The Real Deal

Coachella Valley’s housing market presents a complex tapestry threaded with often unpredictable conditions and a richly mottled inventory reflective of nine cities with nine singular temperaments.

Woven into this delicate fabric are key qualities specific to valley real estate — distinctive architectural styles, diverse lifestyles, comparative affordability, and a global reputation as a resort destination — that provide resilience and durability, even during a fraying economy.

“We think that, over the next four years, we are going to see a very strong resurrection of the household residential ownership market driven by residents exiting the foreclosure penalty period and a more neutral remote ownership,” predicts Michael McDonald, owner of Market Watch.

Each city offers its own proprietary blend of housing options, neighborhoods, and lifestyles. As navigating this shifting terrain can be somewhat tricky, we’ve compiled city-specific property profiles to help guide prospective homebuyers.

Like No Place Else

Palm Springs is a real-estate enigma. It doesn’t seem to follow predictable trends. Fifteen years ago, the Palm Springs market was floundering — a “not hot” area. Today, the mecca of modernism is on an incline, approximately 7 percent shy of regaining its all-time high from 2006.

One of the driving forces behind the city’s resurgence is the preservation and promotion of its midcentury modern architecture. “New properties are not flying off the shelves as quickly as resale,” says David Cantwell, a broker and real estate agent with Bennion Deville Homes. “People want something with a history — midcentury homes that shout Palm Springs.”

Many properties featuring the style’s sleek lines and minimalist aesthetic fetch high dollar amounts, particularly when located in upscale neighborhoods such as Twin Palms and Old Las Palmas. However, you can still find median-priced houses that embody the Palm Springs modernism mystique. Affordable, authentic midcentury properties built and designed by iconic names like Alexander, Palmer, Krisel, and others populate the Racquet Club Estates area in the city’s north end.

1077 E. Francis Drive
Palm Springs 92262

Built by the Alexander Construction Co. in 1961, this Racquet Club 
East property, located on the city’s north side, offers original architecture supplemented with modern conveniences and stylish luxury. Features include tile floors, pool, patio, fireplace, and views of 
the San Jacinto Mountains.

ESSENTIALS

List price………………………… $539,900
Neighborhood………………….Racquet Club East

Listing agent…………………….Ross Stout / KUD Properties Inc.
Year built………………………….1961

Square footage…………………1,225
Beds/bath………………………….3/2

Price per square foot……….$441

Lot size……………………………..11,325 square feet


BASICS
Attached garage

Central cooling/forced air heating

FEATURES & UPGRADES

Kitchen: Gloss kitchen cabinetry, quartz counters, 
new appliances, large island

Bathrooms: New vanities with original shower/bath tilework


Pool: New pool equipment, swim ledge

Sold in 2013 for $280,000, this property enjoyed a 92.8 percent increase in potential value over a four-year period, according to Zillow.

Home values in this area are expected to increase 
5.4 percent in 2018, compared to a 5.5 percent increase 
for the city overall, according to Zillow.

Trending Neighborhood: Movie Colony East

—
Adjacent to 
central Palm Springs’ history-steeped Movie Colony is Movie Colony East, which drew Hollywood heyday celebrities such as Bing Crosby and Hedy Lamarr. This increasingly sought-after neighborhood boasts more than 700 homes of variable size and architecture, some built as long ago as the late 1930s. Property prices range from $395,000 to $1,000,000-plus.

The Sincerest 
Form of Flattery

While iconic builder Alexander Construction Co. lays claim to most of the 550 tract homes in Racquet Club East, designed by famed midcentury architect William Krisel, an enclave stretching along Jacques and Berne Drives, Starr Road, and Milben Circle were built by Jack Meiselman, who was rumored to gobble up land parcels adjacent to Alexander projects and construct similarly styled homes.

Meiselman or Alexander?

If there’s a galley kitchen off the living room instead of integrated into a larger open space, it’s likely a Meiselman. If all three bedrooms are clustered in one end of the house with no separation of a master suite, Alexander’s your man.

Concentrated Creativity

Palm Springs boasts more artists, designers, and media professionals than 90 percent of comparable U.S. communities, according to Neighborhood Scout. More than 10 percent of all employed residents work from home.

Homes or Hotels?

This past December, the Palm Springs City Council voted 
in a new ordinance affecting short-term vacation rental properties, capping the number of contract rental 
bookings to 32 annually, with a proposed hike in rental 
permit fees from $235 to $900 per year.

Where Art Lives!

Cathedral City offers an ideal blend of shopping, dining, schools, and recreation opportunities that draws families and full-time residents who provide the Coachella Valley with necessary businesses and services, including a bustling auto center with 11 dealers.

Family-focused communities abound, from Rio Vista and Panorama in the north to the south end’s Cathedral City Cove. In fact, 59 percent of residents own their homes. “You can get a lot of house for your money,” says David Cantwell, a broker and real estate agent with Bennion Deville Homes. “There aren’t a lot of vacation rentals.”

Dining and entertainment for all ages characterize this vibrant city, anchored by a pulsing downtown sector with a variety of restaurants, movie theaters, and the Fountain of Life where kids can play in summer and winter.

68635 Hermosillo Road
Cathedral City 92234

Built in 1988, this two-story Panorama property with a spacious living room and large bedrooms is ideally suited for families. A spacious backyard features a covered patio area and a pool and spa.

ESSENTIALS

List price………………………… $320,000
Neighborhood………………….Panorama

Listing agent…………………….Sylvia Gaffney / Desert Sands Realty
Year built………………………….1988

Square footage…………………2,220
Beds/bath………………………….3/3

Price per square foot……….$144

Lot size……………………………..8,276 square feet


BASICS
Attached garage

Central cooling/forced air heating

FEATURES & UPGRADES

Living Room: Slate fireplace

Master Suite: Large walk-in closet, soaking tub, vaulted ceiling.

2009 vs. 2017

Since the burst of the real estate bubble, this property’s value has increased 88.2 percent

Home values in 92234 will rise 5.3 percent in 2018, compared to a 5.2 percent rise for Cathedral City in general. Among area properties, this home is 26.3 percent more expensive than the midpoint (median) home, but is priced 
7.7 percent less per square foot, according to Zillow.

Trending Neighborhood:
Cathedral City Cove

—
Nestled above East Palm Canyon Drive between Date Palm and Bankside Drives, Cathedral City Cove fans out across the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains. This tight-knit neighborhood boasts architecture and styles as diverse as its residents, which include families, LGBTQ couples, and artists. Renowned modernist painter Agnes Pelton built a home here in 1932, sparking the cove’s artsy vibe and reputation as a place honoring creative freedom. “Senses are enhanced up here,” says photographer Craig Deman, who lives at the top of the cove. “If you drive around, you see art in the way people have modified their homes.”

Presenting the Past

Forest Lawn Cemetery and Desert Memorial Park draw visitors to burial sites of scores of celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Betty Hutton, Dinah Shore, Harold Robbins, “Papa” John Phillips, Jolie and Magda Gabor, and former Palm Springs mayor Sonny Bono.

What’s in a Name

Cathedral City owes its name to Colonel Henry Washington, a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who christened the area in 1850 after discovering that local canyons resembled the interior of a grand cathedral. In 1925, developers of the first housing subdivision inked the moniker into history. Cathedral City’s 53,595 (2014 census) population makes it the largest city in western Coachella Valley.

Bright Lights, Big City

During the 2016 holiday season, 50 homes on Minerva Road in Panorama participated in 
“Candy Cane Lane,” the traditional display of holiday lights mounted by resident. The festive celebration delights locals and visitors annually.

Park It Here

Panorama Park offers 7.5 acres of family fun, including “tot lots,” tennis courts, sand volleyball, basketball and softball facilities, benches, tables, barbecue stations, shaded areas, and a children’s play area and spray pool.

playground of presidents

Peppered with golf courses, world-class resorts, top-tier restaurants, and exclusive gated communities, Rancho Mirage offers the lifestyle of the rich and famous — only you don’t need to be either to live here. Although median house prices skew higher than most desert cities, there are affordable options that provide a million-dollar experience without the heavy price tag.

Luxury, privacy, and security define the vibe behind the gates of most Rancho Mirage golf-course communities and this ambience spreads throughout the city, which boasts Bentley, Rolls Royce, and Audi dealerships, as well as the valley’s preeminent five-star resort: The Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage. Nearby, Mission Hills Country Club is home to the LPGA’s ANA Inspiration (formerly the Kraft Nabisco Championship), a distinction it has enjoyed for more than 40 years.

The area also offers residents easy access to the renowned Eisenhower Medical Center and Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, as well as the popular Sunnylands Center & Gardens, the former residence of philanthropists Walter and Leonore Annenberg, now open to the public. Centrally located, Rancho Mirage is minutes away from all the Coachella Valley offers.

15 Cresta Verde Drive
Rancho Mirage 92270

Views abound from this property perched on the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Glass walls look out onto a salt water pool and spa and covered patio. Desirable qualities include many upgrades.

ESSENTIALS

List price………………………… $699,000
Neighborhood………………….Mirage Cove (gated)

Listing agent…………………….Jennie Robinson / Bennion and Deville Homes
Year built………………………….1982

Square footage…………………2,837
Beds/bath………………………….3/3

Price per square foot……….$246

Lot size……………………………..10,454 square feet


BASICS
Attached garage

Central cooling/forced air heating

FEATURES & UPGRADES

Kitchen: Stainless steel appliances, breakfast nook.

Great Room: Two separate entertaining areas, fireplace.

Third Room: Murphy bed.

This property last sold for $450,000 in 2002, an increase of 55.3 percent from its original selling price.

Trending Neighborhood:
Magnesia Falls Cove

—
The first area to be developed in what would become the City of Rancho Mirage, Magnesia Falls Cove continues to attract home buyers who crave peace, privacy, and a communal relationship with nature while only steps away from The River and the buzz of city life. This appealing nongated enclave carries its history in the bones of midcentury properties that populate the neighborhood. These mostly custom houses range in size from 600 square feet to 4,500 square feet and are priced between the mid-$300,000s and $950,000.

Sheep Thrills

In 1975, Rancho Mirage City Council adopted the desert bighorn sheep as the city mammal. The cactus wren 
(city bird) and desert sunflower (city flower) were adopted the same year.

Flight Patterns

The site of the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, 
Rancho Las Palmas Country Club, and Rancho Las Palmas Shopping Center was once home to Palm Desert Airpark, twin 3,200-foot grass landing strips with a resort hotel for aviation enthusiasts visiting the desert during the years following World War II.

Star Signs

Traveling through Rancho Mirage is like mapping the Golden Age of Hollywood. Asphalt homages to celebrity residents include Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope Avenues, Dinah Shore and Dean Martin Drives, George Montgomery Way, and Ginger Rogers Road. In true comic fashion, longtime resident Kaye Ballard — who was also so honored — quipped, “Frank Sinatra had a street. Dean Martin had a street. I have a lane.”

Feel the Warmth

Encompassing almost 27 square miles of prime, centrally located Coachella Valley acreage and offering an abundance of attractions, events, and outdoor recreation, Palm Desert pulses with activity. Don’t fear boredom; there’s no dearth of things to do — from golf, tennis, biking, hiking, and other alfresco outings to exploring unique destinations such as The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens or the Palm Springs Art Museum Palm Desert location to daylong shopping jaunts along El Paseo. All this activity can be capped by dinner at a fine boulevard restaurant.

A stable housing market presents a broad price-point margin that attracts diverse income levels, from working families to affluent retirees and celebrity millionaires, as evident by a 26 percent population growth over a 15-year period (2000–2015), according to City Data and the California Department of Finance.

73461 Haystack Road
Palm Desert 92260

Outdoor living and energy efficiency define this South Palm Desert property. The water-conserving desert landscape features cactuses, aloes, and succulents, and the secluded backyard offers several varieties of citrus trees.

ESSENTIALS

List price………………………… $499,000
Neighborhood………………….South Palm Desert

Listing agent…………………….Pat Kerrey / Coldwell
Year built………………………….1973

Square footage…………………1,716
Beds/bath………………………….3/2

Price per square foot……….$291

Lot size……………………………..10,454 square feet


BASICS
Attached garage

Central cooling/forced air heating

FEATURES & UPGRADES

Kitchen: Custom cherry wood cabinets, island, stainless steel appliances, warming oven, and dual dishwashers.

Great Room: Vaulted ceilings and surround sound

Trending Neighborhood:
The Grove

—
Often described as a Palm Desert hidden gem with a Leave It to Beaver charm, The Grove is a family-oriented community of 105 competitively priced traditional- and Mediterranean-style homes presenting 2,072 to 3,200 square feet of living space. Flanked by Fred Waring Drive and Deep Canyon Road, The Grove’s central location adds convenience and accessibility to the already winning combination of value and quality of life.

ownership: 46.4%

Remote ownership accounted for 46.4 percent of single-family detached houses in 2016, up 23.7 percent from 2001. Stronger resident-owner market numbers are forecast over the next several years, driven by residents exiting the foreclosure penalty period and a more neutral remote owner market.

Stirring the Economic Pot

In response to the Adult Use of Marijuana Act passed by voters in 2016, the city’s Cannabis Committee met in late February and arrived at a consensus to approve cannabis-related uses and businesses with a conditional use permit (CUP) subject to regulations and zoning laws. Further review of the ordinance is underway.


The Jewel in the Sand Hole

Palm Desert, once labeled “Sand Hole” on early maps of the area, proved an ideal locale for General Patton to train troops for African warfare during World War II. In the 1940s, Cliff Henderson and his brothers, inspired by the beauty of Deep Canyon and the Santa Rosa Mountains, envisioned a postwar resort community — beautiful homes with sparkling pools near fine stores and quality schools — built on a culture of leisure and luxury. They named this arid utopia Palm Desert.

gilded village

With the lowest population and highest per-capita income, Indian Wells is the gilded village of the Coachella Valley. Luxurious spas, superb golf courses, champagne balloon adventures, renowned art events, exquisite dining, and magnificent mini-estates characterize this desirable city hugging the Santa Rosa Mountains.

While home prices reflect the area’s affluence, with many properties topping $1 million, residents receive some of the best city-sponsored benefits in the nation, including discounted tickets to the BNP Paribas Open.

This world-class professional tennis tournament, held annually at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, rocketed the city into international acclaim. The state-of-the-art facility, framed by beautiful mountain vistas, boasts the second-largest tennis stadium in the world and serves as an unparalleled year-round tennis club with 29 courts and a full-service pro shop, and it is also the venue for the Indian Wells Art Festival.

77114 Iroquois Drive
Indian Wells 92210

Located in Indian Wells Country Club, this modern house features glass walls in living and great rooms, courtyard entry with French doors, south mountain views, and a host of upgrades and amenities

ESSENTIALS

List price………………………… $849,000
Neighborhood………………….Indian Wells Country Club (gated)

Listing agent…………………….Bob Ross / Grand Luxury Properties
Year built………………………….1994

Square footage…………………3,242
Beds/bath………………………….4/4.5

Price per square foot……….$262

Lot size……………………………..10,454 square feet


BASICS
Attached garage with built-ins and extra storage

Central cooling/forced air heating

FEATURES & UPGRADES

Kitchen: Chef’s kitchen with black granite countertops, bar area, island, Viking and Bosch appliances

Great Room: Stone fireplaces, formal living room

Master Suite: Spacious walk-in closet

Pool: Pebble-tech saltwater pool, jet tub

Indian Wells has the smallest popuation of the nine desert cities with just over 5,000 residents and the largest estimated median income at $96,419.

Trending Neighborhood:
Colony Cove at 
Indian Wells

—
This intimate gated community, situated near Cook Street and Fred Waring Drive, provides Indian Wells prestige at a reasonable price, below the area’s median list price. Designed for affordability, Colony Cove features 97 single-family homes and maintains low HOAs while providing security and stunning landscaping. Properties range from approximately 2,000 to 2,700 square feet with three and four bedrooms on 
lots between 9,000 and 10,000 square feet, many of which feature private pools.

Residential Appeal

From select discounts on golf and BNP Paribas Open tickets to complimentary tours of The Galen/Palm Springs Art Museum and access to exclusive events throughout the year, Indian Wells residents receive significant perks simply by flashing their Resident Benefit Card.

Presidential Appeal

President Dwight Eisenhower visited the desert in 1954 and was so enamored of Indian Wells that it became his winter residence. The 5,000-square-foot Eisenhower Walk of Honor, dedicated in 2001, celebrates this connection with a bronze bust of General Eisenhower, two 7-foot granite walls inscribed with the names of Indian Wells veterans, and an eternal wellspring in a parklike setting adorned with palm trees and brightly colored flowers.

gem of the desert

Cradled by the Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta’s rugged natural beauty and Old World charm invite creativity and invention — an ideal setting for a community passionate about the arts.

Homes in the area represent a rich palette of styles and architecture, from ultramodern residences and Mediterranean-themed estates to conventional with Santa Fe accents. La Quinta Arts Festival and a robust Art in Public Places program cement a flair for fostering artistry that’s rooted in the city’s DNA. Long before the city incorporated in 1982, Hollywood luminaries sought escape and inspiration at La Quinta Resort & Club, where Frank Capra reportedly penned the screenplay for the film Lost Horizon.

Today, La Quinta’s commitment to the arts is a generous slice of a much larger pie that includes championship golf events, exclusive gated communities, fine dining, exquisite spas, community pride, a quaint downtown, and outdoor activities that promote health and wellness.

81574 Ricochet Way
La Quinta 92253

This spacious property in Rancho Santana features stylish upgrades and amenities including 14-foot ceilings, GE Profile stainless appliances, and an additional fireplace in the master suite.

ESSENTIALS

List price………………………… $510,000
Neighborhood………………….Rancho Santana (gated)

Listing agent…………………….Kim Rogers / Bennion Deville Homes
Year built………………………….2006

Square footage…………………3,184
Beds/bath………………………….3/3.5

Price per square foot……….$160

Lot size……………………………..9,147 square feet


BASICS
Central cooling/forced air heating

FEATURES & UPGRADES

Kitchen: Slab granite countertops, cherry wood cabinets

Garage: Three-car garage

Additional Space: Sky deck, attached casita

Trending Neighborhood:
La Quinta Cove

—
Exclusive golf club communities and elegant gated developments trumpet La Quinta’s luxurious lifestyle, but La Quinta Cove still holds the heart of locals. While the cove’s popularity waxed and waned over the years, the eclectic, family-oriented neighborhood near Old Town La Quinta is enjoying a resurgence. Wildly varied styles, sizes, and price points attract a diverse pool of home buyers, which enhances the area’s polychromatic charm. Tucked within the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, residents enjoy stunning views and easy access to hiking trails.

Meanwhile, Back
at the Rancho

Rancho Santana, a private gated community of 202 homes, features many amenities including walking trails, mountain views, a putting green, and park equipped with barbecues. Properties begin around $400,000. Near Empire Polo Club and bordered on two sides by Madison Club La Quinta’s million-dollar residences, Rancho Santana offers prestige at an affordable price.

city of festivals

One of the fastest-growing cities in the Coachella Valley, Indio’s penchant for celebration earned it the moniker of City of Festivals long before the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival inked the area onto millennial bucket lists. The city is home to several festivals including Southwest Arts Festival, International Tamale Festival, Stagecoach (Coachella’s country music equivalent), Indio Heritage Festival, newcomer Indio Fantasia Comic Con, and Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival (established in 1947).

Indio’s wide range of housing options and inventory supports the city’s uptick in population and popularity. Homebuyers seeking cultural richness and affordability gravitate to this East Valley hub and many put down roots, resulting in a lower percentage of remote owners than Indio’s neighbors to the west.

80054 Tangier Ave.
Indio 92201

This spacious property features upgrades that include hand-textured walls and ceilings, a remodeled guest bath, a renovated hardscape entertainment area in the backyard, French doors throughout, and a permitted media room with surround sound.

ESSENTIALS

List price………………………… $354,000
Neighborhood………………….Rincon

Listing agent…………………….Cindy Barker / HomeSmart Professionals
Year built………………………….1994

Square footage…………………2,061
Beds/bath………………………….3/2

Price per square foot……….$172
Lot size……………………………..7,840 square feet


BASICS
Attached garage
Central cooling/forced air heating

FEATURES & UPGRADES

Bedrooms: Custom closets, vaulted ceilings

Patio: French doors, built-in palapa bar with barbecue

Trending Neighborhood:
Paradiso

—A gated community north of Interstate 10, Paradiso has approximately 250 Italian-themed properties that are a hit with homebuyers who crave a Mediterranean experience in the desert at an affordable price. Planned with a mix of single- and two-story houses, the development features greenbelts, mountain views, and a large park and play area. Home prices start in the high $200,000s and average 2,500 square feet of living space. Located near commercial centers, Paradiso offers aesthetic diversity in its variety of design elements.

History as Art

Vibrant murals commissioned by the city enliven downtown walls and depict the area’s history, culture, and industry, from the early Cahuilla Indians to the cultivation of dates and the advent of electricity and transportation.

Go West

Located near the La Quinta border, the Rincon subdivision is an intimate nongated community of competitively priced one- and two-story homes ranging between 1,700 and 2,500 square feet in size. Quiet, yet near shopping, restaurants, and entertainment venues, Rincon was designed for active families. Many properties feature RV parking and three-car garages.

Don Your Night Tee

A favorite among night owls and sun-shy golfers, The Lights at Indio GC is the Coachella Valley’s only night-lighted golf course. This 46-acre municipal facility offers a course suitable for both novice and experienced players (holes range from 110 to 240 yards), a full-length driving range, short game practice area, and pro shop.

City of Murals

The story of Coachella’s origin reads more like a Western novel than a city history. Founded in 1876 as Woodspur, named for a mesquite wood terminal built on Southern Pacific Railroad siding or “spur,” the frontier settlement was poised for transformation after two brothers dug a well tapping pure artesian water. When the time came to develop a town site, they needed an official name for the plan and settled on Conchilla. When the prospectus returned from the printer with “Coachella” instead of Conchilla, the founders went with it rather than delay the process. The city officially incorporated in 1946.

Coachella today is an agricultural hub focused on family, culture, and community. With some of the lowest home prices in the desert and large parcels of available land, it’s an attractive option for prudent home buyers and industries. As in neighboring Indio, city-commissioned murals portray the area’s rich history and have brought much-deserved attention to the City of Coachella.

84582 Calle Gregorio
Coachella 92236

This large home suits growing families, with plenty of room for extended-family gatherings. A generous low-maintenance backyard can easily accommodate a pool or children’s play area.

ESSENTIALS

List price………………………… $285,000
Neighborhood………………….Tierra Bonita

Listing agent…………………….Dawn Jonker / Coldwell Banker
Year built………………………….2007

Square footage…………………2,638
Beds/bath………………………….4/3

Price per square foot……….$108
Lot size……………………………..6,534 square feet


BASICS
Attached garage
Central cooling/forced air heating

FEATURES & UPGRADES

Loft: Large loft space upstairs off the main bedrooms

Master Suite: Soaking tub, double vanity

Security: Equipped with alarm system

Trending Neighborhood:
La Colonia —

Featuring Spanish-style homes that average 2,300 square feet in living space, the newly built houses feature many of the luxurious amenities found in more expensive subdivisions to the east, such as granite countertops, fireplaces, and large soaking tubs. La Colonia is a popular subdivision due to its central Coachella location and floor plans that offer up to six bedrooms with prices slightly above the median for single-family homes.

A Leader’s Legacy

At the height of the political activism that characterized the 1960s and ’70s, United Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez visited Coachella and nearby Mecca to organize strikes protesting the unfair treatment and deplorable working conditions of California farm workers. In 1991, Cesar Chavez Elementary School opened in Coachella.

Music Maker

Ernie Ball Inc., the go-to producer of strings used by rock legends and couch-strummers, manufactures guitar picks, strings, and accessories in its Coachella facility.

california’s spa city

Don’t let the small-town vibe fool you — Desert Hot Springs is an internationally known resort destination. Dubbed “California’s Spa City,” the area boasts an abundance of hot mineral springs that bubble underground at temperatures up to 180 degrees. These healing waters are as valuable as gold for more than two dozen spas and resorts, providing the city with a steady tourism stream. The city’s annual Spa Tour is well attended and increasingly popular.

Most famous among Desert Hot Springs spas, Two Bunch Palms has a long history of enticing celebrities and global VIPs. Legendary gangster Al Capone was a regular (there’s even a suite named for him). Even The Bachelor couldn’t stay away, filming a segment of the reality TV series at the spa in the first season.

With all its eclectic charm and elevated views, Desert Hot Springs still offers the lowest median home prices in the valley and a housing inventory that ranges from modest family homes to exclusive properties scattered among the San Bernardino Mountain foothills.

13640 Cielo Azul Way
Desert Hot Springs 92240

This home, located near Mountain View Road, features significant upgrades to its kitchen and master bedroom and bath, with a dedicated focus on outdoor living.

ESSENTIALS

List price………………………… $199,000
Neighborhood………………….Mountain View Road / Hacienda A

Listing agent…………………….Israel Berber / Berber Realty
Year built………………………….1977
Square footage…………………1,134
Beds/bath………………………….3/2

Price per square foot……….$176
Lot size……………………………..7,840 square feet


BASICS
Attached garage
Central cooling/forced air heating

FEATURES & UPGRADES

Kitchen: Granite countertops, breakfast bar, French doors, slate backsplash, recessed lighting

Patio: Saltwater pool and spa, gas fire pit

Garage: Four-car garage (460 square feet)

Flooring: Bamboo and Saltillo

Security: Equipped with alarm system

Trending Neighborhood:
Gallery Vista

—
Developers envisioned great things for Via Del Sol, but when the economy sank in 2006, construction halted with only 10 homes completed. Last year, Gallery Homes purchased the property and began building Gallery Vistas. Twenty-two new homes will represent a blend of Mediterranean, Pueblo Revival, and traditional architecture with custom interior finishes. Completion is expected this summer with prices starting at $279,000. Amenities in the gated community include landscaped medians and a 
dog park.

The Divining Moment

After homesteading 160 acres in 1913, pioneer Cabot Yerxa discovered the now famous hot mineral waters while digging a well with a pick and shovel. With his second well, he tapped into the Mission Springs Aquifer and unlocked the pure cold water that, many years later, earned awards and accolades for its purity.