As usual, there is so much going on in the valley this week! Choose from another well-rounded slate of choices, perfect for unwinding from a long day at work, after finishing 18 holes or to top off a day of looking at Palm Springs homes for sale.
This evening at the McCallum Theatre, the Desert Symphony presents, “Oh What a Night!” Written by written by Motown producer George Solomon, this mesmerizing tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is perfect for the entire family. This concert style revue features hit favorites including “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry,” “My Eyes Adored You,” and many more amazing songs. The show takes place from 8-10 pm. The McCallum Theatre is located at 73-000 Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert, CA.
A signature event that is an absolute favorite of those who own properties in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert is Modernism Week, which runs from February 14 – 24. A 10-day celebration of mid-century modern design, architecture and culture, this amazing event is the only one like it throughout the entire country. Choose from a wide array of events from chic parties in mid-century modern homes and architecture tours to films, lectures, educational events and an architecture symposium. Who knows—you may find some gorgeous Palm Springs homes for sale while you take in the elegant informality that defines desert modernism.
Another fun twist on this week’s calendar is a concert by R&B singer-songwriter Keith Sweat at the Spotlight 29 Casino on February 14 at 8 pm. With hits including “Get Up On It,” “Twisted,” and “I Want Her,” Sweat topped the Billboard charts for decades. The venue is located at 46-200 Harrison Place in Coachella, CA.
As you can see, when you live in Palm Springs and own properties in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert, you can absorb a diverse slate of culture in any given week.
image: modernismweek.com
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Are you considering buying La Quinta real estate or a home in another part of Palm Springs Valley? Now is probably a great time to start looking—since property prices started rebounding in 2012, it’s expected they will continue to rise. The good news is, it’s still a buyer’s market. Ready to get moving? Here are some tips to help get you started.
1. Determine your budget.
This is probably the most important step in preparing to buy, whether you are considering homes for sale in Palm Springs or in any other part of the country. Put together a budget so you can determine what your spending power truly is. Don’t feel that just because it’s a good time to buy, you should get in over your head just to take advantage of the timing. Also ensure that you leave room in the budget for a contingency plan in case of emergencies such as health issues or unexpected unemployment.
2. Start saving.
Most recommend saving approximately 20 percent of your budget for a down payment. While you may be able to put down less than that, it’s really better to at least put down a full 20 percent. In addition, as mentioned above, remember to save additional funds for emergencies.
3. Prep your credit.
Order a copy of your credit report and assess your score. Make sure that there is no erroneous information on it, and if there is, submit your correction information as soon as possible. You want the credit investigation to be performed quickly so that you can clear away any discrepancies. This is an essential step, regardless of whether you’re interested in La Quinta real estate, equestrian homes in Rancho Mirage or anywhere else in the state. You can obtain a free credit report once a year by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
4. Get pre-approved.
Get a great reality check by going through the pre-approval process for a mortgage. Get referrals and start shopping around for respectable brokers. You can seek recommendations from the banks or credit unions you work with, as well as friends and family. Be prepared for a lot of paperwork and some tasks that seem redundant. The more work you do in advance, the easier it will be when you’re searching for homes for sale in Palm Springs or whichever area you’re considering.
image: moneyunder30.com
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One of the attributes of living in the desert communities that many are unaware of is the region’s thriving arts community. Once visitors get a taste of what there is to offer in the Palm Springs Valley, they quickly find themselves eyeing everything from La Quinta to Indio real estate.
In January, Palm Springs newest gallery, the Archangel Art Collective, opened its doors to share unique, cutting-edge fine art that transcends boundaries to challenge and provoke social commentary about relevant cultural issues and the role art plays across the globe. The gallery describes some of the one-of-a-kind works they will show as “whimsical, powerful, iconoclastic and often unconventional art.” It’s exciting to think that owners of homes in La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Indio real estate can now access such innovative art so close to home.
Located in the uptown arts district of Palm Springs, the Archangel Art Collective showcases many artists who are new to the desert art scene. The opening exhibition, “aLiVE,” highlights the work of Seattle-based Max Emminger and more than 20 of the nation’s finest contemporary artists. Emminger’s work is a “a very pared-down and sophisticated visual diary of his life and preoccupations” that often features many of the characters from his domestic life and areas he frequents, such as Lopez Island or Green Lake. It’s very exciting that local owners of homes in La Quinta and Rancho Mirage will now have the chance to regularly experience such an interesting array of works.
This innovative gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm and Sundays from noon to 5 pm, as well as by appointment. The gallery will host new show openings the third Thursday of each month that includes artist receptions from 5 to 9 pm. The address for the Archangel Art Collective is 1103 N. Palm Canyon.
image: archangelartcollective.com
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Every year, the Humana Challenge Golf Tournament brings lots of excitement to bucolic La Quinta—and this year was no different. For most of the tournament, Scott Stallings was the leader. But on the final day, there was much to talk about when Charles Howell III, David Lingmerth and Brian Gay came from behind, ending up in a three-way tie. Owners of La Quinta real estate, visitors and other area locals were able to witness one of the most exciting 18th hole this year, when Longmerth hit his ball in the water, leaving only Gay and Howell to playing number 10 for a tiebreaker. Howell’s shot ended up in the bunker with Gay’s just off the green—Gay won the tournament for his fourth PGA win and the $1,008,000 prize.
Formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic, this 72-hole tournament is part of the PGA Tour’s early season West Coast Swing, and is renowned for its celebrity pro-am. In fact, it formerly was only a pro-am, including the many years that it was hosted by legendary icon, Bob Hope. In 2012, Humana changed its format to a traditional four round tournament, played over three different courses: Palmer Private at PGA WEST, Nicklaus Private at PGA WEST and La Quinta Country Club, all favorites of residents and owners of La Quinta real estate. The first 54 holes of the Pro-Am features each of the 156 pros partnering with a different amateur each day. On Sunday, the low 70 professionals play the final round. We always suggest that clients who are viewing homes in Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and Palm Desert spend one of their days here at this incredible, star-studded event.
The Clinton Foundation partnered with the PGA, committing to help make this tournament a part of its mission to bring the message of healthy living to American through golf. While President Clinton was at the tournament on Thursday, he did not play. He was unable to stay through the entire tournament, due to his obligation to attend the Presidential Inauguration. But how exciting for residents throughout and those who own homes in Rancho Mirage and La Quinta to get a glimpse of the former president. He’ll attend all five days of the 2014 tournament!
Celebrities who participated included Eric Dickerson, Alice Cooper, Marshall Faulk, Don Felder and local resident Carson Daly, among others. Organized by the non-profit organization, Desert Classic Charities, the Human Challenge has donated more than $52 billion to the Eisenhower Medical Center and a multitude of other local nonprofit organizations.
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There’s nothing like a little curb appeal to get a buyer interested!
Give the front door an upgrade. Making over your home’s front door is a quick way to improve the entire property’s appearance and boost its resale value. If your budget is small, try a new coat of paint, but if you can afford to invest in a new door, it will be well worth it. We recently had a client install a new front door on their Indian Wells property and experience a multitude of compliments from buyers—we’re pretty sure that simple upgrade motivated buyers to get out of their car and see what was inside.
Enhance the landscape. A nicely landscaped yard is one of the best ways to maximize curb appeal. It doesn’t have to be expensive; strive for something uncluttered and cohesive that ties together the architecture of your home and the region. For example, if you’re preparing La Quinta real estate or an Indian Wells property, you may want to pick a desert themed landscape.
Add some design features. If there are areas of the home’s exterior that need replacing or refinishing, consider adding some architectural detail that will increase the property’s flair. It could be something as simple as new window shutters, moldings, or a larger project such as adding a balcony or porch.
Give the garage a new face. In today’s real estate market, you see an array of stunning alternatives for garage doors. Don’t go with a plain white door—and if that’s what your house has, an upgrade will definitely be worth the investment. In addition, make sure the garage doesn’t look like a storage facility inside. Keep things streamlined, clean and in order. If you do need to keep some things in there, buy some garage storage cabinets so everything looks organized and is out of the way.
image: © Iriana Shiyan – Fotolia.com
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It’s the New Year and if your home is on the market, one of your resolutions is probably to unload that property at the best price and in the quickest possible time frame. Oftentimes when people list Palm Springs homes for sale, they figure that they can rely on the beautiful backdrop of the desert to do the selling for them. While the stunning area views are definitely a selling point, sellers have to stage their home properly in order to attract the buyers who are serious about purchasing a property. You can own the most beautiful property in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage or Palm Desert, but if the house isn’t staged properly, potential buyers are likely to move on to the next.
One of the best ways to start preparing Palm Springs homes for sale —and an excellent resolution for everyone—is to de-clutter. This is extremely important as it will make your home look more spacious and roomy. Plus, the less there is in the home, the less that the potential buyer has to use their imagination.
Your goal should be not only to get rid of excess clutter, such as boxes, clothing, appliances and household items you no longer use, but to eliminate some of the furniture. Again, this will make the space look so much larger. Really assess what you can live without and get rid of it. You should aim to get rid of as much as a half if possible, but if not, make removing one quarter of the furnishings your minimum goal.
If you have to store boxes in the garage, make sure that you don’t clutter that area either. It’s very likely that buyers will ask you to put the garage door up so you can see inside. At the very least, get some garage storage cabinets so they’re not looking at messy boxes.
Make a rule that for any new item you buy over the next few months, something else has to be removed or thrown out. This will help you maintain whatever de-cluttering you get done in the next few weeks. Once you’ve eliminated the clutter from your desert property in La Quinta, Palm Desert Rancho Mirage or any other area in Coachella Valley, you’ll be well on your way to finding a dream buyer for your beloved home.
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PGA West has some of the most spectacular golf holes!
Nothing to panic about..but PGA West and the La Quinta Resort & Spa have changed hands once gaain. Humana Challenge will still be held here and the PGA West name will continue at least through 2061…
PGA West sits on approx. 1200 acres and offers 6 golf courses, 3 of which are private and the other 3 are public courses. It’s an amazing development with condos ranging from approx. $199,000 to custom homes priced to approx. $2,700,000..something for every golfing enthusiast that lives in the desert!
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If you’ve been staying in Coachella Valley to view Palm Desert real estate or homes in La Quinta, you may want to learn about cool things to do that are just a short distance away. The perfect example of this is the 20th annual Festival of Lights celebration at the nearby Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Located in Riverside, just 60 miles away from Palm Springs, this fabulous event attracts more than 250,000 visitors each year.
More than 3.6 million lights transform this national historic landmark into a mesmerizing and magical display of holiday lights that the whole family will truly enjoy. This unrivalled event commences each year on the day after Thanksgiving with an opening ceremony that includes an amazing fireworks show.
This unique holiday celebration includes live entertainment such as Dickensian carolers and literally hundreds of characters in 17th Century costumes. In addition, the event features authentic horse-drawn carriage rides, freshly fallen snow and visits from Santa that locals and owners of homes in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and all the other desert cities look forward to for months.
This one-of-a-kind tradition is presented by the owners of the Mission Inn, Duane and Kelly Roberts, who saved the Mission Revival-style hotel from destruction and reopened it in 1992. The hotel offers special packages during the festival to accommodate visitors who want to immerse themselves in the experience. It’s the perfect way to both kick off and end the holiday season, and a great way for those looking at Palm Desert real estate to get a feel of some of the wonderful, wide range of experiences available to them in the desert communities.
Due to popular demand, the Festival of Lights has been extended and will run through January 5, 2013. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is located at 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501. Click here for more information.
image credit: smartmeetings.com
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La Quinta real estate is always in demand—and for a variety of reasons. With its rich history, vibrant culture, impeccable golf courses and beautiful climate, it’s no wonder it’s called the “Gem of the Desert.”
The renowned Robb Report named La Quinta the “Best Place to Live for Golf” due to its array of remarkable golf courses, including several PGA courses, such as the PGA West Greg Norman Course, the PGA west Jack Nicklaus Tournament and the PGA West Stadium Course. Other notable courses include The Golf Club at La Quinta, the La Quinta Resort Dunes Course and the SilverRock Golf Club, designed by Arnold Palmer and ranked as “The Best Tour Course You Can Play” by Golfweek in 2009.
In addition to the many golf courses and access to outdoor activities, another reason many choose to buy La Quinta real estate is the city’s rich culture. Events such as the La Quinta Arts Festival and all the live theatre performances at the La Quinta Playhouse, coupled with beautiful public art pieces, offers much to do and see for the art lover. The charming Old Town La Quinta features stellar shopping and dining options, as well as the best in spa and salon services.
Stunning views of the Little San Bernardino, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, and average winter temperatures in the mid 70’s, make it difficult to leave this desert respite. Average rainfall is less than five inches per year, and temperatures rarely drop below freezing, making for a mild climate. Even though the summer temperatures may soar, it’s a dry heat that many find very enjoyable. It makes perfect sense that visitors flock to the entire region for its desirable, moderate weather.
image credit: kolterhomes.com
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When selling your home, make sure the interior is spic and span! By now, you’ve got some serious momentum going in regards to preparing your home for sale. Whether you’re looking to sell La Quinta real estate property or a home in another area of the region, now is a great time to get the house looking its very best, since many visitors and international tourists in the market for a vacation home are visiting during this time of year.
Many of the details that you consider minor actually make a big difference to buyers who are seeing a property for the first time. Even if they’ve looked at other Indio real estate properties or homes in other areas of Palm Springs, when they come across a home that appears to be in mint condition and well-kept, the overall effect can quickly cause a sale to turn in your favor.
Do a scan of the house and then make it sparkle from top to bottom. When you have an open house coming up, wash the windows, both inside and outside, vacuum thoroughly and mop or wax the floors until they shine. Assess the sinks, tubs and showers to see if they need re-caulking and bleach any grout that is dingy. Dust all the furniture and areas where dirt accumulates, such as ceiling fan blades, light fixtures and chandeliers.
Remember, if you’re trying to sell a La Quinta real estate property or something similar, the buyers are going to expect the premises to be pristine and high-end. If there are worn bedspreads or duvets on the beds, replace them now. Buy brand new towels for the bathroom, only to be put out when you know there are some prospects coming to look at the house. If you’ve considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now! Also, replace any burned-out light bulbs or worn-out rugs.
Last but not least, make sure the exterior of the house is spic and span. Hose the garage, driveways and sidewalks down, or rent a pressure washer to get the job done. Clean out any cobwebs in the garage or patio and sweep or rake any dead leaves. Polish any chrome faucets throughout, wipe down all the mirrors and air out any areas that are musty or have odors. It’s even recommended to clean out your refrigerator.
Whether your goal is to sell an Indio real estate property or any other area in Palm Springs Valley, know that if it takes some work to prepare your property, the payoff will be worth it.
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