As many of us know, purchasing a home is a pretty sizeable undertaking that requires significant preparation. Whether you’re working with a short sale realtor, listing agent or some other type of real estate professional, there are many things you can do on your own to get ready for such a substantial move. Last week, we covered determining your budget, saving, prepping your credit and getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Here are some more essential tips for making this process easier and less stressful.
1. Do your research. Get informed about the neighborhoods you are interested in and check out what houses are going for in that area, and what recent sales have been. You can do a lot of research online, and it also helps to talk to people who live in the neighborhood. For example, if you are interested in properties in Palm Desert, it may help to join a local group or organization to get a feel for pricing as well as the community.
2. Find the right professional to work with. It’s really difficult to go through the process of buying a property without the help of an experienced professional. It’s important to find someone who is honest, locally connected, boasts significant expertise and is seasoned in the type of transaction you will be making. For example, short sells can be very tricky to navigate, which is why your best bet would be to hire a short sale realtor to help you through such a transaction. Make sure to get referrals from people who have had good experiences with real estate transactions.
3. Get legal representation. A real estate attorney can be really helpful when making such a large transaction, especially to ensure that all your interests are prioritized.
4. Hire an appraiser. Getting an appraisal is critical in determining the market value of the home you are interested in. It is your legal right and will also be used by your lender. An appraisal is the best way to find the true value of your property—just because you’ve found properties in Palm Desert, doesn’t mean the home is the exact same value of the others in the area. You truly need a professional to come in and give you an accurate assessment.
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Just when you thought there was nothing going on this weekend, one look at what the communities of Palm Springs have going on and suddenly it’s hard to choose what to do. There are more than enough options for everyone—and if you’re considering purchasing equestrian homes in Rancho Mirage or are interested in Palm Desert real estate, you’ll soon see that it’s like this all year round.
On Saturday, February 9 the Tour de Palm Springs will take place! This amazing event raises money for nonprofit organizations in the Palm Springs Valley, while allowing participants to experience a bicycle ride on several different courses as they take in breathtaking mountain scenery and bond with fellow riders. The courses are wide-ranging, from a one mile route that is perfect for beginners and a five mile route that’s easy but includes small hills, to a 25 mile moderate ride with a few rolling hills, and 55 mile and 100 mile routes with many rolling hills and gradual climbs for the more advanced cyclist.
Also on Saturday is the Dr. George Car Show in Indian Wells. Celebrity judges assess the goods at this expo that features 1000 cars, music, food and other vendors. The event is sponsored by the Auto Club Southern California and suggested donation for entry is just $2.
On Saturday night, world-famous violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman will enchant classical music fans with a special performance at the McCallum Theatre, a favorite of all residents and owners of Palm Desert real estate. Perlman will be accompanied by renowned pianist Rohan De Silva. The show starts at 8 pm.
On Sunday, February 10, the Palm Springs Half Marathon will wind through some of the most famous neighborhoods in Palm Springs. On Sunday evening at 7 pm, the McCallum Theatre will host one of the most famous operas of all time, Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. The show starts at 7 pm. For more information, visit mccallumtheatre.com.
As you can see, there is never a dull moment in the Palm Springs Valley. If you’re considering equestrian homes or other properties in any of the desert cities, you’ll discover a lifestyle that’s filled with options to enjoy life to the fullest.
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The events taking place in Coachella Valley the next few days are exemplary of the wide range of activities that owners of Palm Desert real estate or homes in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and other desert cities have to look forward to on a regular basis. People of all ages are certain to find something they’ll enjoy.
On Thursday, February 7 at 5 pm, a monthly favorite among owners of Palm Desert real estate takes place: the El Paseo Art Walk. It’s an opportunity to stroll among the vibrant galleries and discover great finds at the chic boutiques. Also this Thursday is the 2103 Palm Desert Senior Games and International Sports Festival, an exciting event for both participants and those watching—more about that event tomorrow.
Few other cultural events rival the fun, sounds and tastes of a Greek festival—lucky for residents and owners of Palm Desert real estate, the St. George Palm Desert Greek Fest is this weekend! Try authentic Greek food such as gyros and Greek salads, sample Greek wine, beer and coffee, and enjoy live Greek music and dancing at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, located at 74-109 Larrea Street at Lantana Street, Palm Desert. For more information, call 760.832.2824.
On Saturday, February 9, Johnny Mathis will perform at the Agua Caliente Casino. One of the last and most popular traditional male vocalists, Mathis has been inducted twice into the Grammy Hall of Fame and has a series of best-selling albums. What a great opportunity to hear his music up close and personal! The show starts at 8 pm.
To round things out, we’ve got the Tour de Palm Springs on Saturday, and the Palm Springs Half Marathon on Sunday, February 10. Whether you participate or enjoy it as a spectator (if you’re lucky enough to own homes in Palm Springs), this mostly flat course winds through some of the most beautiful and famous neighborhoods this city boasts.
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Georgi Zelma, Party Officials Lecturing Workers, 1933, gelatin silver print, gift of David Lafaille
This weekend in Palm Springs is packed with cool art events—which is something you can come to expect when becoming an owner of Palm Desert real estate and the surrounding desert communities. For starters, the Desert Mountains Art Faire takes place this Saturday, February 2 from 9 am – 3 pm at the National Monument Visitor Center in the gorgeous foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The events, which supports Conservation and the Artists of the Coachella Valley, features unique paintings, jewelry, wood carving, handmade clothing and other items inspired by National Monument’s natural beauty. The Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center is located at 51-500 Hwy 74, 4 miles south of Hwy 111 in Palm Desert. For more information, visit DesertMountains.org.
Today is your last chance to visit the Michael H. Lord Gallery in Palm Springs to catch a glimpse of an amazing exhibit—and the perfect way for those searching for Palm Springs homes for sale to get a taste of the community. Forrest Moses: New Paintings, Monotypes and Photographs features American painter Forrest Moses’ exploration of landscapes from Maine to Georgia and New Mexico, where he currently resides. His unique technique includes recording with a camera and then translating those images into watercolor, oil and monotype works. Since 1965, Moses has created over 40 one-man shows for museums, galleries and universities across the country. For more information, visit michaelhlordgallery.com.
Another great exhibition taking place through March is Picture This: Photographic Portraits of Place. Located at a favorite among owners of Palm Springs and Palm Desert real estate, the Palm Springs Art Museum, this exhibit features documentarians including Louis-Auguste Bisson, Francis Frith, Alfred Stieglitz, Brown Brothers, Max Alpert, Yevgeny Khaldei, Georgi Zelma, Harry Callahan and Lewis Morley, among many others. This survey shows how photographic images reveal the identity of a region while exploring other cultures to examine global exchange and its impact. For more info, visit psmuseum.org.
If you’re currently on the hunt for Palm Springs homes for sale, any of these events is a great way to absorb some of the vibrant culture that residents of the desert communities are so proud of.
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The Living Desert
Palm Desert real estate isn’t just appealing to golf aficionados—living in Palm Desert offers a variety of amenities and recreational activities that are family-friendly and enjoyable to people of all ages.
In addition to the gorgeous weather, wide variety of shopping and dining options, and of course, the golf and tennis, there are plenty of things to do that the entire family will enjoy. Whether you own homes in Indio, Rancho Mirage or another area of Palm Springs, all of the below activities are in very close, manageable proximity to the entire Coachella Valley.
1. Tale in a sky-high view. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a world famous attraction that allows the whole family to soar high above Palm Springs to catch stunning views of the entire valley. Get off and hike down or enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants near the top.
2. Explore the wild desert. Visit the unparalleled Living Desert museum, a favorite of every tourist who visits, as well as residents and owners of Palm Desert real estate. This attraction is part botanical garden, part zoo and part nature preserve.
3. Soak it up. Not just the sun—take the family for a swim at one of the Palm Desert Aquatic Center’s three pools, including a splash pool for the kiddies and an Olympic-sized one that’s ideal for diving and lap swimming. The Aquatic Center is located at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park, which also offers an array of family-friendly activities.
4. Make discoveries. Even when it’s too hot for the kids to play outside, there’s something cool for them to do. The Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert in nearby Rancho Mirage is full of one-of-a-kind exhibits and hands-on activities.
5. Get adventurous. There are plenty of steep mountains and rugged terrain to explore on one of the many available off-road all-terrain vehicle tours.
6. Trek it out. One of the many amenities for those who own homes in Indio, Rancho Mirage and other parts of Palm Springs is the abundance of stellar hiking trails. If you’re more of a novice at hiking or have young children, there’s trails such as the Randall Henderson Trail, which are easier climbs that still offers lots of outdoor fun coupled with great views.
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It’s clear that there are many benefits to living in Palm Springs, but even for local residents, there is always something unique in store. A great example of this is a recently opened exhibit, “Bob Hope: An American Treasure” at the Palm Springs Air Museum. From now until Tuesday, April 2, 2013, residents and owners of Palm Desert homes, tourists and those viewing Palm Springs homes for sale can enjoy this one-of-a-kind tribute to the great icon and former resident, Bob Hope.
The 2500 square foot exhibition pays tribute to many aspects of Hope’s mesmerizing life, which of course, includes commemoration of his time as the face of the iconic Bob Hope Classic golf tournament. The exhibit, which was built with the support of the Bob & Dolores Hope Charitable Foundation, runs until April so that fans planning to attend upcoming golf tournaments, such as the PGA Tour’s Humana Challenge and the LPGA’s Kraft Nabisco Championship, will have the opportunity to view the exhibit.
The exhibit features over 160 artifacts that tell the story of this popular celebrity’s life in Palm Springs, such as the famous golf cart that was created in the shape of Hope’s face, a favorite among owners of homes in Palm Desert and throughout the Palm Springs Valley. In addition, there are more than 200 vintage photos, seven video displays, Hope’s Congressional Gold Medal, Honorary Veterans citation, honorary Oscar statuette and PGA of America money clip. These items accurately depict Hope’s rise to stardom, his relationships with former United States presidents, his dedication to the military and his passion for golf.
Located at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, a stop at this incredible exhibit is the perfect way to finish off a day of viewing Palm Springs homes for sale. For more information about the museum, visit Palmspringsairmuseum.org or call 760.778.6262.
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One of the many benefits of living in the gorgeous Palm Springs Valley is all of the recreational activities we have to choose from, including outdoor sports, exercise, spa time, fine dining, and a favorite for many, shopping. While owners of Palm Desert real estate and residents of the other desert cities flock to the high-end boutiques and designer outlets, they’re also regulars at the amazing Indio Open-Air Market and the Certified Farmers’ Markets.
How lucky are we to have farmers’ markets all year round? We can access some of the freshest produce grown by Certified California Farmers at our winter markets (September through May), which take place on Wednesdays in Palm Desert, Saturdays in Palm Springs and Coachella, and Sundays in Old Town La Quinta. A visit to one of these markets is the perfect break from checking out Palm Springs homes for sale! All take place from 8 am to 12:30 pm. For more info and dates for summer markets, visit certifiedfarmersmarket.ning.com.
A unique and amazing event that takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays—and is a great way to take a break from viewing Palm Desert real estate while getting a taste of the community—is the Indio Open-Air Market. This innovative market is the perfect place to discover both new and used, brand-name merchandise and gather with friends and family to shop and enjoy a wide array of food choices. This social marketplace, located at the Riverside County Fairgrounds, boasts architecture similar to the markets of Morocco, making it one of the most interesting venues throughout California. The fairgrounds are located at 46350 Arabia Street in Indio. For more information, call 800.222.7467.
If community events like these inspire you, and you’ve been considering a move to the beautiful Coachella Valley, then click here to browse listings.
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Stunning Views from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
One of the most exciting attractions in Palm Springs Valley is the famed Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. This thrilling cable car ride transports visitor from the desert floor to stunning bird’s eye views of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains. Owners of Palm Desert properties and visitors alike are among the more than 12 million people who have been safely transported by the Tramway since it opened in September 1963.
What’s extremely unique about this popular Coachella Valley attraction is the change of climate one can experience during this ride—you can literally experience a 40-degree temperature drop in just a few minutes and find yourself on a snow-capped mountain. Once you do get to the top, you can hike down or take a mule ride. Imagine spending a day viewing Palm Springs homes for sale or other desert properties and then following it with a hike through the snow.
In addition, if you’re interested in dining at 8,500 feet, there are options for you to indulge in while you take in the gorgeous view. A favorite of owners of Palm Desert properties and other locals is Peaks, a cocktail lounge and restaurant that offers a fine dining experience overlooking the stunning view, and Pines Café, a cafeteria-style restaurant. Both are open during lunch and dinner.
If you want to enjoy some of the most spectacular views in California, stop by and take a ride on the world’s largest rotating tramcar after a day of viewing Palm Springs homes for sale. It will take your breath away and remind you why you want to become a part of this remarkable community. The Tramways is located at 1 Tramway Road in Palm Springs.
Click here to visit the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway website.
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The 24th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is in full swing and major celebrities are in attendance. This spectacular event is a favorite among local owners of Palm Desert real estate and the surrounding areas for many reasons. The star-studded galas and film screenings offer something for everyone to enjoy.
Several Oscar hopefuls were presented with exciting honors at the incredible Awards Gala this weekend. The PSIFF, which commenced on January 5, officially kicked off the awards show season. Local owners of Palm Desert real estate and Indian Wells properties gave us the lowdown on some of the incredible actors who received well-deserved honors.
The cast of Argo received the award for Ensemble Performance, which was presented by former CIA agent Tony Mendez, who Ben Affleck portrayed in the movie. In attendance were cast members Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston and Affleck, who also directed the film. Bradley Cooper accepted the Desert Palm Achievement Actor Award for his outstanding performance in Silver Linings Playbook. Naomi Watts received the Desert Palm Achievement Award for an Actress Onstage, Helen Hunt accepted the Spotlight Award and Sally Field received the Career Achievement Award. Richard Gere received the Chairman’s Award for his career accomplishments.
Other notable appearances include Helen Mirren, who was presented the International Star Award, and Ang Lee, the director of Life of Pi, who presented composer Mychael Danna with the Frederick Loewe Music Award. In addition, Tom Hanks, presented Robert Zemeckis, who directed Flight, with the Director of the Year award.
The film festival, which runs through January 14, is an exciting event to look forward to, especially to residents and owners of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta and Indian Wells properties.
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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.
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