Should you buy a second home in Joshua Tree?
Are you looking to buy a second home in Joshua Tree? Joshua Tree is a community of working families, business owners, retirees, artists, and musicians. It is an excellent place to purchase land and build a short-term rental property on a desert landscape if you are looking for a home away from home in a beautiful environment. It is also a great investment for starting your real estate portfolio by creating a vacation oasis for renters.
There are many reasons to buy a second home in Joshua Tree. It could be for personal use as a vacation home, or you may purchase it as an investment property.
What is an Investment Property?
An investment property is a home purchased solely to rent to tenants as a stream of rental income. Whatever your reason, buying a second home in Joshua Tree is a big decision that should not be taken lightly.
When buying a home in another state, it's essential to do your research and know what you're getting into. Make sure you know the market value of the area, as well as the amount you can afford to spend on monthly expenses like mortgage payments and other associated costs.
Knowing more about the people in the community will help you market your home as well. If mostly single-family vacation homes exist in the area, you know that you will have a better chance at renting the property. Other things to consider are the neighboring towns, surrounding areas, and median household income of residents and renters.
If you are buying the home for investment purposes, remember that it is vital to have it rented out most of the year to make a decent rental income.
Why Choose Joshua Tree?
Joshua Tree is a great place to buy a second home because it currently has only 7,700 permanent residents. In recent years, Joshua Tree has also been attracting an increasing number of tourists and vacationers because it is a great place to take in the desert scenery and enjoy outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking, and bird watching.
It is the perfect real estate market for as many visitors may not only be looking for a vacation but a change in scenery that gives them the ability to work remotely without sacrificing their current lifestyle.
If you want to buy a second home for personal use or as a primary residence, buying in areas like Yucca Valley might be better since more amenities are available within city limits. However, if purchasing land to build your own house sounds appealing, buying anywhere inside Joshua Tree's borders would probably work best for you!
Can you Buy Land in Joshua Tree National Park?
You can purchase properties in Joshua Tree National Park, but it's not easy. The National Park Service has a stringent policy when it comes to purchasing land within park boundaries.
Bid-Auction Process
First of all, the only way to buy land in Joshua Tree National Park is through a sealed-bid auction process that is open to the public.
No Impact To Natural Scenery
Secondly, you must be able to prove that your proposed development will "not unreasonably impair the values for which the park was established." In other words, your new home cannot negatively impact the natural scenery or interfere with recreational activities.
Once you can meet these requirements and are still interested in buying land in Joshua Tree National Park, head over to the General Services Administration (GSA) website to see all the upcoming auctions.
Can you Live Off-Grid in Joshua Tree?
If living off the grid is your dream, then look no further! There are many areas in and around the park that would be perfect for your needs.
Wind turbines, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting systems are not hard to come by in Joshua Tree. Many contractors can help you install them.
Aim to be Self-Sufficient
The main thing to keep in mind if you're thinking of living off the grid in Joshua Tree is that you must be self-sufficient. There are no stores or services available within miles of most areas inside the park, so it is crucial to prepare by ensuring you have the things you need before returning home.
Can you Afford a Second Home?
It is important to be aware that living off the grid in Joshua Tree can be pretty expensive. You will need to set up several autonomous features like rainwater harvesting systems.
Another cost you will have to consider is security. Since you will be living away from civilization, it's essential to take measures to protect your property from intruders.
All things considered, though, living off-grid in this area is definitely possible with a little bit of effort!
Can you Buy Land in the Desert?
Buying land in the desert of Joshua Tree is an excellent idea if you're interested in purchasing land for investment purposes.
Currently, the desert is experiencing an explosion in population growth. This means that it's one of the best times to buy real estate here!
Great Housing Market
According to recent data from United Realtors, homes sold in 2016 went for 13% more than they did two years earlier. There has been a considerable increase (47%) in median prices over the past year alone.
This trend is on the steady rise and is expected to continue through 2022, with home values continuing their climb upwards by another 11%. On top of this, interest rates are still meager, meaning buying property at today's historically low mortgage rates would probably be cheaper than renting.
The Downside
The only downside when buying land in the desert is that new construction is not allowed. That means buying land in Joshua Tree would only be for investment property purposes.
You can purchase a home here, but you need to own at least 40 acres of land and have it approved by the Department of Agriculture before building anything. You must also submit an environmental impact report detailing any damage your development will cause to the natural landscape or ecosystem.
Is Airbnb Allowed in Joshua Tree?
Airbnb is an excellent way for investors to streamline their rental business. Currently, short-term rentals like Airbnb are not allowed in Joshua tree. While this may change in the coming future as the popularity of Airbnb grows, for now, it's best to check with the City Council before investing in this type of property.
The good news is that since zoning laws have recently been changed to allow "accessory dwelling units" (ADUs), buying a property that already has an ADU structure built on it is a more straightforward process.
What County is Joshua Tree In?
Joshua Tree is located in San Bernardino County, North of Palm Springs California.
What is the Climate Like in Joshua Tree?
Joshua Tree National Park boasts a hot desert climate that is characterized by long summers and short winters. The average high temperature from June to September ranges from 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity between 27%-33%.
Winter Climate
From December through February, temperatures can reach as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Still, they will usually rise above freezing at night. Precipitation falls primarily during infrequent winter storms, which bring light snowfall followed by warm rains over a few days.
Most rainfall occurs during these brief bursts. However, it's still possible for flash floods to occur with heavy downpours. So be sure not to go hiking without extra shoes if you don't want to get stranded!
How Close Can I Build To A Joshua Tree?
Joshua trees are beautiful trees native to the Mojave desert. It is important to understand that Joshua trees are protected under the California Native Plant Protection Act. That means you're not allowed to cut down, damage, or disturb any Joshua trees on your property - even if they are dead!
Building close to a Joshua tree is possible as long as it doesn't obstruct their view and you don't cause any damage to them. You will also need to get written permission from The Department of Agriculture before doing so.
Joshua Tree Construction Rules
There are rules to follow when building close to a Joshua Tree. First, you must build at least 25 feet away from a Joshua tree. If a Joshua Tree needs to be relocated, it must be at least ten feet from any other Joshua Trees and moved to a spot that won't cause damage to the roots!
Who Can I Talk To About Buying Land In Joshua Tree?
If you're looking to buy real estate in Joshua Tree, we can help guide you through the process from start to finish. Our team here at Mojave Architects has years of experience assisting investors to buy investment properties. So, feel free to contact us anytime with questions or concerns!
So, Should You Buy a Second Home in the Desert?
The answer will depend on what you're looking for. If you're interested in buying land for investment purposes, buying a home in Joshua Tree is a good choice! The current market trends show that prices and interest rates are only going to continue to increase.
Buying a home to rent out in Joshua Tree is an excellent investment. Rental prices here are high and are trending upwards. Buying land for your new vacation oasis will be cheaper than renting, and interest rates make buying property at today's mortgage rates very affordable. Plus, you'll get all of this with beautiful scenery just outside your window every day!
About Mojave Architects
If buying real estate in Joshua Tree sounds like something you want to do, contact Mojave Architects today for help!
Our team of architects has been licensed since the 1990s and specializes in designing second homes that perfectly fit your needs and budget. We will collaborate with you every step of the way to make sure the process is smooth. We will show you how to invest in and rent to your first tenants.
We offer the following services:
Architectural design
3D Models, physical and computer-generated
Renderings and perspective views of potential projects
Interior design and material selection
Construction Drawings
Coordination with engineers and county officials
Onsite supervision and problem solving
Contact Us Today!
Contact Mojave Architects today to see how our custom design services can help you create another stream of positive cash flow and an unforgettable vacation oasis for your renters!