Palm Springs real estate represents some of the best over all retirement/vacation home prices in the otherwise pricey California real estate market. The value for the money remains very high when compared to other areas of the state. The proximity to the 22 million southern Californians makes it a perpetually popular weekend getaway. The warmth of our winters makes it the perfect place to escape the cold and snowy weather in the North. While many of our visitors and second home owners come from the Pacific Northwest more and more are coming from Canada and beyond. The ease of arriving by air has greatly increased since the expansion of the convenient Palm Springs International airport. Once a sleepy little, winter vacation spot in the California desert the 7 cities that make up the Coachella valley have blossomed into vibrant year round communities. Palm Springs offers an enviable resort lifestyle that includes over 320 days of Sunshine per year.

For More about Palm Springs living click here.    To Read Michael's Blog click here.

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Link to Palm Springs Homes For Sale     Link to Palm Springs Condos For Sale

 Link to Palm Springs Homes For Lease      Link To Palm Springs Land For Sale

Neighborhoods and Architecture: Historic mixes with trendy and new blends with old in the neighborhoods of Palm Springs.  From the ULTRA modern soaring rooflines of the multi million dollar ALTA neighborhood in South Palm Springs to the more traditional California Ranch style homes of Tahquitz River Estates. Mid Century architecture abounds in the neighborhoods of Palm Springs. From Deepwell, to Ruth Hardy Park to The Movie Colony and Las Palmas and little Tuscany.  Palm Springs is truly an architectural smorgasbord.   

Click here for some Fun Facts about Palm Springs

The Future: looks quite bright for Palm Springs.  A slew of high quality projects are on the books with hotel projects such as the Hard Rock Hotel, Ace Hotel -(opened in February 2009) and the recently remodeled Hyatt and Wyndham which is now a stunning Renaissance Hotel.  The city is hard at work on a project to redevelop the old Palm Springs Fashion Plaza Mall and opening up a street leading to the front of the Palm Springs Art Museum. Recently a new Fresh and Easy market opened in central Palm Springs and an Eisenhower medical facility is being built across the street. Look for homes in Palm Springs.

Good Eats: Culinary delights are not far behind.  In late 2009 North Palm Springs saw the opening of TRIO, with reasonably priced food and drink in a pleasant setting it has quickly become the place to be seen. The classy Tropicale continues to delight with amazing cuisine and a chic setting.  The Purple Palm and the "Citron" at the Viceroy hotel also offer amazing culinary experiences. We can't forget Copley's & Hamburger Marys which came to town a few years ago. The custom built DINKS has great entertainment and an amazing view of the mountains. The popular Koffi has expanded to South Palm Springs with a location at the Oceo Townhome Complex directly across the street from the Biltmore Condos on the corner of Camino Real. Diners are starting to enjoy the new culinary treats at the beautifully remodeled Riviera Resort and Spa.  In 2009 we had the opening of the ACE hotel and their restaurant Kings Highway. There is now a Panera Bakery location on Ramon and Gene Autry.  Of course we can't overlook longtime favorites still going strong such as Spencers', Billy Reids', Wangs, Shermans' Deli and Ricks'.

STATS:

In July of 2010 there were 2 homes sold over 1 million dollars  both in South Palm Springs.  Inventory continues to decline as the number of homes going under contract increases with fewer being listed. 

While it seems like the market is in total confusion the reality is much different. Knowledge is the key to navigate this market properly. With many different types of sales taking place just knowing the inventory is not enough.

In this market do you know what you are looking at?  Short sales versus foreclosures and what about Real Estate Auctions?  Is the property on Lease Land or Fee Land? How can you really tell when something is a good deal in this market?  The important step in the process is working with an agent who knows where to look.  Michael has 19 years in Real Estate Investment Experience almost 10 of those in the Palm Springs and Palm Desert market area. For true local and knowledgeable service contact Michael directly at 760-408-5300

             E-mail Michael anytime at michael@psagent.com

Palm Springs is enjoying a growing film festival circuit.  Many festivals are springing up to join the International Festival which is held in January.  Additionally,  Palm Springs enjoys a state of the art cinema experience in the Camelot Theatre.  Film going is a pleasure at this three screen cinema complex located on Baristo Road just West of Farrell in Palm Spring.

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Palm Springs International Shortfest: Short Film Festival and Marketplace: The country's largest festival of its kind. Held the third week of August at the Camelot Theatres.

AFI's Best of the Fest: A selection of films from the AFI Fest in Hollywood, screening to be announced for a date in November.

Cinema Diverse: The Gay & Lesbian Film Festival: Third Week of July Camelot Theatres.

Desert Jewish Film Festival: The third annual festival was held the first week of November in 2007, but organizers haven't decided if it will return this year.

Palm Springs International Film Festival: One of the five largest feature film festivals in the nation will be held Jan. 8-19, 2009 at various venues throughout Palm Springs. (Previously called the Nortel)  Many major celebrities attend this festival.

Indio International Hispanic Film Festival: The ninth annual event currently planned for February 2009 the Indio Performing Arts Center.

Palm Springs Silver Festival: This festival of contemporary independent films featuring vital older actors is expected to launch in February 2009 at the Camelot Theatres

Festival of Native Film and Culture: This festival presented by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, slated in March at Camelot Theatres

Student Film Festival: Anna Hammond, daughter of board member and Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Executive Director Michael Hammond, will present her fourth high school student film festival in April at the Camelot Theatres.

Palm Springs Film Noir Festival: This festival of classic and neo-noir is scheduled to continue the last weekend of May or first weekend of June, at the Camelot Theatres.

Red White & Blue Festival: A second festival of politically inspired films sponsored by the Lincoln Club of Palm Springs, at the Camelot, but the club isn't sure if it will return in late October like last year. Dates to be announced.

California & The Palm Springs Desert Resorts Area 

California is the most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W).

Area, 158,693 sq mi (411,015 sq km).
Pop. (2000) 33,871,648, a 13.8% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital, Sacramento.
Largest city, Los Angeles
Nickname, Golden State.
Motto, Eureka [I Have Found It].
State bird, California valley quail.
State flower, golden poppy.
State tree, California redwood

In California you really can have it all.  With Mountains, Coastlines, Forests and Deserts you can experience any type of weather almost year round in California.  Palm Springs and the Coachella valley are ideally situated in Southern California. Blessed with almost constant sunshine and dry climate it is the perfect playground for the 20+ million people who call Southern California home. In addition we have hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world.

From Golf tournaments,Polo, Gambling, Live Theater, Art Fairs, Chile, Date & Tamale festivals, fine dining and Film festivals you will never run out of things to see and do in the area. Lots of other exciting Destinations are only a few hours by car from Palm Springs.  For example Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead are only and hour away, Los Angeles is two hours, San Diego is two and a half  and even Las Vegas is just a quick 4 hour drive.  With our super convenient airport you can board a plane quickly and be in San Francisco in a little over an hour. There are many flights to Canada now and Alaska Airlines keeps us connected with Seattle, Portland and Vancouver during the season. 

Best of all in Palm Springs we enjoy a lovely resort atmosphere.  We are not attached to or part of any large metroplex.  Forget traffic jams and rush hour.  Forget big city issues. As a Destination resort we are all about the sunshine, relaxing and the outdoors.

California has an enormously productive economy, if it was a nation it would be the 6th  largest in the world. Although agriculture is gradually yielding to industry as the core of the state's economy, California leads the nation in the production of fruits and vegetables, including carrots, lettuce, onions, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries, and almonds. The state's most valuable crops are grapes, cotton, flowers, and oranges; dairy products, however, contribute the single largest share of farm income, and California is again the national leader in this sector. The state also produces the major share of U.S. domestic wine. Many people who visit the Coachella Valley are unaware that the east end of the valley was, for many years, a huge agricultural area. Produce was not limited to Dates but included grapes and othe crops.

California continues to be a major U.S. center for motion-picture, television film, and related entertainment industries, especially in Hollywood and Burbank. Palm Springs plays host to a large number of Film Festivals each year (See section below on this). Tourism is an important source of income for all of California but especially for the Coachella Valley. Disneyland, Sea World, Lego Land and other theme parks draw millions of visitors each year, as does San Francisco & San Diego  with their numerous natural attractions.

*Some Information from Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition