Paul Kaplan

Architectural Realtor
(760) 285-8559
DRE# 01325586

Palm Springs Hot Real Estate: Elrod House designed by John Lautner

Posted on Mar 9, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Elrod

Literally one of THE most architecturally significant homes in all the world. Known as The Elrod House, this John Lautner-designed home was commissioned by designer Arthur Elrod in 1968 and has been featured in numerous books, magazines and museum exhibitions. It is the iconic home perched at the very tip of the Southridge enclave, easily viewable throughout Palm Springs. Organic shapes, monumental construction and world class design create an extraordinary experience of space that Lautner himself described as ”timeless” architecture. The 60 ‘ wide circular living room has a conical dome that fans out in nine petals between nine clerestories angled up to bring in light. Retractable curved glass walls open the entire living room and pool terrace to panoramic views of Mt San Jacinto, Mt San Gorgonio and the full sweep of the valley below and mountain ranges beyond. The very rock of the ridge is incorporated into the design thru out the home

Elrod 2

Great video from the James Bond classic featuring Thumber and Bambi, highlighting the John Lautner Elrod House in Palm Springs

007 and the Elrod House

Yours to enjoy for $13,890,000

Tags: Historic Preservation, Mid-Century Homes, Palm Springs Real Estate, paul kaplan real estate, paul kaplan realtor

Palm Springs exceptional homes needed for Atomic Ranch

Posted on Mar 3, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

cover 2 I’m assisting Atomic Ranch Magazine, who is looking for exceptional homes in Palm Springs, to feature in their magazine and in a proposed second coffee-table book published by Gibbs Smith focusing on interiors. Do you have any nominees to share for possible inclusion?

What they’re looking for:

One story or split levels built between 1945 and 1975

Houses need to be occupied and furnished

No staged homes listed for sale

Small gems with great interiors

Aspirational homes with stunning furnishings

New construction that fits the midcentury model

A variety of interior aesthetics, from Crate & Barrel soft modern to vintage to swinging ‘70s bachelor pads to … surprise us

Hoping for custom and tract modernist homes, traditional ranches, split levels, ramblers and regional styles

Articulate owners or professional designers to speak about the homes Cover

What is needed:

Scouting shots of the exterior and major rooms (10M limit per e-mail)

Brief info about the homeowners/house and contact info if you’d like us to get in touch directly

If you have any suggestions, please send the info to me at PaulKaplanRE@gmail.com. Thanks!!

Paul

Tags: Alexander Construction Co., Mid-Century Homes, Palm Springs Real Estate

Palm Springs Real Estate- FURNISHED Mid-Century Home by the Alexander Construction Company

Posted on Mar 2, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Just listed:

Tags: Alexander Construction Co., Mid-Century Homes, Palm Springs Real Estate, paul kaplan real estate

Palm Springs Real Estate- modern desert hideaway

Posted on Mar 1, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Palm Springs Real Estate Just listed - Located in the heart of Palm Springs, this mid-century home has been updated with all the 21st Century modern conveniences. A resort style home with amazing mountain views. Currently also used as a very successful vacation rental.

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Yours to enjoy for $565,000. Click the attached link:

Palm Springs Modern Hideaway

Tags: Canadians in Palm Springs, Mid-Century Homes, Palm Springs Real Estate, paul kaplan realtor

Palm Springs- when new developments go bad

Posted on Feb 23, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

The Cove at Palm Springs was a new developement that cropped up in the “Windy Point” section of Palm Springs back during the California real estate gold rush days of 2006/2007. The project featured beautiful courtyard homes surrounding an alleged golf course. They were listing in the $400,000s as I remember it- They were advertised as “Mid-Century” Homes (which I never understand, since they were built in 2006!)

A little bit about the location- The Cove was located in Windy Point…you know where you see all those windmills when you drive in off the 111 from Hwy 10 to Palm Springs? You probably noticed a little community tucked up against the foothills on the west side of the road a few miles before you get to Palm Springs.

There’s a reason why there are windmills there- the wind is extreme to say the least!! Makes the north Palm Springs neighborhood wind look mild by comparison. The general public, regardless of the rush to buy real estate, must have thought so as well- because despite gorgeous models, they didn’t sell well. The complex has been vacant for years now, the golf course (which was later supposed to be just a green belt) is dead. The community buildings and club house, never built. All the beautiful landscaping that was planted has since died!!

In any event, this home located in the Cove, was just listed for $89,000! (Its an REO)

The Cove

“Courtyard contemporary at The Cove. These were selling for the low $400s before the builder went under. Granite island kitchen, Great Room concept. Good opportunity to hold for the future. Many uinfinshed properties and vacant parcels. There is no HOA. Developemtn was not connected to sewer so properties use a temporary holding tank and the county will require the new buyer to install a septic system. Buyers need to confirm all this during inspections.”

For that price, maybe its worth tolerating the wind and having to install your own sewer! But hopefully this is a lesson learned about the old real estate mantra, “location location location.”

Tags: Palm Springs Real Estate, paul kaplan real estate, paul kaplan realtor

Palm Springs – Retro Martini Party Feb 19th

Posted on Feb 10, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Lautner retro_poster

Enjoy a martini with your fellow hipsters…as you watch the sun set…from the Arthur Elrod House, one of the world’s most acclaimed examples of modernist architecture.

Designed by architect John Lautner in 1968, the Elrod House entered the popular culture in 1971 as the setting for a famous scene in the James Bond “007” movie Diamonds are Forever.

Purchase your tickets early – the Retro Martini Party is the “hot” ticket of Modernism Week and tickets are limited. Remember, last year’s Retro Martini Party sold out early and this year’s incomparable venue will surely do the same.

For tickets, visit www.PalmSpringsPreservationFoundation.org

SEE YOU THERE!

Tags: Historic Preservation, Palm Springs Real Estate, paul kaplan real estate

Palm Springs is a Mecca for Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Posted on Feb 3, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

modernism_week_logo_

Over 10,000 architecture aficionados will be flocking to Palm Springs for the annual Modernism Week to discover the largest collection of mid-century modern architecture in the country. The 10-day event is scheduled for February 12-21, 2010, featuring more than 40 events including architectural tours, films, book signings, and film screenings, as well as chic galas and tours of mid-century modern homes. A vintage car and Airstream trailer show are new events this year. www.VisitPalmSprings.com and www.ModernismWeek.com

STOP BY MY BOOTH AT THE MODERNISM SHOW ON FEB 13 and 14th and pick up a free Palm Springs Mid-Century Neighborhoods Map.

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Here’s the schedule of events for the week:

Tags: Entertainment, Historic Preservation, mid-century, Palm Springs Real Estate, paul kaplan real estate

Help for Canadians buying Real Estate in Palm Springs

Posted on Jan 13, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

South_of_49_dl
The Canadian Guide to Buying Residential Real Estate in the United States

As more and more Canadians are looking to invest in the unitied states, now they can find an excellent resource to guide them along their journey. “South of 49 is a must read for anyone wanting to buy real estate in the US. This groundbreaking book is jammed full of practical information that will ensure you avoid all the potential pitfalls.” – Les Hewitt, Best-Selling Author

Palm Springs continues to be a hot spot for Canadian buyers. Prices are at record lows; the Canadian dollar is stronger then ever. I have helped numerous buyers find properties in the desert, from all over Canada.

Click Here for more information.

If you’d like more information of properties in the Palm Springs area, please feel free to contact me. I have extensive experience and resources available to assist the Canadian Buyer wanting to purchase in the Palm Springs market, from condos, to golf course homes to single family residences. www.PaulKaplanRealtor.com

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Tags: Canadians in Palm Springs, Palm Springs Real Estate, paul kaplan real estate, paul kaplan realtor

Trust issues with agents

Posted on Jan 7, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Thought I’d repost this from www.housechick.com because I think its very relevant. It stresses the importance for buyers to get PreQualified with a lender PRIOR to looking for homes.

Do You Trust Me?
January 7, 2010 | By Kelley Koehler | Filed Under Home Buying, Loans and Financing

…in both the real estate and mortgage industries, there’s a decent amount of distrust between consumers and lenders, between clients and real estate agents. Historically, there’s been some amazingly dishonest people who have generally brought down the overall reputation of agents and lenders. Also, agents and lenders have a reputation for the hard sell, for pestering and annoying and pushing a sales message beyond what is appropriate.

(We’re not all like that. I promise.)

Anyway. We were talking about people shopping for agents and lenders online. I’d say 90% of my home buyers contact me without having talked to a lender first, or even really thought much about talking to a lender and getting pre-approved for a home loan. In my experience, that’s because people don’t know they need a pre-approval that early on in the game. He contests that people don’t get the pre-approval because they don’t trust the lenders either.

I say people don’t get the pre-approval because of a lack of knowledge about this process that most only go through very few times in their lives. He says it’s a trust issue.

What say you?

Its getting easier for Canadians to travel to Palm Springs!

Posted on Dec 17, 2009 by Paul Kaplan

WestJet to provide year-round service to Palm Springs airport from Canada
Marcel Honore • The Desert Sun • December 16, 2009

Canadian airline WestJet announced today it will expand from seasonal to year-round service to Palm Springs International Airport, according to a city news release.

Beginning in June the airline will fly two weekly round trips, on Thursday and Sunday, from its hub in Calgary, Alberta, the release stated.

WestJest provides daily service to Palm Springs from Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, it added. The airline has transported some 128,000 passengers to and from the Coachella Valley this year, according to Tom Nolan, Executive Director of the Palm Springs International Airport

Tags: Canadians in Palm Springs, Palm Springs Real Estate, paul kaplan realtor

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