One of the many exciting things about living in Palm Springs is the Palm Springs International Film Festival, which runs from January 3-14, 2013. It’s a great time to be in the valley, whether you’re here viewing Palm Desert real estate, taking a desert vacation or living here full-time.
In addition to all the galas, premieres and other special events at the festival, this year Richard Gere will be attending to accept the Chairman’s Award for his role in Arbitrage, which has already earned him a Golden Globes nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.
Past recipients of this coveted award include Dustin Hoffman, Ben Affleck, George Clooney and Nicole Kidman. The awards Gala, which is presented by Cartier, will take place at the held at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Other stars receiving awards at this exciting event include the cast of Argo, Dame Helen Mirren, Sally Field, Bradley Cooper, Naomi Watts and Robert Zemeckis.
In Arbitrage, Gere stars as New York hedge-fund magnate Robert Miller, a man desperate to complete the sale of his trading empire on the eve of his 60th birthday. Written and directed by Nicholas Jarecki, the film also starts Tim Roth, Susan Sarandon, Laetitia Casta, Brit Marling and Nate Parker. Gere is known for his wide-ranging roles, from Pretty Women, An Officer and a Gentleman and Unfaithful to Primal Fear, American Gigolo and his Golden Globe-winning performance in Chicago.
The appeal of living in Palm Springs has always been recognized by Hollywood film stars, many of whom have lived in the valley and owned Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indian Wells and Palm Desert real estate. The celebrity presence, coupled with community’s appreciation for the arts, has resulted in a vibrant, thriving arts and entertainment culture throughout the region.
Stay tuned for more information on this exciting Palm Springs International Film Festival!
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With Christmas already here next week, you’re probably looking for holiday events for the entire family to go to. If you and your loved ones are currently looking at Palm Springs homes for sale with a short sale realtor or listing agent, you can make it a fun experience by immersing yourself in the desert city culture after your viewings.
On December 19, from 8 to 10 pm, the Moscow Ballet will perform the Great Russian Nutcracker at The Show in Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage. This is a performance that will blow everyone’s mind, no matter what age. It will be a great way to unwind and get into the festive spirit after a day of browsing homes with your agent or short sale realtor.
From December 21-23, head to the Annenberg Theater after looking at Palm Springs homes for sale for an innovative yuletide mash-up called Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some). Three actors literally perform every Christmas story in one performance that will definitely change the way you look at the classics. Tickets are $24 for individuals, $22 for groups and $20 for students.
Looking at Palm Desert real estate? Take the family to the Palm Desert Aquatic Center on December 22 from 2 to 5 pm for an one-of-a-kind Underwater Christmas Tree Decoration with Scuba Santa. It’s the perfect time to discover scuba and sneak in a visit in with Santa. Participants must be 10 or older and if under 18, a parent or guardian must be present. The event takes place at the YMCA of the Desert. Call 760-565-7467 for more information.
Another thing to do after perusing Palm Desert real estate is to check out the P.S: It’s Christmas show at the famous Forever Marilyn Sculpture on the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way. This free holiday concert runs through December 22, and features nostalgic 1950’s era carolers.
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Palm Desert homes are conveniently close to The Shops on El Paseo! One of the many benefits of owning Palm Desert real estate is the proximity to some of the best shopping in the country, from chic upscale boutiques and traditional mall stores to premium designer outlets. If you have yet to get started on your holiday shopping, don’t worry! There’s something among the Palm Desert shopping options for everyone on your guest list.
Snow Days at The Shops on El Paseo is the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit and get all of your holiday shopping completed. The event takes place on Friday, December 14 and Friday, December 21 from 6 to 8 pm at 73061 El Paseo in Palm Desert. This is your perfect chance to relax and stroll through the shops along the street while being serenaded by holiday carolers including local school and music programs.
This event is also a great time to check out the incredible art galleries, such as Christopher Morgan Galleries, von Wening Art, Ramy Fine Art, A Gallery Fine Art and the renowned Palm Springs Art Museum. In addition, you can show your receipts from participating merchants for a complimentary horse-drawn carriage ride. Complimentary valet parking is provided.
Snow Days at The Shops on El Paseo is exemplary of the amazing community here, and one of the many reasons owners of Palm Desert real estate are proud to call this vibrant town home.
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One of the favorite annual events for the lucky owners of Palm Desert and Indian Wells real estate is the WildLights Festival at The Living Desert, sponsored by the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. It’s one of the most festive and exciting events in the region, and offers entertainment for all ages.
Imagine 750,000 bulbs glowing and sparkling amidst a beautiful desert setting—it is the epitome of holiday magic. While the Coachella Valley may not see snowfall, there’s nothing like witnessing this park transformed into a glowing wonderland of lit up succulents, cactus and other desert fauna and flora. Now in its 20th season, the incredible WildLights Festival is presented by the City of Indian Wells and runs from 6 to 9pm on select nights through December 31.
This unique holiday festival includes live music, games, Santa’s Corner, Prancer’s Playland, camel rides, Wildlife Wonder Shows, a carousel, international food and beverage offerings, and a new Holiday Express trackless train ride in addition to the dazzling displays of three quarters of a million lights. The glistening light show coupled with the myriad of sights and entertainment provides for an unparalleled holiday experience.
You won’t want to miss this amazing celebration—owners of Palm Desert and Indian Wells real estate properties, as well as tourists and visitors alike, attend this event in droves. It’s the perfect way to spend time with family and friends while getting an authentic feel for Indian Well’s incredible community and residents.
A cactus-dotted zoo and animal park, The Living Desert is a favorite among owners of Palm Desert real estate and other residents of the region. It is located at 47900 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert. Tickets are $10 for non-member adults and $8 for members, children and Military (with ID). Visit LivingDesert.org for more information about this amazing holiday celebration.
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People travel from all over the world to visit and enjoy themselves in Palm Springs. Many come for a vacation and within a few days find themselves looking for Palm Springs homes for sale. The region is warm, relaxed and beautiful—and the perfect place to spend a four day weekend like Thanksgiving.
Here are the top 5 reasons to spend this indulgent holiday in Coachella Valley.
1. The weather. Few people around the country will be able to sunbathe and relax on this holiday—except for lucky owners of Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and Palm Desert real estate. The weather is beautiful year round, and this weekend is no exception.
2. The Palm Springs Follies. This world-famous Broadway-style revue is unique, exciting and unparalleled. The cast are ages 55-83, and features renowned celebrity guest stars ranging from Lesley Gore and Lou Christie to the world’s most famous hula hoop artist, Mat Plendl. Approximately170,000 people attend the show every year—residents and owners of Palm Desert real estate can enjoy the luxury of seeing several performances each year.
3. Golf. With the myriad of impeccable golf courses to choose from, you’re guaranteed to get an awesome tee time this weekend. What better way to burn off all the turkey, sides and pumpkin pie?
4. You’ll feel like you’re on vacation, even when you live here. Many people search for Palm Springs homes for sale because it is one of the most relaxed, laidback cities, with something for everyone to do. So if you live here already, enjoy it! With all the swimming, hiking, biking, jogging and cycling options, as well as tennis courts and fitness centers, everyone will be able to burn off those extra Thanksgiving calories.
5. The shopping. Black Friday is here—and what better place to find deals than the mecca that is nearby Palm Desert. With the Cabazon outlets, Desert Hills Premium Outlets, El Paseo drive and Palm Spring’s array of upscale boutiques and chic stores, everyone in the family will find something for everyone else to covet.
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Palm Desert has all the shopping you need!One of the many benefits that owners of Palm Desert real estate get to enjoy are the myriad of shopping options this area offers. Visitors and residents alike flock to this shopping haven, known for its wide range of high-end boutiques and designer outlets. The town’s reputation for stellar shopping has even spread to international tourists.
For starters, Palm Desert is home to the famed El Paseo district, which includes the Gardens on El Paseo shopping center. Touted as the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert,” this area is a mile of picturesque landscape and statues, comprised of more than 300 world-class shops and boutiques, including everything from luxury couture designer fashions and jewelry to unique crafts and art galleries, and even a Saks Fifth Avenue. When potential buyers browse Palm Springs homes for sale, one of the first things the women ask is how close the property is to El Paseo!
Palm Desert’s largest enclosed shopping mall is the Westfield Mall, with over 150 stores that offer something for almost every budget. But what makes this area a true shopping haven and a favorite among owners of Palm Desert real estate is its plethora of designer shopping outlets. Known for offering some of the best outlet shopping in the country, Palm Desert is in close proximity to the renowned Cabazon outlets and the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Both are sprawling malls filled with high-end designer shops offering deep discounts, with stores ranging from Gucci, Prada and Burberry to Michael Kors, Calvin Klein and Salvatore Ferragamo.
Everything is so close to all the other cities in the region—many visitors shopping for Palm Springs homes for sale stop along the way and fall in love with this shopping mecca, with its options for every type of shopper, from fashionistas to bargain hunters.
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If you’ve been debating buying a second home or are thinking about an international real estate investment, the timing may just be right for you now. If you talk to a real estate agent or realtor, they’ll probably let you know that the vacation-home market is heating up again.
It makes sense that the market is showing signs of life again. Many buyers are seeking properties in far away destinations, as well as those that are a more manageable distance from home. For example, many Angelenos are pursuing Palm Desert real estate and other areas in the region, such as Indio, Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage. Likewise, many international buyers are also targeting the highly desirable Palm Springs Valley as the location of their vacation or second home. Either way, the Palm Springs Valley is highly desirable because of its recreational activities, gorgeous year-round atmosphere and laid back lifestyle that makes it seem like you’re on vacation all year long when you live there.
Due to low rates, bargain prices and dwindling home inventories, sales of vacation properties in the United States rose seven percent in 2011, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Both listing agents and short sale realtors say that many buyers are snapping up homes to take advantage of low mortgage rates, even though there may be some potential for prices to drop further.
Keep in mind that the bottom for prices on vacation homes will only be apparent in retrospect—but look for signs that they are on the horizon. If you are searching Palm Desert real estate properties for your vacation home, assess the specific market, as well as the Palm Springs market as a whole, to see if some areas in the market are showing price increases. While some markets in Arizona, for example, are showing declines, many markets in California are continuing to rise on price.
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Once you reach step 5, you’re really making headway. Now it’s time to get detail oriented—this step applies to all types of properties, from equestrian homes to townhouses.
Now that the house is free from clutter, you can assess every room in the house to see what needs repairing. This extends to the guest quarters or, for example, a pool house, which you might have if you own a home in the desert with a pool, which is common among many Palm Desert real estate properties.
Start with the walls. If any of them are dingy or stained, repaint them or do touch-ups if that will do the job. Spackle any holes from artwork you have removed and touch those up as well. Or if one of the rooms is painted in a strong color, or a limiting theme such Southwestern, a popular look for Indian Wells real estate properties and other Coachella Valley dwellings in the 90s, re-paint them in a neutral color scheme. You may love those purple walls, but it might be a turnoff to potential buyers with conservative taste. With equestrian homes, if the barn or stables have paint that’s flaking or peeling, that should touched up as well.
Check for and repair any cracks or damage to the floors, tiles, plaster and wallpaper. Even though you may be selling Palm Desert real estate, you never know where mold can grow or dampness can be found—check all areas, including the basement and attic.
If the kitchen needs sprucing up, replace cabinet knobs for a quick revamp, and make sure all the drawers open and close effortlessly. Fix leaky faucets, toilets that run, shower heads that drip and make sure there are no other plumbing issues. Replace cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Make sure that the heating system works throughout the house, and if you’re trying to sell an Indian Wells real estate property or somewhere else in the desert area, be certain that the air conditioning units are in great condition.
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Beautiful Joshua Tree National Park is right in Palm Desert’s back yard!
Probably the biggest reason that Palm Desert real estate is so popular these days is its proximity to the world renown Joshua Tree National Park.
The park was so named due to the rare and beautiful Joshua Tree forests that pack the area. Of the Park’s 790,636 acres, 429,690 of them are a designated by the state of California as “wilderness area”.
This breathtaking park is home to dense, lush forests and large landscapes of bare rock, much of which are broken down into massive tangles of boulders throughout the area. These boulder piles make for amazing, unique hikes and climbs that overlook miles upon miles of the majestic Mojave Desert. The level of difficulty runs the gambit from an easy walk to strenuous climbing—and most buyers take this into consideration when perusing Palm Desert real estate for sale. They love the thought that right in their back yard they can find a day of family fun, a challenging hike or a rock climbing escapade!
Joshua Tree National park straddles both the high Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado desert; their diverse elevations provide for two slightly disparate ecosystems. As a result, the Mojave is cooler and therefore creates the ideal habitat for the Joshua tree, or Yucca brevifolia.
When considering Palm Springs homes for sale and other nearby properties, a trip to Joshua Tree will give you a wonderful taste of what this beautiful desert region has to offer and why it’s such a great place to reside. Living in such close proximity promises a multitude of opportunities to explore and enjoy this natural monument.
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Palm Desert has great 55+ communities! If you’re over 55 and considering a move to an active and dynamic adult community, you won’t want to miss what Palm Desert real estate has to offer. There’s a reason why this beautiful area is such a popular retreat for celebrities, snowboards who’ve permanently defected, and the over 55 set.
At present, over half of Palm Desert’s population is over 50. Residents over 55 doubled during the 2000s, due to the city’s incredible climate, stellar tennis courts and championship golf courses. With more than 30 golf clubs throughout the town, Palm Desert is known as the “World’s Golf Capital.” In addition, Palm Desert has evolved into a premier shopping destination, with more than 150 upscale boutiques and art galleries. Its main shopping street, El Paseo Drive, is often compared to the Beverly Hills’ posh Rodeo Drive, due to its beautiful, lush landscaping and exquisite retail options.
Palm Desert real estate also appeals to the 55+ set due to the prevalence of properties specifically designed for low maintenance. Many homes are specifically designed to accommodate an aging household with such amenities as safer walkways, fewer steps and wider hallways.
In addition to its vibrant culture and continued growth, Palm Desert also appeals to residents over 50 because of its active community and accessibility to community events, clubs and interest groups. There is literally something for everyone in this beautiful desert city!
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