If you are preparing to sell your Rancho Mirage property or a home in another one of the desert cities, you may be wondering if you should paint the house to make it more appealing to prospective buyers. Most homes can benefit from a fresh coat of paint and it can be one of the most inexpensive upgrades you can make to boost your curb appeal.
If you are debating whether or not to paint, walk across the street and take a look at your home. Does it look faded or dirty? If so, you should make the investment, as a fresh coat of paint spruces up the appearance of a house quickly and dramatically, resulting in a great first impression on potential buyers. Read on for a few tips for making the most of a new paint job so you can improve your chances to sell your Rancho Mirage property or home in another part of the Coachella Valley.
1. Go neutral. Make sure to choose a neutral palette that blends well with the neighborhood. Avoid colors that are garish or too vivid; stick with hues like white, ivory, cream and beige that allow prospective buyers to see the property as a blank canvas that doesn’t clash with their own furniture and belongings. Also consider the style of your house when choosing a color. Keep in mind that lighter colors will amplify light and space, to make the house appear larger.
2. Don’t forget the door. While brightly colored doors are popular and often chosen by designers, if a buyer doesn’t like the color, it could turn them off from the property as a whole. Again, go neutral and take into account colors that the other homes in your community use.
3. Hit the trim. Make sure to paint the exterior trim—if it’s peeling or fading, it will give the overall feeling that the property wasn’t maintained well. On the flip side, freshly painted trim will give the entire house a revamped appearance.
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The Golf Course at the Rancho Mirage Country Club
If you’re searching for homes for sale in Rancho Mirage, there’s a community that is a dream destination for many, whether you’re looking to retire, own a vacation home or simply live the good life. Victoria Falls is located at the corner of Bob Hope Drive and Gerald Ford Drive, an premium location in the idyllic town of Rancho Mirage.
The luxury community of Victoria Falls was developed between 2000 and 2004 by famed builder Peter Solomon, who planned one and two story, single-family homes ranging in size from 2200 square feet to 5700 square feet. Beautiful gates adorn the entry and gorgeous water features create a serene and relaxing atmosphere that appeals to residents and guests alike. Many of the homes were built on spacious lots with private swimming pools—perfect for enjoying the gorgeous mountain vistas of the Coachella Valley. The streets are shaded and picturesque, providing the ideal space for walking, jogging and bicycling all year long.
Many dream of living in Rancho Mirage because of its amazing array of resort amenities. For starters, the town has 15 golf courses to choose from, including the renowned Arnold Palmer course at Mission Hills Country Club, The Sunrise Country Club, The Tamarisk Country Club, Rancho Mirage Country Club, The Desert Island Country Club and The Club at Morningside, among others. In addition, Rancho Mirage is in close proximity to the array of impeccable courses in the other desert cities, including La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Palm Springs. For tennis lovers, Victoria Falls features lighted tennis courts and is a short drive away from the state-of-the-art Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Residents of Victoria Falls can also enjoy community basketball courts on the premises.
Rancho Mirage also boasts incredible fine dining options and world famous shopping, including the high-end boutiques and shops on El Paseo Boulevard and the lifestyle, shopping and entertainment complex of The River in Rancho Mirage. Also close by is the renowned designer shopping outlets in Cabazon and the Desert Hills Premium Outlets.
This upscale gated community is an absolute must-see for those in the market for homes for sale in Rancho Mirage.
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The Annual Memorial Day Flower Drop & Air Fair
There are amazing performances and events lined up for Memorial Day weekend in Palm Springs. If you’re simply in town to relax or if you’re looking at homes for sale in Rancho Mirage or another of the desert cities, there will be an array of entertainment options taking place all weekend long, from concerts and ballet to a spectacular Memorial tribute.
On Friday, May 23 from 7 to 9 pm, the Annenberg Theater will host a beautiful performance of the classic tale of ill-fated passion, transformation and forgiveness set to Tchaikovsky—CK Dance Presents “Swan Lake“. There will be an additional performance on Saturday, May 24 from 2 to 4 pm.
There is a bevy of entertainment options going on Saturday night, starting with a Mariachi Extravaganza at the Spotlight 29 Casino from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. From 8 to 10 pm, the Fantasy Springs Casino will feature a performance by Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, Maxwell. From 9 to 11 pm, television personality Theresa Caputo will make an appearance at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino.
On Sunday, May 25 from 2 to 4 pm, the Arthur Newman Theatre will host Terry Gallagher in: “From Convent To Cabaret.” This dynamic musical production shares life lessons in a bittersweet, song-filled journey.
On Monday, May 26 from 1 to 4 pm, the Palm Springs Air Museum hosts the Annual Memorial Day Flower Drop & Air Fair, an impressive ceremony to honor all of our fallen comrades and veterans. The service includes a special fly-by and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from a B-25 Mitchell bomber. Attendees are encouraged to take a flower home with them. Located at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, the unique Palm Springs Air Museum is a must-see for anyone considering homes for sale in Rancho Mirage, La Quinta or any other of the desert cities.
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If you think you have found your dream property in Rancho Mirage or another part of the Palm Spring Valley, you may be close to making an offer. Narrowing down your choices to one is a very exciting prospect, but don’t jump the gun too early. Below are a few essential things to investigate before you actually make an offer—your realtor may be able to dispense much of the information needed and some of it you can research on your own.
- Evaluate safety. One of the first things you should do when considering a neighborhood is to check the crime report. The local police station will post crime statistics on line and you can also check CrimeReports.com.
- Check out the school system. If you have children, this is very important—even if you don’t, the school systems rankings can affect your home’s resale value.
- Assess your commute. This is an important detail that many people forget about doing. Drive from your job, during rush hour, to your potential new property in Rancho Mirage. Since you probably viewed the home on a weekend, it’s not a good representation of what traffic will really be like during busier times.
- Hire a home inspector. It’s essential to find out all the repairs that may be necessary before you make the offer so you can have an accurate picture of the kind of budget you will need to have in place. You can negotiate to include a home inspection in the offer, and then possibly require the seller to make some of the improvements.
- Determine other costs. It’s important to understand that your monthly mortgage payment can be more than the principal and interest on the loan. Ask your realtor about taxes, homeowner association dues and utility bills. You should also get some quotes in advance for homeowners’ insurance.
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Are you selling your Rancho Mirage real estate? If so, you may want to consider taking staging to another level using the principles of Feng Shui. The practice is an ancient and science that originated in China more than 3000 years ago. It’s a complex body of knowledge that assesses how to balance the energies of a home and make it more appealing.
Obviously, having the right realtor, a good marketing strategy and setting the right price are the most important aspects of selling a house. However, using some of the basics of Feng Shui can definitely improve the energy and flow of a space and boost its overall appeal. Here are three tips for increasing your chance of selling your Rancho Mirage real using the basics of Feng Shui.
1. Pack it up. Start decluttering and packing things up as soon as you decide to put your home on the market. According to Feng Shui principles, it will get the energy moving and help you detach from the home. Depersonalize as much as possible while you’re at it—take down those family photos and artwork that is too eccentric so that a prospective buyer can walk in and imagine themselves living there.
2. Never back everything up. Place the furniture so it faces every point of entry. You never want to walk into a room and look at the backs of the furniture. Each room should feel inviting and intimate.
3. Maximize the flow. Good traffic flow makes the rooms feel more spacious. You want buyers to feel like moving from room to room is effortless, so make sure that furniture is placed away from the organic walkways in a room. Keep the pathways open, uncluttered and simple to navigate. You don’t want someone to walk around the corner and bump into a sofa.
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Kraft Nabisco Championship
This week promises lots of excitement for local golf lovers and those in town to look at Rancho Mirage real estate. Starting Tuesday, April 1 through Sunday, April 6, the 42nd annual Kraft Nabisco Championship will take place at the beautiful Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. The renowned tournament is considered the first major tournament of the year and kicks off the LPGA tour.
Since 1972, the exciting The Kraft Nabisco Championship tournament has attracted some of the biggest stars in women’s golf. This year, more than 100 female players will compete for the coveted Dinah Shore Trophy in this much-anticipated event—as well as the chance to experience the rich tradition of leaping into the famed Poppies Pond located at the 18th hole. The event is one of the longest-running and most celebrated golf tournaments in history, and in addition to the men’s Masters Tournament in Augusta, it boasts the longest continuous run of any Major at a single venue. Anyone in town for a vacation or to look at Rancho Mirage real estate will enjoy an unforgettable treat by attending this event.
Participants in this year’s tournament including defending champion Sun Young Yoo and 2012 Player of the Year Stacy Lewis, in addition to a bevy of other top professionals from all over the world, including Lexi Thompson, Suzann Pettersen, Yani Tseng, Ai Miyazato, Michele Wie, Inbee Park, Paula Creamer, Jiyai Shin and Natalie Gulbis, among others. Golf aficionados and new fans of the sport alike will have an incredible time watching this thrilling and competitive tournament. Grandstands are located on the 1st tee, 9th green, 10th tee, 17th tee and 18th green with seating on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are a variety of ticket packages available.
The Mission Hills Country Club is located at 34600 Mission Hills Drive in Rancho Mirage.
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Are you in town to look at Palm Springs homes for sale? If so, this is an excellent weekend to check out all that wonderful activities that the Coachella Valley has to offer. The social season is always a busy one here—and it’s so much fun, you may just find yourself interested in Rancho Mirage real estate, even if you only came here for a visit.
Friday, March 21 marks the beginning of a theatrical run of the award-winning Marvin’s Room at the Indio Performing Arts Center. This play is a hilarious comedy that was adapted for a 1996 film, starring none other than Robert DeNiro, Meryl Street and Leonardo DiCaprio. The production runs through Sunday, April 6.
The Food and Wine Festival Palm Desert starts on Friday and runs through Sunday, March 23 under the Big White Tent between chic El Paseo Boulevard and Shadow Mountain in Palm Desert. Some of the most inspired California chefs will feature culinary delights and wine tasting in this spectacular event designed to showcase the Palm Springs Valley as the culinary destination that it is. This amazing festival will be the perfect inspiration for those who are in town to look at Palm Springs homes for sale.
On Friday, March 21 from 8 to 10 pm, the McCallum Theatre will host An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin. This unforgettable live performance includes Lily Tomlin’s portrayal of over a dozen of her hilarious characters, including Sister Bookie Woman and Edith Ann. Also on Friday, the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert will host the Fashion After Week Party following the The Best of Saks Fifth Avenue fashion show at the El Paseo Fashion Week. The party takes place from 9 to 11 pm.
On Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, the Desert Arts Festival will be in full swing at the Frances Stevens Park. Presented by West Coast Artists, this show features a diverse and eclectic array of exciting works from artists from a wide range of genres and mediums.
Click here to view listings of Rancho Mirage real estate and other properties in the desert cities.
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Golf isn’t just for baby boomers—the sport as a whole is growing in popularity every single year over the last few decades. Now more than ever, individual and families of all ages are seeking Palm Springs homes for sale in all of the desert cities. Many seek La Quinta and Rancho Mirage real estate because these areas boasts world-class, championship golf courses and therefore host a bevy of pro and amateur tournaments.
Retirees favor golf because it’s a calming physical activity that can be especially enjoyed in the beautiful yet serene desert landscape. Yet people of all other ages are taking up golf, as it is provides the perfect escape from the stressors of work and life. Since the game is evolving, the culture is transforming as well. Many crave the golf lifestyle and are therefore looking for real estate in some of the wonderful golf communities of the Palm Springs Valley.
At one time, golfers could only hope to find Palm Springs homes for sale in close proximity to a golf course—then the first wave of country club homes emerged in the 1970s and 80s. Yet now there are many opportunities to live on golf properties with opulent courses within that make it easy to completely immerse oneself in the golf lifestyle.
The appeal of living in a golf community extends to those looking for vacation homes and a place to retire—whether it’s the undeniable feeling of living an endless vacation, the plethora of options for recreational activities, or the unparalleled sense of luxury, it’s easy to understand why the demand is rising. Whether you are looking to find a golf property among Rancho Mirage real estate or somewhere else in the Coachella Valley, you will find a dream life where your favorite sport is accessible within minutes.
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Fashion Week El Paseo starts this Sunday, March 16—it’s a favorite weekend for visitors, local residents and owners of Rancho Mirage real estate and the other desert cities. Fashionistas from all over the state will head to the desert’s world famous shopping district to enjoy fabulous runway and trunk shows, cocktail receptions and beauty extravaganzas. Presented by Palm Springs Life Magazine and the Saxony Group, Fashion Week El Paseo is a seven-day fashion, beauty and lifestyle event showcasing the newest collections by top designers as well as fresh ideas by emerging designers.
Fashion Week El Paseo takes place in the heart of the heart of the Coachella Valley’s most renowned shopping district—El Paseo. It is located on Larkspur Lane between El Paseo and Shadow Mountain. Designers featured this year include renowned and talented artists such as Michael Costello, James Mullin, Helen Castillo, Uli Herzner, Viktor Luna, Irina Shabayeva, Katie Chick, Benny Dam, Christine Ko and Zang Toi, among others.
The ninth annual Fashion Week El Paseo kicks off on Sunday with a “Big White Tent” event, in the Toscana Country Club Runway Tent. This style and beauty bash features a complimentary yoga class by Lululemon, a fashion show, the Extreme Hair & Makeup Showcase and an array of pampering services available. This fun kickoff event runs from 9 am to 3 pm and benefits local charities. In the space adjacent to the Runway Tent, there will be a Fashion Frenzy, where guests shop for clothing and accessories from 15 fine designers and retailers in unique pop-up shops.
Fashion Week El Paseo runs through Saturday, March 22. Whether you’re a fashionista or just looking for something fun to do, you’re going to love this event.
Click here to view listings of Rancho Mirage real estate or properties in other areas of the Palm Springs Valley.
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When it comes to golf, everyone knows that Palm Springs is a dream destination for golfers and fans alike. Those who love the sport flock to the area to look for Palm Springs homes for sale in all areas of the valley, from Indio and Palm Desert to La Quinta and Rancho Mirage real estate.
In addition to the gorgeous year round weather, thriving arts community and vast array of recreational opportunities, a huge draw for golfers is the proximity of Palm Springs homes for sale to the Bermuda Dunes Country Club. This world class course is known as a golfer’s paradise that provides an unparalleled golf experience. As home to the Bob Hope Classic for half a century, this course stands out among others for its rich history and championship holes.
While many golfers pursue La Quinta and Rancho Mirage real estate, living at Bermuda Dunes offers its own distinct appeal. World famous celebrities including one of the most renowned golfers in the world, Arnold Palmer, have lived there, as well as NFL running back Casey Merrill and actor Clark Gable, among many others. In addition, this fabulous course attracts a bevy of professional players from across the globe who travel to Bermuda Dunes every year specifically to enjoy its rolling fairways, challenging holes and its picturesque desert setting.
Bermuda Dunes is considered a classic style course, set amongst stunning freshwater lakes and with incredible views of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains. The course includes 27 holes of championship golf and features an innovative tee sheet system that makes sure that players can always obtain a tee time so they can play this memorable course.
In addition to the incredible golf that living near Bermuda Dunes provides, there are miles of amazing hiking and riding trails, access to championship tennis, first class resort services and more. Purchasing real estate in this region is a dream come true for anyone who plays, loves or simply appreciates the sport of golf.
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