Palm Springs International Film Festival Jan 6-17, 2011

The film fest returns this year, its 22nd,  with an expected crowd of  attendees numbering some 100,000 plus. With a mix of brand new films, other film fest winners and cutting edge foreign films there is an endless variety of films to enjoy.

Award recipients have already started to be named for the Gala black tie awards event to be held during the Festival.   Carey Mulligan and  Jennifer Lawrence are slated to receive awards for break out performance and rising star awards respectively. Past honorees at the event have included Jennifer Hudson, Dakota Fanning, Scarlett Johansson.  Attendees and other honorees have include such stars as Clint Eastwood, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bridges.

Not only is the film festival fun but it gives Palm Springs a chance to shine in the spotlight of international media attention.  Be sure to get your tickets early as many showings will sell out.  Got to the festival website for more information and ticket reservations.

Luxury Real Estate The New Bargain?

As the Real Estate market continues to move through the massive changes in the marketplace different bright spots come and go almost like meteors passing across the

night sky. Certain types of properties, certain price ranges will be hot for a few months and then fade.  Some of that is dictated by prevailing loan programs and seller incentives.


In my market place, just a few months ago, any property priced under $150,000, would immediately receive multiple all cash offers.  In that price range at least it seemed like the heady  days of 2005-2006. Bidding wars and buyers falling out of trees.  That has quietly faded probably because many buyers have spent their cash and also the inventory in this price category is drastically reduced from what it was. Investors who bought most of these seem to be rehabbing them and entering them into the rental pool - which is quite competitive in its' own right.

Currently the best deals are starting to be seen in the higher end up to and including the luxury homes.  There are some truly stunning deals out there.  Some of the homes have been reduced as much as 50%.  While you may not be in the market for a luxury property the near luxury properties in the $700, 000- one million dollar range are also seeing dramatic price reductions.

The Banks have been slow to foreclose on these larger properties but there are foreclosures and more coming.  Most industry insiders are reporting that the next two years will see a much larger percentage of luxury real estate and commercial real estate  go on the market at very competitive prices. The number of lower priced homes will slow and the inventory start to dwindle.  In my market place we are seeing the under $250,000 homes actually go up slightly in value.

You can look at some of the great luxury values in the Palm Springs are by using this link.

Mission Inn Festival Of Lights

The 18TH Annual FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS - at the Historic Mission Inn in Riverside - begins today Friday, November  26 at sunset and continues through Sunday, January 2, 2011.

This is a not to be missed event that will put anyone in the Christmas spirit.  The Mission Inn occuppies and entire block right off of the 91 Highway in downtown Riverside.  The whole exterior of the property is draped in lights and moving figurines and characters.  It is sure to delight people of all ages.

If you make reservations the dining rooms, especially the outdoor patio, serve memorable meals.

See more about the Mission Inn

Video Of the Lights:

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY

Thanksgiving

To You and

Yours!

Wildlights at The Living Desert In Palm Desert

A Holiday Tradition Returns to the Living Desert in Palm Desert   

Tonight is the first night of the Festival of lights held each year at the Living Desert in Palm Desert CA.

The grounds of this unique park (part zoo, part botanical garden) are covered in lights and decorations. Open from 6pm- 9pm you can enjoy the cool Desert Evenings and get yourself in the holiday spirit by seeing the beautiful lights. Don't forget all those healthy benefits from a nice walk!

More information can be had on the Living Deserts' website

Directions to the Living Desert can be found here.

Enjoy this holiday tradition in the Desert!

The cool evenings of the Desert winter are complimented by the warm sunny days typically  in the seventies. While the rest of the nation shivers during November, January and February the residents of the Coachella valley get to enjoy everything under the sun. See how the Desert gets in the holiday spirit despite the lack of snow or truly cold temperatures.

To learn more about Palm Desert and its' great neighborhoods visit our web page

Wildlights Holiday Festival at The Living Desert Starts Tonight!

Tonight is the first night of the Festival of lights held each year at the Living Desert in Palm Desert CA.

The grounds of this unique park (part zoo, part botanical garden) are covered in lights and decorations. Open from 6pm- 9pm you can enjoy the cool Desert Evenings and get yourself in the holiday spirit by taking in the beautiful lights. Not to mention all those healthy benefits from a nice walk!

More information can be had on the Living Deserts' website

Directions to the Living Desert can be found here.

Enjoy this holiday tradition in the Desert!