The Palm Spring City Council voted to issue rebates to Palm Springs residents who replace their pool pumps with more efficient models.
A total of 40 Palm Springs residents will have the opportunity to save money on new energy efficient pool pumps thanks to the City Council which allows Palm Springs to take part in a rebate program with Southern California Edison. The total rebate is $535 for those residents that agree to replace their existing pool pump with a qualified energy efficient variable flow or speed pump.. In addition, as an incentive - the City will waive the permit fee.
This market brings local farmers and vendors together to showcase the fruits of their labor. It features organic and transitional produce, cheese, bread, fresh cut flowers, nuts, and California-grown olive oil. Organic coffee and a fresh market breakfast is available at the nearby on-site cafe. A weekly Market Chef booth features recipes and educational materials.
Location: 2300 E. Baristo Road at Farrell on the North Side of the Camelot Theaters in Palm Springs, California
Dates: Saturday, 8 am to 12:30 pm September - June
Whether you're looking for Palm Springs Real Estate or just coming to relax, lay by the pool, or enjoy a round of golf- flying to Palm Springs will be even more convenient as more flights have been added this season:
The Palm Springs International Airport has added new seasonal air service. The airport is served by ten airlines and has about 100 daily flights. New flights this season include:
Alaska Airlines increases to daily round-trips to Seattle/Tacoma beginning August 23.
American Airlines launches its nonstop daily Chicago service beginning August 25.
American Airlines adds its third Dallas-Ft. Worth flights beginning August 25.
United Airlines increases its San Francisco flights to three daily round trips beginning Sept. 2.
Flight service on WestJet out of Calgary, Alberta begins on September 8, a full month earlier.
Allegiant Air is increasing their Bellingham, WA service beginning September 22.
After waiting four months for Bank of America to assign a negotiator to even look at our short sale package and offer, the buyer unfortunately found another property and cancelled his offer. The two back up offers we had on the property, backed out of the deal a long time ago.
In a desperate attempt this last week, we did everything possible to try to push this deal through before the cancellation. We even contacted the VP of Portfolio Retention for B of A with a plea for help. His simple response?
"Unfortunately there isn't a way to speed up a short sale. It is a process driven transaction."
I have two other short sales with B of A that are in process. One where I am representing the buyer, I can't even get confirmation from B of A that the offer was even submitted.
Is anyone having similar problems with B of A? Any suggestions on how to get these processed on a timely manner? We've done many short sales, all are a challenge but in our team's experience, none have been as problematic as B of A. Should we just cut or losses, and just boycott all short sales that have to do with B of A?
The Desert Sun issued a report in Today's paper about the status of redevelopment in Downtown Palm Springs...
In 2006, two plans were approved by the Palm Springs City Council, these were envisioned as gateways to the heart of downtown Palm Springs.
However, due to the decline in the economy and lack of available funding, both projects have been put on hold. It could be years before either development breaks ground, amidst the worst economic climate in years.
The Port Lawrence Project, consisting of a 4 acre site on the corner of Palm Canyon and Alejo, has been stalled as the developer has not been able to obtain financing, per the Desert Sun report. The original plan called for an exciting mixed use project consisting of retail and residential units. Port Lawrence is being "rethought to reflect the current economy" and could be redesigned as a boutique hotel with some condos, project architect Doug Hudson said last week. RIght now, its just a vacant lot.
On the oppostie end of downtown, on the corner of Palm Canyon and Ramon, is the location of what is referred to as the "IHOP" project, (named after the International House of Pancakes currently located here), also known as The Palm Canyon. The design also was a mixed use project with retail and residential. However it suffers also from the downturn in the economy. The project received a one-year extension that expires in October, and representatives say they plan to ask for another one-year extension.
The Fashion Plaza, located in the center of Palm Springs downtown core, also awaits redevelopment. City and business leaders further envisioned Port Lawrence and The Palm Canyon to compliment the long-awaited remodel of this 13-acre Plaza.
Per the Desert Sun, "Representatives of Desert Fashion Plaza developer John Wessman and city officials say they're in early negotiations to pen a public-private deal that could bring that remodel, a key piece of the downtown Palm Springs puzzle, into place."
The next step in their negotiations is scheduled for Wednesday, David Ready, City Manager said. And he anticipates the City Council could review an agreement that outlines the financial roles of the city and the developer in October.
Ultimately- Downtown Palm Springs has huge potential once these three project are underway. With the housing market starting to settle down a bit and showing signs of a rebound, hopefully we're one step closer to economic stability. Maybe eventually we'll see these projects pick up some momentum sooner then later to help revive the Downtown Palm Springs core.
MSNBC.com reports that first-time buyers in some areas, especially those with large numbers of foreclosures, are finding that bank-owned properties are sparking bidding wars that drive up sale prices and entice investors - who often pay cash and buy several properties at once.
This information is consistent with what's going on in the Palm Springs market. Recently, clients of mine participated in bidding wars on mid-century properties:
A mid-century foreclosure designed by Donald Wexler, was listed at $174,000. There were 22 offers on the property, and it ended up selling for $290,000
An Alexander built mid-century home designed by William Krisel, was recently listed at $225,000. With multiple offers, the house sold for $260,000.
KEEP THIS IN MIND
• Buyers are advised to work with REALTORS® to help increase the chances that their offers are accepted on homes, particularly those that are attractive to investors. With guidance from a REALTOR®, buyers can present offers that are more likely to be accepted by a bank. REALTORS® also often have knowledge of properties that are new on the market, and may have not yet caught the eyes of investors.
• Recently enacted federal legislation designed to help people remain in their homes has slowed the flow of foreclosures into the market, lowering the inventory and increasing the demand for remaining homes. In June, C.A.R.'s Unsold Inventory Index (UII) stood at 4.1 months, compared with 7.6 months for the same time period a year ago. The UII indicates the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate. Homes priced $500,000 or below had an unsold inventory of approximately three months in June. In June 2008, the unsold inventory in this price range was nearly 10 months.
The Palm Springs area features great architecture by noted Mid-Century Architects. One of best, was
WILLIAM F. CODY FAIA (1916-1978)
The follow is an excerpt from the City of Rancho Mirage biographical history of local architects.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, he was raised in Los Angeles. While attending architecture school at USC in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Cody was also working for architect, Cliff May, gaining experience in the adaptation of ranch and hacienda style houses to modern floor plans, in addition to construction techniques. Cody suffered from asthma and believed that living in Palm Springs would not only help his health, but also would offer an opportunity to work with prominent clients. He moved to town in 1944-45 to set up his practice. One of his first projects was the Del Marcos Hotel of 1946, located in the downtown area of Palm Springs, one block was of Palm Canyon Drive. It won an AIA "creditable mention" award representing an example of new resort hotel architecture for its "ingenious plan, which appears complicated but is actually orderly and thoughtful." Architecture critic Alan Hess writes, "Greater thinness and more striking elegance became the single-minded focus of his ongoing design."
Cody had quite the reputation for carousing, yet was exceptionally focused on the details of his designs and pushing the boundaries of his materials. His early works include designs for clubhouses a Thunderbird, Tamarisk and Eldorado Country Clubs. Cody also designed a large number of residences in the country club areas, many along the fairways of the new resort concept of course course living, a concept that Cody himself helped to devise.
Author Adele Cygelman writes, "Joints and door frames seemingly disappeared into walls. He merged living rooms into terraces and gardens. Roofs jutted out twelve feet to shield the walls of glass. Pattern and texture came from tile floors, carved wood panels, and concrete-block screens with geometric motifs, all of which were meticulously designed by Cody to match each other precisely at the seams and angles where the planes met."
The property pictured here on Country Club Drive, features severe angles of natural materials & glass gracefully penetrating each other, in a "peace-sign" shaped three winged floor plan. Use of natural stone and wood paneling, as well as walls of glass opening to the terace, are featured in this classic example of what was Cody's resort style architecture.
Cody designed many homes in Rancho Mirage. However, since the City was not incorporated until the 1970s, many of the original building records were lost. Thus it has not been possible to authenticate all of his works, such as the one featured here, other then recognizing the traditional Cody design elements.
In addition, Cody designed churches, gas stations, motels, restaurants, offices, a mobile home park, shopping centers and even a car wash. Hess reported, that "a distinct character can be seen in all of them. It is a restless energy that brings a liveliness to his plans, elevations and details. The radical thinness of Cody roofs or the daring reach of a cantilever are clearly the result of a wrestling match between the architect and the materials and the laws of physics; that energy and striving remains in the building." Hess concludes, "The fact that Cody could take an established vocabulary and style and reinterpret it so vividly ranks him among the best of mid-century California designers."
Real Estate Sales Activity for Palm Springs, Week Ending 7-25-09
Presented by Paul Kaplan
Sales volume continues to increase month over month. The under $200,000 price range remains to be the busiest sector which represents almost 50% of the sales this week. Of special interest, there were 5 properties that sold over $1,000,000, showing the that higher end market is showing signs of improvement as well. Sales volume was up 40% over the same period of 2008.
Is the California real estate market rebounding finally? According to many Real Estate Experts, what happened to the Real Estate Market across the state of California foretold the downward spiral of home prices, and overall home sales, across the country.
It appears that California Home Sales appear to have turned a corner. In May, the Median Sales Price of a CA home increased to $267,570 - up over 4% from April, according to the California Association of Realtors, as reported in today's Wall Street Journal by Reporter Stu Woo.
The California Inventory of Unsold Homes also continues to fall. Today's report shows a 4.2 month supply of homes unsold, versus 5.6 months supply in April, and 8.7 months of supply in May, 2008. In an average market, there is a 7 month supply. However, the Realtor Association calculates median home prices are still 30.4% lower than they were this time last year.
Today's report seems consistent with the Palm Springs real estate market. Sales have been continually increasing in all price ranges, since January. In our office, June sales to date have been the strongest in over 2 years. Although lower priced homes seem to be the busiest sector of the market, we're starting to see a number of sales in the over $1 million price range as well.
Although we're not seeing panic buying, many of those buyers that were sitting on the fence are realizing that perhaps the market has finally hit the bottom. Its not unusual to have multiple offers on well priced properties lately, often with homes selling for over the asking price.
it feels like we've weathered the storm! If you'd like to find out more about the Palm Springs real estate market, please contact me for more information.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
The Desert Sun issued a report in Today's paper about the status of redevelopment in Downtown Palm Springs...
with large numbers of foreclosures, are finding that bank-owned properties are sparking bidding wars that drive up sale prices and entice investors - who often pay cash and buy several properties at once.
opportunity to work with prominent clients. He moved to town in 1944-45 to set up his practice. One of his first projects was the Del Marcos Hotel of 1946, located in the downtown area of Palm Springs, one block was of Palm Canyon Drive. It won an AIA "creditable mention" award representing an example of new resort hotel architecture for its "ingenious plan, which appears complicated but is actually orderly and thoughtful." Architecture critic Alan Hess writes, "Greater thinness and more striking elegance became the single-minded focus of his ongoing design." 
Is the California real estate market rebounding finally? According to many Real Estate Experts, what happened to the Real Estate Market across the state of California foretold the downward spiral of home prices, and overall home sales, across the country.
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