Palm Springs 75, today is the birthday celebration for our beloved city of Palm Springs. 75 years of a sun-filled and fun lifestyle that is a hallmark of our city. We love all of Palm Springs’ history but here at the Paul Kaplan Group we celebrate our mid-century past and the architecture that has made Palm Springs famous.

The Alexanders by James R. Harlan

Join us for the free city birthday party at the O’Donnell Golf Course from 3 to 9 pm today for food, fireworks and festivities. We are celebrating all the decades of our history and the Paul Kaplan Group is helping celebrate the Alexanders. Look for the Alexander banners and come by to say hello.

 

Enjoy the Palm Springs 75 celebration and don’t miss the fireworks!!

Here are a few Alexander Construction Co. homes to get you in the mood to celebrate, for more call Paul at 760-459-1396 or visit our website www.PaulKaplanGroup.com

–Tracy Merrigan

For the past few years the sounds of new home development in Palm Springs have been silent, the plaques of home builders along the entrance to our desert towns disappeared.  For example,  parking spaces at the South Palm Springs Oceo development remained empty while the Koffi next door was booming.  The Port Lawrence sign disappeared to be replaced with a nicely landscaped parking area.  Escena lots remained virtually vacant with no activity other then golfer and diners enjoying the clubhouse.

Escena Skylar Lane home sold by the Paul Kaplan Group

Palm Springs Budding Signs of New Home Development

Over that last months the signs of new home development have been budding: Oceo’s new parking lot looks busy;  residential developers signs, like  Escena’s Alta Verde and Lennar, are popping up on the entrance to town; plans have been approved to start the new downtown development and a final tour of the Fashion Plaza took place this Tuesday before they demolish the building.

Developers have been responding to what they see as pent-up demand in the market by purchasing land and finished lots. While mortgage lending is still tight and appraisals are still low, building homes on finished lots allows the developer to save on upfront costs. Look for homes to be built in phases; developers to specialize in a specific design; certain builders, like Lennar, to include upgraded items in the base price as an enticement and developers to focus on creating an enhanced lifestyle experience, Sol a new project in central Palm Springs will be centered around a communal dog park.

Incredible view from the Escena Wilson Lane home represented by Kris Rain at the Paul Kaplan Group

Mid-Century Modern for New Home Design Read the rest of this entry »

The Paul Kaplan Group is excited to sponsor Leisure Life Weekend for the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (PSPF),  a celebration of south Palm Springs’ unique collection of midcentury “lifestyle” condominiums. This weekend and tour will also bring attention to the little known Canyon Country Club Colony, Canyon View Estates, and other communities that the general public is unfamiliar with. 

Included in the weekend is the publication of a PSPF tribute journal (authored by board member Erik Rosenow) which places these fascinating condominiums in their respective social, historical and architectural contexts. Through rarely-seen vintage photographs and advertisements, the tribute journal captures the allure of the “leisure lifestyle” and the glamor it promised to middle-class home buyers.

The celebratory weekend kicks-off with a swanky Friday evening cocktail party. The Saturday house tour focuses on the Canyon View Estates condominium complex (designed by architect William Krisel) but features the best of other notable south Palm Springs condominium developments. The Sunday house tour of the Kings Point condominium complex shows how the lifestyle condominium phenomenon matured into modernist designs bordering on the “lavish.”

Schedule and Tickets

“Leisure Life” Weekend Multi-pass includes one ticket to
all events below (a $25 savings)

Friday, March 22

5-8PM Opening Night Cocktail Party

Join us for an enjoyable evening at one of the largest golf course-adjacent units in the Kings Point condominium complex. This stunning modernist home, designed by architect William Krisel in 1967, has been recently renovated and features beautiful interior design by Luis Ortega (principal of Luis Ortega Interiors). Upon arrival guests will be greeted with a “country club cocktail” specially created to celebrate the weekend. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and champagne will be served.

Saturday, March 23

10AM-4PM House Tour

Take a fascinating tour of more than a dozen condominium units in south Palm Springs’ that capture the midcentury “leisure lifestyle.” Included are units found in Canyon View Estates (1962) and Villa Roma (1964), among others. Refreshments will be served at the last tour house in Canyon View Estates. “Leisure Life” tribute journal author Erik Rosenow will be available to sign journals and answer questions. Price includes a copy of the 32-page journal and a collectible tour map. A one-hour lunch break is scheduled.

Sunday, March 24

9AM-12:30PM Champagne Breakfast & House Tour

To complete your “Leisure Life” Weekend experience, join us for a champagne breakfast at The Indian Canyons Golf Resort (formerly the Canyon Country Club) designed by midcentury architect Donald Wexler in 1962. After breakfast enjoy a tour of several condominium homes in the nearby Kings Point condominium complex designed by architect William Krisel in 1967. Price includes a copy of the 32-page journal and a collectible tour map.

Click here to purchase tickets and for more information on Leisure Life Weekend.

The Paul Kaplan Group represents homes in all of the neighborhoods featured on the Leisure Life Weekend tour.  For a highlight of various listings, click here.  Or call us at 760-459-1396.  The Paul Kaplan Group is a boutique real estate firm in the heart of Palm Springs, specializing on mid-century and modern homes.

Modernism Week Meet-Up

It’s been a busy week for the Paul Kaplan Group in Palm Springs at Modernism Week. We love modernism, supporting our community & taking care of our clients. So we’ve been busy entertaining, volunteering, participating and of course showing property.

This is some of what our group has been up to during Modernism Week.

Modernism Week at the Paul Kaplan Group in Palm Springs

Check out the Desert Sun article on our Modernism Yard Sale.

www.PaulKaplanGroup.com

Call us at 760-459-1396

Visit us at 1701 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA  92262

––Tracy Merrigan

Food, Fun and Fabulous Shopping!!

Celebrate with the Paul Kaplan Group at our Modernism Week Yard Sale

Sunday, February 24  8am to 1pm

hosted by the Paul Kaplan Group and Modern Bear

Paul Kaplan Group Modernism Week Yard Sale

Tasty Treats and maybe some Tall Tales to share with friends

Want to sell stuff at our Modernism Week Yard Sale?

For Booth Info, Email Chris Bale at: chris@paulkaplangroup.com
We’ll see you there!

Check out the Modernism Week site for information on all the week’s events.

We have some exciting new mid-century modern listings at the Paul Kaplan Group. See them here at www.PaulKaplanGroup.com

Palm Springs and Southern California, as well as the entire country, is in the process of a real estate recovery from multiple foreclosures and short sales.  At The Paul Kaplan Group, we have many clients that for various reasons, foreclosed on a property that they once owned during the recession, and asked if they would ever be able to get a mortgage again.

A very informative article published by the LA Times for anyone wondering if they’ll every be able to buy a house after foreclosing or short selling their previous residence.

From the article,

“If you lost your home during the housing recession — and have not completely soured on homeownership — your ability to qualify for another mortgage may not be as compromised as you think.

It used to be that a bankruptcy, foreclosure or other major black mark on your credit record meant you could not hope to obtain financing to buy another house for seven years. Now, for the most part, the rules say you must wait just three years. Depending on the reason you lost your house, the wait could be even shorter.

You can qualify for a mortgage as soon as 24 months after the fact if your issues were the result of “extenuating circumstances” over which you had no control.”

To read the whole article, click here. 

If you’re looking to buy a new home, we’re here to help.  We can refer you to a lender that can evaluate your credit and income, to determine if you will be able to qualify for a home.  Feel free to contact us at 760-459-1396 or email us at Paul@PaulKaplanGroup.com.

Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage

Sat.-Sun., Jan. 26-27, 2013

These homes are architectural stunners!

This week’s Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage feature a Magnesia Falls Cove mid-century home with great modern style and a co-op in Da Vall Estates designed by Val Powelson in Rancho Mirage. A gorgeous town home in South Palm Springs Country Club Estates by A. Quincy Jones and a newly built home that is an ode to Cliff May, the father of the Mid-Century ranch home, and has fantastic Palm Springs’ views.

It’s a great group of homes and we hope to see you there. Call Paul at 760-459-1396 for more information or additional listings.

For all the open houses Palm Springs this weekend, click here or visit www.paulkaplangroup.com

Open Houses Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage – Architecture with Style

Open House: SAT., JANUARY 26 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM SUN,, JANUARY 27 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM 2789 N Junipero Ave, Palm Springs, CA $ Call for Price Newly constructed in the style of Cliff May, the father of the Ranch House, this stunning home pays homage to mid-century era design with the … Click for more information or to schedule a private viewing Click for Directions!

Open House: SAT., JANUARY 26 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 37800 Da Vall Dr #32, Rancho Mirage, CA $238000 Own a piece of Mid-century modern history at Da Vall Estates in the Tamarisk Country Club area. This fabulous 20 unit co-op in Rancho Mirage … Click for more information or to schedule a private viewing Click for Directions!

Open House: SAT., JANUARY 26 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM 71382 Biskra Road, Rancho Mirage $499000 Single Family, Mid Century – Rancho Mirage, CA 71382 Biskra Rd A modern twist on Mid-century- In an enclave of other super cool homes, you`ll … Click for more information or to schedule a private viewing Click for Directions!

Open House: SAT., JANUARY 26 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM SUN., JANUARY 27 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 750 La Verne Way, Palm Springs, CA $389000 Iconic Mid Century Modern Architecture in South Palm Springs on FEE SIMPLE Land. A. Quincy Jones Country Club Estates. Slick & Sexy with mountain and … Click for more information or to schedule a private viewing Click for Directions!

Palm Springs Mid-Century Homes over $500,000Palm Springs Mid-Century Homes under $500,000Palm Springs Condos for SalePalm Springs Hot ListingsSearch All Homes For SalePalm Springs Homes For SaleWhat is your home worth? Paul Kaplan Paul Kaplan Group, Inc 760-459-1396 Paul@PaulKaplanGroup.com

Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage

Sat.-Sun., Jan. 19-20, 2013

These great homes are ready to move-in.

This week’s Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage feature a Magnesia Falls mid-century home with great modern style. A beautifully cared for Alexander-built Racquet Club Estates post and beam home and a newly built home that is an ode to Cliff May, the father of the Mid-Century ranch home and has fantastic Palm Springs’ views. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you planning to visit Palm Springs this February for Modernism Week? All of us at The Paul Kaplan Group have already purchased our tickets.  Although many of the events and tours are sold out, I looked and there are still a variety of tickets available.

What is Modernism Week?  Palm Springs Modernism Week is an exciting 11-day celebration of mid-century modern design, architecture and culture, Feb. 14 to the 24th. This design aesthetic originated in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, and was typified by clean, simple lines which came to define desert modernism. The Palm Springs Modernism Week is filled with a variety of events including architectural tours, films, lectures, an architectural symposium, educational events, and chic, fun parties in cool mid-century modern homes that draws thousands of visitors from all over the world.

The Paul Kaplan Group is sponsoring a number of events and tours, as well as our Modernism Garage Sale on Feb.  24th.  I’ve scanned through the event lists, and of what is still available, here’s what I would suggest:

13th Annual Modernism Show Preview Reception, and show the following days.
Marrakesh Country Club Designer Showcase
Expo Tent and Prefab Showcase
Charles Phoenix Retro Slide Show
The Silver Factory Party
A. Quincy Jones: Building for Better Living
Royal Hawaiian Estates Home Tour
Fashion Forward: A Vintage Clothing Retrospective
Palm Springs Modern Committee Iconic Home tour – William Krisel Twin Palms
Tony Duquette – Wild Child of Hollywood Design
Mid-Century Moderns: The Homes That Define Palm Springs – 2012
Vintage Car Show
A Mad Men Evening – the Architecture and Design Council’s Annual Fundraiser
Frank Sinatra’s “Twin Palms” Estate Tour
Symposium and Tour: The Public and the Modern House – All Day
Modernism Garage Sale

For more information and to purchase tickets for the Palm Springs Modernism Week,

CLICK HERE.   

The Paul Kaplan Group will also have a booth at the Modernism Show, held Feb. 15-17th.  If you’d like more information on real estate, drop me an email or text, or come by our booth for more info.  You can live out your own modernism life in Palm Springs!

Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Sat.-Sun., Jan. 12-13, 2013

with two homes in prime Palm Springs Golf Neighborhoods

This week’s Paul Kaplan Open Houses Palm Springs, Cathedral City feature a newly renovated in Cathedral Canyon Cove with beautiful kitchen and pool and a brand new mid-century style home in Palm Spring’s Chino Canyon. This new home is an ode to Cliff May, the father of the Mid-Century ranch home and has fantastic Palm Springs’ views.

Palm Springs Golfer’s Dream, Escena and Tahquitz River Creek

Our other two homes are in the Palm Springs golf neighborhoods of Escena and Tahquitz River Creek. Both have incredible panoramic views and overlook the golf course. The Escena home was built in 2006 with space for pool. The Tahquitz home is a mid-century Alexander ranch home with lots of original details.

It’s a great group of homes and we hope to see you there. Call Paul at 760-459-1396 for more information or additional listings.

For all the open houses Palm Springs this weekend, click here or visit www.paulkaplangroup.com Read the rest of this entry »