International Short Film Festival Coming to Palm Springs

Posted on May 26, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

June 22 – 28-  Mark your calendars for the Palm Springs International ShortFest


Now in its 16th year, the Palm Springs International ShortFest showcases over 300 short films from more than 40 countries, with a library of more than 2,700 films available to film buyers, industry and press in its concurrent Short Film Market. Festival events include nightly receptions, seminars, master classes, and scheduled ‘one-on-one’ meetings with industry experts and filmmaking professional. Designated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an award-qualifying Festival and accredited by the International Short Film Conference, the Palm Springs International ShortFest and its Short Film Market, are the largest and most prominent short film showcase in North America.  For more information on the Festival, visit www.psfilmfest.org.

Tags: ,

Palm Springs Real Estate showing signs of recovery

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

I found this interesting article about Palm Springs real estate today:

The Palm Springs real estate market, along with the rest of the Coachella Valley real estate market, seems to be edging towards recovery, although it will be gradual and difficult. According to a May 14, 2010 article in the Record Gazette, “In the year since Beaumont initiated an economic stimulus plan to spur development, there appears to be evidence that its incentives are working. While the majority of Riverside County saw the number of permits for construction of new single family homes drop 10.6 percent last year, Beaumont boasted an increase of 16.7 percent over its 2008 volume, according to statistics presented at the May 4 city council meeting.” The article by David James Heiss continued to note that “In 2009, there were 350 permits for single family residential units – the highest number of any city in the country, followed by Meifee, which issued 325, and Temecula, with 323.”donovantalk.com, Palm Springs real estate market | DonovanTalk.com, May 2010

You should read the whole article.

Tags: ,

Palm Springs Modern Committee- HIGH DESERT TOUR

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

I’m excited to be sponsoring this  rare opportunity to see some really cool architecture in the Mojave Desert above Palm Springs:

For more info, visit Palm Springs Modern Committe.
Take lots of water and a floppy hat! Look forward to seeing you there.

Paul

Tags: ,

How to buy a foreclosure in Palm Springs

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Many Palm Springs buyers, especially first-timers, hope to purchase a foreclosed property at a bargain price.  While purchasing a foreclosed home can be a wise choice for some buyers, it is important that buyers understand the differences in buying at different stages of foreclosure and be prepared to take on the challenges typically associated with each.  If you are looking for a property in Palm Springs, this will help explain foreclosures.
 
MAKING SENSE OF FORECLOSURES

There are three basic stages of foreclosure in California: Pre-foreclosure, trustee’s sale, and repossession, often called an REO or real estate owned by the bank.

Pre-foreclosure homes are in the foreclosure process, but have not yet been auctioned.  Owners of pre-foreclosed homes often try to sell the properties because they are “underwater,” meaning they owe more on the mortgage than the home currently is worth.  (often referred to as “SHORT SALES”). Many homeowners attempt to sell via short sale, where the lender must agree to accept less than the amount owed on the mortgage.  Buying at this stage of foreclosure often is a complicated and slow process.  This process may often take over 1 year in some cases, and not end up in a sold property.  On average, a very small % of short sale deals every actually come together.   However, buyers of pre-foreclosed properties often are given the opportunity to inspect the home prior to purchasing, whereas this is not always the case when buying at other stages of foreclosures.
The second basic stage of foreclosure is the public auction at a trustee’s or foreclosure sale.  Homes in this stage often are well priced, but also come with challenges to buy.  These homes may not be available for inspection and buyers may later discover the property needs numerous repairs.  As a result, many of the homes at auction are purchased by investors and contractors who have experience working with homes needing numerous repairs, or taken back as REO by the foreclosing lenders.
If a home does not sell to a third party at the trustee’s auction, the bank takes the property–the final stage of the foreclosure process. Although homes in this stage typically do not offer buyers the best prices, buyers generally can perform a thorough inspection of the property prior to closing.
To read the full story, please click here.

Are you looking for a foreclosure property in Palm Springs to purchase? I have a vast amount of experience dealing with foreclosures and would be happy to help you with every step of the process. Look forward to hearing from you!

Brought to you by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Tags: ,

What’s going on in Racquet Club Road Estates?

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Original Sales Brochure cover for Racquet Club Road Estates

With the boom and bust of real estate and the economy over the past 8 years, Racquet Club properties values have been in flux.  After peeking in 2006, the prices have been on a steady decline until this year.  After what appears to be the bottom in 2009, we’re  now starting to see prices starting to inch their way back up as per the graph below.

Racquet Club Road Estates Sales History

Interesting to note, is that the higher end of the market has still declined somewhat in 2010, with $450,000 being the highest priced home sold recently.  This however, is starting to change as well.  Currently there is a home in escrow in the high $500,000′s that is expected to close soon. 

Racquet Club - Price per square foot sales history

The average price per square foot for a home in Racquet Club, is still low compared to at the peak of the market.  However,  as noted on the graph, this number is starting to increase as well..  Buyers are recognizing the value in Racquet Club right now, and thus sales have been brisk.  With the addition of the strong Canadian dollar, there has been a recent resurgence of interest of buyers for Mid-Century homes in the past six months, and showings in the Racquet Club Road Estates neighborhood.

If you’re thinking of selling your home in Racquet Club, or know of anyone looking, please feel free to contact me.  I’m the neighborhood real estate expert, and happy to help anyone with Racquet Club Road Estates properties.

Tags:

Palm Springs Mid-Century Open House, Sat. April 24, 12 to 3 PM

Posted on Apr 24, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Check out my new listing in  Palm Springs’ Racquet Club Road Estates, designed by William Krisel, FAIA, built by the Alexander Construction Company

First open house:  Sat. April 24, 12 to 3 PM 
Offered at $430,000

“An Alexander on Alexander” located at 600 E Alexnader Way, Palm Springs

Tags: , , ,

Architectural Vigilance Pays Off for Palm Springs Preservationists

Posted on Apr 21, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Palm Springs is known as a mecca for mid-century modern arcthiecture.  However, it is shocking that so far there are no Palm Springs buildings listed on the national Register of Historic Places.

As a devout preservationist, I appreciate everyone’s efforts to help preserve some of Palm Springs greatest architectural resources.

From the AIA blog:

“Architecture is driving the city’s renaissance,” says Ken Lyon, senior planner for the City of Palm Springs. “Yet a majority of significant properties are still unprotected.”

Photo by Mike Singer

Preservation efforts are in full effect, including a “Modernism Week” held in late February.

“During Modernism Week, preservations handed out fliers to ask residents to lobby their local officials to vote against a proposed new parking plan that would block roadside views of the Frey-designed City Hall, a Class 1 structure that Johns says deserves site protection as well as building protection. The local Desert Sun newspaper ran an editorial in support of the preservationist position, yet the outcome is still to be decided.”

Adds city planner Lyons: “In a time of an economic slump, now is the perfect time to work with building owners to gauge their interest in restoring their buildings and to educate them as to how architecture is the reason why people come here. We need to preserve as much as we can.”

Source: American Institute of Architects, April 19, 2010,  Planetizen 4/20/2010

An Alexander on Alexander – Palm Springs Mid-Mod

Posted on Apr 19, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

What’s going on in Palm Springs mid-century  Racquet Club Estates?
Inventory is currently very limited as demand continues to rise in this Mid-Century Neighborhood. 

Here’s my latest new listing of an updated Alexander Construction Company home designed by Palmer and Krisel and located at 600 Alexander Way in Palm Springs.

 
An Alexander on Alexander… Enjoy indoor/outdoor living at its best, with a living room wall of glass and french doors, that invites the outside, in. This beautifully maintained post and beam home built by the Alexander Construction Company, designed by William Krisel, FAIA, on a huge corner lot, features a custom fire place, built in book cases, updated kitchen and baths, outdoor patios, making this an enchanting mid-mod desert bungalow.

Low maintenance landscaping, fountains, and hot tub, are just some of the many features of this Racquet Club Road Estates meticulously maintained home. A newly installed solar heating system for the pool, has kept gas bills down to a maximum of $29/month this past winter for the current owners. Mountain views from this area, are some of the best in town.

The Racquet Club neighborhood is close to downtown, restaurants, clubs, Victoria Park, golf, and makes a great location for a second home and/or vacataion rental investment property

 

Click on 600 Alexander Way, Palm Springs for more information and photos of this property.

3 bedrooms
2 baths
Approximately 1,225 SF
Offered at $430,000

Las Vegas does Mid-Century Modern

Posted on Apr 19, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Mid-Century Modern Las Vegas Architecture – Exhibit Opening

(Riviera Hotel Lobby, 1957)

The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is hosting an opening reception for its newest exhibit, “Mid-Century Modern Las Vegas,” on Saturday, April 24 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The exhibit will feature photos of Mid-Century Modern architecture, as well as domestic and decorative art from the era.

Throughout the 1950s and ‘60s when Las Vegas was polishing its image as a premier resort destination, architects from throughout the country were drawn to the city by its free-wheeling, forward-looking modernism. These architects, such as Paul Revere Williams, Palmer and Krisel,

(Paradise Palms, Las Vegas, by Palmer and Krisel)

 Zick and Sharp, Wayne McAllister and Welton Beckett, designed some of Las Vegas’ most notable structures: St. Anne Catholic Church; the parabolic lobby of the La Concha Motel; the sleekly angular Sands Hotel; the futuristic terminal at McCarran International Airport; homes in Mason Manor; and the flying saucer-shaped Las Vegas Convention Center. Dozens of schools, banks, shopping centers, and medical and government buildings throughout Las Vegas were built in a variety of Mid-Century Modern styles.

(La Concha Hotel Lobby under construction, 1961)

Most of the photos featured in this exhibit are from the collection of noted photographer Jay Florian Mitchell. After a successful career in New York, Mitchell came to Las Vegas in the late 1940s and spent more than two decades documenting life in Las Vegas. With most of Las Vegas’ Mid-Century Modern architecture now lost to development, Mitchell’s collection provides an invaluable visual record of the city’s past.

The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is located at 700 Twin Lakes Drive in Lorenzi Park. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults and free to museum members and ages 17 and under.

The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is one of seven museums managed by the Division of Museums and History, an agency of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs. The Department serves Nevada’s citizens and visitors through cultural and information management, presentation and promotion of cultural resources, and education. The Department also includes the State Historic Preservation Office, Nevada State Library and Archives, and the Nevada Arts Council. For more information, call Teresa Moiola at (775) 687-8323 or visit the department’s web site at www.NevadaCulture.org.

Reposted from the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs

April 14, 2010
Contact: Stacy Irvin: 702-486-5205 ext. 227
David Millman: 702-486-5205 ext. 231

Tags: , ,

Mid-Mod Shopping in Palm Springs

Posted on Apr 7, 2010 by Paul Kaplan

Here’s a list of my favorite mid-mod shops in Palm Springs…
Any suggestions to add to the list??

Vintage Shopping

 

20 First – Mid-century furnishings and accessories
1117 N Palm Canyon Drive 760-327-5400

 The Estate Sale- Favorite thrift shop with a variety of everything
4185 E Palm Canyon Dr. 760-321-7628

 
Modern Way – Mid-century furnishings and accessories  website
745 N Palm Canyon Drive 760-320-5455

Revivals - Thrift Shop
611 S Palm Canyon Drive, Sun Center 760-318-6430

 Route 66 – Vintage designer costume jewelry and bakelite, “20th century objects, mucho Italian glass, ceramics, chrome, some lighting and small occasional furniture and art too!”  website
465 N Palm Canyon Drive 760-322-6669

A La Mode – Mid-century furnishings
768 N Palm Canyon Drive 760-327-0707

Dazzles – Mid-Century furnishings, vintage jewelry
1035 N Palm Canyon Drive 760-327-1446

Retrospect -  Mid-century furnishings-  restored
666 N Palm Canyon Drive 760-416-1766

Vintage Oasis – Mid-Century Furnishings, accessories
373 S Palm Canyon Drive 760-778-6224

Studio One 11 – Mid-Century Modern Furnishings, Art and Accessories
2675 N Palm Canyon 760-323-5104  website

Ventura – MidCentury, esoteric, decorative arts and curiosities
463 N Palm Canyon 415-377-1956

Modern Shops

Trina Turk Residential -
895 N Palm Canyon Drive 760-416-2856

Design Within Reach – Annex
800 N Palm Canyon Drive 760-322-8750

Modern Home – Interior design and remodeling resources, etc
2500 N Palm Canyon Drive 760-320-8422

DESART Gallery – Modern insprired art
2688 S Cherokee Way, 760-328-1440

Digs – Cool outdoor furnishings
515 N Palm Canyon Drive Bldg D 760-325-6601

Imageville Gallery -  Architectural photography by Gary Dorothy
128 La Plaza on Indian Canyon Drive 760-416-9825

Just Fabulous – Cards, Books and modern home decor
294 N Palm Canyon Drive 760-864-1300

Interior Illusions – Modern Furnishings
803 North Palm Canyon Drive   760-325-0300  website

Asylum-  Consignment and modern furnishings 
844 N. Palm Canyon Drive 760.864.1171 website

Michael’s Custom Framing and Gallery – Fine art and framing serrvices
766 N Palm Canyon Dr 760-327-9847

PEREZ DESIGN CENTER -  Okay, its Cathedral City, but a quick drive over the border from Palm Springs

JP Denmark – Vintage danish modern, lighting, and more!
68-733-Perez Rd C-14 Cat City  website

HEDGE  Mid-Century and vintage furnishings and art gallery website 
68929 Perez Road, Cathedral City, 760-770-0090

 @Hom – New and used vintage furnishings and accessories
68-929 Perez Rd. #G H & I Cat City  website

Modernizm  Vintage lighting, furniture, art & accessories
 68-929 Perez Road, Suite K, Cathedral City  website

Spaces – Multi-dealer MCM furniture and accessories
68-929 Perez Rd #K Cat City

Colin Fisher Studios – Fine Art, sculpture, antiques
68-929 Perez Rd. #M, Cat City  website

Antique and Retro Shoppers Map – Palm Springs/Riverside County

Tags: