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Sheri’s Palm Springs Area Blog

Whether it be real estate updates, restaurant reviews, events, or highlights of unique homes in Palm Springs, follow Sheri as she covers all that Palm Springs and the surrounding area has to offer.

Dining Around The Desert: The “New” Cliffhouse

Last April I wrote about our visit to Cliffhouse and the fact that Cliffhouse had changed ownership as of January 1, 2012. This local favorite was taken over by the longtime owners of Pacifica Seafood Restaurant in Palm Desert. The new owners closed the restaurant for a major renovation this summer so back we went just last Friday to check things out.

Many local regulars to Cliffhouse avoid the front entrance and instead use the back stairway located on the far right of the building that’s set into the cliff. This path takes you directly to the Cactus Bar And Grill patio area set against the cliff and then into the interior space of the grill and bar.

Stepping inside on this visit we were amazed at the Cliffhouse transformation. The bar itself has been expanded and fills the majority of the room. The new Onyx stone bar surface is under lit and seating room at the bar has just about doubled.

Intimate New Lounge Area

Moving through the bar area takes you towards the front entrance where we discovered a intimate lounge area with leather sofas, chairs and ottomans. Bottles of red wine are stored on open shelves in this area, which is adjacent to the entry to the main dining room. Overall the renovation was tastefully done and seems to have been well received by the overflow crowd on this Friday evening.

The nightly happy hour at Cliffhouse is usually very popular and a bit crowded. We sampled several happy hour food items in the new lounge area including a nice pasta dish for myself, and a burger for Bill. The food was good and the service very attentive. The food menu in the bar is pretty much the same as before the remodel, but the dining room menu has additional Pacifica style entrees.

New Staff, Management And Improved Service

We noticed a lot of new staff and management during our visit. Several longtime employees have moved on to other establishments including longtime bar manager “AJ” whom we discovered is now the bar manager at Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant in La Quinta.

We will continue to recommend and enjoy Cliffhouse and expect it to be even busier this season as diners enjoy the new Cliffhouse. Cliffhouse is located just south of Point Happy Center at 78250 Highway 111 in La Quinta (1/4 mile west of Washington Street). (760) 360-5991.

From Sheri Dettman
In Dining Around The Desert, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog

Palm Springs Area Average Sale Prices Rise Again In August

Average sale prices increased in most Palm Springs area cities during August this year compared with August of 2011. Indian Wells recorded the highest average single-family sale price at $942,000.

Palm Springs Area Single-Family Home Average Prices For August 2012

  • Indian Wells: $942,000 (up from $757,000 in August ’11)
  • Palm Springs: $442,000 (up from $437,000 in August ’11)
  • Rancho Mirage: $435,000 (down from $621,000 in August ’11)
  • La Quinta: $425,000 (up from $370,000 in August ’11)
  • Palm Desert: $358,000 (up from $346,000 in August ’11)
  • Indio: $191,000 (up from $186,000 in August ’11)

August Average Sale Prices For Palm Springs Area Condos

  • Indian Wells: $325,000 (no sales in August ’11)
  • La Quinta: $290,000 (up from $191,000 in August ’11)
  • Rancho Mirage: $279,000 (up from $234,000 in August ’11)
  • Palm Desert: $226,000 (up from $188,000 in August ’11)
  • Palm Springs: $169,000 (up from $140,000 in August ’11)
  • Indio: $92,000 (up from $90,000 in August ’11)

Foreclosure and short sale sales of single-family homes decreased valley-wide by 24% and condos by 52% in August compared with the previous year.

Palm Springs Area Inventory Decreases Again

Total inventory of single-family homes listed for sale in the Palm Springs area market decreased from 1,923 homes in July to just 1,860 homes in August. With 502 homes sold during August that shrinks available inventory to a 3.7 month supply. Anything below a six months supply is considered a healthy real estate market. Stay tuned!

Data Source: California Desert Association of Realtors®

From Sheri Dettman
In Real Estate Market Updates, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
Palm Springs Area 1-Year Price Changes by Zip Code

Palm Springs Area 1-Year Price Changes by Zip Code

The chart above shows the one year average sale price changes (all up for these zip codes) by city and zip code for the sales period of Quarter-2 of 2011 through Quarter-2 of 2012 and for zip codes with 500 or more sales during the year. Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells are not listed as there were not over 500 sales in each of those smaller zip code segments.

Looking at average sale prices for this one year period of time gives us a general idea of what the market is doing, but for each buyer and seller we need to focus on their specific community, price segment and inventory situation. At Sheri Dettman & Associates, one of our goals is to provide our clients with as much information as possible knowing that informed clients generally get a better price whether buying or selling a property.

Data Source: Desert Area MLS for zip codes with 500 or more homes sold for the period. Information presented here s deemed to be correct but is not guaranteed.

From Sheri Dettman
In Real Estate Market Updates, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
Palm Springs Area Private Estates And Compounds

Palm Springs Area Private Estates And Compounds

Not all luxury properties here in the Palm Springs area are located within our many golf and country club communities or gated non-golf communities. Some of these special properties are located outside these neighborhoods and most lack homeowners associations too. You kind of get your own HOA.

A few of the larger private estates have their own roads, gates and power grids and a few feature their own private lake or golf course.

So if you’re looking for that special private compound to call home you’ll want to look over these very special listings that we are now featuring under our “Private Estates / Compounds” link.

From Sheri Dettman
In Featured Properties, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
Say Hello To More New Yorkers!

Say Hello To More New Yorkers!

Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing travel, today announced that it is bringing more of its upscale, low-fare flights to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) from both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Just in time for winter getaways, the airline is expanding its footprint at Palm Springs, with a new 2012-2013 seasonal flight schedule that will include a new weekly Saturday nonstop flight from JFK to PSP – the only nonstop flight offered from the New York City area to Palm Springs.

Daily Non-Stop Service JFK New York To Palm Springs

The new service will add to Virgin America’s existing seasonal daily connecting flight schedule from JFK to PSP and its daily nonstop schedule from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to PSP. Tickets are on sale as of today at www.virginamerica.com and 1-877-FLY-VIRGIN.* Advetised fares start from $79 SFO-PSP and introductory fares from $149 JFK-PSP.

“Since entering these Palm Springs markets, we’ve seen strong demand for our unique flight service. We’re pleased to be expanding in the market and offering a new nonstop option for travelers coming from New York to the Desert oasis this winter,” said John MacLeod, Senior Vice President of Planning and Sales at Virgin America.

The Ultimate Outdoor Destination

Palm Springs and the other cities that make up the region, is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure, arts and culture, gaming and entertainment. Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and other desert cities offer streets lined with palm trees, the best in shopping, art galleries and museums and outdoor dining – all amidst breathtaking scenery. In addition to luxury resorts and world-class golfing, the region has welcomed an influx of hip boutique hotels and landmark events like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Palm Springs has a history as the holiday home of many Hollywood stars from the 1940s on – and is known as the center of “Desert Modernism" mid-century modern architecture.

From Sheri Dettman
In Real Estate Market Updates, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog

Palm Springs Oasis Video: A Brand New Day

Greater Palm Springs is one of the few true oasis destinations in the world with its incredible underground aquifer, three mountain ranges, and year-round sunshine. The Palm Springs area continues to attract world-class events that are now setting record attendance, including international visitors and Hollywood's elite.

If you've never visited the desert, or haven't visited it for many years you may just call the area Palm Springs. Actually, Palm Springs is only the western most city of The Coachella Valley. The Valley also includes the popular cities of Cathedral City, Indio, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and more.

This Saturday the 22nd of September marks the official start of the fall season. Enjoy this short video about the Palm Springs area and many of the attractions and activities that visitors and residents can take advantage of.

From Sheri Dettman
In Lifestyles & Things To Do, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog

New Rancho Mirage Luxury Homes Offered at Escala


View Escala Homes For Sale

As the local real estate market continues to improve, Palm Springs area real estate developers continue to break ground on new homes in desert communities that were previously put on hold. That’s the case at Escala, a beautiful gated community of luxurious single-family homes in Rancho Mirage. Homes in Escala originally sold for up to $2.5 million but are now priced from the high $700’s.

Escala is located within minutes of shopping, entertainment and fun outdoor activities and there are four spacious floor plans to choose from, each featuring a Tuscan or Spanish Colonial design. Custom options available include casitas, home offices, additional baths, additional exterior patios and many other options to choose from. Escala homes range from 3,157 up to 3,805 square feet.

As with any new home community, prospective buyers have a choice of going directly to the builder’s onsite sales office (in which case the onsite agent will represent both you and the seller who is usually also the builder) or you can choose to have your own agent accompany you.

Savvy Buyers Don't Go It Alone

Savvy buyers know that it costs nothing to have your own agent accompany you to preview any new home community. They can offer you candid unbiased advice about the community and the homes and can many times provide additional information about possible incentives or discounts. To take advantage of this valuable service your agent must accompany you on your first visit to any new home community.

Related Article: What Everyone Should Know About Buying A New Construction Home

From Sheri Dettman
In Featured Properties, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
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