Palm Desert will host a free screening of Maynard Dixon: Art and Spirit, as part of the Palm Desert Public Art Documentary Film Series. This film documents the artist’s life through interviews with family, friends, and members of the art community. Open to the public, these art-themed documentary films are followed by a guest speaker who discusses and answers questions regarding that night’s film. The event will be held from 6 to 8 pm. While admission is free, reservations are required. For more information, call 760.837.1664.
Click here to browse Indio real estate listings or for houses for sale in other parts of Palm Springs.
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This weekend is an amazing example of the diversity of Coachella Valley. You’ve got everything from stunning, relaxing retirement communities and celebrity golf tournaments to the hip events that people travel all over the country to attend, such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (aka Coachella) and Stagecoach. This weekend marks Weekend One of Coachella—an event attended by everyone from international tourists and celebrities to residents and owners of real estate in Palm Springs, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and the surrounding desert communities.
This annual three-day music and arts festival takes place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, and features indie, rock, hip hop and electronic music. Founded by Paul Tollett, Coachella features blockbuster music acts in addition to a wide variety of installation art. The event officially began in 1999—over 10,000 people attended, with headliners including Beck, Tool, Morrissey, Rage Against the Machine and The Chemical Brothers. However, it was reported that the event didn’t generate a profit and was therefore almost ended after the inaugural event.
While there was no festival in 2000, organizers gave it another try in 2001, bringing excitement to music lovers, including those who lived nearby or owned Indio real estate. Jane’s Addiction headlined and the effort was more profitable than the first year. In 2002, the recently reunited Siouxsie and the Banshees, Oasis and Bjork headlined, proving to owners of Indio real estate and other members of the community that the event could stimulate the economy. In 2003, The Beastie Boys Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iggy Pop and The Stooges performed, selling out and drawing worldwide attention to the event.
Since then, the event continued to expand—in 2012, it was scheduled to take place over two weekends, becoming an even bigger draw to attendees from all across the globe. An extremely popular array of diverse, award-winning and legendary musicians and bands who have performed at this festival include Arcade Fire, Duran Duran, Prince, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Kanye West, Blur, Muse, Swedish House Mafia, Daft Punk, The Cure, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Nine Inch Nails, Gorillaz, Radiohead, MGMT, The White Stripes, Roger Waters, Florence and the Machine, Swedish House Mafia, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and even a hologram of Tupac Shakur.
This year’s lineup includes the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Social Distortion, Wu-Tang Clan, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, New Order, Benny Benassi, Lumineers, La Roux, Moby, Vampire Weekend, Eric Prydz, Descendants and many other killer acts.
If you have time before or after the event and are interested in real estate in Palm Springs, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage or Indian Wells, click here to browse some amazing listings.
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Interest from international buyers is burgeoning in the Palm Springs real estate market. Inspired by a celebrity golf tournament, the year round slate of outdoor activities, the beauty of the desert, and of course, the gorgeous weather, it makes perfect sense that visitors from across the globe are interested in homes for sale in Palm Desert, Indio, Rancho Mirage and everywhere in between.
When buying international real estate, it’s extremely helpful to find an agent or realtor with expertise in this niche market. Those who work with global clients on a regular basis are familiar with many of the incentives available, as well as the complexities of such a transaction. Whether an international buyer is interested in real estate in La Quinta or properties in Indio, they will be dealing with myriad aspects that may be harder to navigate than with a simpler transaction between a local buyer and seller.
One of many areas where a local agent or realtor can significantly assist is in regards to all of the service providers and vendors that may be required to successfully complete an international real estate transaction. In addition to needing a professional with significant real estate expertise, it also helps to have someone with a multitude of local connections.
Whether the transaction involves properties in Indio or homes for sale in another part of the Coachella Valley, the buyer will need someone who has a network of trusted colleagues, from appraisers, inspectors and repair providers to attorneys, bankers and tax advisers. In some ways, facilitating an international transaction can often feel like you’re providing services similar to those of a high-level concierge. Offering reliable information, wide-ranging contacts, reputable referrals and thorough knowledge of the market can help make the transaction as pleasant and stress-free as possible.
Click here to see listings of homes for sale in Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage or another area of Palm Springs.
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If you are considering listing your Indio real estate this year, there are some steps you should take before you list it that will help you make sure that it shows as well as possible and is listed at the best price. This will get you ahead of the game and make the process easier, for both you and the real estate professional you decide to work with, whether it’s a listing agent, broker or realtor specializing in short sales.
To start, it will help for you to get an idea of the current value of your home. If you don’t want to get an appraisal right now, you can determine your price range by researching the value of comparable homes in the area. Make sure to find properties with similar features, such as square footage, lot size, and of course, number of bedrooms and bathrooms. You can definitely factor in any significant improvements you’ve made on your home, such as a new roof or even a swimming pool. However, you don’t want to price yours too much higher based on smaller features you may have added—the last thing you want to do is to price your house higher than all the comparable properties on the market. Some sellers even go to open houses in their area to see for themselves what differentiates their home from other similar houses. Amenities and upgrades can definitely make a difference in price. If you’ve already found a real estate professional to work with, it will definitely help to get their professional opinion on pricing.
The next step is to determine what you need from the sale of your home, which goes above and beyond the cost. Also make sure that you factor in closing costs, taxes and fees that you will need to pay to your realtor or agent. Determine the exact amount you actually need to get in order to make the sale doable, and then also find the number you want to make. This requires you to assess all your financial obligations, especially your current mortgage.
Once you’ve determined what you need from the sale of your Indio real estate, and have found an agent or realtor specializing in short sales to work with, you’re officially ready to start this exciting, life changing process.
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As usual, there are lots of interesting things to do this weekend in the Coachella Valley. Those considering Palm Springs homes for sale should come check out some of the unique activities lined up in the desert over the next few days.
On Friday, March 1 from 4 pm to 6:30 pm, car enthusiasts can enjoy the first El Paseo Cruise Night on the boulevard! Watch the spectacular hot rods and motorcycles or bring your own out for this parade of classic cars. The event takes place on El Paseo Boulevard in Palm Desert and will recur on the first and third Fridays through April.
This Friday at 8 pm, American music legend Willie Nelson will perform at the Fantasy Springs Casino. A world class icon for both rock and country music, Willie is bringing his vegetable oil -operating tour bus to the desert to thrill his many fans among those who own homes in Indio and are traveling from other desert cities for this special concert. Also, on Friday, from 7 to 9 pm, the Indian Wells Theater at CSUSB will host a live musical Tribute to Barbara Streisand and Frank Sinatra.
On Saturday, exercise lovers can join in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s at 9 am at the Civic Center Park in Palm Desert. The event will raise awareness and funds to advance Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Check-in begins at 9 am, with opening ceremonies at 10, and the walk commencing at 10:30 am.
Last, but certainly not least, Stevie Nicks will perform at the Fantasy Springs Casino on Saturday at 8 pm. A rock music icon in her own right, Ms. Nicks is well known for both her extensive solo music and her work with Fleetwood Mac. Deemed by Rolling Stone magazine as “The reigning queen of rock and roll,” during the 1980s, Ms. Nicks’ music transcends age generations and musical genres.
If you’re considering homes for sale in Palm Springs or buying homes in Indio, Palm Desert or any other part of the Coachella Valley, the sampling of events this weekend is testament to the lifestyle and recreational options you can expect as a resident of the desert cities.
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Buying a home is a huge endeavor, one that requires a multitude of research and paperwork. Whether you plan to buy Indio real estate or are looking for an equestrian property, there is much more than just the price of the home that must be considered when planning your budget. Knowing in advance what your homeowner’s insurance payment will be on a monthly basis will help you out significantly. Save yourself a headache and start shopping for a policy as soon as your offer is accepted—you’ll be very happy you did.
Before you start getting price quotes, you’ll need to obtain some information about that beautiful piece of Indio real estate in advance. An agent will want to know when the home as built, its location, the square footage, what type of roof it has, how old the plumbing and electrical systems are, and if any previous claims have been filed on the property. Getting answers to these questions in advance will streamline the process of obtaining quotes from different vendors.
When shopping for homeowner’s insurance, you may want to start by getting quotes from the company that handles your auto policy, and then getting referrals from friends or trusted colleagues. In order to get a quote, you’ll need to figure out how much coverage you want and what you can afford. Keep in mind that insurance companies typically don’t cover land in a standard policy, so if you plan to buy an equestrian property, make sure to let the companies you’re shopping with know about this specific element.
Another aspect that you want to take factor in is the deductible on your policy. One way to save money is by selecting a higher deductible. If you are comfortable with this, it can be a good way to save money. However, many mortgage companies have regulations in regards to their maximum deductible, so it’s critical to find this number out in advance before opting for a higher one.
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The vacation home market continues to heat up—especially in the Palm Springs area. Buyers are eyeing Rancho Mirage real estate, luxury homes in Indian Wells, and properties in Indio for their dream vacation homes. Real estate experts maintain that the market is primed for buying a second home now, as interest rates are good and demand is poised to increase in the near future. Here are three great reasons to get in the market now:
1. Vacation rentals are in demand. As we start to come out of a recession, more people are committing to taking vacations this year, resulting in an increasing demand for rentals. This is a great way to offset the cost of a second home and bring in some additional income. Rancho Mirage real estate offers an ideal location for tourists and vacationers, with its renowned golf courses and varied recreational activities. Plus, in general, vacation rentals appeal more since they tend to be less expensive and more comfortable than hotel rooms, especially for families and those seeking a longer stay.
2. It’s a pretty safe investment. Real estate is a good place to put your money for the long-term, and the potential for additional income is a plus. In addition, there is a chance to make a profit, especially when renting out highly desirable properties, such as luxury homes in Indian Wells. Many property owners are able to cover their entire mortgage payment simply by renting out their second home for a week.
3. You will save money on your own vacation. When you own a vacation home, you always have an option of a place to go during your time off, and can take more vacations than normal since you won’t have to worry about hotel costs and can take advantage of the kitchen and other amenities such as a swimming pool.
Whether you’re interested in properties in Indio, a beach cottage or a high-rise apartment, now is a great time to take advantage of the benefits of owning a vacation home.
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