and Every day when I drive through the Valley, whether it's previewing property, running errands, checking on the horses… Whatever, I keep seeing more new projects getting off the ground. The great thing is that a lot of these projects have been standing abandoned, behind tattered, green, net fences, for years.  Here in the desert, when land is cleared of the desert brush, it leaves sandy topsoil that blows like crazy. It is fantastic to see these vacant and abandoned developments taking flight again.  The developers version of Palm Springs Valley infill! The Palm Springs Valley and La Quinta is building again. Hopefully, as opposed to the mad, crazy , gobbling up of land, that occurred during the boom ,this time around the builders and developers will use more common sense .By this I ... 05/13/2013

AMGEN TOUR TO RIDE THROUGH THE PALM SPRINGS AREA THIS SUMMER!   Bike riders and cycling enthusiasts are common in the Coachella Valley.  On any given weekend you can see the bright colored riders cruising up and down the La Quinta Cove, stopping for coffee at Old Town Coffee in Old Town La Quinta, and so on, all the way to Palm Springs and the Tram Road.  The weather here in the winter is perfect for cycling and our wide avenues and sparse traffic make it ideal for cyclists.  128 riders in Amgen Tour of California are expected to make their way through the Coachella Valley on Monday some time from 2 to 3 p.m. in Palm Desert, and will make the final climb up Tramway Road about 3 to 4:30 p.m. WHERE TO WATCH THE AMGEN TOUR PALM SPRINGS:  To watch the prestigious professional bike race spe... 05/11/2013

Forever Marilyn Palm Springs Summer Events   Forever Marilyn is a 34,300 pound, 26-ft. tall likeness of Marilyn Monroe- posing in her "Some Like it Hot" iconic swirling skirt.  She has been photographed by thousands, and was named the best photo-op in the city this year!  Marilyn truly is photogenic, especially with the backdrop of the Palm Springs San Jacinto mountains.   Each time I make the drive to Palm Springs from La Quinta (about 45 min.), I snap some more photos of the posing Marilyn.  She never disappoints!  I have even created note-cards with her likeness and my friends love them! Marilyn was slated to leave Palm Springs on June 1st- and a party was being organized to say goodbye.  But plans have changed and she will remain on the corner of Tahquitz and Palm Canyon until the e... 05/11/2013

Canyon View Estates - Open House Saturday 5/4/13 from 12:00 - 3:00 pm 2458 S Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264 Listed at $369,000 3-Bed 2-Bath home, over 1,900 square feet. Classic Mid-Century architecture, designed by Palmer & Krisel (Alexander Architects). Full open floor plan with clerestory windows & walls of glass. Newer dual pane windows throughout. This unit is raised on a bluff allowing privacy & amazing mountain, greenbelt & pool views. Palm Springs Living at its Best!       For further information about this or other Mid-Century homes & condos For Sale in Palm Springs, contact Area Specialist: Stewart Penn - Associate Broker - Windermere Real Estate - (760) 618-1822 05/03/2013

Twin Palms, Palms Springs - 970 Marion Way, Palm Springs, CA 92264 Stunning remodel - Mid-Century Modern Twin Palms 4-Bed 3-Bath Home - Completely updated for today's lifestyle! For Sale - $849,000 Open House: Sunday 5/5/13 from 12:00-3:00pm       For further information about this or other Mid-Century homes For Sale in Palm Springs, contact Area Specialist: Stewart Penn - Associate Broker - Windermere Real Estate - (760) 618-1822 05/01/2013

Do we really have to say goodbye to Marilyn?   Do we really have to say goodbye to Marilyn?  The 26 foot tall  Marilyn Monroe sculpture has provided thrills, and endless photo shoots at Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs for a year.  We originally were told that "she" will be leaving in June, but today's Desert Sun reports that her stay has been extended until August.  She really does like it HOT! The camera loves Marilyn...and she was named the Best Photo Op for the Palm Springs area in 2o13!  In typical Palm Springs style there will be a fabulous party planned for Marilyn's sendoff!   A film series is planned along with the party... "Some Like it Hot" would be perfect here in June!   The Forever Marilyn Outdoor Movie Series on May 3 will screen  the comedy "Monk... 04/26/2013

I have been listing, negotiating, and closing short sales here in the Palm Springs Valley area for just over four years now. I have run into many very, very poorly skilled short sale listing agents. No surprise here! When the short sale market hit its peak in 2012, there was a sudden explosion of "short sale experts"! Even though the number of short sales in 2013 has declined dramatically in my Valley, and I am happy to say that I do a much smaller number of them now, it seems the short sale scammers continue to plague the market. I am dealing with a particularly unethical short sale listing agent in the city of Palm Springs. When representing a buyer on a short sale I try very hard to gather as much information as possible on the listing agent.  I have found over the years that dealing... 04/24/2013

Villa Roma, Palm Springs - 459 E Avenida Granada, Palm Springs, CA 92264 For Sale - Offered at $269,000 Open House: Saturday 4/27/13 from 12:00-3:00pm Classic Mid Century Modern (1966) 3-Bed 2-Bath condo (over 1540 sq ft) featuring an open floor plan and walls of glass opening to a large patio with fire-pit and spectacular mountain views. Highly sought-after end unit. (Listed by Joe Simeone - Windermere Real Estate, Palm Springs South).       For further information about this or other condos For Sale at Villa Roma, contact Area Specialist: Stewart Penn - Associate Broker - Windermere Real Estate - (760) 618-1822 04/23/2013

I've been thinking about this a lot lately.  When you work as closely as we all do with our clients, we establish a sort of friendship.  It's driven by the service we provide as well as our own personalities.  Every client is different; some are very easy to keep in the "business only" box, but I have found that most of my clients do become friends of a type.. The friends I have had in my life range from high school buddies who occupied a special place and will always be there, to people that I hung out with for awhile, to my dear friends who will always be in my world on a daily basis.  Real Estate clients that I have worked with over the past twelve years fall into special groups.  We start strictly as business acquaintances...but sometimes friendships blossom. I believe I become an a... 04/18/2013

TACHEVAH!   TACHEVAH is a first of its kind!  All ages with local bands - FREE BLOCK PARTY in Palm Springs!  Driven by social media and voting from locals-- the bands were chosen by us!  More than 95,000 VOTES were cast! By sandwiching this event in the middle of the Coachella Festival , TACHEVAH is hoping to carry the music experience through the week!     FOLLOW TACHEVAH ON FACEBOOK!   *  DOORS OPEN AT 5PM- MUSIC WILL PLAY UNTIL AFTER 10PM!   *  THERE WILL BE 2 BEER GARDENS PROVIDED AND ID WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER   *  DO NOT BRING LAWN CHAIRS OR COOLERS- YOU WILL BE ASKED TO TAKE THEM BACK TO YOUR CAR   *  ADMISSION IS FREE   *  ADDRESS:  SPA CASINO |  401 EAST AMADO ROAD     PALM SPRINGS, CA  92262   *  FREE PARKING IN THE DESERT FASHION PLAZA PARKING STRUCTURE, THE PRAIRIE SCHOONE... 04/17/2013

Homes For Sale at Deepwell Ranch, Palm Springs - Updated 4/10/13 There are currently 8 Homes FOR SALE at Deepwell Ranch in South Palm Springs: 1310 Primavera Drive - $539,000 This is a detached 3-Bed 2-Bath home (2182 sq ft) on the perimeter of the community and the property features a private backyard. 1288 Primavera Drive - $499,000 Built in 1972, this 3-Bed 2-Bath home (2054 sq ft) has been remodeled and updated. 1377 Invierno Drive - $495,000 Totally remodeled 3-Bed 3-Bath home (2184 sq ft) on a single level with no stairs or step-downs. 1205 Primavera Drive - $485,000 This free standing home in the guard-gated community of Deepwell Ranch features 3-Bed and 2-Baths (2031 sq ft) and boasts spectacular mountain views. 1347 Primavera Drive - $449,000 Built in 1970, this 3-Bed 2-Bath pr... 04/10/2013

Deepwell Ranch, Palm Springs   Deepwell Ranch is a private and highly sought after guard-gated community in South Palm Springs. Designed in 1970 by renowned architect Barry Berkus, this Planned Unit Development (PUD) cosists of 111 homes featuring colorful, Spanish-influenced red-tile roofed architecture of early California. The community offers 3 Swimming Pools & Spas, a Tennis Court and 24-hour guarded gate.         The 111 homes consist of 31 detached condos (single family homes) on the outer perimeter of Primavera Drive (the main street in the development), 8 two-story townhouse condos located on 2 cul-de-sacs, and 72 single-story attached condos in small blocks of 3 or 4 units throughout the community. If you'd like details of current Homes For Sale at Deepwell Ranch, please contac... 04/10/2013

Last weekend we played tourist in Palm Springs and went to see the 26 foot Forever Marilyn statue in downtown Palm Springs.  It has been voted the best "photo-op" for the city.  Marilyn has been here almost a year, and according to contract, she is supposed to move to another city and location.  We will sure miss her here- and many are lobbying for her to make Palm Springs her permanent home.   Top 10 Things to do in Palm Springs Area 365 Things to do in the Palm Springs Area Largest Pedicure Ever... Marilyn in Palm Springs! 04/10/2013

The City of Palm Springs is well known for it's past and current celebrities.  Home owners in Palm Springs proper, often in the village walking areas such as Tennis Club, Movie Colony, Old Las Palmas and Vista Las Palmas, Palm Springs oozes history.  Take this photo tour of Palm Springs past..   This is a house that perches on the side of a rock cliff high up in The Mesa area of Palm Springs.   If you're looking to buy or sell a property in the Palm Springs Valley, from Westerly Palm Springs proper, through Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Palm Desert or Easterly to La Quinta, give me a call!   04/07/2013

Windermere Real Estate Palm Springs South SEARCH THE MLS If you're not represented by a Realtor and would like additional information on any of the properties listed on The MLS, please contact: Stewart Penn - Asscociate Broker Cell: 760.618.1822   Office: 760.325.9091 stewart@stewartpenn.com DRE# 01339266 Palm Springs South Office 2465 E Palm Canyon Drive Suite 605 Palm Springs, CA 92264 04/04/2013

    It might seem crazy... but my 365 Things to do in Palm Springs Areafans love it when I post retro post cards from the area. What?  It is a current- up to the minute event site... and yet, they love the post cards from the past!  I sign off each night with one! 04/03/2013

Stewart Penn - Associate Broker Windermere Palm Springs 2465 E Palm Canyon Drive #605, Palm Springs, CA 92264 Cell: 760-618-1822   Office: 760-325-9091 04/03/2013

03/26/2013

There’s an old saying that you make your profit when you buy, not when you sell. This means that you should choose a home with amenities that are preferred by the majority of people. Buying the right features now can help you sell later. Keep in mind that while you probably have strong feelings about desirable amenities, your list may not be inclusive for most people. The following items are high on the list of preferred items for most homebuyers.Homes with a master bedroom are popular today. Many retirees prefer the master bedroom to be on the ground floor where there are no stairs involved.Homes with only one bathroom, is not a good investment. Buyers are usually looking for at least an additional half bath for convenience.Since today’s homes have limited storage space, the garage bec... 03/26/2013

According to The CLAW MLS the following Palm Springs Homes are scheduled for Open Houses on Sunday 3/24/13: Palm Springs South 375 W El Portal, Palm Springs, CA 92264 - 3-Bed 3-Bath (2500 sq ft) - $1,495,000 568 S La Mirada Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264 - 4-Bed 3.5-Bath (3965 sq ft) - $1,175,000 1061 South Sagebush Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264 - 3-Bed 3-Bath (2288 sq ft) - $925,000 2730 W Kings Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264 - 3-Bed 3.5-Bath (2899 sq ft) - $695,000 2540 S Calle Palo Fierro, Palm Springs, CA 92264 - 2-Bed 3-Bath (2310 sq ft) - $650,000 1590 South Calle Marcus , Palm Springs, CA 92264 - 3-Bed 3-Bath (2345 sq ft) - $550,000 2030 South Bobolink Lane , Palm Springs, CA 92264 - 3-Bed 2-Bath (1673 sq ft) - $459,000 Palm Springs Central 589 S La Mirada Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264 - 3-Bed... 03/23/2013