Palm Springs, CA Real Estate Agent. Homes For Sale in 92262, 92264.

I'm John Matthew Harper, a REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty. I have served the desert community since 2012, with nearly two decades licensed. Buyers and sellers hire me for mid-century modern homes, second homes, and the honest arithmetic underneath both, across 92262 and 92264.

Buyer Representation Seller Representation Investment Consulting Home Valuation Relocation
20+
Years Licensed
$658,606
Palm Springs Median Sale Price
67
Median Days on Market
9.6%
Valley Homes Sold Over List
About John Matthew Harper

Licensed Real Estate In 92262, 92264. Rooted In The Desert Since 2012.

John Matthew Harper is a Palm Springs real estate agent licensed in California, DRE License #01753957, practicing with Keller Williams Realty out of 27941 La Paz Rd Ste C, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. He has been a dedicated REALTOR® since 2006, which means he is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and bound by its Code of Ethics, a standard higher than state license law requires. He has served the desert community since 2012.

Before real estate, I built my skills in marketing, research, and sales inside the entertainment industry. I held roles at Showtime Networks in New York and NBCUniversal Television in Los Angeles, where I managed contract administration for domestic pay television deals valued at more than a billion dollars. Over time I found I was drawn more to working with people than with data, and that pull led me to earn my real estate license.

I have been with Keller Williams from the start of my real estate journey. As the world's largest real estate technology franchise by agent count, the company leads the United States in both units sold and sales volume, and its core values of integrity and putting clients first match my own. Early in my career at the Beverly Hills Market Center, my results earned a place on the Agent Leadership Council, a group made up of the top 20 percent of agents who give direct input into how the office runs.

I relocated to the desert in 2012, taking on a condominium renovation while spending time with my father in his later years. I believe every real estate transaction should be a win for everyone at the table. Buying or selling a home carries real emotional weight, so my goal is an honest, low stress experience and steady service, whether you are touring your first Palm Springs condominium or listing a mid-century home in Old Las Palmas.

Track Record

01

Agent Leadership Council, Top 20 Percent

Named to the Agent Leadership Council at the Keller Williams Beverly Hills Market Center, a group drawn from the office's top 20 percent of agents by production.

02

Billion-Dollar Contract Background

Managed contract administration for domestic pay television deals valued at more than 1 billion dollars at Showtime Networks and NBCUniversal Television before real estate.

03

Desert Sales Volume

By the agent's own account, more than 5 million dollars in desert home sales across the last two years, serving buyers and sellers throughout Palm Springs.

Mid-century modern and desert modern homes
Second homes and seasonal desert buyers
Condominiums across central and south Palm Springs
Remote and out-of-state relocation to the Coachella Valley
Investment property and short-term rental questions
Home valuation built from recent nearby sales
Talk With John

Last updated:

John Matthew Harper

Three ways I move your number in Palm Springs.

One city limit sign covers several markets. A restored mid-century home in Old Las Palmas, a condominium off South Palm Canyon, and a pool house near the Movie Colony answer to different buyers and different comparable sales. Nobody adds value everywhere. I add it in three places: representing buyers who need a price they can defend, marketing listings into the season that matters, and running the arithmetic before an investor signs.

We Help You:

  • BUY WITH A PRICE YOU CAN DEFEND, MID-CENTURY OR CONDO
  • SELL INTO THE SEASON, WHEN DESERT BUYERS ARRIVE IN FORCE
  • INVEST ON MODELED NUMBERS AND A WRITTEN EXIT, NEVER A HUNCH
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Sunlit modern home with a covered entry and desert landscaping, representing buyer representation from John Harper in Palm Springs

Buy

Clean-lined home with a manicured yard, representing Palm Springs California seller representation

Sell

Well-kept single family home with a stone facade, representing Palm Springs California real estate investing services

Invest

Warm living room with natural light and clean lines, staged for a Palm Springs California listing
For Sellers

Desert demand runs on a season. Spend it well.

Palm Springs draws buyers heavily from late fall through spring, as seasonal residents and out-of-state shoppers arrive. Everything I do serves that window. I price against sales that actually closed near you, finish the prep before a single photo is taken, and put the listing in front of the agents writing offers in 92262 and 92264 right now. Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Homes.com, and the MLS carry it from there. In May 2026 the Desert Housing Report showed 9.6 percent of valley homes still closing over asking, so a prepared listing gathers attention. Homes priced to last year's peak sit, then sell for less than they started.

Get My Listing Plan
Professional Photography

A buyer decides in one thumbnail. Win it.

Long before anyone reads your square footage, they judge a single image the width of a thumb, and that judgment quietly sets what they will pay. For Palm Springs listings I bring in photographers who shoot interiors at the hour the desert light cooperates and catch the exterior at dusk, when the San Jacinto Mountains glow. We fly the lot when a pool, a butterfly roof, or a mountain view deserves to be seen from above. The result is a listing buyers stop on rather than scroll past, and a first impression that survives the whole gallery.

See How I'd Market Your Home
Bright kitchen with an island and abundant natural light, photographed for Palm Springs California real estate marketing
Local Market Expertise

What buyers ask me about living in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs sits in Riverside County at the west end of the Coachella Valley, where Interstate 10 meets State Route 111 below the San Jacinto Mountains. Downtown Los Angeles lies about 107 miles west; Palm Desert is roughly 14 miles east. These six questions come up on nearly every first call.

Which Palm Springs neighborhoods should I look at first?

Old Las Palmas and Vista Las Palmas hold the celebrated estates and Alexander mid-century homes below the mountains. The Movie Colony sits minutes from downtown, near Ruth Hardy Park. Deepwell Estates and Tahquitz River Estates anchor the south end. Racquet Club Estates in the north offers butterfly-roof Alexanders at a friendlier entry point. Tell me a budget and a use, and I narrow six to two.

Source: Visit Palm Springs neighborhoods, as of

Which school district serves Palm Springs, CA?

Most of the city sits inside Palm Springs Unified School District, which serves communities across the western Coachella Valley. In-city campuses include Palm Springs High School on East Ramon Road, Raymond Cree Middle School on East Vista Chino, and elementary schools such as Katherine Finchy and Cielo Vista Charter. Attendance boundaries are set by address, so verify a specific home with the district.

Source: Palm Springs Unified School District,

How long is the commute and how do I fly out?

Palm Springs is compact, so most in-town errands stay within a ten minute drive. Palm Springs International Airport sits on East Tahquitz Canyon Way, roughly five to ten minutes from central neighborhoods, which is a genuine advantage for second-home owners. Downtown Los Angeles runs about two hours west on Interstate 10 off peak, and Indio, where Coachella and Stagecoach are held, is about 28 miles east.

Source: City of Palm Springs Airport,

What landmarks and outdoor spots define Palm Springs?

Five places explain this city. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, opened in 1963, climbs to Mount San Jacinto State Park. The Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon, on Agua Caliente tribal land, hold palm-lined trails. Palm Canyon Drive anchors downtown and the Thursday VillageFest. The Palm Springs Art Museum and the Forever Marilyn statue round out the core.

Source: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Visit Palm Springs,

Who lives in Palm Springs, CA?

About 44,000 residents live here year-round, per the U.S. Census Bureau, a number that swells each winter with seasonal residents. The median age skews older than the national figure, and roughly half of housing units are owner occupied. Tourism and hospitality anchor the local economy, and many homes serve as second residences. Confirm current figures for any purchase with the Census QuickFacts page.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts,

What are the latest Palm Springs market stats?

Redfin's May 2026 report showed a median sale price of $658,606 in Palm Springs, up 1.3 percent year over year, with homes selling in about 67 days. The Desert Housing Report put the Coachella Valley median for detached homes at $675,000 at the end of May, and 9.6 percent of valley homes sold over asking. Zillow put the average Palm Springs home value near $620,302.

Source: Redfin Palm Springs market and Desert Housing Report (PSRAR and CDAR),
Schools

One district, across the valley.

Palm Springs sits inside Palm Springs Unified School District, which serves the city along with Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Rancho Mirage, Thousand Palms, and surrounding areas of the western Coachella Valley. Campuses inside the city include Palm Springs High School, Raymond Cree Middle School, and several elementary schools plus a charter. Attendance areas are set by street address, not by neighborhood name, so confirm any address directly with the district before you write an offer. Ratings and boundaries both change year to year.

Palm Springs High School

Public · Grades 9-12
  • 2248 E Ramon Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264
  • The city's comprehensive public high school
  • Home of the Indians athletic and arts programs

Palm Springs Unified School District

Raymond Cree Middle School

Public · Grades 6-8
  • 1011 E Vista Chino, Palm Springs, CA 92262
  • Serves much of central and north Palm Springs
  • Near the Ruth Hardy Park and Movie Colony area

Palm Springs Unified School District

Katherine Finchy Elementary

Public · Grades K-5
  • 777 E Tachevah Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
  • Central Palm Springs elementary campus
  • Walkable from several close-in neighborhoods

Palm Springs Unified School District

Cielo Vista Charter

Public Charter · Grades K-8
  • 350 Farrell Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
  • District-authorized charter with a K-8 span
  • Serves families across central Palm Springs

Palm Springs Unified School District

Vista Del Monte Elementary

Public · Grades K-5
  • 1425 Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
  • Serves central and south-central addresses
  • One of several district elementary campuses

Palm Springs Unified School District

Cahuilla Elementary

Public · Grades K-5
  • 833 E Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264
  • Serves the south Palm Springs area
  • Near Deepwell and Tahquitz River Estates

Palm Springs Unified School District

Source: Palm Springs Unified School District, retrieved . GreatSchools ratings are not shown because current verified ratings were not available at publication. Confirm attendance boundaries with the district for a specific address.

Live Listings

Browse current Palm Springs listings.

Active homes across 92262 and 92264 and the wider Coachella Valley, updated from the market.

View Palm Springs Homes For Sale
Activities & Lifestyle

How to spend a Saturday in Palm Springs.

The Aerial Tramway to Mount San Jacinto

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway climbs from the desert floor to 8,500 feet in rotating cars, opening onto Mount San Jacinto State Park. The ridge often runs 30 or more degrees cooler than the valley, with pine forest and winter snow.

The Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon

The Indian Canyons, on Agua Caliente land, hold Palm, Andreas, and Murray Canyons with trails through the largest California fan palm oasis in the world. Tahquitz Canyon offers a ranger-led loop to a seasonal waterfall.

VillageFest on Palm Canyon Drive

Every Thursday evening, VillageFest closes several blocks of Palm Canyon Drive for a street fair of artists, farm stands, food, and music. It is the reliable weekly heartbeat of downtown, running most of the year.

The Palm Springs Art Museum and Modernism Week

The Palm Springs Art Museum anchors downtown with modern and contemporary galleries. Each February, Modernism Week fills eleven days with architecture tours, talks, and open houses celebrating the city's desert modern legacy.

Getting Around

Commute times from Palm Springs.

Palm Springs runs on one spine and one freeway. State Route 111 becomes Palm Canyon Drive through the heart of the city, and Interstate 10 carries everything long distance. Gene Autry Trail and Indian Canyon Drive connect the two.

CA 111

The spine

State Route 111 enters from the northwest, becomes North and South Palm Canyon Drive downtown, then continues southeast toward Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Desert. Most in-town trips ride it.

I-10

The way out

Interstate 10 runs along the north edge of the valley. West leads to Los Angeles and the Inland Empire; east runs to Indio and beyond. Nearly every long trip starts by reaching it.

N-S

The connectors

Gene Autry Trail and Indian Canyon Drive are the two main north-south routes linking the city grid up to Interstate 10. Wind can close Gene Autry Trail during blowing-sand events, so watch the signs.

Departures · Off Peak Sorted by drive time
Typical off-peak drive times and distances from central Palm Springs
Destination Via Distance
Downtown Palm Springs
Palm Canyon Dr
CA 111S
2mi
6min
PSP Airport
Palm Springs Intl
Tahquitz CynE
4mi
8min
El Paseo
Palm Desert
CA 111SE
14mi
20min
Empire Polo Club
Indio, festivals
I-10E
28mi
32min
Joshua Tree Nat'l Park
West entrance
I-10CA 62N
40mi
45min
Ontario Airport
ONT, Inland Empire
I-10W
75mi
75min
Downtown Los Angeles
California
I-10W
107mi
120min

Read the board

The airport is under ten minutes from most of the city, which is a real draw for second-home owners who fly in and out. The Los Angeles drive doubles in weekend traffic on Interstate 10.

Wind matters here

Gene Autry Trail crosses a windy stretch near Interstate 10 and can close during blowing sand. When it does, Indian Canyon Drive becomes the reliable route north.

Distances and drive times are off-peak estimates measured from central Palm Springs and rounded. Confirm current conditions with Caltrans QuickMap before you rely on them. Airport details from City of Palm Springs, retrieved .

Local Roots

Little-known Palm Springs history.

Palm Springs is older than its Hollywood reputation. The valley has been home to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for centuries, took its name from natural hot mineral springs, drew movie stars escaping the studios, and then became a laboratory for desert modern architecture. Almost every neighborhood carries a piece of that arc.

Cahuilla

The springs, and the people who named them

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has lived in this valley for centuries and still owns a large share of the land through a checkerboard of sections laid out with the railroad. The city's name comes from the natural hot mineral spring the Cahuilla call Sec-he, in the heart of what is now downtown.

Source: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Wikipedia

1938

A resort town becomes a city

After decades as a health and winter resort at the base of Mount San Jacinto, Palm Springs incorporated as a city on April 20, 1938. Grand hotels and the desert climate had already made it a destination for visitors seeking dry air and warm winters.

Source: Wikipedia and Palm Springs Historical Society

1930s

The studios sent the stars here

Studio contracts kept actors within roughly two hours of Los Angeles so they could be recalled quickly. Palm Springs fell inside that radius, so Hollywood built weekend homes here and relaxed away from the cameras. The era left a trail of celebrity estates across the Movie Colony and Las Palmas.

Source: Palm Springs Historical Society

1946

Desert modernism took root

Richard Neutra completed the Kaufmann Desert House in 1946, and architects including Albert Frey, William Krisel, Donald Wexler, and E. Stewart Williams reshaped the city with flat roofs, glass walls, and indoor-outdoor living. Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms, designed by E. Stewart Williams, opened in 1947.

Source: Palm Springs Art Museum and Wikipedia

1957

The Alexanders built modernism for everyone

The Alexander Construction Company, working with architect William Krisel, built thousands of affordable mid-century tract homes in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Neighborhoods like Twin Palms and Racquet Club Estates carry their butterfly and gabled rooflines, which is why so many buyers can own real modernism today.

Source: Palm Springs Historical Society

1963

A tramway to the alpine ridge

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway opened in 1963, carrying riders from the desert floor up Chino Canyon to about 8,500 feet on Mount San Jacinto. Rotating cars were added in 2000. The ride still delivers pine forest and, in winter, snow, a short drive from the palms.

Source: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Eat & Shop

Where Palm Springs dines and shops.

Downtown and the Uptown Design District string dozens of independent kitchens and shops along Palm Canyon Drive, with patios open much of the year. Restaurants run from a breakfast institution to a whiskey-and-sushi bar, and retail leans toward mid-century design, vintage, and resort style. Nearly everything below sits within a short drive of the Forever Marilyn statue downtown.

Dining

Cheeky's

Breakfast

Farm-to-table brunch · $$

A long-running Uptown breakfast and lunch spot with a rotating, seasonal menu and a famous bacon flight. Weekend waits are part of the ritual. Come early or come patient.

622 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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Workshop Kitchen + Bar

Restaurant

Modern American · $$$

A James Beard award-winning dining room set inside a dramatic concrete space on North Palm Canyon. Seasonal plates, a serious cocktail program, and one of the more striking interiors downtown.

800 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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Mr. Lyons Steakhouse

Steakhouse

Steaks and cocktails · $$$

A reimagined take on a classic Palm Springs chophouse on South Palm Canyon, with a dim, clubby bar and a back patio. Steaks, seafood towers, and a strong late-night scene.

233 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264

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Sandfish Sushi + Whiskey

Sushi

Sushi and Japanese · $$$

Chef-driven sushi paired with a deep whiskey list, in a sleek Uptown room. The omakase and specialty rolls draw a steady crowd, so a reservation helps on weekends.

1556 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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Tyler's Burgers

Burgers

Classic burgers · $

A downtown lunch fixture in a converted mid-century building near La Plaza. Burgers, fries, and shakes on a shaded patio. Cash-friendly, no-frills, and beloved. Expect a line at noon.

149 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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Rooster and the Pig

Restaurant

Modern Vietnamese · $$

A small, popular South Palm Canyon kitchen serving modern Vietnamese plates meant for sharing. No reservations, a short menu, and a devoted local following. Go early to beat the wait.

356 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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Shopping

Uptown Design District

Shopping District

Design, vintage, decor · $$

A walkable stretch of North Palm Canyon lined with mid-century furniture dealers, galleries, and design shops. The single best place to understand the city's obsession with modern style.

N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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Trina Turk & Mr Turk

Apparel

Resort fashion · $$$

The flagship boutique of the California designer, in a restored Uptown building. Bold prints and resort wear that match the desert. A destination in its own right for design fans.

891 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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Just Fabulous

Books & Gifts

Books, cards, gifts · $$

A bright Uptown shop packed with design books, greeting cards, and gifts, with a strong art and photography section. The kind of place you enter for one card and leave with five.

515 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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The Frippery

Vintage

Curated vintage · $$

A well-edited vintage clothing shop downtown, strong on decades of resort and evening wear. A favorite stop for Modernism Week visitors hunting the right period look.

664 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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Bon Vivant

Mid-Century

Modern furniture & art · $$$

A Design District gallery of restored mid-century furniture, lighting, and decorative art. Even if you are only browsing, it is a short course in the pieces that define desert modern interiors.

756 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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El Paseo Shopping District

Shopping District

Boutiques and galleries · $$$

Often called the Rodeo Drive of the desert, El Paseo runs a mile of boutiques, galleries, and restaurants in nearby Palm Desert, about a 20 minute drive southeast on Highway 111.

El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260

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A sampling of well-regarded local spots, not an exclusive list or paid placement. Addresses are approximate and were current at publication, . Hours change; call ahead.

Search The Market

Find your next Palm Springs home.

From an Alexander in Racquet Club Estates to a condominium off South Palm Canyon, see what is active right now.

Search Palm Springs Listings
Amenities & Services

Everyday amenities and services across Palm Springs.

What exists here, from parks and pools to a hospital, a library, and the city's trash hauler. Availability shifts by address, so use the linked official sources to confirm details for a specific property.

Daily Errands

Groceries, pharmacies, and errands

Downtown and the south end are served by a Ralphs on South Palm Canyon and a Vons on East Palm Canyon, with a Trader Joe's a short drive south. Pharmacies, banks, and the main post office cluster along the Palm Canyon and Ramon corridors.

Source: USPS and Google Maps,
Health Care

Hospital, urgent care, and pets

Desert Regional Medical Center at 1150 N Indian Canyon Dr is the city's acute-care hospital and a designated trauma center, open around the clock. Additional urgent care, dental, and veterinary clinics sit along the Ramon Road and Sunrise Way corridors.

Source: Desert Regional Medical Center
Taprooms & Cafes

Coffee, beer, and cocktails

Koffi roasts and pours at several desert locations. Ernest Coffee and the adjoining Bootlegger Tiki anchor Uptown, and Las Palmas Brewing serves house beer on North Palm Canyon.

Source: Google Maps,
Nature & Environment

Palm Springs's nature and open space.

The city sits on the desert floor beneath a 10,000-foot mountain, ringed by tribal canyons and protected reserves. That setting shapes the trails, the views, and the price of a lot that looks straight at the San Jacintos. Everything below is within about an hour of downtown.

8,516 ft
Aerial Tramway Mountain Station
10,834 ft
Mount San Jacinto Peak
300+
Days of Sunshine a Year
1
World's Largest Fan Palm Oasis
Civic & Practical Data

Utilities, taxes, and city services.

The unglamorous questions buyers ask on the drive home, answered with links to the agency that actually sets the rate. Rates and schedules change; confirm current figures against a specific address before you budget.

Property Taxes
Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder

Under California Proposition 13, the base rate is 1 percent of assessed value, and local voter-approved items push most Palm Springs bills to roughly 1.1 to 1.25 percent. Bills come from Riverside County in two installments.

Transfer Tax
Riverside County Recorder

California charges a county documentary transfer tax of 1.10 dollars per 1,000 dollars of value, customarily paid by the seller in Riverside County. Palm Springs does not add a separate city transfer tax.

Electricity & Gas
Southern California Edison & SoCalGas

Southern California Edison supplies electricity and SoCalGas supplies natural gas to Palm Springs. Summer cooling drives high electric bills, so ask sellers for recent usage and check for owned or leased solar.

Water & Sewer
Desert Water Agency

Desert Water Agency supplies water to most of Palm Springs, west and south of the Whitewater Wash, drawing on a managed groundwater basin. Wastewater service runs through the City of Palm Springs. Some outlying areas differ.

Trash & Compost
Palm Springs Disposal Services

Palm Springs Disposal Services is the franchised residential hauler for the city, handling trash, green waste, and cart service. California organics rules under SB 1383 require food and yard waste to be separated.

Recycling
Palm Springs Disposal Services

Curbside recycling rides on the same Palm Springs Disposal contract as trash and green waste. Sort guidelines and holiday schedules are posted on the hauler's site, and rates are set in the city franchise agreement.

Internet
Spectrum & Frontier

Spectrum and Frontier are the main wired providers in Palm Springs, with fiber availability expanding block by block. Check a specific address for the fastest option before you assume a speed tier.

City Services & 311
City of Palm Springs

Palm Springs City Hall sits at 3200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way. The city's online portal handles service requests, permits, and short-term rental questions, which matter to buyers weighing a vacation-rental purchase.

Sources: City of Palm Springs, Desert Water Agency, Palm Springs Disposal Services, Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder, and FEMA. Retrieved . The local sales tax rate is about 7.75 percent. Rates change; verify before budgeting.

Warm modern home framed by desert landscaping, similar to properties John represents in Palm Springs
psalgado

John helped us navigate getting a second offer after the buyer backed out due to items that came up during the inspection period. Worked out a favorable outcome in selling this duplex with many family memories.

Zillow Verified review
Clean-lined desert home on a quiet street, representative of Coachella Valley listings
vbaldanza

John helped us purchase our dream home. We are very grateful to him for his hard work and dedication throughout the process. We would highly recommend him to anyone in the area.

Zillow Verified review
Testimonials

Happy clients.

Here is what recent clients have said about working with me, in their own words. If you want to hear how a purchase or a sale actually goes, ask me for references who match your situation, a first-time buyer, a seller, or an out of state second home purchase. Their words will tell you more than any badge.

Reviews shown are from clients on John's Zillow profile.

Neighborhoods

Six Palm Springs neighborhoods worth knowing.

A quick orientation to the areas buyers ask about most, from celebrated estate streets to the entry point for real mid-century modernism. Each links to active listings. Boundaries and prices shift, so treat these as a starting map, not a survey.

Old Las Palmas

The address for grand estates and walled compounds just north of downtown, with mature landscaping and a long celebrity history. Architecture ranges from Spanish revival to significant mid-century homes on generous lots.

View Homes →

Vista Las Palmas

A prized mid-century enclave at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, rich in Alexander homes and the famous Swiss Miss rooflines. A favorite of design buyers during Modernism Week and year-round.

View Homes →

Movie Colony

Old Hollywood's weekend base, minutes from downtown and Ruth Hardy Park. Walkable, tree-lined, and full of history, with a mix of restored mid-century homes and Spanish-style residences on quiet streets.

View Homes →

Deepwell Estates

A south-end neighborhood of ranch and mid-century homes on larger lots, with its own celebrity past. Buyers come for space, pools, and mountain views a short drive from downtown and the airport.

View Homes →

Tahquitz River Estates

A south-central area of tree-lined streets mixing Spanish, ranch, and mid-century homes. Often a relative value for buyers who want character and a central location without an estate-street price tag.

View Homes →

Racquet Club Estates

North-end tracts of butterfly-roof Alexander homes, the friendliest entry point into genuine desert modernism. Popular with design lovers and buyers who want a mid-century home without a landmark budget.

View Homes →

Not sure which area fits your budget and how you will use the home? That is the first conversation I have with every buyer.

Ask John Which Neighborhood Fits
Sunlit desert-modern home with clean lines under a clear sky in Palm Springs, California

Desert

In the desert since 2012. I know which neighborhoods fit which budget, and what to check on a mid-century home: the roof, the HVAC, the pool equipment, and any ground-lease land.

Promise · 01
Elegant two story home with a driveway at twilight, representing clarity for Palm Springs buyers

Clarity

Before real estate I managed contract administration for pay-television deals worth more than a billion dollars. Contracts, disclosures, and deadlines get read carefully and explained in plain words before you sign.

Promise · 02
Contemporary home with a pool at dusk, representing full-service real estate across the Coachella Valley

Reach

Full service for local and out-of-state buyers. Video tours, digital documents, and hands-on coordination of inspections and closing, so a second-home purchase runs smoothly from anywhere.

Promise · 03
Client Experience

What it's like to work with John.

Most of my clients are in the middle of something larger than a house. Buying a first desert condominium, upgrading to a mid-century home, relocating from out of state, or finally buying the second home they have vacationed in for years. Those are life transitions first and transactions second, and I treat them that way. My background in contract administration means I read the disclosure package closely and tell you what I found rather than what sounds good.

The practical part is simple. Clear communication, real market data instead of a citywide average, and proven marketing when you sell. If a house is wrong for you, I say so out loud, even when the market rewards hesitation with a lost deal. Since 2012 in the desert I have learned that the right home is worth waiting one more weekend for.

Ready When You Are

Ready to buy or sell in Palm Springs?

Start with a no-pressure conversation about your goals, your timeline, and what the numbers actually support. I will tell you the honest version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palm Springs real estate, answered.

Straight answers to the questions buyers and sellers ask most. Figures are current as of and always worth confirming for a specific address.

Plan on roughly six to eight weeks from an accepted offer to keys on a financed purchase. The order runs pre-approval, home search, offer, purchase contract, inspection and appraisal, escrow, then recording with Riverside County. Escrow is simply a neutral third party holding funds and documents until conditions are met.

As of May 2026, Redfin reported a median sale price near 659,000 dollars in Palm Springs, with homes selling in about 67 days. The Coachella Valley median for detached homes ended May at 675,000 dollars per the Desert Housing Report. Conditions favor prepared buyers who price and inspect carefully.

California charges a county documentary transfer tax of 1.10 dollars per 1,000 dollars of value, customarily paid by the seller in Riverside County. Sellers also pay their agent fee, any negotiated buyer agent fee, escrow and title fees, and prorated property taxes. Commission rates are not set by law and are always negotiable.

Palm Springs Unified School District serves the city, including Palm Springs High School, Raymond Cree Middle School, and elementary campuses such as Katherine Finchy and Cielo Vista Charter. Attendance boundaries change, so confirm the assigned school for any address with the district.

Yes. Many desert buyers purchase from out of state or as second-home owners. John handles video tours, digital documents, and local coordination for inspections and closing, so you can move through the process without living in the valley yet.

First-time buyers in Palm Springs commonly use conventional loans, FHA loans, and VA loans. Start with a lender pre-approval so you shop with a clear budget. A pre-approval also strengthens your offer in a market where sellers weigh certainty of closing.

Timing depends on your home and your goals more than the calendar. Desert demand tends to build from late fall through spring as seasonal buyers arrive. A pricing review built from recent nearby sales will show what your specific home can support today.

The Movie Colony sits minutes from downtown. Driving to Palm Canyon Drive and the downtown core typically takes about five minutes off peak. Most in-town errands in Palm Springs stay within a ten-minute drive because the city is compact and grid-based.

Yes. Palm Springs Dog Park at 222 Civic Drive North sits in 92262 with separate areas for large and small dogs. Ruth Hardy Park nearby offers open lawns and shade. Confirm current hours with the City of Palm Springs before you go.

Downtown Palm Springs is served by a Ralphs on South Palm Canyon Drive and a Vons on East Palm Canyon Drive, with a Trader Joe's a short drive south. Smaller specialty markets and the weekly VillageFest street market add local options.

The Indian Canyons, on Agua Caliente tribal land at the south end of Palm Springs, hold Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon with palm-lined hiking trails. Tahquitz Canyon offers a ranger-led trail to a seasonal waterfall. An entry fee supports the tribe.

Downtown and Uptown Palm Springs hold a dense dining scene, from Cheeky's for breakfast and Tyler's Burgers to Mr. Lyons Steakhouse and Workshop Kitchen and Bar. Palm Canyon Drive anchors most of it, with patios open much of the year.

Palm Springs International Airport sits on East Tahquitz Canyon Way, roughly a five to ten minute drive from the Movie Colony. That short hop is a real advantage for second-home owners and frequent travelers who fly in and out often.

Palm Springs is a center of desert modernism, with homes by architects like Albert Frey, Richard Neutra, and William Krisel. Features include flat or butterfly rooflines, walls of glass, and indoor-outdoor living. Modernism Week each February celebrates this architecture citywide.

Riverside County property taxes generally run near 1.1 to 1.25 percent of assessed value once local assessments are included, under California Proposition 13. Confirm the exact figure for any address with the Riverside County Assessor before you budget.

Free Buyer's Guide

Everything you need to know about buying in Palm Springs, in one guide.

Twenty-four pages written from desert transactions and years living the market. No fluff and no sales pitch. The market, the district, the numbers, and the questions to ask before you tour anything.

24
Pages of Insight
2026
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Or Reach John Directly
Phone310-871-5646 Emailjohnharper@kw.com
OfficeKeller Williams Realty · 27941 La Paz Rd Ste C, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
HoursOpen daily, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Call or text anytime.
Palm Springs, California 92262
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