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.

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.   

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 and Modrigan luxury chain coming in.  In addition to that the Spa Hotel downtown is scheduled for demolition later this year with a stunning new resort set to take its place.  New townhome/loft developments abound including the first live work space combo called the Cameron at the corner of Mesquite and palm Canyon Drive.   Other projects included Oceo, which just started showing their models in May of 2008, as well as The Delano, Tangerine and Port Lawrence. Look for homes in Palm Springs.

Good Eats: Culinary delights are not far behind.  The newly opened Tropicale continues to delight with amazing cuisine and a chic setting that is retro without being to kitchy.  The Purple Palm and the Viceroy are also amazing culinary experiences.  Hamburger Marys came to town a few years ago and now we are have a custom built DINKS resturaunt. The popular Koffi has expanded to South Palm Springs with a location at the new 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 recently opened Riviera Resort and Spa. 

STATS:

In October of 2008 we had 103 homes & condos sold with a median price of $300,817.  We had 35 homes & condos go into escrow. There were 301 total homes and Condos on the Market in October.

In October 2008 there was one home sold over 1 million dollars in Palm Springs. It was a $1,035,000 home at the Canyons at Belardo it was a bank owned property. This is the second month in a row for a home in that neighborhood to close over a million dollars.

While it seems like the market is in total confusion the reality is much different.  True, overall home prices have slipped but  the interest rate have remained very low and despite an increase in overall properties for sale in the area – really good homes, priced well are still in very high demand.  We have a saying in Real Estate there are homes that are “on” the market and homes that are “in” the market.  Poorly priced and inadequate homes are “in” the market.  They are there but they are really just clutter.  Well priced homes in good condition are “on” the market and those are the ones you want to find. 

Most importantly in this market do you know what you are looking at?  Short sales versus foreclosures and what about Real Estate Auctions?  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 760-272-5500

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.

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.

California continues to be a major U.S. center for motion-picture, television film, and related entertainment industries, especially in Hollywood and Burbank. Tourism also is an important source of income. Disneyland, Sea World, and other theme parks draw millions of visitors each year, as do San Francisco with its numerous attractions.

*Some Information from Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition 

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.

________________________________________________________

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.