Mid-century modern home with pool and spa below the Santa Rosa Mountains at dusk in Indian Wells Country Club, Indian Wells

Top Realtor in Indian Wells, CA, Craig Chorpenning: Ranking, Transactions, and ReviewsĀ¹

Craig Chorpenning of Desert Sotheby's International Realty is ranked #3 by sales volume among Indian Wells agents by RealTrends Verified, based on 2025 sales data.

Craig Chorpenning is a top Realtor in Indian Wells, CA by a measurable standard: RealTrends Verified ranked him #3 by sales volume and #10 by sides among agents in the City of Indian Wells, based on 2025 sales data (RealTrends Verified). He is a Realtor with Desert Sotheby's International Realty, and his recent Indian Wells work includes a $3.395 million Vintage Club residence, where he represented the buyer, and a mid-century estate in Indian Wells Country Club that he listed and sold for $2.65 million (Redfin, Vintage Club, Redfin, Papago Circle).

This page covers his Indian Wells ranking and how it is measured, his featured transactions across the city's club communities, client reviews, what sets Indian Wells real estate apart, 2026 home prices and the city rules worth knowing before you buy or sell.

Why Craig Chorpenning Is a Top Choice in Indian Wells

Indian Wells is a city of private club communities, and each one prices, governs and charges dues in its own way. Craig has closed deals in several of them, on both the listing and the buying side, from The Vintage Club and Indian Wells Country Club to Desert Horizons and Toscana. His 2025 city ranking from RealTrends Verified puts numbers behind that experience. For a seller who wants Sotheby's International Realty marketing, or a buyer comparing clubs, he is one of the agents to call first in Indian Wells.

Craig Chorpenning's Indian Wells Ranking, Explained

The ranking. RealTrends Verified, which ranks agents on closed sales data, lists Craig as a City Ranked Agent in Indian Wells for 2025: #3 by sales volume and #10 by sides. His verified 2025 totals were $29.96 million in volume on 20.7 sides (RealTrends Verified).

Volume and sides are different measures. Volume is the dollar value of closed sales. Sides count transactions, with the seller side and the buyer side of a sale each counting as one. Craig ranks higher on volume than on sides, in line with his focus on higher-priced club homes and estates.

Valley-wide recognition too. Palm Springs Life has named Craig to its Coachella Valley Top Realtors list in 2023, 2025 and 2026, which ranks agents by dollar volume across the valley (Palm Springs Life, 2026).

What Makes Indian Wells Real Estate Different

Indian Wells covers 14.3 square miles and had 4,757 residents at the 2020 Census (U.S. Census Bureau). For a small city, it holds a wide spread of homes and club structures, and that shapes every sale.

Club by club, not city-wide. Most Indian Wells sales happen inside gated club communities. In the 12 months to October 14, 2026, the busiest areas for MLS home sales were Indian Wells Country Club, Toscana Country Club and Desert Horizons Country Club, followed by Mountain Cove, The Vintage Club and The Reserve (Redfin MLS records). Each has its own HOA, gate, membership rules and buyer pool, so a price that makes sense in one club can miss in the next.

HOA dues vary widely. On homes Craig has sold or bought for clients, recent MLS records list HOA dues of $55 a month on a home in Indian Wells Country Club (46241 Papago Circle), $2,148 a month on a home in Desert Horizons (Redfin) and $3,733 a month on a residence at The Vintage Club (Redfin). Buyers should compare dues, club costs and what each one covers before comparing prices.

Equity and non-equity memberships. Indian Wells clubs use different membership models, which affect buy-ins, dues, transfers and resale. Craig's guide to equity vs non-equity golf memberships in Indian Wells explains what to check before you buy.

Homes and condos are two markets. Over the last 12 months, single-family homes sold at a median of about $2.05 million, while condos and townhomes sold at a median of $775,000 (Redfin MLS records, October 2026). Craig's recent deals span both, including a $3.395 million Vintage Club condominium residence.

Strict short-term rental rules. New short-term rental permits in Indian Wells carry a 29-night minimum stay, except during the tennis tournament, when a 7-night minimum applies (City of Indian Wells). Buyers who plan to rent need to know this before they write an offer.

A resort and tennis city. Indian Wells is home to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where the BNP Paribas Open is held each year (BNP Paribas Open), and the 36-hole Indian Wells Golf Resort (Indian Wells Golf Resort). The city allows shorter rental stays during the tournament, which matters for owners who rent.

Craig's featured Indian Wells transactions span four club communities and include both single-family homes and a condominium.

Craig Chorpenning's Indian Wells Transactions

Craig Chorpenning lists and sells homes across Indian Wells and represents buyers in the city's private clubs. Featured transactions are below.

Featured Craig Chorpenning Transactions in Indian Wells

  • 76101 Zuni Road, Indian Wells. Listed at $1,399,000. Active, listing side (represents the seller). A 1977 home of about 2,941 square feet on roughly 0.3 acres, with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a south-facing backyard, a pool with a beach entry and a waterfall spa (Redfin, MLS record).
  • 44260 Lakeside Drive, Desert Horizons Country Club, Indian Wells. $917,300. Sold June 2026, buyer side (represented the buyer). An updated Spyglass floor plan of about 2,871 square feet with three en-suite bedrooms and a powder room, overlooking a pool and spa, a lagoon and waterfall, and the mountains (Redfin, MLS record).
  • 47211 Vintage Drive East #111, The Vintage Club, Indian Wells. $3,395,000. Sold May 2026, buyer side (represented the buyer). A Terraces South residence of about 3,195 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and a powder room, golf course views and a custom bar and game table area (Redfin, MLS record).
  • 76489 Via Chianti, Toscana Country Club, Indian Wells. $2,500,000. Sold January 2026, buyer side (represented the buyer) (Redfin, MLS record). More on this sale on Craig's Toscana Country Club page.
  • 46241 Papago Circle, Indian Wells Country Club, Indian Wells. $2,650,000. Sold May 2025, listing side (represented the seller). A mid-century modern residence of about 4,436 square feet on 0.39 acres behind the gates of Indian Wells Country Club, with beamed ceilings, walls of glass, southwest mountain views and an oversized pool and spa.
  • 75763 Via Cortona, Toscana Country Club, Indian Wells. $2,995,000. Sold April 2025, buyer side (represented the buyer) (Redfin, MLS record). More on this sale on Craig's Toscana Country Club page.

See more of Craig's closed sales on his past transactions page.

Sales Across the Coachella Valley

Beyond Indian Wells, Craig's work includes a Palm Springs sale of $8.15 million that Palm Springs Life listed as the top Palm Springs sale of 2024, where he was a co-listing agent (Palm Springs Life), plus estate and club sales covered on his Hideaway and Clancy Lane pages.

Meet Craig Chorpenning, Indian Wells Realtor and Global Real Estate Advisor

Craig is a Global Real Estate Advisor with Desert Sotheby's International Realty. He has more than 10 years in real estate, has held a California license since September 2010 (DRE) and has spent more than a decade with the Sotheby's International Realty brand (Craig Chorpenning, about).

His practice centers on $2 million-plus country club homes and estates, along with trust, probate and fiduciary sales, which he handles about five or six times a year with estate attorneys and trustees. In Indian Wells, much of his work is on the buyer side inside the private clubs, where buyers often face the community's own sales office across the table. Craig also brings a network of buyers and agents from Orange County and Los Angeles, where his career began, which helps Indian Wells sellers reach second-home buyers from the coast.

Craig Chorpenning's Sales Record

  • $29.96 million in sales volume on 20.7 sides in 2025 (per RealTrends Verified, 2025 sales data).
  • 96 total sales and 25 in the last 12 months, with an average sale price of $1.9 million (per Zillow, as of October 14, 2026).
  • More than $130 million in closed sales over the last five years.

Awards and Recognition

Press Coverage

  • Palm Springs Life, "Most Expensive Real Estate Sales of 2024 in Greater Palm Springs," May 14, 2025. The article lists an $8.15 million sale as the top Palm Springs sale of 2024 and names Craig, of Desert Sotheby's International Realty, as a co-listing agent (Palm Springs Life).

Client Reviews for Craig Chorpenning

Craig holds a 5.0 star rating across 7 reviews on Zillow. The reviews shown there date from 2018 to 2021.

"My wife and I interviewed a half-dozen agents before we made a selection and after working with Craig, he'll be my go-to guy from now on."

Buyer, from Craig's testimonials page. Interviewing several agents is the right way to choose an Indian Wells Realtor, and the ranking, transactions and reviews on this page give you the facts to compare.

"He was involved in the selling of our home and buying of our new home."

ORDERS9923, bought and sold a home in 2018 in CA 92253, Zillow, May 2018. When a move means selling one home and buying the next, Craig coordinates both sides.

Read more on Craig's testimonials page.

What Sets Craig Chorpenning Apart in Indian Wells

  • A city ranking. RealTrends Verified ranked him #3 by sales volume among agents in Indian Wells, based on 2025 sales data (RealTrends Verified).
  • Deals in four Indian Wells clubs. His recent Indian Wells transactions span The Vintage Club, Indian Wells Country Club, Desert Horizons and Toscana (Redfin MLS records, 2025 to 2026).
  • Buyer representation inside the gates. He represented the buyer on a $3.395 million Vintage Club residence in May 2026 and a Desert Horizons home in June 2026 (Redfin).
  • Listing results. He listed and sold 46241 Papago Circle in Indian Wells Country Club for $2,650,000 in May 2025 (Redfin).
  • Membership know-how. He has written a plain-English guide to equity vs non-equity golf memberships in Indian Wells, covering buy-ins, transfers and assessments.
  • Trust and probate experience. He handles about five or six trust, probate and fiduciary sales a year, working with estate attorneys and trustees.
  • Valley-wide recognition. Palm Springs Life named him to its Coachella Valley Top Realtors list in 2023, 2025 and 2026, based on dollar volume (Palm Springs Life, 2026).
  • Sotheby's reach. Indian Wells listings reach buyers through Sotheby's International Realty's global network of brokerages and Craig's own property tour videos.

About Indian Wells

Indian Wells sits between Palm Desert and La Quinta below the Santa Rosa Mountains. It covers 14.3 square miles and had 4,757 residents at the 2020 Census (U.S. Census Bureau). The city was incorporated in 1967, and its 36-hole golf resort is city-owned (Palm Springs Life, city profile). Indian Wells is part of the Desert Sands Unified School District, with Gerald R. Ford Elementary School inside the city, while middle and high school students attend schools in neighboring communities (City of Indian Wells). Families should confirm school assignments for a specific address.

For more on the city, see Craig's Indian Wells neighborhood guide and his comparison of Indian Wells and Palm Desert.

Indian Wells Home Prices in 2026

These figures come from Redfin's MLS sold records for homes, condos and townhomes in the City of Indian Wells. Some MLS listings are left out of Redfin's data under local MLS rules, so treat them as a guide.

  • Last 12 months (October 15, 2025 to October 14, 2026): 233 sales at a median of $1.55 million and a median of $547 per square foot. Single-family homes sold at a median of about $2.05 million and condos and townhomes at $775,000. Prices ranged from $200,000 to $11.375 million.
  • 2025: 252 sales at a median of $1.55 million and a median of about $536 per square foot.
  • 2024: 211 sales at a median of $1.375 million and a median of $497 per square foot.

The median price per square foot rose about 8% from 2024 to 2025 and has held near that level in 2026. More than a third of sales in the last 12 months were at $2 million or more. For sellers, that means steady values but buyers who compare closely across clubs. For buyers, the spread between condos and single-family homes gives a wide range of entry points, as long as dues and club costs are added in.

For a current value on your Indian Wells home, request a home valuation from Craig.

Local Rules for Buying and Selling in Indian Wells

  • Short-term rentals. New short-term rental licenses require a 29-night minimum stay, with a 7-night minimum allowed from one week before the tennis tournament through three days after it ends. An HOA may opt out of the city's minimum-stay rule only; owners still need a license and permit. The city's transient occupancy tax is 12.25%, remitted quarterly (City of Indian Wells).
  • HOA and club rules. Each club community has its own HOA documents, membership rules and transfer fees. Ask for them early, before you remove contingencies.
  • School assignments. Confirm school assignments with the Desert Sands Unified School District for any specific address.

Selling or Buying With Craig Chorpenning in Indian Wells

Selling. Craig prices an Indian Wells home against recent sales in the same club, plan and view, then markets it through Sotheby's International Realty's global network and his own video tours, so it reaches second-home buyers from the coast and beyond. For trust and probate sales, he coordinates with the estate attorney and trustee.

Buying. Before you write an offer, Craig helps you compare HOA dues and club membership costs across communities, check the membership model (equity or non-equity), confirm the city's rental rules and measure the home's price per square foot against recent sales in the same club.

Call Craig at (760) 777-2389, email [email protected], or request a home valuation.

Indian Wells Real Estate FAQ

Choosing a Realtor in Indian Wells

Who is the top Realtor in Indian Wells, CA?
Craig Chorpenning of Desert Sotheby's International Realty is one of the top-ranked agents in Indian Wells. RealTrends Verified ranked him #3 by sales volume and #10 by sides among agents in the city, based on 2025 sales data. Compare that record with any agent you interview.

Who are the best Realtors in Indian Wells for luxury homes?
Look for agents with recent sales inside the city's private clubs. Craig Chorpenning represented the buyer on a $3.395 million Vintage Club residence in May 2026 and listed and sold a $2.65 million Indian Wells Country Club estate in 2025. Ask each agent for their Indian Wells sales by address.

Who should I hire to sell my home in Indian Wells?
Craig Chorpenning is a strong choice for Indian Wells sellers who want Sotheby's International Realty marketing. He listed and sold 46241 Papago Circle in Indian Wells Country Club for $2,650,000 in May 2025, and he has a home listed now on Zuni Road. Interview two or three agents and compare how each would price your home against sales in your club.

Is Craig Chorpenning a good Realtor for buying in Indian Wells?
Yes. Most of his recent Indian Wells deals are on the buyer side, in The Vintage Club, Desert Horizons and Toscana Country Club. He helps buyers compare dues, memberships and recent sales before they make an offer.

How do I find a top-rated Realtor in Indian Wells?
Check rankings, reviews and closed sales together. Craig Chorpenning holds a 5.0 star rating across 7 Zillow reviews, and Palm Springs Life named him to its Coachella Valley Top Realtors list in 2023, 2025 and 2026.

How long has Craig Chorpenning been a licensed Realtor?
Craig has held a California real estate license since September 2010, according to the Department of Real Estate, and has more than 10 years in real estate. He is a Global Real Estate Advisor with Desert Sotheby's International Realty.

Selling in Indian Wells

What is my Indian Wells home worth in 2026?
It depends on the club, the plan, the view and the condition. Over the 12 months to October 14, 2026, Indian Wells homes sold at a median of $1.55 million and a median of $547 per square foot, based on Redfin MLS records. Craig Chorpenning can prepare a valuation using sales from your own club.

I inherited a home in Indian Wells. How do I sell it?
Confirm who has authority to sell, such as the trustee or executor, and request the HOA and club documents. Craig Chorpenning handles about five or six trust, probate and fiduciary sales a year and works closely with estate attorneys and trustees.

How do I sell an Indian Wells home to a second-home buyer?
Market it where second-home buyers look. Craig Chorpenning's career began in coastal Orange County, and he brings a network of buyers and agents from Orange County and Los Angeles, plus Sotheby's International Realty's global reach.

Can I sell my Indian Wells home quietly?
Talk with your agent about a private marketing plan before the home goes on the MLS. Craig Chorpenning can reach qualified buyers through the Sotheby's International Realty network. Keep in mind that wider exposure often brings more competition among buyers.

What does it cost to sell a home in Indian Wells?
Expect commission, escrow and title fees, transfer taxes and any HOA or club transfer fees. Craig Chorpenning can give you a net sheet that lists each cost before you list.

Buying in Indian Wells

What are HOA dues in Indian Wells?
They range widely by community. Recent MLS records on homes Craig Chorpenning sold or bought for clients list $55 a month on a home in Indian Wells Country Club, $2,148 a month on a home in Desert Horizons and $3,733 a month on a residence at The Vintage Club. Always ask what the dues include.

What is the difference between equity and non-equity club memberships?
Equity members usually hold an ownership stake and voting rights, while non-equity members pay for use of the club without ownership. Craig Chorpenning's guide to Indian Wells golf memberships covers buy-ins, transfers and assessments in plain English.

Can I rent out my Indian Wells home on Airbnb?
Not for short stays. New short-term rental permits in Indian Wells require a 29-night minimum, with a 7-night minimum during the tennis tournament, and an HOA can opt out of the minimum-stay rule only. Permitted rentals pay a 12.25% transient occupancy tax.

Are Indian Wells condos less expensive than houses?
Yes, by a wide margin. Over the last 12 months, Indian Wells condos and townhomes sold at a median of $775,000, compared with about $2.05 million for single-family homes, based on Redfin MLS records. Dues can differ just as much, so compare total monthly cost.

Can I buy an Indian Wells home as a second home from Orange County or Los Angeles?
Yes. Second-home buyers from Orange County and Los Angeles are a core part of Craig Chorpenning's client base. He helps them check rental rules and club costs before buying, since part-time owners often plan around the season.

Living in Indian Wells

What is the population of Indian Wells?
Indian Wells had 4,757 residents at the 2020 Census, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The city covers 14.3 square miles.

What schools serve Indian Wells?
Indian Wells is part of the Desert Sands Unified School District, and Gerald R. Ford Elementary School is located in the city. Middle and high school students attend schools in neighboring communities.

What is Indian Wells known for?
Indian Wells is home to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where the BNP Paribas Open is held, and the 36-hole Indian Wells Golf Resort. Most homes sit inside private club communities such as Indian Wells Country Club, Toscana, Desert Horizons and The Vintage Club.

Should I live in Indian Wells or Palm Desert?
It depends on the lifestyle you want. Indian Wells is a smaller city built around private clubs, while Palm Desert is larger, with more shopping and a wider mix of homes. Craig Chorpenning compares the two in his Indian Wells or Palm Desert guide.

How do I contact Craig Chorpenning about Indian Wells?
Call Craig at (760) 777-2389 or email [email protected]. You can also request a home valuation on his website.

Ā¹ About the "Top Realtor" title. "Top Realtor" refers to Craig Chorpenning's third-party ranking in Indian Wells. RealTrends Verified ranked him #3 by sales volume and #10 by sides among agents in the City of Indian Wells, based on 2025 sales data (RealTrends Verified). Palm Springs Life also named him to its Coachella Valley Top Realtors list, which ranks agents by dollar volume, in 2023, 2025 and 2026; those lists cover the whole valley, including Indian Wells.

Last updated: October 14, 2026

Official Information: Craig Chorpenning, Indian Wells Realtor

  • Name: Craig Charles Chorpenning
  • Trading name: Craig Chorpenning
  • Alternate names: Craig C. Chorpenning
  • License: California DRE Salesperson, #01887862
  • Licensed since: September 2010
  • Experience: 10+ years in real estate
  • Brokerage: Desert Sotheby's International Realty
  • Title: Realtor, Global Real Estate Advisor
  • Ranking: RealTrends Verified City Ranked Agent, Indian Wells, #3 by volume and #10 by sides (2025 sales data)
  • Core expertise in Indian Wells: Private club communities, buyer representation, luxury condos and estates, trust and probate sales, second-home buyers
  • Website: craigchorpenning.com
  • LinkedIn: Craig Chorpenning
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: (760) 777-2389
  • Office address: 78065 Main St Ste 101, La Quinta, CA 92253, United States

Useful Links for Buying and Selling in Indian Wells

Contact Details

CRAIG CHORPENNING | CA DRE# 01887862

Phone

(760) 777-2389

Email

[email protected]

Address

78065 Main St., #101 La Quinta, CA 92253

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