The Gardens on El Paseo
If you still have holiday shopping to do, don’t worry—Palm Springs is a shopping mecca, with something for everyone on your gift list. If you’re in town visiting or are here to look at Rancho Mirage real estate, you can take advantage of the gorgeous weather and enjoy the shopping you have left to do for the holidays.
Hit anything from the elegant El Paseo shopping district and The River at Rancho Mirage to the designer outlets in Cabazon and the Desert Hills Premium Outlets, and you’ll find the latest in fashion, jewelry, electronics, art, antiques and more.
The Downtown and the Uptown Design District of Pam Springs features a diverse array of mid-century modern retailers, chic fashion boutiques, art galleries and antiques shops. For world-class shopping, head to the upscale El Paseo Boulevard and find out exactly why it’s dubbed “Rodeo Drive of the Desert” by everyone from tourists to owners of Rancho Mirage real estate. El Paseo Boulevard is one block south and parallel to Highway 111. You’ll also want to check out The Gardens on El Paseo, an open air complex with a gorgeous view, located at El Paseo at Larkspur in Palm Desert. It’s the perfect way to take a break if you’re viewing Palm Desert homes for sale.
The River at Rancho Mirage is a swanky mall featuring boutiques, a multiplex, upscale chain restaurants and art galleries with exquisite landscaping and an artificial river running through it. The River is located at 71800 Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage.
One of the factors that attract many who are looking at Palm Desert homes for sale is the proximity to all of the designer outlet shopping, including the renowned Desert Hills Premium Outlets. You’ll find a myriad of upscale designer stores, from Gucci and Prada to Polo and department stores such as Barney’s New York. To get there, exit the I-10 at Fields road, 20 minutes west of Palm Springs.
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Whether you’re preparing homes for sale in Rancho Mirage or have recently bought Indio real estate, any property can become more energy and resource-efficient. Many modifications designed to make your home “greener” are very low tech and easy to implement. Plus, if you are trying to sell your property, these types of upgrades will boost the appeal to buyers who would like to balance out their budget with savings on utilities.
Here are a few tips that can be used to boost the efficiency of any type of residence, from homes for sale in Rancho Mirage to a beach cottage in the Central Coast.
Insulate. When you upgrade the insulation in your house, you can reduce your heating bills up to 20 percent. The modifications can be as simple as caulking and weather stripping around the doors and windows, but there are some design features that may need some extra attention, such as cathedral ceilings.
Reuse and Recycle. If you are fixing up a recently purchased home or remodeling a property to boost its appeal, keep in mind that you may be able to re-use much of the building materials, no matter how modern the new design may be. By recycling material, you’re saving money and will definitely contribute to the “green” movement and reduce your carbon footprint. Be creative—look at all the construction materials that may potentially be tossed and think of ways to re-use them.
Go solar. If you’ve recently bought Indio real estate or property in another area of the Coachella Valley, you’re in an ideal situation to take advantage of the sunny weather. If you install a solar water-heating system, this will reduce the fossil fuel you use for showering, washing dishes and doing laundry. Note that the location where you install the solar system needs to be sunny enough.
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Whether you are a lucky Palm Springs local, own Indian Wells real estate or are in town visiting family or friends, there’s much to do and look forward to in the valley this weekend. Read on for part of the weekend lineup.
On Friday, December 6 and 7, the much awaited Holiday Ice Spectacular ice skating performances will take place at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino. It’s an excellent way for the entire family to kick off the holiday season.
On Friday, December 6 from 2 to 7 pm, The Artwalk will take place at The Art Place, which is home to 13 wide-ranging artistic establishments and galleries featuring everything from pottery and sculpture to specialty flowers, home furnishings and accessories stores, among others. The Artwalk highlights live artists in a charming setting and is part of the region’s First Friday celebration each month.
First Friday also marks the El Paseo Art Walk on chic El Paseo Boulevard from 4 to 8 pm, which features tours of the area art galleries, as well as extended shopping hours at many of the upscale stores and boutiques in the shopping district. It’s the perfect way to take in some art, get your holiday shopping done and see the community in its glory if you’re new in town or looking at Rancho Mirage homes for sale.
All weekend long, the three-day Joshua Tree National Park Art Show and Faire 2013 will feature an array of artists’ booths, celebrations, demonstrations and lectures, as well as a juried art exhibition with $6,000 in prizes. In addition, there will be an opening reception on Friday and much to do for all ages, including nature walks, youth activities, live music, food and beverages. The art show and fair takes place at venues in the Oasis of Mara in Twentynine Palms. If you’re in town to look at Indian Wells real estate, this is a great way to see how close Joshua Tree is to all of the cities of Palm Springs and how much it has to offer.
Also this weekend, the Spotlight 29 Casino will host the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians Presents: Winter Gathering Pow Wow, an exciting lineup of live performances and other cultural highlights.
Click here if you’re ready to browse listings of Rancho Mirage homes for sale.
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Once you’ve decided to put your Rancho Mirage real estate on the market, established a listing price and found a realtor you trust, your next step is to maximize the exposure of your property to prospective buyers. While it’s fair to expect your realtor to have a solid marketing plan in place, it’s good to arm yourself with as much information about the process as possible so that you can boost and support their efforts.
If your real estate in Indian Wells or elsewhere has already been listed, it should be in prime condition. It should also be listed at a competitive price, which is something you can work with your realtor to determine. While your realtor may have already given you suggestions for making your home as appealing as possible and for boosting curb appeal, it is up to you and your family to keep it clean, pristine and free of clutter. Buyers want to be able to look at your Rancho Mirage real estate and imagine themselves living there—to bolster their ability to do that, you need to do some de-cluttering and depersonalizing. The last thing you want them to do is walk into a house and see closet space bulging at the seams, a garage with boxes stacked to the ceiling or cluttered countertops. This will make them think your property is less spacious than it really is.
Once you’ve de-cluttered and depersonalized, consult with your realtor to determine what absolutely needs to be repaired in order to attract the best offers. After any repairs are completed, you’ll want to stage the property beautifully. While your real estate in Indian Wells may be gorgeous and picturesque to begin with, staging will still boost its appeal. If necessary, you can consult with a professional to establish the best outward appearance. From that point, you’ll need to take superb photos—or have a professional take them—and make sure your online listing does your property justice.
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If you’re considering buying Rancho Mirage real estate or properties in close proximity, then you’ll want to check out the renowned Thunderbird Country Club. Founded in 1951, Thunderbird was the first country club in the Coachella Valley and therefore became a model for the many that have since followed.
The rich history of the Thunderbird Country Club lends substantial mystique to local Palm Springs homes for sale and other desert city real estate. Famed golf course architect, Lawrence Hughes, along with Johnny Dawson, designed the 18-hole, par 72 course with stunning vistas and picturesque, sprawling greens. Three thousand trees were brought in to provide lush greenery while architect, William F. Cody, transformed the buildings and clubhouse. In addition, interior decorator Velma Dawson created the Indian style feel of the clubhouse, complete with handcrafted, king-sized Kachina dolls. The Hollywood golf community flocked to Thunderbird, with celebrities including Bob Hope and Bing Crosby purchasing lots edging the golf course, and many others, such as Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, Hoagy Carmichael, baseball great Ralph Kiner and tennis star Nancy Chaffee became charter homeowners.
On its member roster, The Thunderbird Country Club boasted greats like Dean Martin, Phil Harris, Perry Como, Gordon Mac Rae and mogul Leonard Firestone, as well as presidents, important politicians, major manufacturers and other noteworthy individuals. Thunderbird provided the ideal respite from a busy, hectic life—and still does to this day.
Many seek Rancho Mirage real estate to nurture their love of golf, which is at the heart and soul of this club. Thunderbird’s majestic golf course, coupled with its 48,000 square foot Clubhouse and 6,600 square foot, state-of-the-art Fitness Center, Men’s Grille and Ladies’ Card Room, provides the perfect desert sanctuary for golfers.
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Veteran’s Day weekend in the Palm Springs Valley is packed with exciting events to entertain people of all ages. Whether you own Indio real estate, properties in Rancho Mirage or are in town visiting, there won’t be a dull moment in the Coachella Valley.
Friday, November 8 marks the start of Avenue Q at the Palm Canyon Theatre. This musical theater production will run through Sunday, November 17. The venue is located at 5638 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.
On Friday from 8 to 10 pm, a performance of Bobbie Eakes Turn the Page will take place at the Annenberg Theater. Ms. Eakes is a renowned actress and singer, who was nominated in the Lead Actress category of the Emmy Awards for her role as Krystal Carey in ABC’s All My Children. Eakes also played “Macy Alexander” in CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful.
Also on Friday, world-famous comedian Craig Ferguson will perform at the Morongo Casino from 9 to 11 pm. The Morongo Casino is located at 49500 Seminole Drive in Cabazon, ideally situated for anyone who lives in the Coachella Valley, from those who own Indio real estate to residents of Palm Desert.
This weekend will also feature an array of activities to honor our veterans for all to participate in, from visitors to those who own properties in Rancho Mirage and beyond. On Sunday, November 10 at 2 pm, the 1940s USO Show will take place at the Palm Springs Air Museum in the Pacific Hangar. This dynamic production will be a recreation of performances by Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, the McGuire Sisters and the Andrew Sisters.
On Monday, November 11 at 11 am, the Palm Desert Honors Veterans concert will take place at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. This year, the event will feature a patriotic performance by the Heatwave Boys and Girls Club Jazz Band.
At 3:30 pm on Monday, the well-known 17th Annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade will begin at Ramon Road and Palm Canyon Drive and head northbound on Palm Canyon Drive to Alejo Road.
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When it’s time to de-stress and rejuvenate, many visitors and locals who own Palm Springs real estate duck out and head to the Coachella Valley’s hidden gem: Desert Hot Springs. With elevated views of the picturesque Palm Springs valley and its gorgeous mountain ranges, it’s easy to relax and unwind in this desert haven.
One of the fastest growing communities in Southern California, Desert Hot Springs is just minutes away from the Palm Springs International Airport, as well as many superb golf, shopping and fine dining attractions. It’s easy to get to and from, whether you’re in town looking at Rancho Mirage homes for sale or are a resident of one of the other beautiful desert cities.
What makes Desert Hot Springs a spa destination city is its famed mineral waters. Built over one of the world’s finest natural hot mineral water aquifers, the city features many intimate spas, inns, retro-hip resorts and other getaways where you can take advantage of the water’s healing properties while you’re getting away from it all. In addition to soaking in the waters, you can find a wide range of revitalizing services from salt scrubs and facials to Finnish saunas, Ayruveda and spice massages.
The city’s pure, odor-free spring water has won several awards deeming it the “Best Tasting Municipal Drinking Water,” and relaxing in the hot mineral springs provides an array of health and wellness benefits that locals and owners of Palm Springs real estate take advantage of on a regular basis. Soaking in these waters stimulates your metabolism, increases your blood circulation and cell oxygenation, and helps to balance many of your body’s natural systems. In addition, soaking can reduce pain and increase mobility.
Click here if you are interested in Rancho Mirage homes for sale or Desert Hot Springs real estate.
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The Joshua Tree Music Festival
This weekend has an equally exciting and eclectic array of activities taking place—and so many that it’s going to take two blog posts to cover them all! It’s an exciting way for prospective buyers of Rancho Mirage real estate to get a taste of what the Palm Springs community has to offer.
On Thursday, October 10, the Concerts in the Park series continues with the jazz music of Amanda Castro. The free event takes place at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park from 7 to 8:30 pm and is the perfect way to enjoy the gorgeous weather accompanied by live music under the stars. Bring picnic baskets, lawn chairs and blankets to make the most of the evening.
From Friday, October 11 through Monday, October 14, Palm Springs celebrates the “Fall Season Kick-Off” of its famed Modernism Week. Marking the start of the active social and recreational season in Palm Springs, this “Mini-Modernism Week” is produced in addition to the slate of events that take place in February each year. This is a must-do for everyone from architecture fans and modernism aficionados to those who simply enjoy looking at beautiful homes—and a great way to unwind from a hard week at work or spending time looking at Rancho Mirage real estate.
From Friday October 11 through Sunday, October13, the Joshua Tree Fall Music Festival will be in full effect at the Joshua Tree Lake Campground. The lineup includes wide-ranging musicians from all over the country, including Karl Denson, Elephant Revival, Tal National, Down North and Baraka Moon, among many others. It’s an amazing way for music lovers to enjoy the great outdoors. In addition, country favorite Trace Adkins will perform at the Fantasy Springs Casino on Friday, October 11 from 8 to 10. Adkins is a Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry.
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The lineup this weekend continues to prove what relaxing yet dynamic place Palm Springs is. It’s an amazing area to live in, so if you’re already thinking about buying La Quinta real estate, you won’t want to wait a minute longer. If you saw yesterday’s blog post, you’ll see other great activities taking place this weekend, including a live performance of Gladys Knight and the O’Jays, among other great events. Take a look at some more fun things to do that will make you ready to start searching for Rancho Mirage homes for sale.
On Saturday, October 5 from 7 to 10 pm, Gina Carey will perform a free concert in Palm Springs to celebrate the release of her new CD, “Funk Rhythm & Soul.” Open to the public, this CD release party will also include surprise guest appearances from local desert musicians. In addition, 99.5 FM, one of the Palm Springs Valley’s most popular soul/R&B radio stations, will broadcast live from the event. The party takes place at Woody’s, located at 317 N. Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA. 92262.
Also on Saturday, stand-up comedian Daniel Tosh will perform at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino from 8 to 10 pm. Tosh is the host of the Comedy Central television show, Tosh.0. If you’re in town to look at Rancho Mirage homes for sale, this is the perfect way to unwind. The venue is located at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage.
On Sunday, October 6 the Sundays in Summer Cabaret Series 2013 continues with Patti Gallagher and Those Fabulous Forties. Ms. Gallagher will perform some of the greatest hits from the 40s, including Gershwin’s “Summertime,” Poerter’s “So in Love” and Mercer’s “That Old Black Magic.” She will be accompanied by pianist Joyce Ellenson. The show takes place from 2 to 4 pm at the Arthur Newman Theatre. This fabulous event is a great way to wrap up a weekend of looking at La Quinta real estate.
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Have you found your dream plot of land and are ready to make a move? Or do you have your heart set on buying Indian Wells real estate but aren’t sure how much to save and what else to have in place before you start looking? Buying property is typically one of the most important investments you can make, and therefore, requires some strategy and forethought.
Timing can be a very important facet of your foray into the real estate market. If you’re not in an urgent hurry to buy, then you have time to clean up your credit rating, watch the market and get your finances in order. If you are already looking at Rancho Mirage homes for sale, then there is no time like the present to get started with preparations. Here are a few things you can do:
Observe housing prices. Take the time to watch and see if house prices are rising or falling and observe pricing for homes in the area you are interested—this helps you assess whether the area you’re looking at is right for you and your family. If prices are increasing, you may need to make a move sooner rather than later. If prices are decreasing, observe how quickly they are falling. If the pace that they’re decreasing is slower, then it may make sense to wait for prices to continue dropping.
Save up. It’s never too early to start putting funds aside for a down payment. Typically lenders expect around 20 percent of the asking price. If you don’t think you will have that much, then it makes sense to wait to look at Indian Wells real estate.
Clean up your credit. Do you know what your credit rating is? If not, get a report done immediately and then see what you can do to improve it. Contest anything you believe to be inaccurate and try to get your credit card balances as low as possible.
Research mortgages. As soon as you start looking at Rancho Mirage homes for sale, you should also start shopping around for the best mortgage rates. Most local banks will offer competitive rates, but don’t be afraid to negotiate. Keep in mind that if you have filed for bankruptcy in recent years, it can be more difficult to get a mortgage, so it’s best to see if you will pre-qualify now.
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