Prudential California Realty Honored for Restoration of Palms Springs Landmark

Prudential California Realty Honored for Restoration of Palm Springs LandmarkFriday, November 16th, 2007
Prudential California Realty received the Architectural Rehabilitation Award from the Palm Springs Modern Committee for its sensitive restoration of the iconic Coachella Valley Savings & Loan II building on Palm Canyon Drive. The award was presented at the PSMC’s fifth annual Architectural Preservation Awards luncheon in October.
The building, now the real estate company’s flagship Palm Springs office, is among the noted designs of iconic architect E. Stewart Williams, whose distinctively regional Desert Modernist style played a key role in defining the architectural landscape of the Coachella Valley. In 1999, Williams was inducted as a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects for his modernist design achievements. The façade is distinguished by a graceful series of inverted arches.
“We’ve always felt strongly about our role as stewards of significant architecture,” said Prudential California Realty President and CEO Steve Rodgers. “In Palm Springs, a city known around the world for its wealth of important mid-century homes and buildings, we were particularly honored to play a part in the future of an important downtown landmark.”
Maggetti Elam & Associates oversaw the approximately 8,648-square-foot project. Davis & Adams Construction, Inc., was the general contractor.
With $19 billion in sales volume and 21,000 transactions across Southern California and the Central Coast last year, Prudential California Realty is one of the top five brokerages in the nation and the largest company in the Prudential Real Estate International network. Prudential California Realty is proud to be a member of HomeServices of America Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. For more information, visit www.prudentialcal.com.
This is a reprint of an article that appeared on Steve Rodgers blog.

Monthly Newsletter

It looks like the "new Board" is more community friendly. A newsletter is now being posted on the www.pssunrisevillas.com website and being sent to the homeowners. Hooray!!! It is starting to feel more like a community that listens to the homeowners.
Sunrise Villas is a beautifully landscaped development is a very central location. There are 8 pools and 3 spas, tennis courts and a beautiful greenbelt area. The mountain views are spectacular from most units. As the temps start to cool down, I can't think of a better place to be. Can you?

New Landscaping/Eco-Gardening

New landscaping at the main entrance to Sunrise Villas is on tap. Repainting the wall and adding new "winter flowers" to the main entrance has already started. Previously, eco-gardening was added to several of the "corner" garden areas to cut down on the watering necessary and keep with the "desert look". The Board has decided that we still need colorful flowers to keep the beauty at the entrance.
Keep watching in the next few weeks to see the completion of the project.

Cooler Temps on the Way

Labor Day week-end.........cook-outs, pool parties, end of summer. That's right, kids will be back to school this week and "season" is about to begin. Actually, one of local merchants told me that a few of her "season" people were already here. Season usually starts anywhere from October and runs through to May. Depends on how the weather is where the "season" folks come from. They may be here now, but they'll leave for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas and be back from January until.....
If you haven't experienced winter in the Desert, you really must try it. Warm, dry days and cool beautiful evenings. Majestic mountain views all around and we've got it all here...........casinos, great restaurants, live music venues, golf, tennis, high-end outlet shopping, local stores. We have seasonal rentals, homes and condos to buy or rental. Any questions, check in and I'd be glad to let you know what you're missing OR could be enjoying here.

Interest Rates rising or falling???

"CONSUMER PRICES HELD STEADY IN JULY The Labor Department reported today that consumer prices remained unchanged in July but indicated inflation worries are still not severe enough to push the Federal Reserve Board to lower interest rates. According to the department's monthly survey of retail prices, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.1 percent in July following a 0.2 jump in June, up 2.4 percent from July 2006.
Energy costs are falling after considerable spikes earlier this year, according to the report. Gasoline prices dropped by 1.7 percent in July, helping to hold inflation pressures down to a low simmer and bolstering the government's position that serious economic erosion has yet to warrant the lowering of interest rates." As per today's report from California Association of Realtors.

Where are we going........

The Fed continued to keep rates unchanged and long-term rates seemed to follow suit with little or no change in mortgage rates for a stretch of about six months or so........then, everything went crazy. We had what was probably a long overdue adjustment of interest rates with 30 yr fixed rate loans now running on average from 6.75-7.25% depending on loan size, credit score, points paid or not and day of the week! This "self-adjustment" will probably keep the Fed from actually raising rates any time soon. Keep in mind that it was only about 6 yrs ago that 30 year fixed rates were 8.75%......so in the grand scheme of things, rates are still pretty good. This information was provided by my mortgage broker, as of the end of July. Sorry, I was away for a little while. I'm back and ready to answer any questions about Sunrise Villas.

Mid-Century Modern

Today Palm Springs is considered as one of the most important repositories of mid twentieth century architecture in the country. Modern architecture found its way to the desert in the 1920’s with Lloyd Wright. And in the 1930’s it blossomed with the moving to the desert by Albert Frey in 1934. Important buildings from this period include the Kocher-Samson Building (1933-35) by Frey and Kocher, “The Ship in the Desert” (1936) by Webster and Wilson, and the Miller House (1938) by Richard Neutra.
The 1940’s found the addition of architects E. Stewart Williams and William Cody. In 1946 alone were built the Raymond Loewy House (Albert Frey), the Edgar J. Kaufman House (Richard Neutra) and the Frank Sinatra House (E. Stewart Williams). In 1956 the Ocotillo Lodge opened, the first local collaboration between The Alexander Construction Company and the architects Palmer and Krisel, who were the architects behind the Alexander homes that Palm Springs is famous for. Modernism has continued in the valley with the addition of buildings by other famous modernists like Donald Wexler’s Steel Houses (1964), Craig Elwood’s Max Palevsky House (1970), John Lautner’s Arthur Elrod House (1968) to name a few.
We are very familiar with the areas in and around Palm Springs that feature Mid Century Modern homes. If you would like to own a Mid Century Modern home of your own, we would be more than happy to help with your search.

Vacation Time

Are you preparing for a trip or some time away from home this summer? Make sure your home is ready for no one tending to it. Adjust the thermostat. Set the thermostat to no higher than 85 degrees while away for a week or longer. Plan for high wind. Trim dead limbs from trees and shrubbery and store outdoor furniture and other items indoors. Make sure all doors, windows and vents are closed and locked to keep out wind. Make your home look lived in. Deter thieves and vandals by making your home appear occupied. Stop newspaper and mail delivery, use timers on indoor and outdoor lights and have someone mow the lawn. These are tips from the Institute for Business & Home Safety, a national nonprofit organization funded by the insurance industry.

Fixer-uppers!

Consumers often overestimate their level of dedication to doing extensive renovation work, and underestimate the costs associated with such work. A wall that needs to be replaced can often lead to the discovery of faulty plumbing, electrical, or other major undertakings. Your Realtor® and home inspector are your best allies when it comes to cost-benefit analysis.
Sometimes, a fixer-upper can be purchased below market value. Once sufficient repairs are made, it can be sold at a significant profit. However, not all fixer-uppers will bring in the profits you might expect.

Buying & Selling Real Estate

Interested in buying a home in Sunrise Villas? Perhaps ready to sell your home in Sunrise Villas? Please e-mail me for an analysis of your home. I would love to help you find the home of your dreams.......contact me for more information.

Sunrise Company who originally build Sunrise Villas and almost 20 other home and golf developments in California, is still building homes today. Please check the link to find out more about all the beautiful developments they have brought to the Desert and other areas.

July 4th Fireworks

Forgot to mention yesterday that Morongo Casino has the World's Largest Fireworks display............just 20 minutes from Palm Springs. What was your 4th like?

Temperatures Rising

Although the summer months........July, August, September, in the Desert are well over 100 degrees, the rest of the year the weather is incredible. Very low humidity all year makes those numbers feel cooler than they really are.

Sunrise Villas

News about Sunrise Villas for current owners and future owners.

Being a current owner here, I find that unless you attend the monthly home owners meetings, you really don't know what's going on in this development. Not many neighbors to talk to, since many are only part time residents, so you feel a little 'lost'.

I've decided to start this blog to share what I know and answer questions that you might have.