Coachella Valley Real Estate By Kimberley, SFR, HAFA, GREEN
Residential, Equestrian, Land
I Do Real Estate The Same Way I Played Polo – To Win!
Coachella Valley Properties By Kimberley, SFR, HAFA, GREEN
Residential, Equestrian, Land
I Do Real Estate The Same Way I Played Polo – To Win!

Rancho Mirage

Mid-Century Modern options in the Coachella Valley.

mid-century modern neighborhoods

mid-century modern neighborhoods

The Coachella Valley offers mid-century Modern Homes in cities other than just Palm Springs.  The recent re-awakening of our love for anything mid-century, has swept the Coachella Valley, states Kim Kelly, local Realtor.   One of our most popular tourist events is our Modernism Week.  During the week, tours of  mid-century Modern homes designed by the likes of Donald Wexler, and William Krisel, are offered to the public.  Walking neighborhood tours are also featured, but because the Modernism week is based in Palm Springs, many people don’t realize how many of our Coachella Valley cities offer spectacular examples of this architectural style. If you’d like to check out some of our mid-century modern home areas, give Kim Kelly a call at 760-285-3578, or send me an e-mail at kjkpolo@gmail.com

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Rancho Mirage Luxury Homes

Rancho Mirage, CA. has on and off golf course properties for sale.

Rancho Mirage, CA. has on and off golf course properties for sale.

Rancho Mirage Luxury Homes,  Homes in the Coachella Valley city of Rancho Mirage, Calif. are selling at a rapid fire pace, priced at $1 million and over.  Rancho Mirage offers single family luxury homes in Gated and non-gated communities.  If you prefer a Golf Course Community, there are several to choose between.  No Golf for you?  Seeking a quiet, tree lined street away from the city lights?  Easy enough in this central Coachella Valley city.  Here is a quick run down of some great Values, and also some recent Luxury Home Sales in the communities of Rancho Mirage.  Looking for a central Coachella Valley home, land, or Equestrian property?  Give me a call at 760-285-3578.

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Rancho Mirage non-golf course communities

Rancho Mirage gated communities

Rancho Mirage gated communities

I’m working with a fun couple from the LA area.  They are specifically searching for a GATED community, but don’t want to pay the high HOA’S that go along with living on a golf course!  City of choice???  Rancho Mirage, or perhaps Palm Desert, but REALLY hoping for Rancho Mirage.  Their 3 favorite Gated, non-golf course Rancho Mirage communities are…

1.  Victoria Falls:  Beautiful homes ranging from approx. 2600 sf – 5200 sf, with prices from approx. $550,000 – approx. $850,000.HOA of $260/month, and you’re right by Mission Hills Country Club for golf/fitness.  There are several tennis courts and basketball courts too.

2.  St. Augustine:  North Rancho Mirage, newer homes, built around several tennis courts and a 7.5 acre private park.  HOA’s are easy at approx. $255/mo.  Mediterranean style, large lots, and some with spectacular viewss

3.  Mirage Cove:  Like Thunderbird Heights, these homes sit on the side of the hill hovering over Hwy 111.  Older homes, with that true “Palm Springs feel”, homes range in price from approx. $550,000 – approx. $1.2 million.  HOA’s include two tennis courts, heated community pools, and VIEWS!  Close to everything, with HOA’s of $430/mo.

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5 Tips for Preparing Palm Springs Homes for Sale

5 Tips for Preparing Palm Springs Homes for Sale

Preparing Palm Springs homes for sale is really no different from doing so in any other region, except for the fact that you’re dealing with milder weather, making the overall experience a much more pleasant one. Since most sellers want to complete real estate transactions as soon as possible,we thought we’d offer an outline of what needs to be done so that you can get started and expedite the process.

1. Disassociate with the property. That’s right, it’s time to call it a property—not a home.  That’s the first step. Start thinking of that stunning Rancho Mirage house as a piece of real estate, a product that you need to unload. Say goodbye or adios to every room and move on mentally.

2. Depersonalize. Pack and store all those family mementos and photographs, as well as your favorite furniture and household items. Go so far as to remove books from shelves and clothing from closets. You want buyers to see a blank canvas that they will be able to envision as their own home.

3. Rearrange. Move furniture around to maximize the space and make it look as roomy as possible. If you have workout equipment such as a treadmill or stationary bicycle, move it out. Get rid of anything superfluous so that the space looks large and potential buyers can see the possibilities.

4. Replace. Assess your house as objectively as possible. Look for areas that need minor repair, such as holes in the walls from artwork, cracks in tile or grout, leaky faucets and peeling paint. The less that buyers think they need to do or fix on the Palm Springs homes for sale that they’re viewing, the better.

5. Clean! Make sure the house is sparkling whenever it’s shown, down to the nitty gritty details. Hire a crew to perform a deep cleaning, so whenever a buyer is viewing that gorgeous Rancho Mirage house or other piece of real estate, all they’ll be thinking about is its amazing view, French doors or incredible layout, not the cobwebs in the kitchen or dirty windows.

If you are on the other side of the fence and are interested in buying, visit this link to browse our listings of Palm Springs homes for sale.

image credit: violasnj.com

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4 Tips for Real Estate Photography

4 Tips for Real Estate Photography

Real estate photographyNow that we can list homes with photos online, our market of prospective buyers has opened up tenfold. Yet this also ups the ante on the photos we provide, whether we’re listing Palm Springs homes for sale or property in another part of the country.

The bottom line is that more attractive images help entice buyers. You want your photos to tell the truth, yet also convey some pizzazz and flair. The appeal of photos has become almost as important as curb appeal—maybe more so. No matter how gorgeous Rancho Mirage real estate that you’re selling is, if the photos don’t convey its beauty, then potential buyers may not even give it a chance.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to hire a professional photographer or become one, even if you’re selling large properties, such as equestrian homes. There are a few easy strategies that you can implement to give the photos you take a significant boost in quality.

  1. Know the power of your pics. Good photos can be powerful bait. While attractive ones will lure buyers to that open house or entice them to schedule a showing, unappealing ones will do the opposite. While it’s important that your photos give an honest look at your property, they should also portray your house in the most flattering light.
  2. Less is not more. When it comes to photos of real estate, the more you can provide, the better your chances are of luring prospective buyers to come take a look in person. Include as many angles as possible from every room in the house, and several of the exterior. If your home has some standout features, like a gorgeous fireplace or a home theater, make sure to include those as well. For those looking to sell equestrian homes, you’ll want to include pictures of all the property’s additional features, such as the barn and stable.
  3. Break through the limits. If the listing services you’re working with allow for a limited number of photos, then create an online slide show so that you can provide an additional link for interested parties. This is especially helpful for those who are selling large properties, such as equestrian homes.  There are several free photo sites that will allow you to upload large photo albums and provide access to the public, or you can password protect your albums and only offer them to select parties. Try PhotoBucket, Picasa, Shutterfly or Snapfish.
  4. Showcase all the amenities. If you’re selling Rancho Mirage real estate, for example, and the view is spectacular, make sure to include shots of it. If you’re selling a condo and there are myriad amenities such as a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, tennis court or proximity to a golf course, make sure to get photos.

Click here to look at listings of Palm Springs homes for sale to get an idea of what type of photos other sellers provide.

image: fastweb.com

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The Palm Springs Tennis Club

The Palm Springs Tennis Club

Palm Springs homes for saleThere are many advantages to owning Palm Springs real estate or a home in one of the other beautiful desert communities, and one of them is having a wide-ranging array of amenities at your fingertips. A spectacular feature of this gorgeous desert community is The Tennis Club in Palm Springs. It’s the ideal place to hone and fine-tune your tennis skills amongst truly stunning desert and mountain views and simply enjoy the benefits of desert living.

The Tennis Club resort features a variety of amenities that are conducive to the laid-back desert lifestyle,which is a major reason why many move to the area and buy Palm Springs real estate. In addition to practicing tennis here, you can relax by one of the three pools or soak in one of the five spas, work out in the fitness room or have fun with the family in the game room. In addition, there are several championship golf courses in close proximity.

Many who consider buying in the desert communities, from those interested in Rancho Mirage homes for sale to buyers eyeing homes in Indio, choose to buy at this beautifully maintained resort so they can enjoy the atmosphere, recreational opportunities and the opportunity to take their tennis to the next level. There are floor plans designed to suit the needs of the gamut of buyers, and all make for perfect vacation homes.

The Tennis Club is located at 701 West Baristo Road in Palm Springs, a short drive for those who own Rancho Mirage real estate and property in any of the desert cities. There is a broad variety of local restaurants and nightlife available on the strip nearby, including Spencer’s restaurant onsite. The Tennis Club is also only a short distance from many art galleries, casinos and the historic downtown, as well as the chic boutiques and designer shopping outlets are renowned for.

Visit this link to browse listings of Palm Springs real estate and Rancho Mirage homes for sale.

image: palmspringstennisclub.net 

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Our Top 4 Home Staging Tips

Our Top 4 Home Staging Tips

Home Staging TipsAre you hoping to sell your Rancho Mirage real estate to the highest possible bidder? Whether you’re selling luxury properties such as equestrian homes, a ranch or beach condos, properly staging the property will highlight its strengths and downplay its weaknesses so that you can appeal to the widest pool of buyers.

Create groupings. To make rooms look as large and user-friendly as possible, float furnishings away from the walls and arrange them in small conversational-style groupings. This actually opens up the appearance of each room more than positioning furniture against the walls.

Make a statement. If you have a room that needs work or lacks purpose, add value by repurposing it or adding a standout design feature. Be creative and think outside the box—you can transform a boring guest room into a reading nook with a plush chair, a sumptuous rug and statement lighting. With larger properties like equestrian homes, you have a lot of area to work with and accessorize—consider vintage lighting concepts or unique window treatments to add stylish flair to your property.

Employ lighting. If you’ve ever visited a home that was staged well, it probably felt warm and inviting. An easy way to create that kind of atmosphere is with good lighting schemes. Two key ways to do this is 1) Play with the wattage in both your interior and exterior lamps and fixtures, and 2) Strive to blend three types of lighting: ambient, task and accent.

Create illusions of space. To make a section of your house appear larger, paint two adjacent rooms the same color. To take the illusion even further, match your curtains to the paint. Using staging tips like these will improve the appearance of your luxury home, equestrian ranch or any other type of property you’re putting on the market. As a result, you will increase your pool of prospective buyers.

Click through to view listings of Rancho Mirage real estate and homes in other areas of the Coachella Valley.

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3 Tips for Finding Equestrian Ranches

3 Tips for Finding Equestrian Ranches

20-acre Working Farm in ThermalEven if it’s your first time owning a horse or looking at equestrian ranches, it doesn’t have to be a daunting or intimidating task. With a little help and some forethought, you can definitely find the property, ranch or home of your dreams that accommodates your entire family and your horses.

Find a professional. Finding real estate properties that are appropriate for equestrian use can be a little trickier than just buying a home. Save yourself time and unnecessary stress by enlisting the services of an experienced real estate who is knowledgeable about the area you’re interested in and understands the unique needs you have in regards to equestrian properties. For example, if you’re interested in property in Rancho Mirage, if you find a locally connected real estate professional with expertise in the area, they will already have an understanding of the specific zoning requirements, the permit application process, local regulations and land issues such as wells, septic and water systems. With their local connections, a good agent or realtor can guide you towards finding reliable vendors to help you achieve all your goals.

Understand local development. It pays to set aside some time to visit the local Planning Department in the area you are considering moving to. You can try to meet with the County Planner or pick up brochures and other information to garner details of the development and permit process, and find out how much permits costs so that you are not surprised by any unexpected expenditures. In addition, you can get information on zoning regulations so that you don’t have to make changes at the last minute in order to get site approval.

Think ahead. Even though you think you found a dream property in Rancho Mirage, you may outgrow it sooner than you think. Really take a hard, detailed look at your needs and how they may grow in the future, to ensure that the home you buy now provides sufficient space, infrastructure and whatever else it is you want and need in your new home. Click here to see listings of some stunning equestrian ranches.

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Equestrian Homes and Ranches Can Improve Your Health

Equestrian Homes and Ranches Can Improve Your Health

horseback ridingThe benefits of horseback riding were documented even back in the days of Ancient Greece—and while they understood the obvious, wide-ranging physical benefits, we’ve now come to understand the significant benefits that horses can also have on our mental and emotional well-being. Those who own horses and live on equestrian property not only reap the benefits of being able to ride their horses whenever they want, but also the breathtaking surroundings and access to other outdoor recreations activities such as hiking and cycling, as well as the additional space these type of homes tend to have. Equestrian homes and ranches are ideal for retirement and also make excellent vacation homes—and the desert is a superb place to keep horses, especially property in areas such as La Quinta or Rancho Mirage, which enjoys mild weather for most of the year.

Research shows that horseback riding is an excellent means of stress reduction—in fact, there is a new form of therapy centered around it called Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). However, most can relate to the more obvious physical benefits, such as improving balance, strength and coordination. In addition, studies show that the constant rolling motion of horseback riding keeps the spine supple and well-lubricated, which can reduce pain for those who suffer from arthritis and chronic back issues. Another reason why many choose to buy homes in an equestrian community or property in areas such as La Quinta or Rancho Mirage is the slower-paced lifestyle that characterizes them.

The serenity that equestrian properties affords is extremely relaxing, even for those who don’t own horses. In fact, research shows that only around 35 percent of equestrian community dwellers actually own horses. The peaceful rural surroundings and miles of beautiful trails, coupled with the proximity to horses, whether you just like to watch them or actually ride them, explains the rise in interest in equine properties and communities.

Click here to view listings of some beautiful equestrian homes and ranches in the Coachella Valley. image: nps.gov

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3 Reasons Retirees Love Rancho Mirage Real Estate

3 Reasons Retirees Love Rancho Mirage Real Estate

rancho-las-palmas-resortThere are so many reasons that people flock to Palm Springs to scoop up Rancho Mirage real estate or other homes in the area once they’re ready to retire. One visit to the stunning area and you’ll be ready to start looking for real estate in the area. Investors from the international real estate market are buying properties in the region as second homes, including many who are nearing retirement age.

For those who have yet to experience the charms that Palm Springs Valley has to offer, here are three of the most popular reasons retirees choose Rancho Mirage real estate over other areas of the country.

  1. It feels like vacation all year round. A true resort city, Rancho Mirage first soared in popularity after World War II, particularly in the 1950s. With 12 superb golf courses and sunny weather all year long, it’s no wonder that former U.S. presidents and an array of celebrities and socialites have vacationed or lived in the area, including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, as well as Bob Hope, Liberace, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth II, among many others.
  2. The great outdoors. When foreign investors and buyers from the international real estate market visit for the first time or come to look at property in Indian Wells and La Quinta homes for sale, they are blown away by all of the outdoor activities available. From hiking, horseback riding and cycling to playing tennis, swimming or simply lounging by the pool, there are myriad ways to take advantage of the beautiful sunny weather.
  3. The vibrant culture. The arts and entertainment community in Palm Springs Valley is thriving. From live concerts and musical theatre, independent film screenings and film festivals, fine dining and art shows, people of all ages can enjoy the cultural mecca that is the desert community. There is also the chic El Paseo Boulevard shopping district, The River at Rancho Mirage mall and a plethora of famed designer outlets in close proximity.

Visit this link for some beautiful listings of Rancho Mirage real estate.

 image: tripadvisor.com

 

 

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