All Forum Posts by: Brian Singer

Hello BP... I'm a house flipper and general contractor. I have flipped several houses in Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley. I'm looking into raw land or homestead houses for building new construction. 

I have heard horror stories about the costs of installing water meters and pulling power from SCE. I just wanted to find out how true they are an if anyone here has built new construction or had experience working with Joshua Tree (unincorporated San Bernardino County). 

Here is what I have heard... $10,000 for install a new water meter and a wait time of "many months".... Moving or relocating desert trees and Joshua Trees is a nightmare... nightmare time issues dealing with the county waiting for planning approval (I know that building inspections only occur one day a week). etc...

Any insights for new construction in JT would be helpful...

Thanks

I'll add my 2 cents... I have flipped in Joshua Tree and looking to do some ground up construction in the area...

Joshua Tree is a trendy area, good for vacation rental and Airbnb.

Yucca Valley and 29 Palms is an owner/occupant area to monthly rental to locals... vacationers prefer not to stay in these area... J-Tree has that cute trendy boutique vibe in town... Yucca and 29 don't have that.

FYI, Joshua Tree is an unincorporated part of San Bernardino County.... yucca valley and 29 palms have their own city building departments.

Yes. I just did a flip house in Joshua Tree. I intuitively knew that the buyer was going to be from LA and use it as a vacation home on Airbnb. Sure enough, a cash buyer in 22 hours from listing...

That being said, we designed the house with what the buyer would have in mind. Polished concrete floors, quartz countertops and high-end fixtures... you can see photos here... https://goo.gl/photos/5U5Zp1HNbREFTbYt7

Cheap finishes aren't going to cut it in Joshua Tree... believe it or not, it's a trendy area.

Yucca Valley and 29 Palms are more of a owner/occupant area, and less desirable as a vacation Airbnb rental.