Windermere Real Estate, roaring into its second decade in the Coachella Valley, takes this opportunity to salute its debut desert location at 850 N. Palm Canyon Drive. Dedicated in November 2001, in the early days of the desert’s burgeoning real estate market, the office was an immediate success. Windermere Coachella Valley co-owners Bob Bennion and Bob Deville, highly successful market leaders with Windermere’s Seattle offices, saw unlimited potential in bringing their personalized brand of the Windermere legacy with its leading edge tools and exceptional customer service to the Valley’s Buyers and Sellers. “It was a little scary,” remembers Bob Deville. “We were making a huge leap of faith putting so much of ourselves into an entirely different geographic market, but we’ve always loved this region of Southern California, and we knew even then that we had a lot to offer.” Originally the office/showroom of iconic Palm Springs designer Arthur Elrod, the Palm Springs Main office retains its distinctive mid-century style, welcoming clients through its 15’ doors 7 days a week. Visitors are captivated by the floor-to-ceiling mineral oil waterfall, creating a unique focal point and soothing atmosphere. David Cantwell, the first and current Managing Broker for the office, provides oversight and guidance to 90 Palm Springs Realtors®. Later joining Windermere’s Palm Springs Main office were sister offices Palm Springs South (2465 E. Palm Canyon Suite 605 in the Jensen’s Shopping Center) and Palm Springs Midtown (1255 E. Ramon Road). Today, Windermere Coachella Valley offers 16 offices providing full real estate services from more than 800 licensed, professional agents. The company’s broad diversity matches the Coachella Valley itself: what every Windermere office and agent offers to their clients, regardless of market category, is an exceptionally satisfying and successful real estate experience.
Broker Bruce Blomgren, with Windermere’s Indian Wells Luxury Homes and Estates Division (74-996 Highway 111), has long been identified as one of the TOP LEADERS within Coachella Valley’s extensive luxury home market. A seasoned and very successful real estate Broker since 1980, Bruce has represented buyers and sellers with over $700M in closed sales over the years at many of the Valley’s most prestigious addresses: Bighorn Golf Club, Mirada Estates, The Reserve, The Tradition, Desert Horizons Country Club, and more. Residing in the desert since 1984, the Bruce Blomgren brand has come to symbolize an exceptional First Class real estate experience. Representing a list of ‘Who’s Who’ throughout the desert, Bruce, his son Keith Blomgren, also a Broker Associate, and their team of professionals deliver the stellar real estate experience his buyers and sellers deserve and expect. “It’s really simple,” says Bruce. “I treat my clients as I would like to be treated, and we work very hard to exceed their expectations.” He clearly succeeds; a large part of Bruce’s business consists of repeat clients, and the friends, family and business associates they refer.
Contact the Bruce Blomgren Team 760-779-1653 or visit www.BruceBlomgren.com
Respected by all, clients and fellow agents appreciate his friendly, easy-going nature and his relaxed sense of humor, but underneath his laid back demeanor, Bruce is a recognizedpowerhouse in the Coachella Valley luxury real estate market and gets the job done. As an Executive Director with Windermere’s Premier Properties Program, Bruce is at the leading edge, assisting his buyers and sellers in navigating through a challenging market offering great opportunities.
“Bruce does business in a way we all appreciate,” says Bob Deville, co-owner, Windermere Southern California. “We’re very proud that he and Keith are a part of the Windermere family. We share the same great values: Honesty, reliability, and integrity. At the end of the day, the customer is satisfied. That’s why we’re here…that’s why we’re the market leader.”
Windermere Southern California is looking ahead to 2012 after closing nearly $1.5 BILLION in transactions last year in the Coachella Valley. It is a suitable way to begin its second decade serving home buyers and sellers across the high and low desert, from Palm Springs to Indio and all points in between. “We’ve seen a lot of changes in our first 10 years,” says Bob Deville, co-owner, Windermere Southern California. “Roller coaster real estate prices, the coming and going of some good and not so good financing options, and the rise and fall of a sobering number of real estate companies.” Among the last regions in the state to feel the impact of the real estate downturn, the Coachella Valley is now at the forefront of the recovery. “There are a number of reasons for this,” says Deville, “but the easiest one to quantify is this: People want to live here. That is not going to change.”
This basic tenet is at the center of Windermere’s growth and success in the Valley. The desert’s near-perfect climate, relative affordability and diverse lifestyles, coupled with what Windermere owners and clients refer to as ‘legendary customer service’ have led to a thoughtful yet robust expansion from a single office 10 years ago to today’s 19. Home prices are still attainable for most buyers; rates are exceptionally low, and brisk real estate activity is keeping housing inventory at a manageable level. It’s a great place for Windermere to be as the company sails into the next decade. “We are proud of our accomplishments, and humbled, as well,” said Deville. “That a company can attain this level of success while navigating through one of the most challenging periods in our industry’s history is a testament to our beliefs, our principles, our agents, and our clients.”
Windermere Southern California has built itself upon a firm foundation of principles, ethics and practices. We know that by being familiar with where we come from, we can better plan where we’re going.
This weekend, agents from our Windermere La Quinta office (47-250 Washington Street) and Old Town office (78-065 Main Street, Suite 100) are helping to bring a little history to Lake Cahuilla Park! In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the La Quinta Museum is presenting a re-enactment of four Civil War battles.
Windermere Southern California is one of the local sponsors of this exciting event, and admission is FREE. Click here for more information.
Check it out in this bit from the La Quinta Cove newsletter:
“The year 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. To commemorate this, the City of La Quinta, the La Quinta Museum, Historical Society, Riverside County, and several corporate sponsors will sponsor a unique weekend. Saturday and Sunday will see scores of members of the American Civil War Society come to Lake Cahuilla and literally set up camp and fight some battles. In addition, the encampment will have hospital, chow wagons, and other elements common to the Civil War.
On Saturday (19th) the park opens to the public for FREE at 9:00 a.m. and battles will be “fought” with cannons and muskets at 11:30 and 3:00. The park will close at 5:00 that day.
On Sunday (20th) the park is open from 9-3:00, with church services at 9:00 and battles at 11:00 and 2:00. Each battle will be different. Guests are invited to ask questions of the “soldiers” to learn even more about this critical period in our nation’s history.
Also, vendors will offer food and souvenirs. Don’t miss this truly historic event…bring the kids and the cousins and the neighbors. Remember, it’s free!
Windermere Real Estate is again thrilled to be participating in the 10th Annual Discovery Home Tour, proceeds from which will benefit the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert. This exciting event draws greater interest each year, providing a rare look into some of the most distinctive private homes in Rancho Mirage. The Discovery Home Tour, open Sunday, February 13, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, will feature architectural styles ranging from Mediterranean to Modern.
Coronado Rancho Mirage Home, Featured During The Home Tour
Two of the six very special homes bringing exceptional magic to the Tour are situated in the exquisite Coronado Rancho Mirage development. Both the 7,497 square-foot Bougainvillea and the 7,600 square-foot Brittle Brush incorporate cutting edge design, and though each brings its own distinct provenance (one ultra-modern and the other (California/Mediterranean), they share features reserved for the most discerning owner, including 1,000-bottle wine rooms and custom artisan wood and stone finishes.
This year’s Discovery Home Tour event is especially notable, as proceeds will help fund the current expansion of the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert. Included in the Museum’s plans is a secondary exploratory gallery slated to feature 11 new, innovative exhibits incorporating science, balance, flexibility, and more. Also part of the expansion: an outdoor play area, and additional parking.
This year’s Annual Discovery Home Tour gives those with interest in fine desert architecture a special opportunity to experience firsthand some of the most beautiful and desirable residential properties anywhere in the desert, while at the same time helping to nurture bright, inquisitive children by supporting the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert.
Tickets Available to Enjoy the Home Tour Via The Windermere Bus.
Tickets for the self-guided tour are $55 ($95 for a special 4-hour Windermere Real Estate Bus Tour – boarding at 9:45, departure at 10:00 am and returning at 2:00 pm – limited quantities available). Please call now for availability of tickets; this popular event usually sells out prior to the morning of the event. Tickets can be charged by phone on MasterCard or VISA and picked up Sunday morning at the Museum’s Will Call window. For additional information or to order tickets, please call The Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert at 760-321-0602.
Windermere joined thousands of local and visiting film aficionados in welcoming the annual return of the Palm Springs International Film Festival to the Coachella Valley. Now in its 22nd year, this 10-day event (January 6-17) was again expected to attract a record attendance of well over 130,000.
Windermere Supports and Sponsors the Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival
Windermere Real Estate recognizes the many rich contributions to the Valley’s cultural landscape brought by the Palm Springs International Film Society, which presents the Festival. This year, Windermere supported the program with a $100,000 Platinum Sponsorship. “Our area offers an exceptionally diverse range of entertainment, activities and lifestyles,” says Bob Deville, co-owner of Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley.”Windermere takes enormous pride in supporting great traditions like the Palm Springs International Film Festival. This exciting event presents thousands of visitors with a great opportunity to see firsthand why we love calling Coachella Valley home.”
For many, the Palm Springs International Film Festival represents Hollywood’s 70-year love affair with the desert. Though the event showcases films and short films from around the world, much of its appeal comes from A-list awardees scheduled to attend each year’s Awards Gala. This year, honorees included Robert Duvall, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck and Michael Douglas. The spectacular Black Tie Gala brings world-wide media attention to Palm Springs and the surrounding area.
Equally important, the Palm Springs International Film Society works year round developing educational and enrichment programs tailored for the Coachella Valley, with funds providing scholarships for low-income students. “We strive for a world in which enlightenment, knowledge and tolerance prevail,” says Harriet Barron, Director of Development for the PSIFS. “We believe film as an art form has the power to bridge cultures.”
Windermere agent and Architectural home specialist, Robert Parker will be lecturing and showing a slide presentation titled: Architecture “Past & Present” Wednesday, October 14th, during the Palm Springs Board of Realtors meeting.
The meeting will be held at the Mizell Senior center on Sunrise and Ramon at 8am. Admission is $2.00 and includes breakfast.
Robert Parker has over 20 years architectural knowledge in the desert area. Robert has extensive experience, selling homes by such famous Southern California/Desert architects as Albert Frey, Donald Wexler, William Cody, Alexander/Krisel/Palmer, Rick Harrison, and Herbert Burns.
An advocate of historic preservation, Robert is a member of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation. He is also a member of the Architecture and Design Council at the Palm Springs Desert Museum, and the Palm Springs Modern Committee. He conducts architectural lectures and tours for local agents. He is committed to sharing his knowledge of architecture and history of the desert with sellers and buyers, and with brokers and their agents.
Lecture and slide presentation: Architecture “Past & Present”
When: Wednesday, October 14th – 8am at the Palm Springs Board of Realtors meeting.
Location: Mizell Senior center on Sunrise and Ramon.
Windermere Realtors Scott Palermo and Jim Sanak open the doors to the late Sidney Sheldon’s Palm Springs Compound, located at 425 W. Via Lola in Old Las Palmas. The compound includes three homes, available together or seperately.
The Sidney Sheldon Estate (below) is where the author wrote each of his 18 best-selling novels. Sheldon was also the creator of the popular 1960s television shows “I Dream Of Jeannie” and “The Patty Duke Show,” among other achievments.
Modern double doors open to reveal the home’s courtyard.
Inside the Mid-Century modern estate designed by, the equally legendary, Arthur Elrod.
Poolside view of the San Jacinto Mountains.
In the author’s 2-bedroom casita/home office.
To see the famous yellow room Jim Sanak mentions, you’ll need to visit the estate. To view additional photos, visit http://www.thesheldoncompound.com/. Asking prices: The Sidney Sheldon Estate $1,700,000. The Former Rockefeller Estate $1,900,000 (located next door). Running Water Estate $2,200,000 (across the street).
The former Rockefeller Estate is part of the late Sidney Sheldon’s Palm Springs Compound, which is now on the market. The compound includes three homes which can be purchased together or seperately. Windermere listing agents, Scott Palermo and Jim Sanak, discuss some of the highlights of the estate in the videos below.
Realtors Scott Palermo and Jim Sanak in the large front yard.
Jim Sanak in the enormous back yard with enormous views. The pool house even has a rooftop deck.
Scott Palermo mentions that former neighbors included Dinah Shore and Kirk Douglas.
Asking prices: The Sidney Sheldon Estate $1,700,000. The Former Rockefeller Estate $1,900,000 (located next door). Running Water Estate $2,200,000 (across the street). The three homes are shown, by appointment, to qualified buyers. To contact the agents visit: http://www.scottandjimhomes.com/.
