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"Palm springs golf course homes"

Today I spent most of the absolutely gorgeous sunny day showing Palm springs golf course homes.  Of course, with living here in the desert, practically every single day is a gorgeous sunny day.  Sure, sometimes we have a couple of clouds and an occasional burst of precipitation, but mostly the sun shines down on those who live here day in a day out.  That definitely helps me do my job as a Palm springs Realtor whose job it often is to show Palm springs golf course homes.  As I mentioned before, there are many different golf courses and country clubs from which to choose.  Some of them even have more than one course on which to play, which can definitely help to improve your odds to get the perfect tee time for which you’re looking.  When one of my friends asked, well, if by living in one of those Palm springs golf course homes whether you get an advantage when it comes time to assigning tee times on the course, I told them that it doesn’t give you a handicap per se, it’s really more about convenience, kind of like living on the slopes in Aspen.  My friend’s parents recently retired there and they live on the bottom of one of the mountain.  They literally ski a short distance right from their backdoor to the ski lift, take it up to the top of the mountain and then they make their way down the hill.  They keep going and then whenever they decide they’re hungry or tired or maybe they forgot something, they just take a detour to their house and they’re home – no loading the skis and poles into the car and having to drive.  The same is true with this situation as these homes often have a parking spot on the property for a golf cart which can whisk them to the club house or they can often arrange to start their golf outing at the hole closest to their home and then end their day at their backyard.  So if you’re thinking about links course real estate for sale in Palm springs, look no further, we’ll find the right greens for you.

"houses on golf courses in Palm springs California"

I love to show as many houses on golf courses in Palm springs California as I can for one very obvious reason.  They often sell themselves.  It’s true, houses on golf courses in Palm springs California are often the most-sought after properties because for many people who hail from the cold weather climes and are thinking about retiring, this arrangement can put them so much closer to the beloved game they wished they had had the chance to play more of in their youth and early adult years when they had families and not enough time to disappear for hours at a time.  Plus, houses on golf courses in Palm springs California help to ensure that the people who play this fine game stay fit when they stop working because contrary to what some people might think about golf, it actually is a sport that demands physical fitness.  Sure, you walk around and hit a ball about once every ten minutes, but you have to remember that you’re out on the course for four or five hours at a time in the sun, sweating and not sitting around eating a bag of chips.  Simply walking a course is great physical exercise for both men and women.  Yes, the golf courses are filled with both sexes with tees adjusted for men and women.  Now, if you’re sitting there looking at your bank statement worrying that you don’t have a lot of money saved up, I want to tell you that there is no need to worry because a recent trend that I’ve seen is putting condominiums in Palm springs near or on golf courses so that more people can take advantage of the game.  This development enables more people to enjoy the courses and play the game that will keep them happy well into their seventies and beyond.  So, if you’re looking for Palm springs homes for sale so that you can enjoy your favorite pastime – a round of 18 holes – then look no further because I can help you find the home of your dreams – the right size and the right course – it would be as easy as a hole in one.

"mountain views in Palm springs California"

Palm springs homes for sale are among the easiest to sell and most-sought after to visit.  One of the nicest things about living where we do is that the landscapes here are truly spectacular.  I’ve heard mention that the mountain views in Palm springs California are among the best in the world.  What makes them that way you ask?  There are not that many places in the this gorgeous world of ours where the flat desert floor runs directly up against a mountain with such dramatic effect, normally there is a much more gradual sloping and / or the ascent in altitude is not a high.  The mountain views in Palm springs California are something people from around the world marvel at every day.  They often stare in disbelief at the top of the mountain where often there is snow, lots of it, in the winter and spring, yet the desert valley below offers a comfortable seventy to eight degrees.  It’s all about the microclimates.  You and your wife and kids could be tobogganing or building snowmen in the morning from atop the mountain and then easily without rushing at all, you could find yourself lounging by the pool having a barbecue in the afternoon.  Such a paradise, separated by few miles in distance, but many in altitude is a blessing.  This is another reason why condominiums in Palm springs are also so popular.  People can do a timeshare with other families who want to get away for a vacation where there are so many weather-related options.  Remember those arguments between family members where some wanted to go where the weather was warm and they could swim and bike and hike and play outdoor tennis while the other family members lobbied hard for a vacation where they could ski and sled and roast marshmallows in a chalet as they watched their breath turn to ice crystals in front of their eyes?  Well, as you stand out on your deck looking at the mountain views in Palm springs California, you’ll quickly come to realize that you can have it all. 

"Palm springs mountain views"

One of the first things I tell my future clients is that from practically any place in the desert, you will have awesome Palm springs mountain views.  That is true whether you’re at home, at the club – even at the grocery store.  People in this community, builders and city planners especially, know how to incorporate everything to take full advantage of the Palm springs mountain views.  As one of the many Palm springs Realtors, I do what a few of my colleagues do, which is to talk about some of the wonderful activities people like to do while here for a visit or while living here.  The most popular recreational activity by far is golf, followed by tennis, swimming and then bicycling.  But the fifth most favorite is one beloved by people all around the country – women and men – and that is shopping.  Located within the city limits is world-class shopping.  Stores of all different types – national chains mixed with unique one-of-a-kind boutiques – will help to ensure that you can find that special something for that special someone.  Now if you’re thinking, how on earth can I afford to buy a place to live and then shop in some of the fancy pants shops in Palm springs to furnish it, you need not worry because located just on the Ten freeway a few towns over is a tremendous shoppers haven – the Cabazon Outlets.  These places will ensure your kitchen has all the right gadgets and dishes and appliances and all the empty rooms in your new home will be filled with the right furniture and you can even find yourself a few new outfits to boot as there are plenty of clothing shops nestled in this mondo shopping oasis.  And you know what, as you shop until you drop, you’ll still be able to see the mountains, not quite the same Palm springs mountain views, but you’ll be so close and excited about the excellent bargains, I’ll forgive you if you don’t notice them.  So, if you’re lucky to be able to save some money and take advantage of one of the foreclosures in Palm springs, then don’t hesitate to get yourself out to the outlets and find yourself some treasures to save you even more! 

"houses with mountain views in Palm springs California"

If you come to the desert, you’ll quickly realize that there are plenty of houses with mountain views in Palm springs California. The mountain is so big, people never get lost because they always know how to orient themselves super quickly.  When I first arrived here and began to show houses with mountain views in Palm springs California, I rarely got lost because I always knew to look to the mountain and the rest would be a cinch to circumnavigate.  That mountain came in handy when I started to access the multiple listing service for palm springs because there were so many properties of all different shapes and sizes that I could sell and make people’s dreams come true.  Sharing information is a definite plus because what if you knew exactly the house you wanted and your listing agent only had say twenty-five houses to sell at any given time.  You couldn’t go look at the hundreds, thousands of places that might more closely match what you are interested in buying.  You wouldn’t want to blow off your agent or worse, your agent might try to get you to buy a property that really isn’t what you wanted.  As one of the many licensed Palm springs Realtors, I am proud to say that sharing knowledge and properties helps you find the right house by letting us do a better job for you.  Buying a house, whether it’s houses with pools or houses with stables or houses with mountain views in Palm springs California, is something that should not be taken lightly as it is one of those ‘big’ experiences in life that you don’t do every day – right up there with getting married, having children, etc.  You never forget your first house and it is my job to ensure that the whole experience is as smooth as possible. 

"tennis estates in Palm springs California"

I have been extremely fortunate to have had the chance to play at some of the finest tennis estates in Palm springs California.  Hard court, clay and grass – you’ll find all of them here, although the latter is hard to maintain because of the high temperatures we experience in the summer months.  The grass grows, but then a lot of water is required to keep it fresh.  Growing up, I always thought that it would be so nice to be able to walk outside your patio door and directly onto a court that I made a promise to myself that someday I would be able to give my children that experience.  Having succeeded in using the Palm springs mls to my advantage, helping out-of-towners and locals find their dream houses, I am now able to do that.  My husband and I live on one of the many tennis estates in Palm springs California where we actually have a tennis pro who comes to us to help our kids learn the finer points of the game.  I look at the tennis court and tennis lessons in the same way that people years ago used to view the golf court – a place where business deals happen.  I am not someone who pushes their kid with dreams or ambitions of becoming the next Federer or Nadal or Roddick.  I am someone who wants them to be able to play comfortably with his colleagues so when the time comes, he can press for whatever it is he wants.  My husband also takes them to the links, they’re both developing quite a swing.  Which is just what I believe the market will do in here the desert.  Those tennis estates in Palm springs California that you could get for a song at the bottom of the market will soon be disappearing because the number of foreclosures in Palm springs of this kind of property should be drying up within the next couple of months so if you have a desire to purchase one of these properties, I suggest doing so sooner rather than later because the money you save now by taking the plunge, will more than cover a lifetime worth of tennis lessons for you, your husband, your kids and even the neighbors.  Plus, should the kids not take up tennis, another thing that people often do is to install a basketball court on one side, so that the kids can play hoops when the courts aren’t being used.  I’m telling you, this is a good thing to have on your property, an investment that should not be missed. 

"houses with tennis courts in Palm springs California"

Now I’m not the government census, but in some neighborhoods here, you’ll find swimming pools in nine out of every ten houses, even in the townhomes in Palm springs California where the tenants’ property might be a little more narrow than other places (they’ll often have installed lap pools so that they can have access to their own American dream), and as far as houses with tennis courts in Palm springs California, I’d venture a guess that you can find them in one out of four overall, one out of three in the gated communities.  One out of three!  That’s pretty amazing when you think about it, that there are that many houses with tennis courts in Palm springs California.  If you were a better person, I’d say take those odds that you could end up with a best friend who not just loved tennis, but they also had a private set-up of their own.  When you’re thinking about finding a place, as I’ve mentioned before, the multiple listing service for palm springs really is a great tool to help people find that house that fits their needs.  Five bedrooms with no second floor.  Done.  Five bedrooms with a second floor.  Done.  Five bedrooms with no second floor, but a guest house complete with a private entry and fireplace – done and yes, many houses have fireplaces for those wintry months where the mercury can dip, dip, dip.  And if you’re thinking about houses with tennis courts in Palm springs California, you’re definitely going to want to see the places that match what you’re looking for.  I had a client who actually wanted a house where the tennis court would be part of his property, but not too close to the house because his partner didn’t want to be woken up from his sleep several mornings a week by the sound of bouncing balls just outside his bedroom window.  So what was I able to do?  Using the service, I was able to find a property that had been split in two by a road.  The private court was across the street.  Problem solved. 

"tennis court homes in Palm springs"

There are many exceptional tennis court homes in Palm springs.  Some of these exquisite estates have pools lying in wait right next to the courts, most of them offer nighttime lighting, although some purists in the desert and some neighborhoods don’t like to grant permits for them because of light pollution.  When you are standing out here in the middle of the desert, where there are no tall buildings and where the sky is as big as it is up in Big Sky, Montana, there are times when the sky is so dark because there is so little human produced light and no moon in sight that you are thankful for that.  The stars twinkle so nicely out here and we can see so many more of them than our city dwellers that I am glad people who own tennis court homes in Palm springs are considerate of others who want to drink in the darkness.  That said, sometimes the full moon shines so brightly out here in the nighttime hours that you can actually read a book or a newspaper or write a letter while relaxing on a chaise lounge on one of the tennis court homes in Palm springs.  Weird, no?  Last week I showed a property, one of the palm springs foreclosures that I had a feeling might be priced perfectly for a newlywed couple who was looking to buy their first property.  He was looking to buy this property because he was a former tennis player, who although he never made it big, he has been able to live comfortably off of his earnings.  He had hoped to get one of these properties for a good price because then he could use the court as his business and teach his students while also taking care of his kids until his wife returned home from work.  Knowing how it can be living paycheck to paycheck, which is exactly what the tennis pro did during his lean years on the ATP tour, he did feel bad for those properties that we looked at that were bank owned in Palm springs, but I reminded him just like in tennis, there has to be a winner and runner-up, this person who couldn’t afford the house is really like the runner-up. 

"horse properties in Palm springs"

Tomorrow I am showing one of the best horse properties in Palm springs that I’ve ever seen.  The client is a Saudi prince, who unlike many of the horse breeders I know, has opted for a desert clime in which to train and house his thoroughbreds instead of keeping them on the East Coast.  When he first called me up, inquiring about horse properties in Palm springs, I wasn’t one-hundred percent certain that he was the real deal.  I thought perhaps he was he was pulling my leg or that he was going to show up and ask to see a man for representation, but lo and behold, he was for real and I was just the person he had wanted to see.  Turns out he knew quite well one of my clients for whom I helped arrange the extremely hush-hush sale and re-purchase of a home on more than one-hundred acres and so he felt confident that I could handle not only a sale of this size and but do it with discretion.  When people get wind of a Saudi prince, often the price is inflated.  It’s sad, but even in this rarified market where mega sums of money exchange hands as if it were worthless, some folks are always looking to exploit someone in order to make a buck.  I assured him that when I showed him this piece of real estate, I would ensure he would get a fair price and that he would understand that it is worth every penny.  He was glad to hear that and I was glad that this would be one of those palm springs short sales where he could have his horses shipped in residence within thirty or forty-five days.  How many animals?  More than one-hundred.  I thought that wouldn’t be a problem because the current barn shelters at least that many.  He wondered could he add fifty?  Because of the somewhat remote location of this estate, I do not believe that would prove to be an odiferous nuisance.  Something else that would prove beneficial is this gargantuan property was not bank owned in Palm springs.  He was excited about many horse properties, but mostly about this one, being that it was the best horse properties in Palm springs. 

"Palm springs California real estate"

One thing I can say about Palm springs California real estate is that if you can’t find it here, then you might not find it anywhere.  I’m looking for a two story Italian villa – check.  What about a Swiss Chalet – give me a challenge – check.  Then how about a mid-century modern with a traditional Japanese courtyard complete with Koi pond and a loft apartment for the in-laws that is not air-conditioned – check.  People from around the United States and the world have been flocking to the desert to live out their fantasy, to retire, to have something they maybe couldn’t where they lived before and so when they do that, they are very often extremely willing to spend a little more money and get exactly what they want – which leads to some of the most extraordinary types of real estate when it comes time to sell said beloved property.  For lucky people with unique tastes looking to buy something special, Palm springs California real estate can be an oasis rather than a drought.  Looking for houses here is like being a kid in a candy store – don’t like this one, don’t worry, we can ‘unwrap’ the next one and hopefully that’ll be the one with the golden wrapper tucked inside!  Like in many places in the States, you will encounter some palm springs foreclosures, but truth be told, in all the years that I’ve been a Palm springs Realtor, I’ve been able to tell my clients ‘yes’ far more often than ‘no.’  Palm springs California real estate has cache, it has good investment value, it has health benefits, it has a literate population, it has families both young and old, gay and straight, black and white and Latino and Asian, it has people who work, people who have retired, it has outdoor enthusiasts, it has people who love nothing more than to sit indoors and crank up the air conditioning until they reach polar ice caps – basically what I’m telling you is that Palm springs is the place to be so what are you waiting for, it’s time to make that appointment and come see me about living out your fantasy, your retirement, you life.

"relocating to Palm springs California"

If you’re thinking about relocating to Palm springs California, let me reassure you that it is one of the easiest things to do.  In case you haven’t noticed, more people are coming out here than are heading in the other direction from where I stand.  The trucking companies are thrilled to get customers who are sending their prized possessions out to the desert because they know that their drivers enjoy the scenic drives, there aren’t usually weather conditions like a blizzard that could be tricky to drive through and when it comes to unloading the stuff, we almost never have to worry about precipitation delaying us.  Delays equal lower revenues for them because idle trucks mean delaying the arrival of more families in the promised land.  What is important to consider when one considers relocating to Palm springs California is whether or not you can stand to be without friends for more than a day or two because that is precisely how long it takes to make friends in this uber-friendly desert town.  From the moment you arrive, people at the drug stores, restaurants, churches, car washes and more will welcome you into their homes.  First they are friendly because this is a resort community and without the people who visit us, some of our peeps wouldn’t be able to eat.  Second, they are just friendly.  There’s something about the sun that makes people smile, that makes them happy they own houses in Palm springs California.  The real estate in Palm springs is filled with houses that are filled with folks who mostly came from other places.  These people will tell you that they wished that had the good sense to consider relocating to Palm springs California a long time before they were able to make the plunge into the desert.  One small note – I don’t want people to think that if they are quiet and to themselves that this locale will drive them crazy – remember that I said it is up to you to decide how long you can be without friends.  I’ve known quite a few who are content to be with their thoughts and nothing more. 

"opening escrow in palm springs California"

When I represent a client to sell their house, I love to tell them that we have an offer on their home and I am opening escrow in palm springs California.  It is a feeling that we are halfway to their next step.  I also love to tell a buyer that I am opening escrow in palm springs California, especially if they are from out of state and this property represents their first foray into the region.  It is one way to show them that they are one step closer to relocating to the promised land, they can re-direct some of their stress elsewhere.  Putting their toes in the desert sand, so to speak, can be such a rewarding experience because then it somehow becomes much more of a reality for future homeowners and that’s an important moment that people should never take for granted when purchasing a home.  I have found that some people aren’t as nervous about opening escrow in palm springs California, it’s more that they’re nervous about opening escrow period.  It’s the word escrow that somehow sounds ominous, perhaps because it has the word crow in it and those animals sport black feathers and are ominous in nature.  Well, I am here to tell you that there is nothing to worry about.  We have things in our daily lives that deal with escrow that you probably aren’t even aware of.  Think about your last trip to the bank when you used an automated teller machine.  The ATM is set-up in much the same manner.  You take your hard-earned / saved money, you deposit it into the machine, you wait for it to be counted or approved and if so, then it’s in the account and the transaction is complete.  But if it is not approved or you do not agree with the bank for some reason, then you can remove your money, no harm no foul.  Escrow is an obviously necessary step in the real estate market, whether you’re into short sales in Palm springs or even just finding a rental in Palm springs, so fret not, and just get ready to mark the fact that you’re closer to moving into your next dream house. 

"qualifying for a loan in Palm springs California"

I have been to so many dinner parties with people who when they discover I am a Palm springs Realtor the first thing out of their mouth is that they wish they could afford to buy and not rent, but they are afraid to even think about qualifying for a loan in Palm springs California.  It is hard for me not to tell them that they are literally throwing their money away every month as they give their money to someone else who is basically building up their equity in said property.  I reiterate that that is not the way your money should work for you.  It is crucial that you buy a house, a loft, a condo in Palm springs California because a house generally represents most people’s most significant asset.  I try to reassure them that qualifying for a loan in Palm springs California is not the Herculean task that they think it is.  Even with the new standards for purchasing they ask again and again is that so?  I tell them yes, you are correct, the housing business took a hit recently and some unscrupulous lenders have left the market, but basically the good,, honest ones survived and now to ensure others don’t return, there are more checks and balances to ensure that homebuyers are not being handed more money than they should receive based on their financial situation.  Truth be told, qualifying for a loan in Palm springs California is not so difficult if you have a history of stable work experience and some money saved up in your bank account or you have access to someone else who can guarantee you’ll be paying the mortgage each and every month.  Your credit score and payment history also is pivotal to your being approved or not.  What has changed is that the banks are making sure that people are being given what they can handle, which in turn gives the buyer a more realistic idea of what he can afford to spend on that house.  The customers are getting the money, just not as much to go crazy with.    

"home loans in palm springs California"

When I meet with clients who have never purchased any kind of Palm springs Real Estate, we always spend a lot of time reviewing the many kinds of home loans in palm springs California.  I think it is really important that people understand what kind of deal they’re making with the bank so they’re not surprised with the plan itself after the deal has gone through and they’re living in the house.  Most home loans in palm springs California are for thirty years.  And that’s the way I think it should be.  Sure, there are people out there who make a lot of money and they can either pay cash for the house in one fell swoop or they can arrange to buy the property and pay for it in one third or one half of the time as usual.  People hear about the savings those cash-rich folks receive for not having to go through a bank when they buy that three-million-dollar condo in Palm springs California and think that is the best route to go, but it’s not.  I know of a couple who bought a house and got a great interest rate.  When the interest rates dropped significantly from when they became homeowners, they figured out it was in their best interest to refinance, which it was.  Their mistake came, however, when they looked at all the other home loans in palm springs California and forgot what was best for them, which was staying with the fabulous newly renegotiated rate and thirty-year fixed rate, which would have saved them tens of thousands of dollars in the long run.  They opted to lock in the lower rate, but also to speed up their payments by cutting short their mortgage period by half.  Fifteen years is great for someone who has access to a lot of cash that can definitely be counted on, but when someone doesn’t have ample savings to ensure they can continue to make those even-larger mortgage payments, then I definitely emphatically recommend they not take the shorter deal.  Had that couple heeded my advice, they would’ve still had their great new rates and saved money instead of having to not only sell their house because they couldn’t afford the payments, and they might still be living in Southern California instead of having to relocate to Connecticut.  Hate to break it to you, but Connecticut is not the same. 

"estates in Palm springs California"

There are many estates in Palm springs California.  Some belong to celebrities, who throw lavish parties hoping to end up in the society pages, but most are owned by private individuals who have made their money by providing a service that most folks aren’t even aware of.  Once I repped a couple who had made money inventing a paper clip that was artful in design and perfect in function.  As expected, their house was in immaculate condition when it was ready to be sold and it was quite the estate, among one of the most beautifully designed estates in Palm springs California.  I knew as soon as I heard from them that this would be one of those palm springs short sales.  The mid-century modern house was built on two acres of land.  The landscaping was drought tolerant – functional and aesthetically pleasing.  The property was limited to one floor so as to conserve energy for heating and cooling.  There were plenty of windows to allow in ample amounts of light and good air circulation, but the glass had been treated with a special coating to reflect the sun during the brightest and hottest days of the year, also contributing to lower cooling bills.  The house was constructed in a V shape with large stone patio filling in the areas between the two wings of the house.  Bedrooms were in both wings of the house, located on the tips facing away from the courtyard, so as to provide the owners and their guests additional privacy.  The swimming pool was most definitely not visible from the house, it was hidden behind a small garden of rose bushes, also planted to reduce any water noise from disturbing people who wanted to sleep in.  There was also a small grove of citrus trees and a tennis court beyond the pool, so people would not be disturbed by errant balls and juicy fruits falling to the ground.  This was one of the grand estates in Palm springs California, a real coup to represent for any Palm springs Realtor worth their own salt.

"small homes in Palm springs California"

There are no small homes in Palm springs California, only small people.  Just kidding!  I couldn’t resist that old-fashioned saying and applying it to my line of work.  Why just last week I sold a one-bedroom cottage that for many years had occupied a teensy corner of an oil baroness’ estate until she passed on and in her will left that cottage to her devoted butler for five decades’ worth of service.  When the butler died about fifteen years later, leaving no relatives, I was contacted by the baroness’ estate regarding the cottage.  Turns out the baroness had left enough money to ensure that the cottage would not be gobbled up by the estate from which it had been separated from because years ago she had been involved with a dispute with her son and knew that when he became the owner of her house and property, it would irk him that he wouldn’t have the cottage back on the property.  So I made special arrangements for this particular piece of real estate in Palm springs to be sold to an English transplant who had no desires to live anywhere but there.  The former Londoner confided in me before the sale that she had always wanted to live in one of those small homes in Palm springs in this neighborhood especially but didn’t think it would ever come to fruition lest she become an employee on one of the grand estates.  She was truly thrilled to be able to establish a residence there in one of the small homes in Palm springs California, this was a dream to her because having grown up in London where there are so few days with full-blown sunshine, she was truly feeling alive unlike any other time in her life.  I think that living in the desert can have that positive effect on people.  Knowing that they are absorbing the good energy the sun has to provide us with really keeps people going and going and going.  And since the good advice is that you should always buy the smallest house on the block because the value of that house will be more than if you’re the biggest house on a block, the London transplant did quite well with her first and only foray into Palm springs Real Estate.   

"neighborhoods in palm springs California"

There are several neighborhoods in palm springs California that can cater to every resident’s needs.  For those individuals who work outside of their home and have a commute and prefer to come home and park their car in the garage, leaving it there until the next time they have to trudge to the office, there are a few neighborhoods in palm springs like around the Palm springs Town Centre Mall that offer plenty to do within a do-able walking distance.  Restaurants, shops, places to meet your friends for a coffee not only help you save gasoline, but they help you stay fit and trim in the meantime.  Or if you would like to live a little farther out, preferring to bike in from one of the many neighborhoods in palm springs, well there are trails running throughout the city along the major thoroughfares and if you want to get some exercise outdoors without having to pay those monthly health club dues, you won’t have far to go until you reach a park because Palm springs has at least fifteen parks from which to choose, including places to play basketball, disc golf, tennis and volleyball as well as places where kids can enjoy their skateboards and dogs can get their daily dose of exercise, including two – Cahuilla Hills Park and Ralph Adams Park – which are off-leash.  Nearly all of the houses in Palm springs California are less than a couple of miles to a place where the owners can exercise and that’s definitely a selling point when considering a move to this golden valley.  For those who are moving to Palm springs California, knowing that there are trails and parks and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities because of the tremendous amounts of sunshine we receive a year – did you know that the city has more than two-hundred and fifty days of sunshine per year – it’s surprising the city doesn’t have more people than it does. 

"palm springs country clubs"

I love talking about palm springs country clubs.  Why?  Because they can certainly make my job easier whether the customer is finding a rental in Palm springs or finding a home in Palm springs.  The palm springs country clubs are always kept in the best condition, the grounds are perfectly groomed often with flowers and bushes flown in from around the world, the cuisine is top-of-the-line and the courts and courses are quite often world-class.  Sometimes future Palm springsites aren’t sure where they are going to feel the most comfortable batting their balls on the hard courts and courses and so I tend to recommend spending a day at each of them – not arriving at two p.m. and leaving by three p.m.  I mean that they should either arrive in the morning and play some tennis, then utilize the clubhouse and then enjoy a fabulous lunch.  Or if golf is more to someone’s liking, I would definitely recommend they play a round and then freshen up in the clubhouse and then grab a bite to eat along with a drink (or two) with their foursome or their family at the restaurant that night.  It’s important to see whether or not they are going to gel with their fellow members before they plunk down a chunk of change.  No sense in doing so if they’re not going to use the facilities on a regular basis.  Those are the same rules that apply to health clubs in the desert, of which there are also many.  But since we’re talking about the palm springs country clubs, it’s best to look at what is available for you and your family.  Now as you may or may not know, many of these resorts generally tend to cater to those who play golf or play tennis only, but they also can offer some nice activities for the kids, which include swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts and basketball on indoor courts.  Note, that this inclusion tends to be the exception more than the rule, so as I stated above, be sure to visit each of the clubs and inquire about their facilities for the little ones! 

"palm springs golf courses"

If you are thinking about moving to Palm springs California because of your love of the golf game, rest assured that there are quite a few top-notch places to play in Palm springs.   One of the best palm springs golf courses is the Desert Falls Country Club, home of the Frank Sinatra Celebrate Open and the Don Drysdale Celebrity Open.  The course has been recognized by Golf magazine several times for its top-notch courses, which again makes it one of the palm springs golf courses not to be overlooked when considering which country club to join.  Imagine playing eighteen holes with the lush multi-colored greens awaiting you with the San Jacinto Mountains in the background and rows of palm trees guiding you along the course from hole to hole.  Then upon your finish, you can meet your family and friends for a bite to eat in the Desert Falls Grill, which certainly won’t disappoint.  One of the nice things I have found as well as others who belong to this selective club is that this club is for serious players and serious players only.  There is no swimming pool for the tykes, a spa service for the significant other while you’re out working on your game.  This is a magical place where it is all about the play and that’s important for many people who are trying to improve their game.  When I have recommended this course to people who are hoping to buy a house in Palm springs, I arrange for them to be my guest and they get to see first-hand just how great this course is from start to finish (no big surprise as it was designed by Ron Fream back in 1984; he has since designed more than fifty courses, all originals, around the world.).  Within no time, the guests are loving it and can’t wait to look for houses because they can definitely picture themselves playing golf there every free and spare moment they have.  Time and time again, I recommend the Desert Falls Country Club as one of the best palm springs golf courses around and those who heed my advice are rarely disappointed.

"for sale by owner in palm springs California"

If you are thinking about buying a house that is for sale by owner in palm springs California, I would definitely recommend buying one of those books for dummies.  I don’t mean to be unkind, but it’s not as easy as one might think to buy a house that is for sale by owner in palm springs California.  Sure, people like to think so, but personally I suspect they are doing that because they are lured in by the possibility of avoiding the commission.  When it comes to buying that house, sometimes there are things that a trained eye, that of a Palm springs Realtor, can spot that the average layman cannot.  For instance, during the last real estate boom, a number of people were unable to buy something bigger because while they made money on their current house, what they had hoped to move into had also increased in value, often even faster than their current residence.  So what people sometimes did is to add onto their current place – without filing the correct permits with the city.  Only after they have been sold do some new owners discover what has happened and then they are responsible for paying the fines to the city.  Anytime you are looking to take someone’s word, you’re definitely trusting, but I also think you’re taking a chance.  Think about it.  Wouldn’t it be a shame if you were about to buy a house in Palm springs, or even just a piece of property and you signed the papers, paid someone and you thought you owned a bigger piece than what was there?  Or what if you bought something because you were under the impression you could add a road on the land, only to learn that you didn’t own the property that was key to installing such a road?  That is yet another reason why I think it is never a great it to buy a house or piece of land that is for sale by owner in palm springs California unless you have some experience doing so in the past, or someone on your side who can help you to navigate all the paperwork for this job.   

"palm springs rentals"

Whenever someone asks me what is the smartest thing they can do when they are planning to move to the area when they haven’t ever spent much time here before, I definitely advise them to check out one of the many palm springs rentals.  I feel that it is incumbent on them to live here for a period of time before they make the big plunge.  They need to track houses and prices.  They need to establish their daily travel patterns, whether they are headed to the gym, to work, to the grocery store, etc.  It is essential they do all this so that they can get a real feel for what the place is like.  There are plenty of palm springs rentals from which to choose.  If someone wants to live in a gated community, there are palm springs rentals for that.  If the potential Desertite is interested in a senior community of assisted living, that is something that can be arranged.  If they want to buy a home in palm springs where they can live in an environment that is clothing-optional, that too can be found.  Imagine if you were interested in that, but were afraid to come here first to check out the scene, you bought a place and then realized that you could’ve had what you wanted if only you had made the proper arrangements first.  You’d save yourself a move and plenty of money for moving.  Another thing about palm springs rentals that is important to consider is your neighbors.  If you were to find yourself in a situation where you did not care for your loud, party and raucous neighbors, then with a rental, you are able to move out and find the real place for you.  Staying in a rental place while you are researching a house enables you to visit the place during the day and at night, giving you the proper time to research what the decibel noise level reaches on a regular basis, not just on one specifically timed visit.  So what have we learned?  If you are planning to buy a house in Palm springs, I implore you to take the extra time and find a place to stay temporarily so that you can figure out what location suits you best.  It is money well-spent that’ll pay off in the long run. 

"El Paseo shopping district"

The El Paseo shopping district is a terrific place to shop.  There are dozens and dozens of stores from which to purchase either a memento of your vacation / visit to this enticing and friendly desert paradise or if you’re in the market for things more substantial, for instance items to furnish a home, then this one-mile long retail bonanza is a really good place to shop.  Soon you’ll be the envy of those on your block.  Specifically there are items here that reflect the laid-back atmosphere of the desert, like jewelry that combines silver with stones that are indigenous to this area, that are either difficult to find anywhere else or if you would walk into a gallery in New York or Los Angeles, you would end up paying a whole lot more than if you were to purchase it here because you’re making this purchases much closer to the source of creation and inspiration.  A thriving arts and crafts community, Palm springs is also a strong supporter of the artistic community and a clear benefit of that is not just the quantity of creative visions that flood the stores in this area, but the quality of world-class pieces that mirror Palm springs real estate prices in that they will continue to appreciate greatly over time.  If you have the time, then I would advise you to get to know the El Paseo shopping district because it is also a wonderful place to meet your friends.  Why?  Because it’s a fantastic location to have coffee, drinks, dinner or even just deserts.  During the summer, many places have misters to keep you cool when sitting out on the patio and during the winter, when the mercury stays low, they replace those misters with some good gas lamp heaters.  This top-notch shopping district is most definitely a super happening place that has rightfully earned its nickname as the Rodeo Drive of the Desert.  The El Paseo shopping district is a place to see and be seen on the scene.  So what are you waiting for?  It is time for you to stop dawdling and to buy a house in Palm springs before it’s too late. 

"houses near el paseo"

There are many people who are looking to give up their cars when they retire.  They’ve spent enough time sitting in them during their commutes to and from their jobs.  For those individuals, I often recommend considering the many houses near el paseo because they are close enough to walk to El Paseo where people can get their fill of socialization, find what they need shopping-wise and stay fit.  What kinds of houses near el paseo are we talking about?  Fortunately for you, there are all types.  Big ones, small ones, ones with pools, ones without.  I have shown several houses to couples who as soon as they see them, they put a firm offer down on the house before they even leave the premises.  That’s always a good sign, when people are willing to put their money where their mouth is.  I’ve sold recently a four-bedroom, three-car garage with a pool and old growth trees (palms) to a family that was looking to expand.  They had previously lived farther out in the Coachella Valley and with both parents now working in Palm springs, they had wanted to find a home closer to where they worked.  When I first had suggested that we look at the houses for sale in Palm springs California, the couple was a little concerned about the price.  Okay, they were a lot concerned because they had two kids with another one the way and they didn’t want this move to break the bank.  We sat down and discussed what were things that they could live without and what were the things that they absolutely positively could not live without and before long we came up with a comprehensive list to keep them going.  Since the mother was in construction and the father was in retail, I knew we had a good match that could possibly mean getting lots of discounts on things and I was right.  The mother planned to call in a few chips should we find the right house so that they could get the demolition and renovations done for cost.  His job would allow them to furnish much of the house, which was larger than their current place, for very little extra money.  I’d help them get Palm springs real estate if it was the last thing I did.

"homes near El Paseo"

Looking through the shared listings of the homes near El Paseo, I found three that I wanted to show them.  The first was a tri-level modern house with five bedrooms and a swimming pool.  They were definitely excited about this one, but worried that the price might be more than they could spend.  I agreed with them, they shouldn’t spend more than a certain percentage of their income on housing; if they were to do that, there is very little room for a cushion to cover a mistake, a lost job, a high doctor’s bill, etc.  Too many people did just that a few years back and we are still paying for those blunders.  My honesty is why I have been one of the top selling real estate agents in Palm springs California for years.  When someone looks to me and asks about a house for sale in Palm springs California, what they get isn’t just a body that’s their listing agent, they get all the advice and years of experience that comes with it.  With that in mind, let me tell you about house number two – it was a single level, four-bedroom home that was done to perfection.  It had a swimming pool, a guesthouse, an enclosed outdoor patio, three-car garage and an updated air conditioning system that was sustainable.  The one downside about such a place is that of all the homes near El Paseo that we were looking at today, this one was furnished with all the best appliances and hardware and touches so that just these beautiful additions priced the place right out of my clients’ hands.  I was glad they saw it, but worried that maybe they might think I wasn’t doing them right.  The last of the homes near El Paseo that I showed them was a bit run down or as we say in real estate parlance – a definite fixer upper.  As we pulled into the driveway, I wasn’t sure if I could see the wheels turning or if they were mentally preparing themselves for a hasty retreat.  Fortunately, it was the former…

"Indian Wells real estate"

When I had first told the couple about how I was finding property in Palm springs that would knock their socks off, they were hopeful and excited.  After seeing the first two places, I could tell their sense of anticipation and excitement had worn off a little.  But when we pulled up to the four-bedroom house with no swimming pool, but a garage on the side that was extra deep to have four cars and a basement – very rare in this city – that would keep the home cool, I could see their eyes light up just a little.  As we entered the house and peered into the walls of the structure through a hole in the back of the closet, the wife expressed her excitement by letting slip a short squeal.  Her experience working in construction told her that the bones of this house were in perfect working order, but because of the somewhat rundown face of this place, most people were taking one look at this house for sale in Palm springs California and then moving on without realizing what a true gem they had right under their noses.  They wanted to make an offer right then and there.  As I said before, that is definitely a good idea, a good rule of thumb to go by, but in this case, I did want them to look at one other neighborhood first, which was Indian Wells real estate.  Why you might ask would I want them to look at Indian Wells real estate when I could have definitely made the sale and been done with it all?  Well, I strongly believe that if you find some place and you want to make an offer at the same time, it is important to recognize that you are not a foolish person, especially when it comes time to making such a big important purchase in your life and so in this case that means taking a short drive to look at Indian Wells real estate.

"La Quinta real estate"

Sometimes I get the darndest questions that I don’t know from where they originate.  About three days ago, I got asked pointblank, without warning, if someday I couldn’t work selling palm springs real estate, if I weren’t one of the top real estate agents in Palm springs California, then what would I do, where would I go to set up another shop?  Honestly I can’t seriously imagine doing anything but this as I truly am one of those sickening individuals who loves, adores, is so eternally grateful to be able to do what I love for a living.  I have no plans to change that situation in which I find myself anytime soon.  But since people are pushy and I didn’t want to be impolite and not answer, I figured I had better have an answer to their query.  I guessed if I couldn’t be selling Palm springs real estate, then, I guessed I would probably try to become involved with La Quinta real estate.  Located south and east of Palm springs by fewer than fifteen miles, La Quinta is a welcoming community with good schools, beautiful houses and friendly residents.  Combine those three things together and La Quinta real estate practically sells itself and that’s half of the battle when it comes to listing and selling someone’s property.  The other half is luck, remember?  Known as the ‘gem of the desert,’ La Quinta offers plenty of public and private golf courses, a town village with lots of shopping and restaurants and the friendly and safe Bear Creek Trail which offers excellent paths for walking, jogging or bicycling.  If you’re a little more adventurous, there are special nature trails that lead up into the mountains due just south of the town center.  I know that the median house price here in La Quinta is a little bit more than what you might be able to find in Palm springs, and the population continues to grow at a rather torrid pace, but truth be told, the people you’ll come into contact while living in La Quinta real estate will treat you as if you’ve lived there for years.  So for that reason, to answer the question of what I would be doing if I couldn’t sell real estate in  Palm springs, I think if I couldn’t work in Palm springs anymore, then I would probably end up dealing with La Quinta real estate. 

"homes in Riverside County"

There are so many homes in Riverside County from which to choose, the biggest decision you’ll have to make is where to live.  Stretching from the eastern-most areas of Los Angeles all the way to the Arizona border, Riverside County covers a really enormous area.  Just as you might suspect, people who purchase homes in Riverside County make up a broad swath of the American population.  The divisions can be seen in several different ways.  For instance, if you view the region politically, there are more Republicans here than Democrats, however, in the most recent Presidential election, more homes in Riverside County went for Obama than for McCain.  If you look at Palm springs Real Estate, you’ll quickly discover that the homes in this vast county run the gamut from the tiny modest cottage all the way up to the megamansion.  You can find condos, townhomes, lofts, RV parks, timeshares and rentals.  The people who live here are mostly white and Latino, but there are a growing number of African-American and Asian-Americans who have re-located to this desert paradise as well.  As one of the many real estate agents in Palm springs California, I have witnessed this change firsthand and am one to welcome it.  Diversity in the desert creates a more accepting environment, one where people can live together in harmony and teach the next generation what the world should be like, one where you can find ways to use renewable energy on a regular basis.  If you aren’t familiar with wind turbine energy, get ready because there are some of the biggest wind farms located here in the desert valley floor you’ll ever see.  They generate a high percentage of our county’s residents’ energy needs, which is awesome because that resource is renewable and just waiting for the taking. 

"Palm Springs real estate"

Palm Springs real estate is among some of the finest in the world.  As one of the top selling real estate agents in Palm springs California, I have had many occasions to sell Palm Springs real estate for former Palm springs residents who have relocated to the nearby desert hamlet just a desert stone’s throw away.  One of the most exclusive places to live in Palm Springs is known as the movie colony.  Located just off the 111 Freeway as you are coming into town, this area is where the movie stars, directors, writers and producers often vacation to refuel their creative genius and obtain their much-needed rest and relaxation from their busy lives in entertainment.  Longtime residents can literally point to the well-known residents in each estate, one after the other – oh a member of Europe’s royal family maintains a residence here, a retired television actor has settled there, a beloved New York stage actor keeps that place for the few times when she’s not singing her brains out on Broadway, etc.  Nestled just at the base of the mountains, the movie colony was home to big-time celebs like Hal Wallis and his lover Bette Davis.  Homes here were and are spectacular both in terms of acreage – three plus acres was not uncommon back in the day – and in terms of decoration.  Famous interior designers leapt at the chance to work for their high-powered and high-paying clients because while they knew they would have to work in the desert heat, many homes were un-airconditioned back in the day, they would also be able to spend a bit of their time enjoying the spas and resorts that the region was so well-known for around the world.  It was definitely worth the drive and those desert hideaways are all the better for it.  I have always said to sell Palm Springs real estate is worth the short drive from Palm springs.  The areas are so close together that sometimes when you are trying to figure out how to find a real estate agent in Palm springs California, the easiest way to do so might not be to drive into Palm springs itself, but if you know an agent in Palm Springs or nearby La Quinta, they can direct you to someone they know first-hand, and as everyone knows, a personal referral is often the best one. 

"Rancho Mirage real estate"

If there is one way that Rancho Mirage real estate differs from Palm Springs real estate, I would hazard a theory that there are more gated communities in the former, the people who live there tend to be a little more on the conservative side and they also do not hail from the entertainment community, they come from the business world.  Titans of so many of the media and the major conglomerates maintain vacation residences side-by-side in many of the gated communities, it’s like a convention of our country’s true movers and shakers, although truth be told since they are such hardworking souls, they do not find themselves here but for a few weeks of the year – Christmas and New Year’s are particularly good times for spotting them at the grocery store, if you know whom to look for.  That’s one major difference between the heads of these giant companies and the celebrities -- anonymity.  It’s funny to think of the head of a company that has a market value of more than one-hundred billion dollars trying to decide which kind of pasta to buy at Trader Joe’s, but it happens, I’ve seen it.  I know for a fact that the former head of Chrysler has a home here (and so does his daughter) and one of the original founders of one of those major discount warehouse stores also called this perfectly maintained community home for many, many years.  As one of the numerous real estate agents in Palm springs California, I have shown and sold Rancho Mirage real estate because a number of my clients can’t decide where they want to live.  My advice for how to find a real estate agent in palm springs California is to ask your friends who are most happy in their houses.  Most of the time if someone is happy in their house, chances are they had an excellent experience with their real estate agent and a referral is easily had.  Rancho Mirage real estate is a place for the super wealthy who like to be close to their colleagues and yet not so far away from the next potential deal waiting just around the corner.

"palm springs real estate"

No matter where you go in this ever-shrinking world, if you mention that you own or are involved in the world of palm springs real estate, I can practically guarantee that you will become that person’s next best friend.  In the past, I have been traveling to some of the most remote and far-flung locales on the globe where I inevitably run into friendly fellow travelers who once they learn that I have owned palm springs real estate they suddenly want to pick my brain for stories about the people who live there as well as hopefully get some good travel recommendations for when to visit.  If they want to come for a stay, I offer advice about where to stay, when to come and what to do while they are here.  I don’t want to be the ugly American.  But if they are truly interested in buying Palm springs real estate then I give them a card and make sure they give me a call when they get here and then we’ll talk.  When I first started in the business, I used to dispense a lot of my knowledge for free and I will still do that to a select few like yourselves, but the truth is that I have worked really hard to become one of the best top selling real estate agents in Palm springs California and so when I take one of those much-cherished vacations, I do like to get away from talking about palm springs real estate and focus on the cabernet sauvignon that I’m tasting, the exotic pyramids I’m climbing or the grainy sandy beach that I’m letting my body melt away in.  Does that mean that I could lose the chance to generate some business down the road?  Sure, because world travelers tend to be of the wealthy sort and so they could be serious about wanting to end up living in our wonderful paradise, but there comes a time when I have to say no and just let my body get recharged, play with my kids, pay attention to my husband because there’s nothing worse than having to deal with a realtor who is completely burned out and in need of some serious down time.  So for that reason, should I ever meet you while I’m outside of Riverside County and don’t have my signs stuffed in the trunk of my car, then I hope you’ll excuse me for not wanting to talk shop.

"Palm springs mls"

Over cocktails, the couple wanted to know how I found this place?  It definitely wasn’t a place that would appear in the Palm springs mls.  Especially since it wasn’t even on the market.  What I told them is that I knew the Palm springs mls backwards and forwards and yes, something like this wouldn’t normally come up on the Palm springs mls and if it did, realtors would think it was a typo, writing about two such different styles under one roof.  After I explained my legwork, though making sure not to give away my trade secrets – the grape juice especially – I remembered how there had been a law suit filed right around the time that I had arrived here in the valley hoping to sell Palm springs California real estate.  There was a couple that had wanted to build a really big house on the property where we’re standing, but it was right around the same time that the city council decided that they needed to preserve houses from the area with historical significance.  That included not only the houses in the valley, but also the ones in the hills.  So when the couple tried to level the house in order to build their modern estate, they were denied permits.  To make the deal work, they had to agree to keep the original structure, but were allowed to build off the back.  They hired an architect who had a lot of experience in add-ons and they took full advantage of the fact that they were slightly high up and that there would be gorgeous morning light that could make the modern house seem bright and airy during the day and then with the nighttime views of the valley, the lights would shimmer and dance from the outdoor patio.  When they finished, visitors would have absolutely no idea that what was behind the façade is a modern beauty and from the valley floor, people wouldn’t be able to find it, which was a concern because it was featured in Architectural Digest.  The couple was sold, they’re relocating to Palm springs California this year.

"palm springs short sales"

When people come to my office expecting to try and make a lot of money in palm springs short sales, I explain to them they might want to think about relocating to Palm springs California cause once they see all the things this place has to offer, Palm springs California real estate will be like finding the promised land.  I kid you not, I’ve had people come here expecting to make a ton of money in palm springs short sales, which they do, but instead of coming in, cashing out and moving on, they end up staying for the long haul.  You see palm springs short sales are a great way to get a foothold in the community, you can come here, find a great place whether it’s a house, a condo or even a plot of land – and then watch the value of it grow.  Right now, this area is about to rebound from a low point, which means there is an extraordinary amount of money to be made – if you know where to look.  Far too often, people run around looking for the next best thing, they think that they have that inside track because they got a tip from someone about something hot, but the truth is, if they’re telling you, chances are that that tidbit has passed through about ten other people, no, make that one hundred.  But I’m serious when I reveal to you that we are about to experience a growth similar to what started during the mid-to-late 1990s.  How many times in the last five to ten years have you met someone and started talking to them only to realize not only are you in the same position financially, but they were the ones who are making all the money because they were the ones who bought property at rock-bottom prices?  And you sit there wishing and hoping that could’ve been you, but there’s no way to turn back time and relive those glory days?  Well, I’m telling you that we are about to have solved the bank problems and the economic slump and then people are going to get ready to saddle up for a good ride because people in this world have such short-term memories that come six, maybe twelve months from now, we’ll be on our way.  You heard it here first. 

"short sales in Palm springs"

Now, I should tell you that I have been quite fortunate when it comes to short sales in Palm springs.  In fact, for the last five years, I have been ranked in the top five in short sales in Palm springs and I would’ve had the title of the best short sales in Palm springs, except for the fact that I had a couple of horse properties in Palm springs that also bordered on an other municipality and so I had to split my totals with another region.  Grrr!  But fortunately I love all things equine, so I’m good.  In fact, one of my favorite things to do is to go to the stables with my kids, gear up the horses and take them on trail rides just outside of town.  We’ll pack lunches before we leave, starting just as the sun is about to crest the horizon and before the sun is about two inches above the horizon, we’re already well on our way.  If you have never seen this area by horseback, it’s a definite must.  There are so many trails to ride, people are very friendly and even where there aren’t trails, most homeowners allow you pass through their property to get where you want to go.  All they ask is that you not dawdle and leave any evidence (besides tracks) that you’ve been by, you know?  Of course, if you’re a regular rider you already know this, but in case not, it is a good idea to stay on the trails because out here in the brush we do have a couple of snakes and so when you’re traversing the area on horseback, you want to keep a sharp eye out for them.  But you don’t have to worry too much because they tend to make their presence known and if it’s really windy, then you’ll actually be able to see their tracks so you’ll know just where to look!  Okay, enough about that, one of our favorite things to do is to take the horses not back to the barns, but to the tennis estates in palm springs California.  I know you’re thinking – wait a second, you have a horse?  How on earth can you do that?  It’s Palm Springs, remember, people let you do a lot that you can’t do anyplace else.

"Palm springs foreclosures"

Yes, you can really ride a horse from the open trail right up to tennis estates in Palm springs California and then go play tennis while the horse relaxes in the shade of the stables, which you’ll definitely want to do to ensure they can get you back to their rightful stable and barn!  You can spend as much time or as little time there as a member or as a day guest, which can be important if you’re a new arrival in Palm springs.  This terrific policy gives you the chance to do a little sampling.  Another type of sampling that you’ll be the beneficiary of is Palm springs foreclosures.  Now, nobody is wishing that horrible thing to happen to somebody, but like I said before, if it is your dream to stay here, there are plenty of options available to you.  You’ll have your choice of houses, whether we’re talking size, numbers of bedrooms or bathrooms, pools, big lot, no lot, chef’s kitchen, Jacuzzi, barbecue, one-story, two-story, gardens, etc.  I think you get the picture.  The Palm springs foreclosures are something that you can make work for you, you’ll be able to find something for your budget and be able to have a little extra for decorating and design.  Okay, a lot extra – but that’s also where you have to do a little legwork.  When I give you the list of Palm springs foreclosures, it’s up to you visit the places, do a drive-bys during the day and at night, go to City Hall, see if there’s anything that you want to know about a particular property, etc. cause although Google Earth is one of the most amazing tools and so very helpful at first when you’re trying to see what a neighborhood looks likes before you visit, it is imperative that you see things first-hand so you’ll know what kind of a hopefully great situation you’ll be putting yourself fin.  Then when you figure out what you want, then be sure to visit my office and we’ll get started.  I can’t wait to take you from the stables and ultimately show you some fabulous tennis court homes in Palm springs because as you’ll soon see, not only is having one practically a necessity, both in terms of keeping fit but also socially active, not all tennis courts are alike. 

"foreclosures in Palm springs"

What do you mean to say that tennis court homes in Palm springs are not all alike?  Well, the sun out in the desert can be fierce and so choosing where to put a court and taking care of the court are very, very, very important considerations.  Remember what I said about foreclosures in Palm springs?  That you can find what exactly what you’re looking for if you look hard enough and do your research?  Well, with foreclosures in Palm springs that means that you can find wonderful houses with tennis courts in Palm springs California that will match virtually every need, you just want to do a little legwork so you can find ‘love,’ ‘set’ and ‘match’ every time you step foot onto the court.  Now, there is a great deal of debate among the tennis set here in the desert about which way to orientate your court.  The people who live here year round tend to like to have he courts facing east-west because they play for most of the year when it’s not too hot and so when the sun is relatively high in the sky and the mercury hasn’t risen too much, nobody is complaining of having lost the ball in their sights because the sun got in their eyes.  But if you’re someone who is going to be here just part of the time, say in the summer, then I’d say it would be better to have the court poured in a more north-south direction because you’ll most likely be playing the early morning or late afternoon hours and so you won’t be catching the sun’s rays directly.  See what I told you about foreclosures in Palm springs?  There is definitely something here for everyone and if you really look hard enough you can certainly find the right place for you, whether it’s the exact right size bathroom, an estate complete with stables or a tennis court planted just so with exactly the right surface – and you should know that although Indian Wells has hard-court surfaces, there is a growing movement here, a groundswell even, of competitors who like to play on clay.

"bank owned in Palm springs"

I don’t know about you, but if you’ve been watching the news lately you’ve seen that there are many banks in this country that are in a little bit of a financial mess.  Too many bad loans have led to lots of properties that are bank owned in Palm springs.  Know that while my heart goes out to some of the people (those who were hoodwinked when purchasing their home, not those who just thought they could flip the house and make some bank), a property that is bank owned in Palm springs these days could be just the thing to make it possible for you to get a steal.  And what kind of a steal might that be?  We’re talking houses with mountain views in Palm springs California, houses with garages big enough for fifteen cars, swimming pools that are big enough to hold Olympic races in them and houses on golf courses in Palm springs California.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to invite your friends over to play a round of golf and then when they arrive, you have a cart that takes them directly to the clubhouse?  Or to be able to be on the course and then to run in the house to get a fresh shirt?  Or if golf is your passion, to be able to sit on your patio and watch players of all levels tee off all the time?  I don’t know about you, but I love watching people play tennis, I suspect it’s no different than while playing golf and there are some really spectacular courses in town that have been designed by some of the game’s most talented players.  A piece of land or property that is bank owned in Palm springs can definitely be had for a small amount of money, a whole lot less than what it was going for just three years ago.  It most definitely is a good deal, something that can help you get peace of mind because it’s tangible.  How many stock market investment portfolios can you whip out to impress your friends?  Not many unless you own the freakin’ company.  But with a house, you can let people know you’ve arrived and take a sweet vacation from work with your friends, your family, whomever.  It’s all good in Palm springs.

"lofts in Palm springs California"

Now I know what you’re thinking.  Are there really any lofts in Palm springs California?  What do you think this is, New York City?  Well, truth be told, lofts in Palm springs California sell just as quickly as houses with mountain views in Palm springs California or houses with tennis courts in Palm springs California.  Now I’m sure you’re asking well how can that be possible.  First, the obvious, whether you have a house or a loft, they can definitely share the same views of the mountain, in fact sometimes lofts are better-equipped to have better views because many houses in Palm springs are only one story, while lofts are two, sometimes, two-and-a-half or three.  With the additional height, you can see directly over those lower residences in the neighborhood.  What about the tennis court factor?  Well, many of the lofts in Palm springs California that have been constructed within the last ten years or so aren’t built as a stand-alone in the middle of an older, pre-existing development.  They have been built as part of a larger, planned community so that means that they are within an association that provides swimming pools, tennis courts, and recreational areas to the tenants with a nominal fee.  Don’t worry, people won’t be carrying on late into the night, there are definitely rules to ensure that the residents aren’t keep awake (or conversely woken up) due to inconsiderate players, just as there are also people whose jobs it is to make sure the pool remains in tip-top shape, the courts available and clean and the recreational areas well-lit.  Also, something else that is nice about the court system is that many associations also participate in friendly leagues that encourage people to play against those who find themselves at a similar level.  If you have your own private court, that can certainly be a plus, but then you’ll have to rely on the country club in order to find people with whom you can play. 

"townhomes in Palm springs California.”  I’m interested in finding townhomes in Palm springs California.  Well, you’ve come to the right place because I recently discovered a top-notch developer with more than twenty years in the business and more awards than you can shake a stick at has secured funding – yes, you read the correctly – for a brilliant set of townhomes in Palm springs California that will be built on land that has been left undeveloped for years, land that had always been pre-zoned for residential development, but that an extremely old starlet had refused to sell until she passed away, which she FINALLY did at the grand old age of one-hundred-and-two!  Anyway, I’m super delighted to let you know that these townhomes in Palm springs will be available for purchase starting in about a week and I am confident that they will be snapped up by the following Friday.  The property is so perfect, in a spectacular location with Palm springs mountain views so amazing I can’t even reveal its location until you’ve signed a non-disclosure agreement, that I can’t wait for the bidding to begin.  The model for this project will be on display in my office and online, but for the latter it will only be available for those serious inquiries, those who have been pre-approved.  Now some people might say, well, I’ve always wanted mountain views in Palm springs California, but talk to me about this type of housing set-up, I’m concerned about losing sun.  Well, that’s the treat thing about these buildings.  We call them townhomes because that’s what people will think of when they see them, they look like that kind of structure, but truth be told, there’s really more akin to duplexes most of the properties will only be tied to one other.  A few will be triplexes, but even those in the middle will be light and bright and airy, as the skylights installed in every unit will ensure light filters in throughout.  One additional note that I think is worth considering if you are someone who is going to use this as a vacation home – a townhome is a place that ensures you have neighbors who can be around when you’re not there and vice-versa. 

"Palm springs Realtors”.  Like I said before, Palm springs Realtors can really help you to find your dream house.  Mostly we’re a small bunch of people.  A lot of them grew up together (not me, remember I’m a transplant who fell in love with the region), we regularly run into each other at the grocery store, or while picking up the kids from school, or of course while enjoying a celebratory meal with clients because they had just purchased the most perfect place with to-die-for mountain views in Palm springs California.  There are Spanish speakers among us, French speakers, even one guy from Brazil who deals with a lot of the uber-wealthy clientele from Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.  We range in age from twenty-five to fifty-eight, though to be honest we do have a few who are older than that.  They aren’t regulars any more in our group, they don’t come to our bi-weekly get-togethers, but they do manage to sell one or two of their friends’ properties a year to keep their membership to the group of Palm springs Realtors current.  In fact, one of the original Palm springs Realtors, a guy who moved out here more than sixty years ago just to live out his dream, which was selling real estate, stops by twice a year or so and everyone treats him like a god because he has stories that’ll knock off your socks.  We wish we could have him swing by for more, but this guy is in demand, not only here within the community, but also around the world.  See once people here buy from him, he became a part of their lives and so very often he was attending their weddings, traveling to their other vacation homes and even meeting up with them in far away cities like Paris or Tokyo all because he sold them their Palm springs homes.  Although I have been in this business for a relatively short period of time when compared to him, I hope to have as successful career, both financially and rewarding personally so that I’ll be able to make other people’s dreams come true as well. 

"multiple listing service for palm springs"

Trusting other agents is definitely a part of the business and that’s why I really enjoy what I do.  I mean, who would want to work with people they didn’t want to turn their backs on?  The other Palm springs realtors who work here are people I can trust, sometimes even go into business with and that’s important because we all use the multiple listing service for palm springs.  That means that my shingle can have listings for Palm springs golf course homes and share them with someone else and vice-versa.  If people didn’t believe in the multiple listing service for palm springs that would mean the buyers would have fewer opportunities to sell a property and unscrupulous realtors might be tempted to try and coerce someone to buy one of their rental properties in Palm springs, looking for a commission, when in fact that might not be the right place for their client.  Freedom is choice.  That’s why I support wholeheartedly the multiple listing service for palm springs, it puts a lot of the power in the buyer’s hands, allowing them to see everything that is out there instead of limiting their options.  All the client has to do is say, I was wrong, instead of two bedrooms, I think I want three, and voila, I can go to the computer and create another list that will reflect their changes.  And that can make all the difference.  Imagine if you wanted to buy a blue t-shirt and the only place to purchase one was at the blue t-shirt store, but then you decided while you were there that instead of a blue t-shirt you wanted a red t-shirt, but in order to get one, you would have to drive all the way across town to the red t-shirt store.  And then what if when you got there you realized maybe a green t-shirt is the way to go?  You get the picture.  Well, The beauty of this service, one click of the mouse and you can get one step closer to finding that dream house.  And so although I do not think it’s necessary with the Palm springs realtors, who are one of the hardest-working bunches out there – evident in our annual aggregate sales totals – the service ensures that people are honest and working there for you, rather than just making sure they’re selling property. 

"Palm springs homes for sale.”  One of the best things about Palm springs homes for sale is their versatility.  They can be used as permanent residences, vacation houses, rentals and even swaps with adventurous people in faraway lands.  Should you opt for the latter, think about how easy it is to convince the visitor to allow you to stay at their Latin Quarter apartment in exchange for Palm springs mountain views.  It’s practically a no-brainer!  The places I’ve been able to take my family and not have to pay for hotel rooms, instead being able to stay in a real person’s real home – the experience has been priceless.  So if you’re one of the more adventurous people I was just talking about, think about how Palm springs homes for sale have the built-in ability to sell themselves.  As I have said before, for instance, there are so many Americans who enjoy playing golf, who think they’re as good as one Tiger Woods, or even if they’re not, they just love getting outside, having a few drinks, getting some exercise, having some more drinks, etc.  Many of the people who play this wonderful sport do not have the chance to play it year-round so think how easy it would be to entice someone to come stay for a golf weekend and to be able to stay at one of the houses on golf courses in Palm springs California?  Did you know there are thirty-plus, eighteen-hole golf courses located in Palm springs alone?  Some of which are four- and five-diamond rated?  If you don’t have the time to play a full round, there are also quite a few nine-hole courses as well.  I’m telling you, if you love golf, this may be the place for you to bring the whole family for a vacation cause where there’s golf, there’s also swimming and biking and tennis and horses and good food – all the makings of a vacation that’ll be memorable for the whole brood.  What are you waiting for?  There are plenty of Palm springs homes for sale that can make that golf trip not just a fantasy, but a realty, ha-ha, a re-al-i-ty. 

"condos in the Desert"

When you tell someone who isn’t familiar with this area, who has never experienced the wonderfully relaxing and freeing experience of living in Palm springs, and you mention casually that you are one of the many people who own condos in the Desert, chances are you might get a strange reaction back.  Sitting on their porch in small-town America where more than likely they live no where near a desert and in fact have never been to one, they might not understand the attraction of actually paying good, hard-earned money for property where it’s hot during the daylight hours and can be chilly at night.  That’s because they watch too many movies and don’t read enough about the true benefits of owning property like condos in the Desert.  Did you know that the fact that so many people want to move there isn’t simply because of the fabulous weather, it’s also because of health-related concerns?  Some doctors are recommending to their patients that they not stay where the air is too moist and damp because of allergies or breathing related problems.  Their doctors are saying to their patients that they should take a vacation for an extended period of time to the desert to see if their conditions improve.  Because it’s for an extended period of time, considering rental properties in Palm springs is a smart option, then if they decide that this is the place for them, if their health conditions improve, which they almost always do, then maybe they should consider moving there or at least consider the option to maintain a second home in Palm springs California, where they can escape the health-related problems during allergy season.  If this is something that you think plagues you, give me a holler and I’ll show you plenty of condos in the Desert where you can rejuvenate your body and rid yourself of the toxins that are keeping you under the weather back home.  Then, after your rehabilitation in the desert and when you return to your hometown and everyone sees you looking tanned and refreshed, they’ll be the ones asking you all these questions about how do they move to the desert as they kick themselves for not having done it sooner. 

"condominiums in Palm springs"

When I first began selling Palm springs homes to people who hailed from big East Coast cities, I thought for sure that they would want to have the huge properties that they couldn’t afford in their own hometowns – you know, instead of the cramped two-bedroom apartment with absolutely no closet space and a dining room that is more like a breakfast nook, they’d want a show place where having an intercom is a necessity.  Boy have I been wrong!  I would say that seven or eight times out of ten, those East Coasters want nothing more than to find condominiums in Palm springs that not only remind them of home, with all the creature comforts, but also they’re looking for condominiums in Palm springs that are also close in proximity to their friends and family.  Sure, that twenty to thirty percent that I am not talking about are most certainly looking for a second home in Palm springs California and do want some outdoor space for their dogs to roam, their kids to run, to gain some much sought-after privacy after sharing far-too-many walls with their nosy neighbors, but by and large, the rest of the bunch really seem uninterested in that kind of set-up.  Which, in a way makes perfect sense to me.  If they’re coming out for short, limited periods of time, who would want to have to spend a lot of their time tending to the small details that detract from a vacation or family time?  Few are those who want to have to do yard work, which also holds true when people turn their trips into extended stays.  They East Coasters are here for fun, and condominiums in Palm springs ensure that they get the chance to take advantage of their time here in the desert before heading to their gloomy cities back home.

"real estate for sale in Palm springs"

If there’s one thing that makes me happy it’s finding excellent real estate for sale in Palm springs.  And one way that I definitely feel I have the inside track to helping prospective buyers find the property that they’re looking for is by having had the experience of making many happy owners here in the desert.  Whether people were looking for Palm springs golf course homes or good, sound investment homes in Palm springs, I am most definitely a good resource for them because I’ve been in the business for a long time.  What does time give me?  Well, it provides me with a track record to show that I have made people’s dreams come true not just when escrow closes, but also after someone has their ten-year anniversary in a house.  It shows when I get a call from someone whom I’ve helped find a house and now their son or daughter has graduated from college and is looking to lay down roots and find some of their own real estate for sale in Palm springs.  It shows when people cold call me from an area code I’m not familiar with and say that they are friends of so-and-so who I helped years and years ago and the caller reveals they have stayed in the house or condo and loved it so much that they want me to help them find their getaway in the desert.  And it shows when I get the call from someone who unfortunately has passed away and I was the person who either helped them move into the house or I’ve been working with the family getting other properties or maybe I’ve just been working with them, helping them to think about getting the house in order so that when it comes time to consider the house as a part of the estate, I can ensure the person who has passed on will be passing on a lot to their progeny.  And like I’ve said before, those estates and pieces of property don’t often come into play out here and so if you’re looking for primo real estate for sale in Palm springs, you want to be sure that you have someone like me who is tied into the gossip and deals that are often made in advance of any public listing, that you have someone representing you whose job it is to be in the know so you have the chance to bid on a property instead of just hearing about a fabulous sale.

"buy a home in Palm springs"

Today I showed a home to a couple who was hoping to buy a home in Palm springs.  The man was being transferred here for work, the wife was an interior designer with extensive background in architecture; they planned to do much of the renovations himself.  When I asked why they wanted to buy a home in Palm springs, she told me that she had lived in the area many years ago, moved away when she was still in high school, but always wanted to come back.  She always thought that a return to the desert would only mean owning a second home in Palm springs California, but then when her husband learned he was going to be relocated here, she was thrilled.  One of the prerequisites for moving here was that she always dreamt of having golf course views in Palm springs California.  She continued, describing how when she was here, she lived near one of the beautiful courses, and they always went to the club – after school, on weekends, during the big holidays to look at the decorations and eat.  She had many fond memories growing up here, and looked forward to reliving them by sharing them with her husband and then making more.  When I asked what price range are they thinking about to buy a home in Palm springs, she said quite confidently that money was no object because the company was going to pay not only to move all their belongings from Chicago to the desert, but they were also planning to give him an extremely generous stipend that would cover their mortgage for at least the first two years.  That amount was more than enough to squirrel away and keep them going on less than five percent of his paycheck.  My kind of clients!  The thing that was most important to them was that they be within a few blocks of the club.  As a kid, she enjoyed walking or biking to the club and home from the club with her family because they always had such wonderful conversations as they exercised – it was their reserve time.  Instead of watching the TV – they walked and talked.  Palm springs is great for that. 

"homes for sale in Palm springs"

The first thing I did with the couple was to show them a list of all the homes for sale in Palm springs.  Believe it or not, they wanted to see the entire list because they wanted to get a sense of what was available.  Her having grown up here was a good thing because she knew the area, but since she hadn’t been around for a while, she was surprised by how much it had grown!  Of all the homes for sale in Palm springs, she was torn between wanting to focus solely on residential listings in Palm springs, and then also thinking about whether they should use some of the extra money from the company and consider buying at least one or maybe two investment homes in Palm springs.  I told her, as much as you can get a sense of stuff on the web about this gorgeous place, you have to see the things in person.  So with that in mind, they put on their walking shoes and grabbed their bottles of water – remember it is the desert and so the arid air can really dry someone out – and we started to explore.  The first places we looked at were the more modest, mid-century modern houses – typically one story, stone floors, lots of open, airy spaces and good ventilation.  And fabulous pools, not the traditional box or rectangle, but ones that were shaped like kidneys or half moons or animals or even pieces of fruit.  One that was a favorite to look at was actually in the shape of a bat!  It was rumored that the owner had a connection to the Batman series, but I never was able to confirm that information.  Anyway, a few of the mid-century moderns, of which there are a plethora in the desert, definitely made it to the top of their consider list.  It’s always good to hear the client talk about how they could see themselves not just functioning but living in the home.  She loved the mid-century modern look, but also wanted to make sure she saw everything else the place had to offer.  She suggested that it was time for us to move on to the next batch of homes for sale in Palm springs – the more traditional villa. 

"Palm springs Realtor"

My job as a Palm springs Realtor is to make your house hunting experience as easy as can be.  And when I say experience I mean that in the best possible way.  I’ve talked about what it takes to be a good Palm springs Realtor in previous entries, but today I want to talk about how being a good Palm springs Realtor also means listening to your clients.  The couple was talking to me about how they wanted to look at the traditional villa, and I knew she had a specific idea in mind because she had a strong architectural background.  But truth be told, I could sense that her husband wasn’t as excited.  When I had a chance to talk to him alone, he said that he really wanted to surprise her and pick the house out on his own.  Whoa.  I wasn’t sure if that was controlling, at first I was ready to say I am not sure I can represent just you, but then he told me how he had always wanted to surprise her by picking out the home of her dreams.  Wait a second, I thought, what would that be?  Would it be a majestic, villa with golf course views in Palm springs California?  Would it be a mid-century modern with a funky swimming pool?  Would it be a loft?  What was he thinking?  He was hoping to meet up separately to go over the residential listings in Palm springs and find the place that she talked about for years when they first met.  What was it like?  Does she have pictures?  Can he remember any specific details about it?  Only one – it was the one where she grew up.  He wanted to surprise her by buying the house she lived in as a child because she talks non-stop about all the most fabulous memories and how she wishes he could see it.  Well, what happened to the house, I inquired?  He gave me the address and it was then that I realized the house she grew up in was no more, there was a shopping mall.  I looked at him and immediately realized what he wanted me to do.  He needed me to find a replica of her childhood house where she spent her formative years and then move it to the perfect place.  A challenge! 

"pool homes in Palm springs"

I would say that one of the first things that folks inquire about when they come looking for palm springs properties is pool homes in Palm springs.  Being able to swim in an outdoor, unheated pool for nine, ten months of the year excites so many that they just can’t wait to see all the pool homes in Palm springs.  Of all the houses in the desert, of all the vacation homes in Palm springs, I would say that a full eighty to ninety percent of them come with swimming pools.  Sure, there the few who do not want them, they come to the wonderful desert not looking to take a dip in the pool, but to take advantage of the warm and dry desert air, they are looking for things more restorative in nature as pertain to the soul.  But more often than not, the people who are searching for places to visit or move to are looking for pool homes in Palm springs as a requirement, not an extra.  The couple I was working with had found one of the most gorgeous estates with a perfect pool to match.  The owner was a lovely British couple who had planned to move back to England to be with their great-grandchildren.  Taking those flights across America and over the pond were getting to be too much for them, so they wanted to sell their home to someone here who might enjoy living here as much as they did.  The house itself was a one-floor villa with citrus trees, a cabana, a guest house, a pool and Jacuzzi and tennis courts on the property.  The house had four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a game room, a master chef kitchen, laundry, a nursery and maid’s quarters.  And an eight-car garage.  And fifty palm trees on the property with rose bushes surrounding each one that make the air smell wonderful and pop on those family pictures.  This was a definite selling point to the couple as they had a large extended family who loved to escape wintery Chicago weather and trek to the sunshine of Southern California.  The biggest thing was the house – it hadn’t been updated in nearly three decades, or a major renovation at least so it was definitely in need of some TLC.  She was ready, but still wanted to see the contemporary houses before she made a decision. 

"house with swimming pools in Palm springs California"

I met the couple who was interested in buying a house so they could relocate to the town where coincidentally the wife grew up to show them contemporary houses.  Of course this house was nothing like the one she was raised in, but she didn’t know that her husband was trying to surprise her by finding an exact replica of the one she lived in as a child.  I chose six contemporary Palm springs homes for sale to show them.  All of them were built in the mid- to late-90s, had excellent air conditioning systems, were wired for sound throughout the house, had home entertainment centers – yes centers, complete with a mini-movie theater – a wine cellar, a kitchen with a subzero, updated home security systems and infinity pools.  These palm springs properties were also built with the most advanced anti-earthquake construction technology available, which also was a big plus for selling.  Having a house that’s bolted is really important.  As we were making our way from one gorgeous modern house to another, I tried to suss out more information about the house she grew up in without it being obvious.  As we talked, I was taken aback by one thing:  she mentioned that the house had more than one swimming pool.  At first I thought she was talking about the country club where her family belonged, but then I realized I understood her correctly.  As she went off to look with her husband at the rooftop patio, I was glad to have unearthed this extra detail, I needed to update my search and look for a house with swimming pools in Palm springs California.  Of course I wasn’t worried about finding a house with swimming pools in Palm springs California, because I knew we were in a very warm climate with lots of affluent residents.  Trying to find a house with swimming pools in Palm springs California wouldn’t be so hard, I had seen quite a few with oddly shaped pools and then a lap pool right next to it.

"Palm springs Properties"

When I told the husband his wife had had two swimming pools at her house growing up, he worried that would make it impossible to find the right place.  I re-assured him a house with swimming pools in Palm springs California would not be hard to find.  And if we were lucky to find an exact replica of what she wanted from one of the many Palm springs Properties available for sale, then the other option would be to build a second one for her.  He knew he had picked the right person to help him wade through the Palm springs Properties in search of the perfect house with which to surprise his wife.  How much time did we have this morning?  Four hours, she had planned to go to a spa, one of the many wonderful things to do while visiting.  Many people with Palm springs vacation rentals leave a binder for their visitors listing all the activities that await them when they visit.  Top among them are of course golf courses and restaurants, but probably the third most popular activity is taking in a spa day, which would include a full-body massage, use of the steam rooms and sauna, swimming pools and relaxation chambers.  The husband and I looked at three houses, all of which were built by the same architect who constructed their house.  We were amazed at how different they looked, despite having shared their pedigree.  The first one had built an add-on, which looked great, but because it didn’t look just like her house, the husband knocked it off the list.  The second one was in tip-top shape, but the owner was not prepared to sell, try as we might.  We went to the last one, hoping for a miracle, but we didn’t get it.  The house was no longer there, it had burned down five years prior and a different style house had been rebuilt on the property.  Disappointed, we were on our way back to my office when I spotted a house in the same development that looked like what she wanted.  We stopped and compared a photo – it was a nearly perfect match from the outside.  How could we have missed it after going through all the Palm springs Properties listed at City Hall?
"vacation homes in Palm springs"

Our journey continued to find the perfect house.  As we stood outside the house that looked like a match for the house, we quickly discerned by the all the flyers in the yard that either the owners were away on vacation or this was one of the many vacation homes in Palm springs.  I quickly checked my book of all the Palm springs vacation rentals and sure enough there it was, available to make many desert memories come true.  Not wanting to trespass, we knocked, nobody answered.  Then as we peered over the fence and into the backyard, we noticed this was a house with swimming pools in Palm springs California.  There was a lap pool outside the master suite and a heart-shaped pool in the back.  Perfection from outside, we quickly arranged for an in-house tour.  As luck would have it, the managing company is run by a friend of mind and we were shown inside one of the prettiest vacation homes in Palm springs.  The interiors were in good shape.  And there was a view.  Too bad it wasn’t on a golf course as many vacation homes in Palm springs are.  Could this home be moved?  We were very surprised to learn that we wouldn’t have to move the house at all.  The realtor told me that the house, which was located on the backside of a development, was about to border a golf course.  Of course, the Desert Mirage!  I recalled that a wealthy conglomerate had purchased the empty lots behind the house and planned to construct a resort complete with two eighteen-hole courses that would practically border the backyard.  Construction was to begin in six weeks, all the husband would have to do is become a member and then apply for permission to erect a door in the wall that borders the course that would give them access from their property.  He made an offer on the spot.  My friend called back in less than an hour, the offer was accepted by the owner and the wife was so surprised that she couldn’t stop crying for fifteen minutes.  These are the times that make me really happy to be a realtor. 

"Palm springs vacation rentals"

If you’re looking for a place to go when you need to escape the rat race, look no further.  Palm springs vacation rentals offer plenty of selection at a wide range of prices.  In this vibrant desert community, you can find everything from studios to lofts to condos to guesthouses to full-blown estates with multiple houses on them so the entire extended family can be close – but not too close.  Those tend to work when you have three, four generations staying together, people can take care of the others and enjoy the creature comforts of home while still maintaining their distance.  Some people prefer to have the option to go out every night while on vacation.  With one of our rentals, that’s still possible.  But were you to stay at a hotel, you never get to have that option to just chill and that’s what a vacation is all about, right?  It’s up to you to decide what kind of vacation you want.  Personally, I prefer staying in people’s homes when I travel, it’s a great way to see how people who live there really life.  The many vacation homes in Palm springs can offer you and your family that chance.  If you stay in a hotel, more than likely you won’t be able to have your own kitchen, feel like when you were coming home you were coming home to warm, inviting place.  Staying in one of the Palm springs vacation rentals means that you enjoy that personal hospitality everywhere whether it’s from having a kitchen stocked with the right appliances, laundry on the premises, TVs in every room, air conditioning and or ceiling fans, and the security of not having to worry about whether your room is near the elevator or ice machine.  Palm springs vacation rentals are all about ease.  No worries about having to clean up after yourselves as the cleaning crew will take care of that for you.  And unlike staying in a hotel where you can request a particular suite or a view, these Palm springs Properties can be secured more than a year in advance, meaning that you can actually be guaranteed that you can have the same set-up as in previous trips to the desert.  Who could ask for anything more? 

"Palm springs homes for sale.”  One of the nicest, sweetest compliments I can say that I’ve ever had is when I arrange for someone to stay in one of the Palm springs Properties for a vacation and then maybe later that year or the next, I get a call from them saying that what they’re really interested in coming to Palm springs again.  That is great to hear back from them, that tells me they had a fantastic time and they appreciate the legwork I did for them.  Who doesn’t like a little ego stroking?  I immediately look into the returning client’s file to see where they stayed, if it was a house or maybe they had crashed at one of the many pool homes in Palm springs.  Of course the biggest and best compliment from a previous renter is when they call and say that they actually want to discuss Palm springs homes for sale.  Then I know I’ve done my job perfectly, I’ve introduced them the right way to see and get to know our bustling community by listening to that person’s interests and tastes and needs.  For example, I would never send a married couple into a condominium unit that is predominately filled to the gills with singles looking to party and hook-up and be crazy listening to loud music until the late hours of the night – unless I was requested to do so.  The same is true in that I wouldn’t recommend a bunch of twenty-something college students bed down at a place where the average age of the development is over sixty-five.  No, I like to find out about the person and see what kinds of interests they have and then after I meet them, I can say, ‘ahhh, I know exactly the place someone quirky like you might enjoy, or this most definitely would serve as the right place a naturalist like yourself might think was groovy.’  So hearing from someone, a past client, that they are interested in Palm springs homes for sale and what they’re looking for is something like what they stayed in is the best compliment and something that definitely makes my day. 

"palm springs properties.”  One of the best things about palm springs properties is how easy it is to find a home that is suitable for a pet – whether it’s a dog or a cat, a rabbit or a snake, a horse or even an aviary filled with exotic birds.  I always think that’s a selling point for people who want to come visit the desert paradise, whether they are looking for Palm springs homes for sale or if they are searching to find simple pool homes in Palm springs that have places for their dogs to jump in and join the family’s fun.  One time I received a call from a man from Boston.  He and his new boyfriend were interested in looking at palm springs properties.  When they asked what the community was like in terms of acceptance, I informed the New Englander that not only were they tolerant, they were accepting and welcoming.  He was glad to hear.  I could tell there was still some trepidation in his voice and then he revealed that he wasn’t so concerned about the public’s reaction to his friend, it was really that they had six Labrador dogs and they would need to find a place that would welcome their canine companions with open, um, paws.  Forgive me for that one!  I reassured them that while it is true some palm springs properties might not be the right place for half a dozen big-ish dogs, there were plenty out here that would be not just able to accept them, but would jump at the chance of having them run around the property, jump in the pool and be the happy-go-lucky dogs that they are.  Another couple who was coming was worried that they would be tied to the place where they were staying because they would be afraid to leave their dog outside because of the warm weather in the summer and because the dog might need to go out and they wouldn’t want to mess up the carpet.  I directed them and other dog or cat owners who travel with their pets to a couple of veterinary clinics in town, which also board animals for both short- and long-term stays.  That way, the people who visit here aren’t tied down to the house and left with worries about the place where they are staying, they can relax and enjoy what the desert has to offer knowing their pet is safe. 

"residential listings in Palm springs"

When prospective buyers ask me about residential listings in Palm springs, I immediately want to know two things: do they have children and are they planning to stay here long-term or to buy a home in Palm springs that they want to use to flip.  Those two questions can make a big difference.  The first deals with what kind of neighborhood they want for their children.  It can help a lot if the street where the home is can be surrounded by other family residence also sporting young kids.  Neighborhoods like that tend to be more accepting and aware of kids playing in the street, providing a safe house for children when they come home from school and one or more of the parents are working, and less likely to be filled with vacation homes or condos in Palm springs.  The second issue when looking at residential listings in Palm springs is whether the person is going to be buying for long-term potential or if they are going to flip.  Personally, I believe that the safest, most welcoming neighborhoods are those where the residents who own the houses on the street actually live in them not just for the quick buck, but to turn a house into a home.  If you have a street filled with lots of vacation rentals and you’re the only one who lives there all the time, then it can be a less-than-optimal circumstance for you and your family.  That’s why I always encourage families who are looking at residential listings in Palm springs not only to consider the ‘perfect house’ because it has exactly the right number of bedrooms or bathrooms, but also to think about how their lives will be affected in the house on the right block.  It’s amazing to me that paying attention to such a seemingly small detail can really make a difference.  I always want to make sure that my clients are happy and so that’s why I really push them to think not just about the bottom line financially, but also all the things that go into that emotionally as well.

"investment homes in Palm springs"

One of the most popular questions people who are visiting the area deals with living here full-time.  What’s it like?  Is this a good place for kids?  If you live in a resort, do you then go to a city for your vacations?  I guess they’re trying to figure out if investment homes in Palm springs make more sense than actually laying down roots here in the desert.  Basically, I tell them that living in a resort community is a wonderful experience, it’s not just full of investment homes in Palm springs, they are real places that are filled with real people doing real things that are really special.  Can you tell that I love where I live?  There are good schools that are safe.  The community swells on weekends and during holidays and then everyone goes home.  It is a pretty tight-knit one that keeps an eye out for one another, gay, straight, old or young.  People who live here know where to find the real deals on spa treatments and all the amenities that go with it.  And yes, I tend to vacation not in cities, but in other resorts where I have access to the same creature comforts I’ve grown to enjoy here on a regular basis.  Also, investment homes in Palm springs often become full-time homes for people as they retire and decide they want to live the life that they were only able to visit a few times a year.  I show them all the pictures form my Palm springs mls that I’ve kept over the years to demonstrate how many people have done just that – they buy a place, rent it out for a while, and then when they are ready, they buy their home and keep it for themselves.  These real gems never become one of those homes for sale in Palm springs because they are kept off the market, protected by their owners.  Then after they see the places that have been bought by the owners, rented out and then inhabited by the original owners, I show the buyers what they paid then and what the houses are worth now.  The looks on their faces proves that people can see there is more to just making money flipping properties here in the desert.  People can really grow a nice retirement egg and then crack it open when they’re ready to call it a day. 

"rental properties in Palm springs"

I love my job.  I love helping people find the right rental properties in Palm springs.  Sometimes people who end up here in the Coachella Valley aren’t able to buy something either to live in or to make money off of as an investment.  They’re just here testing the waters or saving up until they can join one of the many who have bought homes for sale in Palm springs.  I love showing people not only the type of rental properties in Palm springs that they think is the best for them, but also the ones that maybe step out of the box a little bit.  If they want something modern, I show them a mid-century modern to give them a little history lesson.  If they want a traditional Spanish villa, then I take them to an Italian one, explaining the differences.  Sometimes the idea of moving into one of those lofts in Palm springs California would not be as high on their list until they open up and allow me to show them what is out there, what they can actually afford and call their ‘own.’  There are different types of rental properties in Palm springs, the basic two are those that are managed by a company and those that come about on the market through a private owner.  The former can be great in that they are very one-stop-shop, they are specifically set up to make the entire experience quick and easy.  The latter are ones I don’t often get to see, but often enjoy the most because these are people who often rent a place either on their property, say like a guest house, or even a room or two in their house or an apartment in their complex.  What I like to do sometimes is to visit these properties when I spot a ‘for rent sign’ in the window, it gives me an excuse to see what often lurks behind the tall walls of the estates and I make the time to get to know another neighbor and maybe even play matchmaker for the two if I have a tenant who would like what they are offering. 

"Palm springs Homes"

One of the easiest to sell Palm springs Homes I have ever handled was a showcase that a tycoon had built for one of his daughters.  I was thrilled when he approached me at the club to ask me to be his Palm springs Realtor because I had always wondered what the actual mansion looked like from behind the twenty-foot tall fence bordered by thick trees that shielded the view from the road.  Once inside one of the most exquisite Palm springs Homes, I knew how easy it would be to sell this residence.  Here are a few of the specs.  The house sat on a comfortable five-acre plot surrounded by bunches of palm trees and fountains inlaid with rare Etruscan tiles.  The front entry hall was grand, complete with a giant crystal chandelier and a Tuscan marble floor, which kept our toes cool when we walked in from the already warm weather outside that morning.  To the left were three sitting areas in an enormous, sunken living room.  Beyond that, a hallway to the western wing, which had five bedrooms, each with private baths and views of the backyard.  Off to the right of the foyer, we found a formal dining room with a table that could easily sit twenty-four people.  Off to the side of that room, was another dining room, much less formal, and views of the snow-capped mountains, yes, snow-capped even in mid-May.  Walking back in the hall, on the other side of the dining room, I saw a kitchen that to give you an idea of its scope, had four Wolf ovens and three Subzero refrigerators.  The intercom system certainly came in handy in that house.  Off to the side of the very open-air kitchen was a large family room with a giant TV screen that was so big that you could actually watch it from the kitchen and have the volume pumped into the kitchen and not through the rest of the house’s super modern stereo system.  Outside, was a giant swimming pool with an outdoor barbecue that had three dining areas in which to relax.  Yes, I was correct that this would be one of the easiest to sell Palm springs Homes to unload.  This choice real estate for sale in Palm springs would be on the market for less than 24 hours, selling for four point five.

"second home in Palm springs California"

I love when people visit, looking to find the perfect, second home in Palm springs California, because I get to see what people dream could be their first home if they could do it all over again.  By that I mean, when they’re looking for the second home in Palm springs California, they are usually searching for not an exact replica of the house where they live now, but something that represents a drastic difference, a place that will not remind them of where they live and work, it’s a residence that will ensure their vacation mindset will keep them calm and relaxed.  Often I have to take that into consideration, that they’re calling from their homes or work where they are stressed beyond belief, they sometimes comment on how relaxed I am.  What can I say, I have a dream job selling condos in Palm springs that only improve people’s health by lowering their blood pressure and giving them release from the every-day stresses that strangle them wherever they live.  I take all the stress out of buying a second home by ensuring that they can leave all the busy work to me, I handle all the legwork involved in going out and finding the properties that I feel will make the buyer happy.  Over the years, I have found that while most people think they know what kind of house they want, though they show me pictures, the homes they end up with aren’t it at all.  Mostly they’re looking for a feeling that the photographer has captured in the picture, an essence that the person can see in the photo that they relate to.  If I can help the buyer find the essence and be happy, then I am doing my job.  Owning a second home in Palm springs California is a ridiculously easy way to achieve a more healthy existence, whether it is an estate, a loft or even one of the ready-to-move-in townhomes in Palm springs California; I am a dream fulfiller. 

"golf course views in Palm springs California"

Sometimes when I get calls from people who are looking for golf course views in Palm springs California, I have to clarify whether or not that is really what they want.  It is true that it sounds innocuous a statement, but the truth is, some people really don’t want to live on a golf course, they just want to enjoy the golf course views in Palm springs California without having to worry about seeing people just beyond the property lines of their backyard playing a game.  So I always ask them a question about golf to gauge their interest.  I love the fact that Palm springs offers so many world-class golf courses as well as golf courses that are friendly for beginners.  The range is all there, you just have to bring your game, so to speak.  Depending on the client’s financial situation, I tend to guide those who are looking for golf course views in Palm springs California, but don’t have the resources to buy a place that stands alone in an old neighborhood to consider one of the many lofts in Palm springs California especially the ones that are on the ends of the building because they offer some height over the nearby buildings.  Generally that’s not a problem here because the real estate is focused on lower rather than higher to keep the energy costs down when it comes to heating and cooling – very smart architecture, don’t you think – so if you land a loft on the end, you can be assured of majestic views where you’ll actually notice the color of the mountain changing depending on the day and time.  If people find themselves with a little extra money and time, then I recommend waiting until you can find one of the many short sales in Palm springs because those houses come on the market and are often better priced to sell.  Good homes with great views never last long if they are priced right and part of this business is as everyone says – it’s about location, location, location.  Then when the house comes on the market, you visit it right away, hopefully before that first weekend and then because you’re doing a short sale, you have the chance to find yourself in the property in just over thirty days.  What a wonderful life to get the view you’ve always wanted. 

"Palm springs Real Estate”

Now I suppose before we go any further, I should probably tell you a little bit about myself and how I ended up selling Palm springs Real Estate.  If you read the above paragraph, you’ve gleaned a few facts, mostly that I spent most of my days living in Pennsylvania, a landlocked state, and enjoy an abnormal fear of living near the ocean.  I thought that you should know that I am in my late thirties, am married and drive a Prius when taking road trips, but also keep a 7-series BMW when I have to show Palm Springs real estate or Indian Wells real estate.  Yes, it’s true there are people out there who judge their real estate agents by what they drive and while most of the time when I’m showing Palm springs Real Estate the BMW gets some real mileage in terms of connecting with the clients, there are definitely those times when pulling up in the Prius to show a mega-mansion also does the trick.  Yes, even the inordinately wealthy like to pinch their pennies, too.  That’s probably why they like to see all kinds of places, which is why we definitely show Palm springs Real Estate a lot more than people might think.  But more on that later, for now I guess you should know that I never expected to end up selling houses, my dream was become painter, but you know how that goes, you might be able to use your knowledge of perspective and get some people interested some of the time, but you can’t eat your paint.  Fortunately I do possess a great sense of color combined with a good, quick-on-my feet ability to run numbers in my head, especially ones with lots of zeroes behind them, and that makes me really good at my job.  Know how some agents like to work you, show you things that are just beyond your reach so they can make a higher commission?  That is so not me.  I want to find something that you’ll keep for as long as you want it, cause the way I see it is if you end up losing it to foreclosure, then it doesn’t look good for the other houses on the street and next you thing you know, when you try to sell one of the houses nearby, well, it just won’t go for the same amount of money.

"real estate agents in Palm springs California”

I am definitely someone you should know when you are looking for real estate agents in Palm springs California.  Why?  Because I not only do I know what homes are going for now and ten years ago, but I know Rancho Mirage real estate as well as prices for homes in Riverside County that will help to explain the sticker shock that people who are visiting from the Midwest often suffer when they step off the plane.  Most of the time when people are looking for homes here, they fall into one of two categories:  either they’re old folks who we sometimes call snowbirds, those who don’t want to move away from their homes, but at the same time, they’re just about fed up with having to shovel snow and scrape the ice off their windshields for three to five months of the year.  Or they’re people who don’t have or like their family and they love the heat because let’s face it, it definitely gets toasty out here – we’re talking one-hundred degrees during the summer is considered a cold front – and so they are willing to sell everything at home and come to this new paradise where I’m waiting to explain everything.  I think that when they meet me they’ll get a sense of not only prices here in town, but also in the region.  My purpose is not to drive them crazy or drive them away or make them do something they didn’t want, my real goal is to make sure they see that real estate agents in Palm springs California and the surrounding environs are quite real people who they can trust.   There are, unfortunately real estate agents in Palm springs California who aren’t the most scrupulous sort, those who got into the game in the late 1990s and early 00s simply because the housing market overheated and there was a lot of money changing hands, but if you can find agents who have been doing this for say more than ten years, those who have weathered the boom and the bust, you should be alright. 

"how to find a real estate agent in Palm springs California”  

If there were one question I get more than any other, it’s definitely how to find a real estate agent in Palm springs California.  I think trust is the most important thing in the world and without it, you’re quite frankly screwed.  Whether you’re looking at palm springs real estate or homes in Riverside County, it is impossible to underestimate the importance of trust.  When looking for how to find a real estate agent in Palm springs California, you want to go with someone who you know so for that I’d say that referrals represent about seventy-five percent of my business.  That’s right, seventy-five percent.  People are always looking for someone to help them and they are far too often overwhelmed by the ads you find in the yellow pages or the crazy sites you come across online – I mean it’s probably fine for hiring a locksmith or locating a Laundromat, but when it comes to big-ticket items like buying a house or finding a dentist or doctor, going the referral route is the best and will land you most of your work.  I mean, who wants to send someone to see someone and then have that person be a dud?  That former friend will not appreciate you one iota.  So my advice for how to find a real estate agent in Palm springs California is to bank heavily on trust and take referrals from friends.  Now you might be thinking, well didn’t you say a lot of your clients come from out of town and so are you saying that you don’t have to advertise all over the United States?  That’s correct, many of my clients hail from places that I’ve never been to, but for me having a good, no make that a great experience with a client is all a part of expanding my base.  That client is like a living business card that will go back to their own world, their circle of friends and talk me up without my having to spend a cent or launch into a spiel, although I don’t really have a spiel.  I just have to sit back and let my work do the talking and for that reason, I ensure that when I work with people, I give them my everything. 

"top real estate agents in Palm springs California”

A wise person once told me that when you have a job, even if it’s a small job or a dirty job, you know what you do to get through it?  You love the job because that will make you mentally tough and able to do the best that you can.  And the truth be told, if you do a good job for something that is really awful, someone out there might respect you for it and they could be your next best friend.  If you ask any of the top real estate agents in Palm springs California how they become the top real estate agents in Palm springs California, you’ll quickly discover they all share a few things in common.  First, they’ll say luck – well at least the humble ones will.  They know that they might have been in the right place at the right time – a perfect storm in terms of say La Quinta real estate market or Palm Springs real estate, where prices and incomes and interest all met at one time.  But if, as I recommended before, you track down the real estate agents in Palm springs California who have been in the business for more than a decade, you’ll find those are not just the successful ones because they had the foresight to save some of the money they made during the boom years, but you’ll see they are the ones who know what it takes to be a success.  They know how to price a house, how to look at the bones of a house and see whether what’s there is really worth the price that’s been offered.  They know the schools backwards and forwards, the really good ones even know the good teachers, sometimes learning when those teachers are going to be moving to another district before the school board gets wind of it.  They also know the response time for the fire and police departments because let’s face it, nobody wants to talk about stuff like that but it’s out there, it happens.  They know what the taxes are going to be this year – and what they were for at least the last ten years – which also means they know politics and a big portion of this what if scenario is politics cause that’s where you pay after you purchase your dream home. 

"top selling real estate agents in Palm springs California”

Your dream home.  That’s essentially what I am trying to locate for you.  Not your once a year place that you can come to but then are forced to rent out for the remaining fifty-one weeks of the year so that you can afford to have it, but a dream home that if you want to rent it out you can, but you don’t have to.  It’s your choice.  All of the top selling real estate agents in Palm springs California know quite well that people are going to come to this region to find their dream homes.  Whether they’re looking at Indian Wells real estate or La Quinta real estate, they are searching for places they can dream about when they’re not here or when they’re lying in luxurious master bedroom suite taking that mid-afternoon nap because they don’t have to be anywhere else because they were in contact with one of the top selling real estate agents in Palm springs California who found them exactly the house they were looking for.  I am definitely that person.  A dream house, in my opinion, should be exactly that – a place that you see in your mind.  If you want to have an extra bathroom – in addition to the eight that are already there just in case you might have to throw a party for four hundred, then why not?  If you want to be able to plant a lemon or other citrus tree outside your bedroom window because several times of the year you want to sleep with the window cracked just so so the fragrance of the tree’s pollen can drift into the room and keep your linens smelling fresh, why not?  It’s nobody business but yours and the top selling real estate agents in Palm springs California who are trying to get you what you want.  If you don’t tell them what you want, then that’s another story cause sometimes we’re expected to be mind readers, but that simply is impossible because everyone’s dream house is different from the next.  In my next entry, I’ll let you in on some of the crazy requests that I got from some well-known folks who made me sign a non-disclosure agreement before they uttered anything from their oversized lips!  Do you know who I’m talking about?  In Hollywood, that could mean quite a few people.

"Palm springs real estate”

Crazy houses.  When prospective clients want to know what is the craziest house I’ve ever sold I’m immediately on the fence.  I can’t decide whether they’re really interested in Palm springs real estate or whether they’re just killing time for the weekend and they mostly want to get back to the outlets on the 10 freeway.  To suss them out, I see what they know about Palm springs real estate and that generally weeds them out pretty quick.  The drive-bys have no clue what they’re doing here, they say they were looking at homes near El Paseo or they reference Palm springs country clubs and then I know they don’t know jack.  They’re really just wasting my time, they have no interest in Palm springs real estate.  It’s not that I’m over them, it’s more that I see who else is perhaps more serious during the open house.  For those that I do get a sense they are potentially interested (and interesting) then I do delve deeper.  When they’ve shown they’ve done some research and know the make-up of the city, the property tax laws and building permits, then I know there’s real interest.  Early on in my career, I had a couple who inquired about whether or not they could build a wine cellar.  Of course I told them, it isn’t a requirement, but it is definitely recommended because out here in the desert the ground does stay a fair bit cooler.  They were glad to hear that, asking if adding ventilation be possible?  I was thinking I know wine has to breathe when it’s uncorked, but why would it need any of that when it’s still in the bottle?  Then as we were talking more I realized they wanted to install the wine cellar not off the kitchen or the dining area, but under the bedroom.  That’s when it hit me, they had no interest in installing a wine cellar, they wanted a playroom for adults.  A dungeon.  For the next three days I showed several other properties where the dungeons were already built.  Three days after that, I sold my first million-dollar house. 

"finding property in Palm springs”

There are definitely some folks who like to start from scratch.  The do-it-yourself-ers.  Those who like to know everything that went into a project was theirs from start to finish.  I’ve encountered quite a few over the years and despite what some people might think, there is money to be made in helping people find property without a house located on the grounds so they can do it all themselves.  What is involved with finding property in Palm springs you might ask?  Well, you’d think it would be relatively straightforward – you’d go to City Hall and look at plans and see what open tracts were available.  But that is very often not the case.  Many of the plans contain information that has not been updated for quite some time and so when you see tracts of land that appear to be empty, when you drive out to them, you find something else located on them, and we’re not just talking a new or partially finished structure.  We’re talking a mini-mall that’s been there for ten plus years.  So while finding property in Palm springs starts at City Hall, another and perhaps better way to get a handle on what’s out there is simply to drive the streets and see where you find vacant lots.  Just like people who take photographs into their barbers and salons to show their stylist what kind of haircut they have in mind, I definitely get prospective buyers who arrive clutching pictures of houses near el paseo to give me an idea of what they’re hoping to build.  Then it’s up to me to find the proper lot so they can build their homes near El Paseo and fulfill their dreams of knowing they were involved from the start.  I have to say finding property in Palm springs isn’t the most difficult thing to do because there are tracts that have yet to be developed and people certainly have a price point where they can be convinced to sell.  What I find to be a more interesting challenge is trying to find the right place with the right view.  I’ve had customers tell me they want a particular view and then I look around and there isn’t an empty plot within a five block radius.  What do I do?  I find out how much money they got and start making offers to existing homes. 

"finding a home in Palm springs” 

Well, finding a home in Palm springs can be quite tricky.  But as I just pointed out, one of the most important tenets to doing so is being honest.  Yes, honest.  You’d be quite surprised just how many people don’t realize how essential that is when buying a house.  I’ve had people come to my office and we go traipsing all over creation only to realize that they were actually looking for palm springs rentals, not finding a home in Palm springs, but they were too embarrassed to say that they went to the wrong office.  I try not to get too mad, but I really just want to dump them off at horse properties in Palm springs, saying well you took me for a ride, now I’m sending you on one, find your own damn way home.  But I’m too professional for that and I usually help them out no matter what.  I’m that kind of a person who whenever older people mistake me for someone in a store and ask for help, I always stop because I would certainly want someone to help my parents should they find themselves in a similar situation.  That’s the truth and truth is related to honesty when finding a home in Palm springs.  If you’re looking for a three-bedroom house with a pool and can only afford a two-bedroom condo with access to a community pool, don’t lie and have me show you the former.  True, it is certainly fun to go looking at what you might like to have, but like and can actually afford are two different things.  If you hate to cook, don’t ask me to get you a chef’s kitchen because it’ll only remind you every time you walk in there that you paid for something that you never use, don’t even know how to use probably.  If you have a fear that rats will attack you, then tell me otherwise I might show you an estate with lots of palm trees on the property and those little vermin are known to camp out in those giants.  But if you want something slightly unorthodox or unique, definitely let me know.  One time a client wanted a swimming pool in the shape of a guitar.  There wasn’t one on the market at the time, but I knew of a certain aging rock star who had legal bills to pay who had one and we made him an offer and he sold. 

"finding a rental in Palm springs”

Sometimes people discover that finding property in Palm springs or finding a home in Palm springs isn’t always possible financially, but finding a rental in Palm springs is.  So that’s another way that I can sometimes make people happy.  John in my office handles all those transactions because it is, as one might expect, a completely different world.  I queried him on what is the best to go about finding a rental in Palm springs and he suggested booking a hotel in the area for a week.  Rent a car, drive around, obtain a guest membership at a gym, eat at a variety of restaurants, go grocery shopping, meet some people and within about a week to ten days, you’ll discover a pattern.  You’ll quickly realize that you are not going to stray from these paths very often and it’ll help to nail down a spot to rent.  Now, if you are actually buying a place and you’re going to rent it out for a majority of the year and you’ve been wondering how easy it is to go about finding a rental in Palm springs, then you should understand that this is a resort community and some times of the year are busier than others.  The city tends to fill up in the winter months when the mercury drops across the country; the reverse is true in the summer months as being outdoors without air conditioning is unbearable.  The only people who seem to be immune to this and perhaps even enjoy it are the northern European tourists who pour into the area and like nothing more than to lounge about by the pool as the sun bronzes their light hair and skin.  There are also times when if you’re looking at short term rentals that make it difficult to find – close to the golf or tennis tournaments, the Coachella music festival or any time near the White Party in nearby Palm Springs. 

"moving to Palm springs California”

Okay so moving to Palm springs California has now become something you desperately want to do.  It would not be right of me not to give you the following advice, which is if you are trying to save a few bucks, one way to do so is to look for sale by owner in palm springs California.  What that means is essentially the owner of the house has decided that he wants to skip the middleman and avoid paying the commission and handle the sale and subsequent paperwork themselves.  It is something that is possible to do, but my advice to someone who is going to buy a place from someone who is selling it on their own is to make sure that the purchaser has someone whom they know knows the business because some of the paperwork can be complicated and it would be a shame to have to pay a fine because something wasn’t handled properly.  Not that that would happen, of course, but it is something to be aware of.  I would hate for people who maybe are searching for houses near el paseo, but can’t afford one, but then they think they might if they buy one from an individual not repped by a real estate firm and then end up getting screwed in the end.  My goal is to make moving to Palm springs California the most worry-free thing in the world and I guess the honest truth is that sometimes things like that cost.  A meeting in my office not only gets my knowledge about the real estate market, but selecting me as your agent to help you negotiate the deal also provides you with the security that the deal we negotiate for you will have the agency behind you.  It would be a shame for someone moving to Palm springs California to have their first experience in the state be one fraught with paperwork and fights and potentially even ending up in court.  I am confident that I would be able to provide you with that service. 

"Palm springs Realtor”

What does a Palm springs Realtor do that someone from one of the nearby neighborhood communities cannot?  You might ask yourself that very question as you consider maybe talking to one from Palm Springs or Cathedral City or Indian Wells, in fact I would hope that you did exactly that because it would be a shame for you to find an agent in the wrong city and get their bias about one city because they want to make the sale and keep you in their zone instead of giving you the option of finding a Palm springs Realtor like myself who wants to help you find the right place.  One unscrupulous realtor might tell you that there are not the kind of recreational activities near where you think you might want to live.  Imagine your surprise and anger if after you bought something you realize there are palm springs country clubs and palm springs golf courses within walking distance of a house that was just like the one you just purchased only now you have to drive ten miles just to get the same thing?  I would find that terribly irksome, you know?  A Palm springs Realtor would help you to avoid making that mistake because if someone were looking at a different city and then they wanted information about Palm springs, then we could work in tandem with another to help you get what you want.  And yes, that definitely is possible for realtors to work in tandem with another place and then split the commission.  We already do that in terms of having more than one agent represent a house, why not have two agents working for a client in a region as diverse as Palm springs?  It’s an I’ll-take-care-of-you, don’t-screw-me mentality that I have always found works best.  Sure, there may be a bad egg in the bunch, but trust me, even though the valley is sprawling, nothing travels faster than gossip and when people do other people wrong, their name will quickly be known far and wide as not trustworthy and they’ll be driven out of town.  Again, I’ve worked for many years selling real estate here and I’ve seen them all come, some burn brightly, then fade away, while others have made a real killing and been decent people to boot.  They’re the ones I remember and refer to and vice-versa.

"buy a home in palm springs”

Why would you want to buy a home in palm springs?  That’s a question that I often hear from people who aren’t from here.  They’re those East Coasters who arrive with their rented convertibles that cost more than hundred thousand dollars, they’re sporting luggage by Coach and sunglasses that cost more than one month of my kids’ tuition.  To them, to buy a home in palm springs would represent their not having succeeded because back East, their friends aren’t going to recognize the name and probably won’t be impressed.  It doesn’t matter that there are gorgeous palm springs golf courses that would knock their designer socks off or that there are neighborhoods in palm springs California where the bank accounts of a select could easily buy and sell many of the people who come to visit.  It’s all about cache to some, I get that.  Palm Springs.  Rancho Mirage.  Even Coachella to a point now.  But once you come to Palm springs and you see what all it has to offer, to buy a home in palm springs can make a whole lot more sense than you might think.   Hell, we’re also really close to the Palm Springs Airport so having your hoity-toity friends fly in for a quick spin on their Gulfstream IV doesn’t mean they have to travel any farther.  Yes, the last few years have been tough, but again, there are definitely bargains to be had now.  You can find things in all ranges – from those ready-to-move-in to tear-downs to nothing but a vacant lot yearning for a grove of orange trees or fifty-foot palms to sway in the desert breezes.  What a lot of people will remember once they come out here is the view, the weather, the relaxed feel – it will make all your friends envious of what you have.  It is definitely like discovering the next thing and why wouldn’t you want to be on the cusp?  

"buy a house in Palm springs California”

Now some people approach me and tell me they can’t afford to buy a house in Palm springs California.  I tell them they should definitely consider palm springs rentals meaning they could either buy a house in Palm springs California and then rent it out for much of the year, leaving it open to use as a vacation house for them.  Mostly, though, people don’t want that option because it means that other people are going to be in their house when they are not and then when they return to it, they’ll know that.  These are generally the people who when they travel, they take their own sheets and pillows to hotels.  Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but you can see why it won’t fly to do a rental property.  So what do I definitely not recommend?  It is asking your friends or relatives to buy a house in Palm springs California with you.  If there is a definite recipe for trouble, that would definitely be it.  Whether it’s picking neighborhoods in palm springs California or trying to furnish it one way when there are vastly competing styles coming to play or even just finding out that your friend or cousin makes a whole lot more (or less) than you, going in with other people creates more problems than it solves in my humble opinion.  I suggest that the person think very seriously about whether that is the right plan for them, make sure they ask themselves can they really afford to do that, can they live with having to give up control of the decisions they can normally make on their own at home to someone else and be able to live with it?  If the answer is yes, then my next bit of recommendation is to make sure they have it writing.  I have acquaintances who wished they had done this, wished they had put something in writing because while no one hoped the market would fall, it did indeed fail and that left people owing more than the property is worth.  When that happened, some folks decided it would be better to walk away from the whole situation.  Problem is, the other person who wasn’t in the same dire straights, was put in a situation where he couldn’t pay for everything by himself for what was invested in the desert and subsequently lost his principal residence as well. 

"for sale in Palm springs California”

Now that I’ve been blathering on about houses for sale by owner in palm springs California I thought that perhaps I should switch gears and discuss what to do if you find yourself on the other side of the front lawn and you’ve got a house for sale in Palm springs California.  Probably nobody needs to be told that a lot has changed in the real estate market within the last twelve to twenty-four months and that it has switched from being a sellers’ market to a buyers’ market.  But trust me, if you have the right property and it’s priced properly, there are neighborhoods in palm springs California where you can do all right unloading a house for sale in Palm springs California.  The first thing you have to do is to look objectively at your house and look at the things that are visible to the eye, things that you can clean up so cosmetically they will appear nice to the potential buyer.  Things like a coat of paint or plants or even some rental furniture that looks better than perhaps the every-day stuff you have in the den will help to make the house look better.  I wouldn’t necessarily recommend new carpeting because that can get pricey and it’s something you can negotiate with the new owners about at closing.  The second thing you have to prepare for when you’ve got a property for sale in Palm springs California is to have an estimator come past the house and have them look at all the things that an untrained eye can’t see – you need to know the state of the things behind the walls, the pipes for instance, the insulation, etc., as well as how well does the heating and air conditioning function, is the roof in tip-top shape or does that also require repairs before a sale can occur.  Remember, a new roof can add twenty-thousand dollars or more to the sale price, but it can also deplete someone’s savings as well.  Once you have those two things in hand, the next thing you have to do review your finances. 

"condo in Palm springs California”

Okay, so you’ve gone through your finances and you think you might be able to make a decent profit, which in this tight market is no small feat.  So after you start looking you start thinking, hmmmm, nothing out there is immediately making me say I have to have this house today.  So what do you do?  You’ve obviously got your home loans in palm springs California and the potential buyer is already talking about opening escrow in palm springs California but you don’t know where you want to land yet?  I think one of the most overlooked options is a condo in Palm springs California.  Why a condo and not a short-term apartment?  Honestly, I think with those short-term apartments, you’re throwing your money away, literally.  You’ve giving someone else money and you don’t get anything back.  At least with a condo in Palm springs California you get the tax deduction, which will definitely help if you don’t buy something within the next couple of years, and you get piece of mind that in another three or six months, should you find yourself unable to find something else, you won’t be kicked to the curb.  Another benefit about buying a condo in Palm springs California is that the price will be much less than a house and with the profit you’re making, you could buy two or more and then rent out the rest, thereby giving you more use for your proceeds from the sale of the house and also giving you some income.  Then should you decide to buy the house and need the sale, you could put the condo on the market and perhaps even convince the person who has been living there for the time when you bought it to purchase it for themselves.  Wouldn’t that be a good investment?  I’m telling you, despite what you think about how the market is going, there are always ways to make some money, trust me.  The biggest problem is when other people discover these always successful ways and then they abuse them or too many people find out about them and then the all the projections become skewed and all rational behavior is tossed directly out the window.  Not a good place to be. 

"houses in Palm springs California”

I just came from meeting with a client (husband and wife) and let me tell you, in terms of tastes, it was like talking to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  Everything he wanted to see, she wanted to see the exact opposite.  I thought to myself this couple certainly hasn’t been or won’t be married for long if they can’t come to some kind of agreement, and then learned they had actually been together for more than twenty years!  Go figure!  Well, the day started when they made an appointment to see houses in Palm springs California.  I was more than willing to oblige, asking were they interested in estates in Palm springs California or small homes in Palm springs California?  He wanted small, she wanted big.  So I thought that maybe we could make them happy if at least we narrowed down the type of house that they were looking for – modern, traditional Spanish, mid-century modern – turns out that they couldn’t even agree on that.  He was definitely hoping to the see the traditional Spanish houses in Palm springs California while she was letting it be know she wanted the ultra-modern and sleek houses in Palm springs California tour.  Not knowing exactly what to do because you couldn’t find two more distinctive styles, I chose three Spanish-style cozy bungalow places and three mondo burnished stainless steel estates.  He loved the Spanish ones, she fell in love with the modern ones.  What was I going to do?  They were tired from the intense desert heat, so I told that I would put on my thinking cap and that if they would allow me to drop them off at my favorite restaurant in town, and allow me to pick up the tab, then I would hopefully by tomorrow have found a solution.  They agreed and so that night I set to find the perfect house for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

"Palm springs Real Estate”

If there’s one thing I know about Palm springs Real Estate it’s that there are no limits to what you can do – if you know where to look.  After having met with the couple that saw things in exactly opposite terms, I racked my brain to see if I could come up with a solution:  he was interested in the Spanish small homes in Palm springs California while she wanted one of the ultra modern estates in Palm springs California.  Yikes!  What had I gotten myself into?  After the sun had gone down and I sat on my back deck overlooking the now darkened landscape – people sometimes forget that the mountains don’t light up at night like a skyscraper, it’s just a dark mass on the side of the hill – and I got to thinking, there was never going to be a way to find just what they wanted on the same property, no way no how.  I drank the rest of my wine and made my way inside the house where I picked up my copy of the minutes from the previous year’s worth of meetings at the town hall and paged through them, hoping something would leap out at me and I’d be able to find some Palm springs Real Estate that would satisfy this couple.  Nothing leapt out at me and then the phone rang so I set a mark in the page and asked my friend if he knew of anything.  Nothing.  The next morning, as I was getting my kids ready for school, my son spilled some grape juice on the binder and as I picked it up, all the pages fell out.  Arrgh!  My fault for having left it out, I’ve lectured them many a time that if you don’t protect the things that are important to you, then you have to be prepared to say good-bye to them when they are ruined.  As I cleaned up the now sticky grape juice from the binder, I found myself looking at a section that I hadn’t noticed before.  It was a section that had included a lawsuit involving historical preservation.  Obviously many people here are very concerned about preserving history, but in this one particular case, the couple in question had done something that would make their home the perfect place for my couple.  I grabbed the page, kissed my son on his forehead and raced out of the house to meet them, to tell them I had found the absolutely perfect Palm springs Real Estate for them. 

"real estate in Palm springs”

When I told the couple about the place that I had found, they both seemed incredulous that I could’ve found the perfect real estate in Palm springs for them.  But they told me how much they had enjoyed the dinner last night and that they were curious to see what I had found.  On the drive over, I was so confident that they were going to buy this house that I inquired about whether they would need home loans in palm springs California or if they were going to use a bank from back home.  The wife wanted to know whether qualifying for a loan in Palm springs California is something that is difficult to do when buying real estate in Palm springs, given the recent banking situation, but I reassured her that no, it wasn’t so bad because in truth the banks do want to make money and if you’re a responsible couple with a good financial house in order, then you’re the perfect client.  As we drove through the flat section of town, we headed toward the edge where it became a little more hilly.  Intrigued, the husband said he thought he would like the view of the city while she was glad they’d be so close to the mountain, she didn’t much care for the view of the city, of course, she wanted the shade.  When we pulled onto the mostly private old-fashioned-looking street, I sensed the wife tense up a little.  I tried to reassure her that I had found what they were both looking for and as we pulled through the wooden gates to the property, I could see him feeling better, but she was starting to wonder where I was taking her.  We drove down a curvy driveway and right before us was the exactly perfect traditional home he so desired.  He let out a ‘yes’ and said that he knew he had found his home.  He was ready to buy this real estate in Palm springs because it was everything that he wanted – he didn’t even feel like he had to step inside, he proclaimed he was ready to pull out his big old checkbook and make an offer.

"Palm springs Realtor”

The wife looked at me, wondering who is this Palm springs Realtor who listened to my husband, but seemingly didn’t hear a word she had said.  She wanted a modern house and this was nothing of the kind.  Again, I asked her if she trusted me.  The husband started referring to me as the Palm springs Realtor from heaven and I was glad to hear he was thrilled, but I still had his wife to impress.  I reassured her that once we were inside, qualifying for a loan in palm springs California would be the next thing she would ask me about because it would be exactly as she wanted, in fact she would definitely be asking me about opening escrow in palm springs California for sure!  I removed the key from the lock box and we entered the beautifully restored house, complete with the original tile floors and exposed wood beams.  The husband beamed – she not so much.  But then after we made our way through several sitting rooms that were warm and cozy and not too big, we entered an old fashioned sliding barn door and stepped into the other wing of the house – that’s right, you guessed it, the modern section.  It was the wife’s turn to gasp and that she did as she ran around looking at all the bright light shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the polished concrete, the open staircase leading upstairs to the loft-like second floor, the exposed gas fireplace with stones on top from which the flames emerged.  This was her dream house, too!  But how did this come about?  Where on earth did we find it?  I told her that right now, the house isn’t for sale, but for the right price it could be.  The owner was in fact looking to sell, but was afraid he’d have to wait for the housing market to rebound, but if you would make them a reasonable offer, the place could be theirs.  They wanted the house, and the asked how much he was asking?  This place could be theirs for a mere one-point four.  Would that be something within their price range?  The husband was hoping for one, she was planning to spend two – so they were definitely amenable to the terms.  Tonight, they were taking out their Palm springs Realtor for dinner.