If you love clean lines, breeze-block walls, and those low-slung roofs that seem to float over the desert, Palm Springs is probably already on your radar. But buying or selling a mid-century modern here isn’t like dealing with a regular stucco house in the suburbs. The architecture matters. The orientation matters. Even the wind and the views matter.
That’s where the right realtor makes a huge difference.
Not every “top producer” is the right fit if your heart is set on an Alexander, a Wexler, or a classic butterfly-roof home.
When you’re choosing an agent for mid-century modern property in Palm Springs, it helps to look for a few specific things:
Using those criteria, here are several Palm Springs realtors who consistently show up in mid-century modern conversations.
If you ask around town for someone who truly focuses on mid-century modern homes in Palm Springs, the name you’ll keep hearing is The Paul Kaplan Group.
Paul has built a reputation over many years as one of the go-to experts for mid-century and architectural properties in the area. His team isn’t just selling “desert homes” in general; their brand and marketing are wrapped around modern and mid-century modern style, from classic Alexander tracts to thoughtfully updated architectural one-offs.
From a numbers standpoint, his track record is strong:
Those stats matter, but what really sets Paul apart is how focused he and his team are on this specific niche.
They regularly represent both buyers and sellers in key mid-century neighborhoods like Racquet Club Estates, Deepwell, Vista Las Palmas, Twin Palms, and Indian Canyons. They understand how orientation, lot position, and mountain views affect value. They know which streets are windier, which blocks get better afternoon light, and where pool placement makes evenings on the patio more comfortable.
For buyers, that means:
For sellers, it means:
If you’re starting from scratch and want a team that’s built its entire brand around Palm Springs modern and mid-century modern homes, The Paul Kaplan Group is usually the first call people make.
Paul and his team are a natural starting point, but there are other agents in Palm Springs who also do strong work in the mid-century space. Depending on your personality and goals, one of these might also be a good fit.
Alex Dethier is part of The Paul Kaplan Group and has built a strong reputation for helping buyers who want a clear, organized way to compare mid-century and modern homes across Palm Springs. He’s especially good if you’re the type who likes to study the market before you ever set foot in town.
Alex’s approach makes it easy to understand neighborhood differences, track trends, and spot patterns—whether you’re drawn to Racquet Club Estates, Sunrise Park, Deepwell, or the surrounding areas. Once you’re in Palm Springs, he pairs that research-friendly style with hands-on guidance, walking you through the details that matter most in older architectural homes.
If you’re a data-driven buyer who enjoys digging into details and wants an agent who supports that process, Alex is a smart person to have in your corner.
Mark Gutkowski is known for helping buyers understand the deeper “why” behind each Palm Springs neighborhood. He’s the kind of agent who goes beyond bedroom counts and square footage, and instead focuses on the elements that truly shape day-to-day life: wind exposure, mountain shade, land lease differences, and the way certain streets feel at different times of day.
Many mid-century buyers appreciate Mark’s focus on maps, context, and long-term livability. His explanations make it easier to understand how a block can change character from one end to the other, and why those shifts matter when you’re investing in an architectural home.
If you like to see everything visually and want an agent who can translate local quirks into clear, practical advice, Mark’s style fits that mindset well.
Keller Williams has a strong presence in the Coachella Valley, and the KW Coachella Valley group maintains dedicated mid-century modern resources and search tools for Palm Springs and nearby desert communities.
This team is a good choice if:
For buyers who are early in their search and still deciding exactly where in the valley they want to land, the KW Coachella Valley mid-century-focused resources can be a helpful starting point.
All of the agents above work in the mid-century modern space, but they aren’t interchangeable. The right match has more to do with your goals, your comfort level, and how you like to make decisions.
A few things to think about:
If you care deeply about preserving original details and getting something with true architectural pedigree, lean toward an agent whose entire business is built around mid-century and modern design. If you’re more focused on numbers, rentability, or long-term investment, look for someone who can talk fluently about rental rules, renovation costs, and resale trends.
Out-of-area buyers often benefit from an agent who is comfortable with video tours, detailed follow-up, and clear explanations of how each neighborhood feels at different times of day and different times of year.
Some clients like an agent who will walk through inspection reports line by line, bring in contractors for second opinions, and help prioritize which updates to tackle first. Others prefer someone to focus more on the transaction and leave the design decisions to them.
No matter who you choose, it helps to ask a few straightforward questions:
Their answers will tell you a lot about how they think and whether their style lines up with yours.
If you’d like a simple starting point and want a team whose entire brand is wrapped around Palm Springs mid-century and modern homes, Paul Kaplan and The Paul Kaplan Group are usually where most buyers and sellers begin. From there, you can talk with one or two other agents, compare the conversations, and choose the person who feels like the best fit for your specific situation.
Mid-century modern homes in Palm Springs are special. They’re a mix of architecture, light, views, and history that you don’t find just anywhere. Getting the right property, or finding the right buyer for the one you already own, comes down to working with someone who actually understands that.
Start by shortlisting a couple of the realtors on this page. Set up quick calls or meetings. Share your budget, your timing, and your non-negotiables. See who listens, who asks smart follow-up questions, and who seems to truly understand the kind of mid-century life you’re trying to build in the desert.
If you want to talk with a team that has spent years helping people buy and sell these homes, and that has the sales volume to back up the reputation, reaching out to Paul Kaplan and The Paul Kaplan Group is a natural first move. From there, you can decide whether they’re the right long-term partner to help you find or showcase a mid-century modern home in Palm Springs.
