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!

International Tourists

Wildflower Tours & Live Theater in Palm Springs

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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Championship Tennis and More

It feels like summer this week in Palm Springs—there is so much going on for locals, visitors and those in town viewing Palm Desert real estate or international real estate opportunities to enjoy. Activities for the famed BNP Paribas Open start today, Monday, March 3 and continue through Sunday, March 16. Located at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, this world class tennis tournaments is one of the largest and most prestigious in the world.

Tonight from 8 to 10, the McCallum Theatre will host A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, which features many of Ella’s original big band arrangements performed by Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra along with regional musicians and Kim Nazarian, the New York Voices’ co-founder. The McCallum is a must-see for anyone interested in buying Palm Desert real estate.

The Festival of Native Film & Culture begins Tuesday, March 4 and runs through Sunday, March 9. A signature cultural program of Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, this highly regarded film festival presents the best screenings of works featuring Native Americans and other indigenous peoples from across the globe. Screenings will be followed by Q&As with some of the cast, directors and other filmmakers in attendance. The event takes place at Camelot Theatres, located at 2300 E Baristo Road in Palm Springs. Also on Tuesday, from 8 to 10 pm, The Show at Agua Caliente Casino will host Will Ferrell’s Desert Showdown with Nelly featuring Boyz II Men.

On Wednesday, March 5 from 8 to 10 pm, the McCallum Theatre will feature Gene Kelly – The Legacy. Biographer and film historian Patricia Ward Kelly shares an intimate, behind-the-scenes account of her late husband Gene Kelly, including both rare and familiar film clips, never released audio recordings, memorabilia, and more.

Click here to view listings of international real estate opportunities in the Coachella Valley.

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Musicals Galore and A Celebration of Canada

When you own Rancho Mirage real estate or a homes in another one of the desert cities, you can always count on something cool going on to occupy your downtime. Check out the weekend lineup for fun things to do whether you’re a local, visiting friends or in town to look at international real estate.

On Friday, February 28, the Palm Canyon Theatre will begin hosting a run of the popular musical, 9 to 5. The show will take place through Sunday, March 9. Also on Friday, The 39 Steps will begin its run at the renowned Annenberg Theater. This 2-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning production features more than 150 zany characters played by a tremendously talented cast of 4. The show will also run through Sunday, March 9.

The gem of Palm Desert, the McCallum Theatre, will host Hello, Dolly! from Friday through Sunday, March 2. This version of the Broadway classic stars Emmy-award winner Sally Struthers (All In the Family, Gilmore Girls) as the strong-willed matchmaker Dolly Levi. The production features classic songs including “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,” “Before the Parade Passes By,” and “It Only Takes A Moment.” Attending one of these shows is the perfect way for those in town for vacation or to look at Rancho Mirage real estate to get a taste of the arts community here in the Coachella Valley.

From Friday, February 28 through Saturday, March 1, the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa will host Canada Fest 2014. This is the second annual event honoring Canada in the Coachella Valley, and has been deemed an excellent resource fair for Canadians and snowbirds— if you’re in town from Canada to look at international real estate in Palm Springs, this festival will be an excellent fit.

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BNP Paribas Tennis Open Kicks off March 3

It’s not just about golf in Palm Springs—The BNP Paribas Open, which is the most-attended WTA Premier and ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tennis tournament in the world, will kick off on Monday, March 3 and last through Sunday, March16. It’s an exciting event for Palm Springs locals, owners of Indian Wells real estate and visitors alike—as well as for those in town to look at investment opportunities for the international real estate market.

The event is held each year at the one of the world’s premier venues for championship tennis: The Indian Wells Tennis Garden. This gorgeous, 89-acre facility is a must-see for tennis lovers who are considering Indian Wells real estate—the 16,100-seat, state-of-the-art stadium is the second largest in the world, and there are seven other match courts that span the 54 acres of lush landscape. The beautiful stadium boasts 22 courts in total, and is the host site for the annual Indian Wells Arts Festival and many USTA and collegiate events, as well as a venue for wide-ranging musical artists such as The Who, The Eagles, Luciano Pavarotti, Bocelli, the Boston Pops and Tom Petty, among others. In addition, tennis aficionados can purchase a year-round tennis club membership.

Attendees of the BNP Paribas will be able to enjoy the warm weather and blue skies for the event, which promises lots of action and excitement, such as the sold-out McEnroe Challenge, featuring tennis legends such as Peter Fleming, Jim Courier, Rick Leach, and of course, John McEnroe. While the event is sold out, attendees without tickets to the McEnroe Challenge will be able to watch the match on monitors throughout the venue, including the 60-foot video wall outside the main stadium.

Based on ticket demand, projected attendance will be around 420,000, which tops last year’s record of 382,227. With the new Stadium Two and bevy of new amenities, tournament officials and staff at the Indians Wells Tennis Garden expect spectators to be dazzled, whether they’re local tennis fans or visitors from abroad in town to look at investment opportunities for the international real estate market.

image: bnpparibasopen.com 

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Comedy, Classic Cars and a Graveyard Tour

If you’re in town to look at Indian Wells real estate or luxury international real estate properties, you could not have picked a more perfect weekend. Palm Springs has an eclectic array of activities in store that will suit even the most diverse of tastes.

All weekend long, from Friday, February 21 through Sunday, February 23, the College of the Desert will host Laugh Lines’ Comedic One-Acts to Die For, a hilarious production of charming, off-the-wall acts from the likes of playwrights such as Christopher Durang, David Ives, Shel Silverstein and Seth Kramer. Also going on all weekend is McCormick’s Classic Car Auction at the Spa Resort Casino located at 401 E Amado Road in downtown Palm Springs.

On Friday, from 5 to 7 pm, there will be a tour like no other: The Coachella Valley History Museum Presents: Ghostly Graveyard Tours. Come learn some of the real history of the desert cities—and listen to stories you won’t want to hear once the sun goes down. Guides in cool costumes will lead you by the light of a lantern through this unique, one-hour tour of the Coachella Valley Public Cemetery, where you will visit the graves of some of the region’s most influential former residents. It’s a must-see for those who are new to the area or are in town from abroad to view luxury international real estate properties.

On Friday from 8 to 10 pm, the McCallum Theatre will host Broadway legend Chita Rivera in a solo concert celebrating the actress, singer and dancer’s 80th birthday. Chita: A Legendary Celebration will recreate legendary moments from the two-time Tony Award winners amazing career, featuring songs from Chicago, West Side Story, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Rink and Bye, Bye Birdie, among other memorable musical numbers, including the sounds of Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Jerry Herman and Charles Strouse.

On Saturday, February 22 through Sunday, February 23, ARTWALK at the Wells will be in full swing at the Indian Wells Business Park. This innovative art show presented by West Coast Artists features hundreds of talented artists representing a diverse array of styles and works. This event is the perfect way for those who are interested in Indian Wells real estate to witness the town’s vibrant arts community firsthand.

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3 Rules for Buying a Home

Whether you’re in the market for international real estate, a beach cottage, condos or Palm Desert real estate, there are a few rules that you should never, ever break. While they aren’t actual “rules,” like there are with mortgages and some of the other financial aspects associated with buying a home, these are guidelines that should be looked at as best practices, especially for those who are new to the real estate game. Read on for three that we think are very important to keep in mind.

  1. Always work with a professional. Buying a home or international real estate is one of the most sizeable transactions you may ever make, and is something you will probably only do a few times in your lifetime. It’s essential to have a realtor or agent in your corner to help you navigate everything from negotiating with sellers and identifying the right neighborhoods for your family to getting through the closing process and finding local contractors. Working with a real estate professional can save you money in the long run.
  1. Don’t make an offer before you’re pre-approved. One of the first steps you should take, even before you actually start viewing homes, is to get pre-approved by a lender so you can determine what your budget truly is. They will evaluate your credit and financials to let you know the extent of your purchasing power, and can provide pre-approval letters for you to show sellers how qualified and serious you are about buying their Palm Desert real estate.
  1. Prepare to put down earnest money. It is usually required to put down a deposit when you make an offer—not a down payment, but an amount that is around one to two percent of the purchase price, though this number can vary, depending on the location. Coupled with pre-approval letters, this shows sellers how serious you are and vets you as a legitimate candidate.

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Hairspray, Surf Class & A Little Bit of Country

Hairspray The Browdway Musical is at the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center this weekend

The winter social season is in full effect—and this week is a stellar example of all the incredible activities that take place each year in Palm Springs. There is always so much to offer, for everyone from retirees who own Palm Desert real estate and young families to tourists and visitors in town to look at international real estate properties.

This Wednesday, January 28 from 8 to 10 pm, the McCallum Theatre will host a performance of Catskills on Broadway, featuring three popular stand-up comedians, Dick Capri, Freddie Romani and Mal Z. Lawrence, in an evening of hilarious shenanigans. On Thursday, January 30 from 8 to 10 pm, the McCallum Theatre will feature Ricky Nelson Remembered with The Jan & Dean Show, an intimate tribute concert to Ricky Nelson with performances by his twin sons Gunnar and Matthew Nelson, as well as classic surf music performed Dean Torrence and the Surf City All Stars. Some of Ricky Nelson’s most popular hit songs will be performed, including “Travelin’ Man” and “Hello Mary Lou,” as well as hits by Jan & Dean such as “Little Old Lady From Pasadena” and “Deadman’s Curve.” Those in town to look at international real estate properties will have a serious treat in store for them with this show.

On Friday, January 31, Martina McBride performs at the Fantasy Springs Casino, located at 84-245 Indio Springs Drive in Indio. McBride is a popular country singer renowned for her amazing soprano range. The concert takes place from 8 to 10 pm. Also on Friday, the Tony Award-Winning musical comedy Hairspray The Browdway Musical, will have its Palm Springs premiere at the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center, which is a favorite of those who own Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert real estate, as well as homes in the other desert cities. There will be performances through Sunday, February 2.

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The Arts & Theater Lineup in Palm Springs

The Southwest Arts Festival

There are always plenty of cool things to do whether you’re a local, in town to relax or house hunting for Palm Desert real estate. Tourists and visitors from abroad who are thinking about making an international real estate investment in the Coachella Valley will be equally excited about the vibrant arts and entertainment options this weekend.

On Thursday, January 23, from 6 to 9 pm, the Desert Willow Golf Resort hosts classic rock music coupled with Italian food with Music & Dining Under the Stars: Michael James.

On Friday, January 24, a production of the timeless classic, Les Miserables, begins its run at the Palm Canyon Theatre, a favorite of all locals and residents who own Palm Desert real estate. The show will play through Sunday, February 9. The Arthur Newman Theatre will also open Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch on Friday and run through Sunday, February 2. The Palm Canyon Theatre is located at 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

The Southwest Arts Festival takes place from Friday through Sunday, January 26 at a local equestrian favorite, the Empire Polo Club. The festival features more than 250 acclaimed artists showing an array of fine works ranging from sculpture, clay, jewelry, glass, painting and photography. The show will be open from 10 am to 5 pm each day. The Empire Polo Club is located at 81-800 Avenue 51 in Indio.

From Friday through Sunday, the McCallum Theatre will feature a new stage production of Man of La Mancha, along with its Tony award-winning score. The world famous musical adventure tells the story of Don Quixote’s world and his triumph over his own follies. It’s a favorite of fans from all over the world, and a production that all can appreciate, from locals to those in town from abroad to look at international real estate properties.

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Can you sell my La Quinta home in 24 hours???

La Quinta Cove Roundabout

I heard this from a Seller last week.  Well…I LOVE  good competition!  He had been referred to me by a past client who knew I had a roster of buyers IF the terms and prices were right.

I met with the Seller and we went over our two scenarios..

1.  Fix up the property in the La Quinta Cove, which would take approx. 60 days and sell for approx. $50/sf MORE than what it is worth as it sits.

2.  Sell it “as is”, no guarantees by Seller, Seller to do no repairs.  Of course, this price was MUCH lower/sf, but what the property was worth.

Mr. Seller told me that if I could get the “as is” number under contract within 24 hours, I could have the listing.  He signed the Listing Docs, and off I went!

Called my first choice Investor for the property because he makes quick decisions, has a local crew, and does a beautiful re-hab job, thereby increasing the neighborhood property values.  He also pays CASH with a quick close and is not afraid of “as is.”  Buyer sent over full priced offer the next day and I made my dead-line!

Into Escrow and closed Friday 1/17.  The re-habbing has begun!

If you’re stuck as to your property value, give me a call for your FREE property consultation.  You may be surprised!

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Follow the Stars in Palm Springs

One of the draws for many visitors to the Palm springs area, whether they’re tourists, seeing family or in town to look at luxury properties for international real estate investments, is the Stars of Palm Springs—and we’re not just talking about the stunning display provided by the clear desert skies. Palm Springs has its own Walk of Stars, also known as the Golden Palm Stars, that pays homage to many of the Hollywood entertainers, celebrities and political figures who lived and played in the stunning Coachella Valley.

Located in downtown Palm Springs, the Walk of Stars is also a favorite attraction among locals and owners of Rancho Mirage real estate and homes in the other desert cities. Portions of Palm Canyon Drive, Museum Drive, Tahquitz Canyon Way and La Plaza Court and are where you can find the Golden Palm Stars embedded in the sidewalks. The tribute was established in 1992 by Barbara Foster-Henderson and Gerhard Frenzel, with the first five stars honoring William Powell, Charles Farrell, Ruby Keeler, Ralph Bellamy and Earle C. Strebe.

The Golden Palm Stars bear many similarities to the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, many other figures are paid tribute in Palm Springs, including those who frequented the area for relaxation or owned Palm Desert, La Quinta or Rancho Mirage real estate. These honorees include literary figures, civic leaders, humanitarians, Medal of Honor recipients and former Presidents of the United States.

Tourists and buyers in town who are interested in the international real estate market flock to this magical attraction to see names of some of the special honorees. Former Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan have stars, and some of the other well-known recipients include Shirley Temple, Elvis Presley, Clark Gable, Liberace, Bob Hope, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Sonny Bono, Rudolf Valentino, Buddy Rogers, Mary Pickford, Frank Sinatra, Ginger Rogers, Gene Autry, Al Jolson, Harold Lloyd, George Montgomery, Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin and Rich Little, among hundreds more.

image: mementopalmsprings.com 

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