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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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.
image: psmuseum.org
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There are many reasons why Palm Springs Valley is unlike any other region in the country—and Modernism Week is one of them. The exciting 11-day celebration takes place from February 14-24 this year and promises to be one to remember. With no other event like it in the entire country, Modernism Week is yet another reason why Palm Springs homes for sale are so appealing to people from all over—the desert communities have a vibrant culture and there is always something unique and interesting to do.
Modernism Week is a celebration of mid-century modern design, architecture and culture. In Palm Springs Valley, this clean, simple aesthetic originated in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, during which time it came to define desert modernism. The unique architecture is still very prevalent among properties in Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, and other desert cities.
Modernism Week stems from the Modernism Show, an annual symposium that was established in 2001 by the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Council. In 2006, the event grew to become Modernism Week, as a showcase of this world-renowned aesthetic. The event is organized by the Palm Springs Modern Committee, a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the heritage throughout the entire Coachella Valley.
Modernism Week includes a wide range of events such as films, lectures, educational seminars, a symposium, architectural tours (you may even be able to spot some Palm Springs homes for sale!) and chic parties that take place in mid-century modern homes.
Visit ModernismWeek.com to find more information and buy tickets to the events you are interested in attending. The myriad of events are cool and unique: choose from celebrations like the Opening Night Preview Tour & Party—Celebrating the Mystique of Marrakesh, a Sunnylands Tour, a Walking Tour of Celebrity Homes or The Future of Frank Lloyd Wright, among many others.
Take a cool break from your search for properties in Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indian Wells and other desert cities to learn about the history of this amazing architecture that gained notoriety in the Palm Springs Valley.
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Buying property for the first time can be very daunting. As soon as you decide to start looking for your first home, there are several strategies you should employ to ensure the smoothest process possible. Whether you’re seeking homes for sale in Palm Springs or in another part of the country, the tips below can help you navigate your first real estate transaction.
Get pre-approved before you start looking. Taking this step in advance will save you the time that you may waste looking at properties outside of your budget. Pre-approval, which is based on your income, credit and debt, will improve your position when you find the house of your dreams and are ready to make an offer.
Enlist the help of professionals. While the internet has changed the landscape for house hunters by providing wide-ranging access to listings, it still really helps to have a professional real estate agent or short sale realtor in your corner. They will have specialized expertise in the type of transaction you plan to make, as well as local knowledge that will help you choose the best option for your family and lifestyle. It’s especially important to work with a short sale realtor if you plan to buy a property that qualifies for such a transaction, as these types of purchases can be significantly more complicated.
Do your research. Before you place your opening bid, be sure to research the marketplace by looking at the sales of similar properties in the neighborhood for the last three to six months. Consider the sales trend of these transactions when making your initial offer. For example, if you’re viewing homes for sale in Palm Springs and find the ideal property, find out what other homes have sold for in the area and make your initial offer on par with those sale prices, or a little bit lower so that you have room to negotiate.
Hire an inspector. Keep in mind that an inspector is different than an appraiser. While banks tend to require appraisals, this is really just to ensure that the property is worth your offer. An inspector will do a comprehensive home survey so that you can be aware of any potential problems that may result in costly damage or repairs down the line.
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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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Whether you’re considering buying a beach house, a home abroad or are looking at Palm Springs homes for sale, it’s an important decision that requires significant forethought and planning. For many families, it’s a life changing event. Here are a few tips for making your real estate transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Be ready to commit. If you’re not sure that you’re ready to commit to living in one place for a few years, than you may not be ready to own unless you’re willing to lease out the property at some point. The costs associated with buying and selling real estate could possibly cause you to lose money if you sell too soon. In addition, it’s difficult to accurately predict fluctuations in the real estate market, so you’ll want to able to sit tight and avoid selling when prices are dropping.
Get to know the neighborhood. If you are moving to a completely new town or city, it will behoove you to spend some time getting to know the area to make sure that you really like it and can spend a substantial amount of time there. For example, if you’re interested in properties in Indio, you’ll want to spend some time checking out the community, recreational activities, shopping, dining and cultural options. If you have children, it’s equally important to check out the local schools and activities that are suited to them. The last thing you want to do is find your dream house but then get there and unpack, only to realize you don’t like the town you’re living in. It’s important to make sure that the place you live will accommodate your lifestyle so that the entire family is happy.
Aim within your means. Sit down and map out your true budget before you start looking for homes. Too many times, people view Palm Springs homes for sale, find their dream property and then discover that it’s way out of their price range. Know your boundaries before you meet with an agent and start looking. A general rule of thumb is that that you can afford approximately two-and-one-half times the amount of your annual salary. Without having knowledge of your debts and other expenses, it’s best to get some professional help or use online resources to determine what your true spending ability will be.
Follow these tips before you start viewing properties in Indio, Palm Desert, La Quinta or any other area of the Coachella Valley, and you’ll be a step ahead in finding the home of your dreams.
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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.
image: coachellaunincorporated.org
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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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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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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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