Window treatments make a huge difference
If you’re getting in the mindset to sell your property in Palm Springs, than its most likely the perfect time to make some minor improvements that can translate to some major interest and a bigger price tag. You don’t have to thing big either. Here are a few recommendations for improvements that prove popular with many sellers, whether they’re listing a beach condo, a downtown loft or a gorgeous piece of Indio real estate.
Make sure the entry is welcoming. The door is going to make the first impression as potential buyers enter your home. Your goal is to make the exterior as welcoming as the interior. With that in mind, step outside and assess the welcome factor for yourself. Make sure everything is sparkling clean and that all glass is shiny and pristine. Polish or replace any dodgy hardware, and if the paint is peeling or decrepit, re-paint it! Add a nice welcome mat and some planters to make a strong first impression.
Make over the closets. This is an easy repair that you can do yourself by simply purchasing closet systems. This will also help you with planning your move—hopefully, to another beautiful property in Palm Springs. When a closet is filled to the brim and clothes are stuffed inside, it makes everything look smaller. Start the decluttering process now and use these systems to make the most of the space. It will make the entire closet seem larger and any clothes horses who may be interested in your house will take a strong liking to what appears to be an easy to organize, spacious closet.
Update window treatments. If the windows are in shabby shape, they will do nothing to help you sell your house. Evaluate all of your curtains, shades and blinds to make sure everything is fresh and new. Check for bent blinds, any torn fabric and dirt. If necessary, replace anything that is outdated—window treatments are such an easy fix, and the last thing you want to stand in the way of the sale of your beautiful Indio real estate.
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There’s a big decision on the mind of many these days—is it a better time to remodel or move? With all the talk of a seller’s market, there are a lot of things to consider, whether homeowners are thinking of listing properties in Palm Springs or are looking to sell Rancho Mirage real estate.
If you’ve got a full house, the signs may already be clear. Many of us have been there—clutter everywhere, your home office has merged with the playroom, your garage serves as a storage facility. You can have all that going on and already be looking at properties in Palm Springs, and still not be certain that it’s time to move.
The recent surge in the housing market is indicative of a seller’s market, which is motivating many to consider listing their homes. Prices are rising and it appears that banks are loosening requirements up a little. That being said, there are still a few questions to ask yourself:
Do you need more space immediately? If you’re planning on expanding your family or just took a job that allows telecommunicating, you may be poised to significantly benefit from added space. If you think you may need even more space in a year or so, then remodeling may not be the most reasonable option.
Are you attached to your neighborhood? Are good school districts a priority for your family? Is your current home a short commute for all members of the family? Or are you ready for a change? These are all important elements to consider.
How drastic would a remodel be? Assess what it would take for you to be happy in your home. Do you need more space or do you just dislike the current use of space? If you need to add on, this may be a substantial expense that deems it more worth it to buy a new home.
Looking at potential new homes may help you make this critical, life-changing decision. Click here to check out some listings of Rancho Mirage real estate and beautiful homes for sale in other areas of Palm Springs Valley.
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Catch a live performance of Pam Ann Starring in the Cockpit at the McCallum Theatre
As usual, the entertainment lineup coming up this week in Palm Springs is fun and exciting, with enough diversity to cover the spectrum of tastes and interests. When people search for Palm Springs homes for sale or properties in Indio, they’re always pleasantly surprised at the wide range of offerings in the desert communities.
On Thursday, May 9, 2013 the ever popular Palm Desert Civic Center Park Amphitheater will host an exciting outdoor concert from the 50s-Style Rock ‘n’ Roll band, the Bobby Sanchez Combo, as part of its Concerts in the Park series. These free concerts under the stars are sponsored by the City of Palm Desert. Beverages and snacks are available for purchase, and concertgoers are encouraged to bring picnic baskets, lawn chairs and blankets. The show will take place from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
On Friday, May 10, the McCallum Theatre will host a unique theatrical production, Pam Ann Starring in the Cockpit. Comparisons to Dame Edna, Lily Tomlin and Tracey Ullman abound when it comes to Australian performance artist Caroline Reid, who stars in the show as her alter ego, Pam Ann. An established LGBT icon, Reid shines as the flight-attendant-from-hell in this hilariously wicked mixture of vamp, camp and sky high insanity. The show runs from 8 pm to 10 pm.
Also on Friday, May 10, The Show at Agua Caliente Casino will feature the comedic brilliance of Penn & Teller. The show takes place from 9 to 11 pm.
The exciting spectrum of events is just a sampling of what Palm Springs Valley has in store for the community every weekend. If this inspires you to make a move to the desert communities, click here to browse listings of Palm Springs homes for sale and properties in Indio, Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage.
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Nighttime view from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
While the weather in Palm Springs does get warm and dry in the summertime, there are still plenty of things to do and fun activities that will keep you cool in the desert cities. Here are some great ideas that owners of homes for sale in Palm Desert shared with us.
Absorb some culture. There are some amazing museums that visitors and those who own real estate in Rancho Mirage, Indio and La Quinta consistently rave about. The Palm Springs Air museum offers an amazing, family-friendly experience for viewing one of the country’s largest collections of World War II flying aircraft. In addition, this unique museum offers special programs for children throughout the summer.
You can also get your culture fix is to take a docent tour of the world-class Palm Springs Art Museum, where you can view everything from Classic Western American Art and Studio Art Glass, to Modern and Contemporary American works. Another cool choice is the Aqua Caliente Cultural Museum, which features exhibitions that portray the history and culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and other indigenous people.
Get a view from above. A favorite thing to do for visitors, residents and owners of real estate in Rancho Mirage and the surrounding areas is to take a trip on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which is a fun way to cool down while watching the world from above. During the summer, there are options available to buy passes for unlimited rides. Temperatures are usually 20-30 degrees cooler at the top than in the desert valley.
Go on an evening adventure. There are plenty of options for exploring the desert at night, from moonlight hikes and visits inside the hillside windmills, to off-road tours of the San Andreas Fault or a climb among Joshua Tree National Park’s eerie moonscapes.
Click here to take a look at some of our listings of homes for sale in Palm Desert.
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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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Exciting news for those with Palm Springs homes for sale – The Wall Street Journal reports that property prices are rising at the fastest rate since 2006. Better yet—some real estate sellers are experiencing double-digit gains.
What’s exciting for those who are interested in selling anything from equestrian properties and retirement homes in La Quinta, to beach condos and downtown lofts, is that buyers are returning to a marketplace where property is in short supply. And we all know what happens when demand rises.
According to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller index, which tracks home prices in 20 major metropolitan cities, in February of this year alone, prices rose 9.3% as compared to February 2012. Meanwhile, mortgage-interest rates hovered near record lows, and all 20 areas experienced year-over-year gains for the second consecutive month, which hasn’t happened since the 2005 crash.
The real-estate market’s rebound appears poised to continue for now. Even though the supply of homes for sale fell 16.8%, the sales of previously owned homes rose 10.3% from March 2012. Across the board, supplies are dwindling as foreclosures are slowing down, and many homeowners are either unable to sell due to aftereffects of the housing crash. Yet the economy has seen a boost in employment, while rising rents and falling mortgage rates make ownership more appealing. The Federal Reserve’s lower interest rates also contribute to the rebound of the real estate market, which reduces yields on a broader range of assets. Lower mortgage rates are creating urgency for traditional buyers, making those who take out mortgages less effected by recent price increases. With mortgage rates so low, owning a house is more affordable than it’s been in decades—investors of all sizes are buying homes, sometimes with cash, and often times converting them into rentals.
If you’re ready to seize the moment and view some Palm Springs homes for sale, equestrian properties or retirement homes in La Quinta, click here.
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There’s more to this weekend than Stagecoach, amazing as that music festival is. This Saturday, April 27, marks a favorite event of owners of real estate properties in Palm Desert—the Art Party Palm Desert. The event, which takes place from 11 am – 4 pm, offers everyone a chance to be an artist and to experience some unforgettable performances. Sponsored by Newman’s Own Foundation, the event will take place at the Palm Springs Art Museum—a must see for those considering Palm Springs homes for sale.
The Art Party Palm Desert will inspire art lovers in several ways—not only by what can be seen at this original art event, but in the ways that attendees can participate. Whether you watch professional artists demonstrate their craft, witness live performances in the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden or play with new media while making your own original masterpieces in the Annette Bloch Education Wing, you’ll enjoy the experience on many levels. And when you see how vibrant the desert art communities are, you may quickly find yourself browsing real estate properties in Palm Desert and the surrounding cities.
Here is the schedule for Saturday:
11 am -2 pm
Screen Printing Demonstration
Watch local artists demonstrate screen printing on t-shirts. Combine a design and color of choice for a unique piece of art you can wear. The first 100 visitors to Art Party get a free t-shirt.
11 am – 3 pm
Clay Sculpture
Time to get your hands dirty! Use potters’ tools and your own hands to shape unique clay pieces.
11 am – 3 pm
Book Art
Make your own sketchbook. Then use your sketchbook to have fun drawing in the gallery and garden.
12 -1 pm
Artful Tales
Kids of all ages meet in the garden pavilion and listen to a special guest read stories out loud.
All day long
Play With Words
Discover how funny art can be! Using different colored crayons and papers, rub over the textured words on the wall to reveal a humorous joke.
All day long
Passport Portrait
Pick up your summer passport and get ready for a season of fun and art. Personalize your passport by creating a self portrait on the inside.
All day long
Magnetic Messages
Be inspired by the exhibition Beg Borrow and Steal and transform an everyday image by adding your own twist. Using magnetic text and icons, create your larger-than-life work on the wall and then photograph it to keep forever.
3 pm
Live Performance
Enjoy musical selections performed by members of the Coachella Valley Symphony and the Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony
Click here to learn more about the desert communities and browse Palm Springs homes for sale.
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If you live abroad and are considering an international real estate transaction in the Palm Springs Valley, it’s good to learn about the myriad benefits you may be able to reap. While there are many intricacies that are virtually impossible to cover in a short blog post, we can share an overview of some of the advantages we’ve seen our clients experience. Whether you live on another continent and are interested in Palm Springs properties,Rancho Mirage real estate or a beach condo in La Jolla or Malibu, it’s essential to do your research and perform due diligence before making a decision.
Purchasing international real estate is an excellent way to maximize your portfolio. It can actually be ideal for managing and minimizing risk, especially if you already own real estate in your home country. Depending on where you live, international investments can expose your portfolio to assets with lower correlations to your current economy, while also enabling you to take advantage of the tax benefits that the U.S. government offers to foreign investors. In addition, physical assets such as real estate can provide a level of protection against inflation.
For some European and Asian countries, maintaining real estate investments can be too costly. If your resident country falls into that category, it may be cheaper to invest in Palm Springs properties or Rancho Mirage real estate. In addition, there may be much less opportunity in other markets, while the U.S. real estate market appears to be on the rise, and continues to have a positive outlook.
While there are a multitude of investment opportunities in general, one of the safest you can make is in real properties. The stock market can be volatile and is difficult to predict, while real sate investments tend to be more stable in comparison, and the potential for growth in value over the years is substantial.
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Another weekend of festivities is lined up for Palm Springs Valley—and there is literally something for everyone of every age and every taste. With such a wide range of things to do, it’s no wonder people come visit for a weekend and find themselves on a quest to find property for sale in Palm Springs soon after. We have visitors from all over the world come here to relax for a bit and end up making an international real estate purchase within weeks. Here’s a sampling of this weekend’s slate of activities.
Friday, April 19 marks the first performance of Tony Award- and Drama Desk-winning play TRU at the Annenberg Theater. Written by Jay Presson Allen, TRU is a compelling look inside the mind of Truman Capote, one of America’s most controversial authors. Set in 1975, this devastatingly witty play is adapted from Capote’s words and work, culminating in a truthful portrait of a complex and colorful man. The show will run through April 28, 2013.
This weekend also marks Weekend 2 of Coachella at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. The annual three-day music and arts festival is a favorite among music aficionados. This year’s event features rock, indie, hip hop and electronic musicians ranging from Benny Benassi and New Order to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Wu-Tang Clan. Music lovers from all over the world are inspired by this amazing musical festival—so much so, that some of them end up making those international real estate purchases we mention above.
On Friday, April 19, there will be the Earth Day Bird-a-Thon Century Run Bus Tour in Thousand Palms for nature lovers. It’s the perfect opportunity to glimpse the spectacular desert and mountain scenery and well-known birding and nature hotspots in and around the Coachella Valley. This guided bus tour is a great way to have fun while raising money for conservation. The tour lasts from 7:30 am – 4 pm.
If this weekend’s activities excite you about living in the desert cities, click here to browse listings of property for sale in Palm Springs.
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Living in Palm Springs Valley has its benefits. For some, such as owners of Indio real estate, that may include easy access to Coachella, while for others who opt for more relaxing activities, this may translate as the availability of impeccable golf courses or hiking trails with stunning views. If you’re interested in seeing houses for sale in Palm Springs, then you probably want to check out what some of the cultural amenities of living in this beautiful region entail.
On Tuesday, April 16, the Coachella Valley Symphony will offer the best of three musical worlds with A Symphony of Rockin’ Jazz! Located at the Sun City Palm Desert–Sierra Ballroom, this concert will feature local legends Tom Keenlyside and Steve Madaio, who will perform their unique and exciting jazz versions of the great rock hits from the 60’s with a symphonic background. The show takes place from 7 to 9 pm. For more information, visit CVSymphony.com.
On Thursday, April 18, from 6 to 8 pm, Palm Desert’s chic shopping district will host Night B4 @ The Shops on El Paseo. This cool shopping event kicks off weekend two of Coachella, with top DJs and other entertainment. It’s an excellent way to celebrate one of the world’s top international music festivals.
Also on Thursday, April 18, the University of California, Riverside Palm Desert will host a free screening of Maynard Dixon: Art and Spirit, as part of the Palm Desert Public Art Documentary Film Series. This film documents the artist’s life through interviews with family, friends, and members of the art community. Open to the public, these art-themed documentary films are followed by a guest speaker who discusses and answers questions regarding that night’s film. The event will be held from 6 to 8 pm. While admission is free, reservations are required. For more information, call 760.837.1664.
Click here to browse Indio real estate listings or for houses for sale in other parts of Palm Springs.
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