Palm Springs is very excited to be so much more accessible to New Yorkers (who are not known for having the nicest Winters of late)!   Virgin Airlines will now be offering service to Palm Springs from New York with a single stop in San Francisco with same-plane-links. This new route will begin December 15.

Read more: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/economic-news/blog/daily-money/7-reasons-why-nos-a-good-time-to-buy-a-home/2834/#ixzz1RLasiJ81

Kris Rain is one of the Paul Kaplan Modern Real Estate Group’s stellar agents- Here’s a short update from one of the many deals that she’s worked on recently:

The last month has continued to prove busy even as the high season has come to a close. June started off right with a successful short sale closing on a cute mid-century modern house in Rancho Mirage Cove.  This house was exactly what the client was looking for, but short sales can be a challenge- both for the seller and the buyer.  Time is of the essence in most sales, but this was moreso the case in this instance: The client was renting a house locally, and had sold her business in another city, and was very nervous that the sale would not close in sufficient time.  I gave the client weekly updates on her purchase, and even showed her some additional properties in the meantime to alleviate her anxiety.  We both visualized a happy outcome, and sure enough, it came.  She is now living in her wonderful new home!  I have a great deal of respect and admiration for her to go after the things that she wants in life, and my clients are often an inspiration for me.

Great video from the CBC. The Looney is at an all-time high, with many homes that formerly would have cost Canadian buyers two million Canadian Dollars are now available for one million Canadian or less! We’re experiencing it in our office, too, as Canadian snatch up fabulous properties! Watch the full video: Canadian Buyers in Palm Springs Land Grab

The Martini House, 1970 S Ana Maria Way, Palm Springs $1,195,000

The Desert Sun printed an article yesterday about the million dollar Palm Springs Real Estate market and above, starting to take off.. Per the article, “many buyers of high-end homes have seen their stock portfolios and investments recover along with the slow economic rebound. As long as you can build confidence in the marketplace, and jobs are coming back, high-end people have the confidence and assurance to keep going forward — to hire people, to buy homes.”

The Palm Springs Real Estate Market has also seen foreclosures and short sales which  have also affected the high end market, adding an affordability factor to luxury Palm Springs real estate that we haven’t seen for years. Sellers are being more realistic about pricing. 

Per the article, “A lot of our buyers have been able to take advantage of some really incredible buys.” Although we’re not seeing huge discounts now, the luxury real estate properties are priced appropriately and are selling.   Canadian buyers have also  been taking advantage of positive exchange rates, and investing in the luxury real estate market.  (A large percentage of buyers are paying cash).  In 2010, 22,529 homes sold in California for $1 million or more. That was up 21 percent from 2009, DataQuick reported, and compares to a 9 percent drop in sales for all homes statewide.

Click here to read the full article.

The Paul Kaplan Group specializes in mid century and architectural real estate in Palm Springs, in all price categories, including the over $1 million luxury  real estate market. There are currently 19 homes in Palm Springs, priced over $1,000,000.   Click here for properties currently available in this category.   Interested in buying one? Please give us a call at 760-285-8559 or visit our website.

I’m obviously a huge fan and advocate of mid-century and modern architecture.  But I can also appreciate other styles as well for their inherent qualities.  Which brings me to one of my favorite town home developments in Palm Springs, WAVERLY PARK.

Located off Gene Autry Trail near Highway 111, you’ll discover this tranquil gated community of luxury townhomes.  Often referred to as the “Flinstone” complex for its box-like almost adobe style architecture, you will find one of the best laid out high density projects in town. 

Each town home was designed for privacy, with extensive use of private patios, creating the best of indoor outdoor living.  The units only share one common wall with your neighbor and that is in the two car garages, adding to sound insulation. 

A private courtyard with fountain, welcomes you to my new listing at Waverly Park.  Inside, you’ll find a spacious Great Room, with sliders opening up to two private patios on both sides, a fireplace, in addition to a wet-bar…all the creature comforts you’d expect in your desert home!  I actually love the saltillo tiles throughout, that embrace the Spanish character of the home. 

This townhome actually feels more like a single family home as it is completely private from the neighbors.  Two bedrooms, plus a den, which could be a third bedroom, provide more then enough space for visiting friends and relatives. 

Waverly Park is extremely well maintained, and features beautiful lush grounds, three pools, hot tubs, and tennis courts.  Trader Joes, Grocery Shopping, Target and public golf courses, are just minutes away!

Offered at $299,000…this is a great alternative for anyone looking for a private Palm Springs resort style getaway.

For more info, visit:  CLICK HERE.

Interesting post on the LA Times site today about the influx of all cash buyers in today’s Real Estate market.  This is very true in all prices ranges for the Palm Springs market-  the majority of our sales in the past year have been from all cash buyers. In particular, most of our Canadian buyers purchase only using cash.  For more info, read below:

By Lauren Beale, Los Angeles Times

March 1, 2011

All-cash buyers grabbed a record 30.9% share of California house and condo sales in January. In Southern California’s most expensive communities, cash deals now account for as much as two-thirds of home sales.
 See the attached link for the full story:

http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-cash-only-20110301,0,7049248.story