Mr. Mod Palm Springs

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Feature in November 2013 Desert Outlook Magazine

I was very excited and flattered to be featured alongside my Airstream (The Silver Suitcase) and colleague Chris Bale of Modern Bear in the November issue of Palm Springs' Desert Outlook Magazine. Thanks for the mention, Will Dean!

The short of it is: The Paul Kaplan Group will be bringing my Airstream to Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles for a brokerage tour and throwing Palm Springs-style Pool Parties in these cities. We can't help but have fun in Palm Springs.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Palm Springs Modern Committee Fall Home Tour 2013

I spent part of Saturday touring homes for PSmodcom's Fall tour, with such homes as 1961 by Home Lab, the new Dee Residence in Rancho Mirage by architect Lance O'Donnell of o2 Architecture, and a recent renovation of a rear patio unit at The Ocotillo Lodge, which was designed by Palmer and Krisel and built by the Alexanders (one of my favorite condo complexes, there are plaques with celebrity names on the doors, harking back to when it was a favorite weekend haunt of celebrities). This one had a "Dinah Shore" in gold on the door. The Estrella Swim club house in Indian Canyons was a crowd-pleaser.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Paul Kaplan Group and The Silver Suitcase to Tour Northwest

Exciting news- The Paul Kaplan Group is planning a four-city tour to promote Palm Springs real estate and our chic casual lifestyle. Look for upcoming parties in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles. We'll also be making my Airstream a Joshua Tree mobile office on designated weekends!

If you haven't read the blog about the Airstream's renovation at The Happy Traveler RV Park in Palm Springs, check out: www.airstream365.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Postcard From Palm Springs

(You missed a lot this Summer!)

I frankly couldn't believe how busy Palm Springs was this Summer- I've been here twelve years, and this was the first year that I noticed no downturn in the number of visitors. Chalk it up to mild temperatures, activities year round now (Splash House for example) and a general giddiness about travelers enjoying the heat, Palm Springs is becoming a year- round getaway. This fall we're looking forward to new hotels: Kimpton (2014), Arrive (2014) The Hard Rock Hotel (this October); new nightclubs Smoketree Supper Club, a re-imagined Purple Room by Trio, and the Palm Springs Tonga Room.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Jim Jennings House, Deepwell, Palm Springs

I went to the unveiling of the Jim Jennings-designed and Blue Sky Homes-material sourced materials home in Deepwell. The party was thrown by Palm Springs Modern Committee, and really was a chic home- I was really impressed by the delicate details of the home's design- particularly the lacy perforated ceiling finish, which directs AC air through it entirely, rather than through single vents. The house picks up right where the Wexler/Harrison Steel houses left off, and expands entirely. The vertical steel walls around the courtyard look so much like the steel guest houses from the Alexander's Twin Palms development. Very cool concept. The house is listed for sale at $1.3 million, which is breathtaking in itself. Can't wait to see it sell.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Sparrows Hotel Palm Springs

I was able to get to Sparrows Hotel yesterday- though their not opening until September, thanks to hang-ups in the renovation with the City of Palm Springs. I can't wait to have a cocktail in the original barn on the property. Once a western-themed motor court hotel that was built either in the late 1940's or early 50's depending on who you talk to, this is now a tony design-driven boutique hotel designed by the former owners of the Korakia hotel in Palm Springs. Josie Smith, owner, was kind enough to give us a tour and show us into her on-site shop, which has opened in advance of the hotel. Totally digging the summer camp hoe down chuckwagon dinner vibe!

Desert Center: California Ghost Town and Modern Ruins

Desert Center's history is as colorful as it currently is colorless. Nearly a ghost town, there are a few inhabitants left in this village that was founded in 1921. Now that everyone seems to have pulled up and left- even all the gas stations are closed, the town remains remarkably intact. It's just on the outskirts of Lake Tamarisk, which was built by Kaiser Steel. Check out the full history of Desert Center on Wikipedia, and get out there for a drive- it's only about an hour East of Palm Springs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Center,_California

My favorite quote from the founder of the town is: "If You Don't Believe Me, You Can Go To Hell, or Visit Me in Desert Center in August!"

Was definitely worth a stop on my way back from Phoenix Modern.

Client Reviews of My Services

We used Paul Kaplan's Modern Real Estate group and have never had better service from any agent EVER!! Matthew Reader was a godsend and went well beyond the call of duty, in helping our home get set up, as I couldn't always be there. Time and time again, little issues still pop up and Matthew is still there helping us out even after the sale has long since completed! I wish everyone could have the amazing experience I had with Matthew and the rest of the Paul Kaplan group, uber professional and the best guys to work with. This is what home buying experience should be like! Bravo Matthew and Paul and all the other great agents at this firm. thanks Matthew!!

Liz M.
Vancouver, B.C., Canada

What else is there to say about Matthew Reader except ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS?! Use him as an agent, and it's like you get a bonus comedy act for free! The inevitable bumps of a home purchase can't be avoided, but he was able to make them almost enjoyable with his humor. He got me a great deal for a fixer in Yucca Valley (aka "Hooterville"), and I felt like he gave me the same attention as he would in one of his usual high end transactions in Palm Springs.
Not to mention, his outfits never fail to entertain as much as his witty repartee.

Why, Matthew makes the desert just a little bit brighter!

Kelly W.
Los Angeles, California

I recently had the pleasure of working with Matthew Reader to accomplish the purchase of a vacation property in Palm Springs. I have been involved in a reasonable number of real estate transactions over the years and would have to say that this was the best experience and most care free transaction I have had yet. Matthew responded quickly and efficiently on every issue that arose throughout the process. He also went above and beyond the call of duty to help me on a number of issues. Some of which occurred after closing, and which truly were not of a concern to him. I was truly impressed.
Matthew has proven to be very knowledgable regarding the Palm Springs and surrounding market and has been a good sounding board for advice and ideas as I look for another investment property. He also brings to the table a keen design eye that is useful in evaluating the potential of a possible property to suit ones needs.

Aside from his impeccable business etiquette, Matthew is witty, funny, and truly a nice person to be around. I could not provide a higher recommendation.

Mark M
San Clemente, California

We listed with Paul Kaplan's Modern Real Estate group and couldnt be more happier with the results and service we received! We received multiple offers and our condo sold for over asking . Matthew Reader was a pleasure to work with so we decided to use his services again when we purchased our cool new complex. Matthew exceeded our expections with his recommendations and his knowledge of the Palm Springs area past and present. He is a great resource to have and if you want to know anything about Palm Springs give Matthew a call!

Jeremy Z.
Vancouver, B.C., Canada

We became owners of a Rancho Mirage home, and Matthew was our agent! What to say? he was the perfect "fit", efficient, incredible knowledge, very stylish, and a great sense of humor. So what more to ask?......Cocktails by the pool maybe!
The whole experience was great, seamless and enjoyable.
Thanks Matthew!

Hubert P.
San Diego, California

Matthew Reader of the Paul Kaplan Modern Real Estate Group,did an outstanding job of assisting us as our real estate agent in our purchase of a home in Palm Springs . He was smart , insightful, and a pleasure to be around- in the future we will be using Matthew for all our real estate needs in Palm Springs. If you love mid century real estate , the Paul Kaplan group is the company to work with in Palm Springs.

Ben F.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

When my husband and I decided to start looking for a home in Palm Springs, we had heard of Paul Kaplan and his team. Between excellent recommendations and hearing of their superior knowledge of Mid-Century Modern architecture, we knew that they were the only realtors for us to work with.
Paul was a wonderful help during the process, and as first-time home buyers he helped guide us through the intricate and sometimes trying act of buying a home! He also introduced us to another member of his team, Matthew Reader, who wound up working as our realtor. Originally, my husband and I were dead set on buying a home in one specific neighborhood, but Matthew introduced us to a neighborhood that we had no previous knowledge of. It was exactly right for us! Even though the house needed some work, he helped us see the potential, and even went as far as to get us pictures of a friends home for us to see how great it could look. I don't think that without Matthew that we would have wound up realizing what a gem it was.

Needless to say, we couldn't be happier with our experience with the Matthew Reader of the Paul Kaplan Group for our new home.

I would recommend them to anyone looking to buy in the desert. Thanks to them again!

Samantha C.
Malibu, California

We had Matthew Reader help us and he was magnificent. He organized appointments to suit us. He was pleasant, personable and ready to answer any question we needed. He negotiated for us with the vendor and made the whole process of purchasing an apartment in Palm Springs a real pleasure.

I have never before in the purchasing of a property, and I have purchased many, had such wonderful help and such a pleasant experience. I could not have wished for anything better.

Mollie W.
Nevada City, California