Whether you’re selling a first home, buying your dream home or getting into the international real estate market for investment purposes, there are some common mistakes to avoid if you want to execute a transaction that makes financial sense.
Unrealistic expectations. Let’s say you find the La Quinta ranch you’ve been dreaming of and you qualify for a loan—does that really mean that you can afford it? Don’t make the decision to buy real estate just because a lender pre-qualifies you. Do the numbers and determine if you can truly afford all the associated costs, from closing costs and homeowners insurance to upgrades and HOA fees, if applicable. Then create a budget that truly reflects all of your bills and leaves room for a contingency fund and the amortization of a new home. Only then will you be able to determine if you can actually afford the property.
Want vs. Need. Let’s be real—there can be a huge discrepancy between what you need and what your dream home costs. Make a list of all your family’s needs and then look for a house that fulfills them. Give your agent or realtor a copy of the list. The same goes even if you’re investing in the international real estate market—even if you don’t plan on living on the property, you will have certain needs in regards to budget, maintenance and location.
Only visiting once. If you’re ready to spend your hard-earned money on a La Quinta ranch, don’t just visit once. You should schedule several visits to the home before you make an offer, and get professional opinions, if necessary. Buying real estate and living is similar to a relationship—and you wouldn’t get married after just one date. You’ll want to get a good feel for the community, the school system, the commute and anything else that is important to your lifestyle.
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The entertainment options lined up this weekend for Palm Springs are unique and exciting—from performances of a fusion of dance style and vibrant cabaret to the sounds of a legendary, old school MC, there won’t be a dull moment for anyone. Families, retirees, tourists and those in town to look at luxury international real estate properties have plenty to choose from when it comes to things to do. Take a break from viewing La Quinta real estate and hit up one of these amazing shows.
On Friday, June 21 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, the McCallum Theatre will host a live performance of Elasticity of the Almost: Performed by Backhausdance. As part of the McCallum Theatre Institute’s 2013 Summer Session Festival, a favorite among residents and La Quinta real estate owners, Backhausdance returns to our stage with two inventive dances choreographed by Jennifer Backhaus. Backhausdance was recently recognized by New York’s Joyce SoHo as one of seven emerging dance companies in North America to watch.
On Friday night, legendary rapper, producer and entrepreneur, MC Hammer, will take the stage at the Morongo Casino. The show runs from 9 pm to 11 pm. On Saturday, June 22, The Art Laboe Summer Love Jam will take place at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino from 7 pm to 9 pm.
On Sunday, June 23 from 2 pm to 4 pm, the Sundays in Summer Cabaret Series 2013 continues with Karen Giorgio in Trains & Boats & Planes, Oh My! Confessions of a Globe-Trotting Songstress.
The Arthur Newman Theatre is proud to feature Giorgio, along with special guest Vinny di Figlia and Musical Director Shelly Markham.
If you’re visiting the desert cities and are considering luxury international real estate properties in Palm Springs, click here to look at some spectacular listings.
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When you’re working towards selling your Palm Desert real estate, it’s important to understand how critical showing your property is to getting it sold. It’s very important to work with a seasoned agent who understands what buyers want and knows how to showcase your property in its best light. When you own beautiful luxury property such as La Quinta real estate or a stunning home in Indian Wells, it’s easy to believe it will sell itself. Yet to get the best price, you should display your property’s best features so it will appeal to the widest pool of potential buyers.
Here are a few ways to best showcase your home:
Open Houses. The majority of open houses take place on the weekends, primarily on Sunday afternoons as most people have the least amount of obligations and are free from work. It gives sellers a block of time for a greater number of prospective buyers to see their Indian Wells or La Quinta real estate property all at once. Buyers like open houses because it allows them to shop around without committing to an agent or realtor.
Private showings. When a buyer views your property and is serious about it, they may request or you may want to offer the opportunity for a private showing. While you will need to maintain staging condition to make the most of this situation, it gives buyers a chance to ask questions and not be distracted or feel pressure due to others viewing it at the same time.
Online listings. Thanks to the internet, we can now expand our market exponentially with online listings that people anywhere with internet access can view. This is a tremendous opportunity as the international real estate market continues to heat up. Make sure to include as many photos as possible at as many angles as you can think of.
Lock box. Often times, both buyers and sellers are unavailable on the weekends. If this is the case, a lock box may be the answer. Having one outside the house for agents to access makes it possible to have your property shown when you are out of town or otherwise unavailable.
With a little coordination and forethought, you’ll be on your way toward selling your property and looking for your own next dream home. If you’re interested in browsing Palm Desert real estate, click here for some phenomenal listings.
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Beijing Flickers will screen this weekend at the Palm Spring Art Museum
Palm Springs is filled with cool cultural activities taking place this weekend. When you’re done relaxing by the pool, you can round out your day with one of the wide array of film screenings happening all weekend long. The cutting-edge AMFM Fest celebrates independent filmmakers and talented DJs with an Opening Night Gala, live music, art shows and screenings all weekend long. Whether you’re in town checking out the international real estate market or luxury properties in La Quinta or Indian Wells, you’ll be inspired by the creative vibe at this unique event.
In addition to the innovative films showing at AMFM, the Summer Film Series at Palm Springs Art Museum features Beijing Flickers this Friday, June 13 from 6 to 8 pm. Directed by Zhang Yuan, Beijing Flickers tells the story of San Bao, a young man down on his luck after losing his job, dog, apartment and girlfriend, yet finds moments of euphoria amid his own despair, while roaming with the dregs of society. The annual Summer Film Series is a component of the Palm Spring Art Museum’s free community programming, and a favorite among those who own properties in La Quinta, Indian Wells and all the other cities in Palm Springs. The screening takes place at the Annenberg Theater.
On Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 the Annenberg Theater will host live performances of Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland, presented by Desert Dance. In their tenth year running at the Palm Springs Art Museum, these performances are perfect for the entire family to enjoy.
The incredible cast of talented dancers fuse classical and contemporary dance in an unforgettable production. The show takes place from 8 to 10 pm.
If you’re in town checking out luxury properties in the international real estate market, click here to browse some amazing listings.
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It’s a favorite time of year here in Palm Springs—from May 31 through June 16, the much awaited 2013 Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week will take place. Foodies will flock from all over the state to experience some of the best restaurants in the Coachella Valley. If you’ve been considering La Quinta real estate, luxury properties in Indian Wells or equestrian homes in another of the bucolic desert cities, then this is the perfect time to visit.
This exciting culinary festival actually spans 10 days, which provides the opportunity to showcase over 100 restaurants, hotels and attractions throughout the entire region, from Palm Springs to Indio. The seasoned chefs at these fine area restaurants prepare delicious three courses meals, featuring several options for each course, at reasonable prices of either $26 or $38. This gives attendees the chance to survey all the menus to decide which appeals to them most and then try new restaurants or new dishes at their favorites. However, attendees are not limited to the special fixed price menus, as some restaurants will serve their regular menus as well. If you’re spending the day looking at equestrian homes or properties in Indian Wells, you can finish it off with an amazing meal in a relaxing yet festive atmosphere.
To attend Palm Springs Restaurant Week, diners simply need to visit a participating restaurant; no tickets, passes or coupons are required. However, attendees are strongly encouraged to make reservations in advance as there is no guarantee that walk-in guests can be accommodated. To make a reservation, contact the restaurants directly or use the OpenTable.com links on the Restaurant Week website. In addition, several area hotels and attractions are offering with special discounted rates to enrich the entire experience. A list of participating businesses can also be found on the website.
Restaurant Week is yet another amenity of living in Palm Springs Valley; if you don’t live here already, you’ll be inspired to when you visit during this time of year. If you’re already feeling the inspiration, click here to browse La Quinta real estate listings.
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The Steve Miller Band performs at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino this weekend
Are you in town browsing homes for that luxury international real estate purchase you’ve been dreaming about? Or just visiting for a desert vacation? Even if you own real estate in La Quinta or another desert city and live here year ‘round, this weekend will feel like an amazing vacation with so many fun things to do. Start planning your weekend now so that you can relax and enjoy when it gets here.
On Thursday, May 23, The Concerts in the Park series will continue with a dynamic performance by Upstream, which will feature calypso music, dancing and fire eating. It doesn’t get more exciting than that! The concert takes place from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. Those who own real estate in La Quinta and other nearby cities flock to this park to enjoy its four baseball fields, six tennis courts, amphitheater, skate park, dog park, four volleyball and three basketball courts.
On Friday, May 24 and Saturday May 25, The Carnival of the Animals will take place at the Annenberg Theater. Adapted by Karl Killefer, this unique and exhilarating performance is inspired by Camille Saint-Saens’s 1886 classical composition and provides a narrative arc for CK Dance Company’s Choreographers. For more info, visit The Palm Spring Museum’s website.
When it comes to music, there will be some epic live performances this weekend. On Friday, May 24, the legendary American rock stars, the Steve Miller Band, will perform at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino. The concert takes place from 9 – 11 pm. On Saturday, May 25 from 8 – 10 pm, American rock and blues singer Greg Allman will perform at the Fantasy Springs Casino.
Click here to view listings of gorgeous homes that will be ideal choices for your luxury international real estate purchase.
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Indoor/outdoor living spaces abound!!
The Haciendas in La Quinta is ideally located across from the La Quinta Resort, and maybe 5 minutes from Old Town La Quinta. This gated community of Tuscan themed homes built by Sedona Homes in 2002-2004, this small community has very low HOA’s of approx. $170/month.
50040 Malaga Ct., La Quinta is offered unfurnished for $499,000.
The Seller has invested approx. $100,000 in upgrades into this lovely 3 bedroom/3 bathroom approx. 2200 sf home. The yard is an amazing desert paradise with a long, pebbletec pool with raised spa, an inground firepit, stellar mountain views, and low maintenance desert scape landscape.
This La Quinta home just might be one of the BEST values still available in this market..and it’s a standard sale, so no banks to deal with and quick turnaround to your offer!
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Purchase money to Rental income..
I’ve been reading about these large investment groups, Blackstone, Colony Capital, and others and wondering if we’d see them here in the La Quinta or Palm Springs Valley area..well here they are! This morning on the MLS, the La Quinta Cove recorded about 40 sales..and were they under-valued! I checked property histories and TAx records..sure enough. Block purchases and sales.
Investment groups, Hedge Funders..all buying blocks of homes for huge amounts of cash, cleaning them up cosmetically and renting them! Good or bad? Both I think..
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Southern views from your pool
The ever popular Ventana plus Casita floorplan, is offered with the most amazing southern fairway, Lake, and mountain views. This home is special. The Ventana is famous for its large great room to media room, to kitchen, to outdoors flow… Truly an entertainers dream. Approximately 4370 sf, and offering four bedrooms and five bathrooms plus a large bonus room with media built-ins, this home is family friendly. Take the tour here!
The current owners have added many, many upgrades. Among them are..
- Quartzite floors flowing from the interior to the exterior .
- Custom built-ins in the great room, media room ,and the bonus room.
- The chefs kitchen features Viking appliances ,oversized granite eat bar ,double ovens and dual dishwashers
- The resort style pebbletec pool and spa, features a swim up bar
- Surround sound, wood plantation shutters, and custom fans throughout
This home has new carpets, new dual pane and tinted windows across the southern side of the home ,and brand new designer furnishings. The view will knock your socks off, and the homes flow and warmth will make you, your family & friends, feel VERY welcome!
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 5/11 FROM 12-3 PM!!!
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The Living Desert’s Brew at the Zoo
If you’re ready for the weekend, there are lots of things going on in Palm Springs. People buy homes in La Quinta and real estate in Indian Wells so they can live the relaxing and rejuvenating desert lifestyle, and the weekends here give you exactly what you need to do just that. Whether you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo or simply want to relax with some wine, there’s an option for you this weekend.
Friday, May 3 from 6 – 9 pm, the Desert Willow Golf Resort is hosting Uncorked, a wonderful event filled with delicious food, wine and spirits. It’s the perfect opportunity to sample mouthwatering international cuisine prepared by the popular chef Francois Gaertner, coupled with wines and spirits, and set to live music in the stunning desert landscape.
On May 4 at 8 pm and May 5 at 6 pm, renowned comedian Gabriel Iglesias will perform his standup comedy routine at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino.
On Saturday, May 4, from 9 – 11:30 am, Friends of the Desert Monument will lead Snakes and Lizards of the Mountain, an easy, two-mile hike from the National Monument Visitor Center. Participants will learn about and try to find National Monument reptiles.
On Saturday from 6:30 – 9:30 pm, the Living Desert will host its 4th Annual Brew at the Zoo, one of Southern California’s most popular beer festivals. This year’s theme is “Saving Wildlife One Beer at a Time.” The event features three live music stages, Paradise Island, Discovery Ale House, Exo-Luxury Safari Lounge hosted by Hot Purple Energy, VIP Lounge with jazz combo, premium wine and beer, deluxe appetizers and private animal encounters, Brew Blends, food demos, beer and wine pairings, a gourmet raffle, non-alcoholic beverages and more! Over 2,000 guests and 35 vendors are expected to attend. For tickets, call 760.346.5694 ext. 2121.
On Sunday, May 5, the Sundays in Summer Cabaret Series 2013: Alix Korey Celebrates Ethel Merman will take place from to 4 pm at the Arthur Newman Theatre.
Also on May 5, the Mariachi Divas will perform a live concert at the Morongo Casino from 3 – 5 pm. What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
If the diverse slate of activities whets your appetite to find your dream house in Palm Springs, click here to check out real estate in Indian Wells and homes in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert.
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