It's hard to ignore 100,000 people at Coachella, but there are a few other noteworthy events going on.

Courtesy of JIM POWERS APRIL 10, 2019ATTRACTIONS, CURRENT DIGITAL

GO: COACHELLA – APRIL 12-14

Keep tabs of what’s going on at the Empire Polo Grounds and some exclusive parties with behind-the-scenes coverage on our Instagram and Facebook platforms.

Be sure to catch local group Ocho Ojos at Coachella on Sunday (April 14). Read their profile and five other local bands that headline the desert vibe.

And for advice on the first weekend from who to see to what to wear, check out the Q&A we did with 10 festival acts from both Coachella and the upcoming Stagecoach.

coachella.com

WATCH: LOVE, SEX,  & THE IRS — APRIL 5–14

This Desert Theatreworks production at the Indio Performing Arts Center follows two straight male roommates who fake a marriage to fend off the IRS. Read our robust review of this laugh-out-loud comedy.

dtworks.org

Read about more things to do in the Palms Springs area this weekend….

Why Use an Agent?

According to Zillow’s Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, 89 percent of sellers list their home with a real estate agent. The sellers listed a strong sales track record, local market knowledge, trustworthiness, responsiveness, and a good reputation in the community as the most important attributes in a top agent.

A great Realtor will make a big difference in all aspects of the selling experience, from your profits to keeping your stress level under control.

Read on to explore what else Zillow has to say.

What is the standard commission for a real estate agent?

Real estate agents work on a commission basis, making a percentage of the sale or purchase price of the home their client is buying or selling. Typically, as a seller, you’ll pay 6 percent of the sale price, with half of the total serving as the buyer’s agent’s commission.

What is the difference between a listing agent and a buyers agent?

The listing agent, also known as a seller’s agent, works for the seller to help them sell their house, from listing to closing. The buyer’s agent works for the buyer, guiding them through the process of finding a home they love, into negotiations, and all the way through closing.

Benefits of using a listing agent

You might ask yourself, “Why use a real estate agent to sell my home?” There are a number of services and plenty of expertise a real estate agent can provide, so it’s important for each seller to take a look at the list of benefits and decide if an agent is worth the expense.

1. Real estate agents provide local housing market expertise

• They have access to a comprehensive list of comparable homes and understand the value of homes in your area.

• Taking into consideration the current market conditions, they can strategize ways to craft the optimal selling approach, with the goal of earning the highest possible return on your home.

• They can guide you to setting the right price for your home, one that will allow you to both pocket as much money as you can while selling in a timely manner.

• They understand local housing codes and can point out any red flags on your property that buyers (and their home inspectors) will find. 

• They can recommend the specific home improvements that matter most to buyers in your area.

• In our case, we know the developments inside and out and will share with you the good, the bad, and the ugly.

2. Real estate agents market your listing

• They can provide recommendations for staging your home.

• They can hire a professional photographer to take great listing photos.

• Creating an enticing listing description of a property is an art form, and a skilled agent can call out features local buyers are looking for.

• They list your property on the MLS and online real estate sites like Zillow. In fact, agents have access to more listing outlets than sellers who are listing on their own. 

• They host open houses and showings, physically showing your home to buyers.

• They serve as a buffer between you and all potential buyers, fielding calls, answering questions, and scheduling showings.

3. Real estate agents network with other agents to increase buyer interest

• They may show your home to an agent-only crowd to increase buzz. 

• They talk to other agents about your home, positioning it as a match for their buyers. 

• Homes sold by agents are typically more appealing to buyers agents, as they know they’ll get a commission on the sale.

4. Real estate agents handle your negotiations

• They vet all potential buyers, identifying the serious offers. 

• They skillfully work with the buyer’s agent to get you an offer that meets your needs in terms of price, timing, and repairs. 

• They help you make smart decisions on negotiating counteroffers. 

5. Real estate agents ease the selling process

• Selling a home comes with a lot of paperwork, and your real estate agent will handle it all. 

• Professional real estate agents keep an eye out for deal loopholes and unusual requests, and read all the fine print. 

• In a multiple-offer situation, they’ll help you identify the pros and cons of each offer, making your decision easier. 

• They’ll recommend when you should counteroffer and when you should accept the deal.

Courtesy of the LA Times

The Palm Springs Aerial Tram that takes visitors from the desert floor into the mountains is expected to reopen April 1. The tram has been closed for 46 days after flooding washed out parts of the road leading to the ride, according to a new release.

The tram lost almost 100,000 visitors during the closure, estimating that loss revenues and repairs added up to $4 million.

Work included fixing two washouts on the road to the tram, restoring power and minor repairs to the roof at a mountain station at 8,516 feet, and restoring potable water to the Valley Station at the base of the tram.

Tram cars take 80 people at a time up a canyon to the high point in Mt. San Jacinto State Park, where visitors can hike to the peak or take easier trails around valleys in the area. There are three places to eat — Peak’s Restaurant for a full meal, Pines Cafe for cafeteria-style service and the Lookout Lounge cocktail bar.

Tickets cost $25.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 3 to 10.

Info: Palm Springs Aerial Tram

We are very excited to announce the Opening of the long awaited Kitchen 86 on El Paseo. They are a Modern Eclectic Small Plate Restaurant in the old Wolfgang Puck space.

Locally owned & locally grown - Kitchen 86 is a fantastic, welcoming spot to gather and enjoy an eclectic menu of modern, curated small plate continental cuisine. Using local, organic ingredients, offerings include a tableside cheese wheel pasta, house-made curry, ramens, wood-fired pizzas, plenty of entree selections and shareable small plates.

Kitchen 86 is open daily for lunch and stays open for late night guests with an impressive, rotating list of specials and a happy hour. Creative cocktails, craft beer and extensive wine list paired with the ambient dining area and lively bar makes this the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the best of what El Paseo has to offer.

I have been lucky enough to enjoy the experience several times now in the past couple of weeks that they’ve been open.

The first time, I had the Beet Salad and the Cheese Wheel Pasta, both were excellent! The Spanish blend red wine was also very good.

This past week, our party of 5 enjoyed the Boom Boom Shrimp, Kitchen 86 flatbread, and Crispy Calamari to start. We then had Scampi, the Chicken, and the house Curry.

We enjoyed a variety of libations including a perfectly made Old Fashioned, a nice selection of Red wine, and a couple of really interesting vodka coffee drinks.

Following dinner we all shared some Cannoli which were light and crisp and the perfect finish.

The service was good, the food was excellent, the drinks well made, and the company was delightful! We will be back.

To read more or make reservations, click here…