Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
New bohemia or suburban sprawl?
By Sara Munro / Hi-Desert Star
MORONGO BASIN- A handful of local realtors have been dealing with the impact of a story the Los Angeles Times ran Feb. 10, entitled "Staking claim to a new bohemia." The "New Bohemia" the Times referred to was Joshua Tree, and the claim stakers from the west have only increased in number since the story ran, according to five out of six local realtors.
According to Arlene Jean of Joshua Tree Village Realty, shoppers are looking for property "in the middle of nowhere and up against BLM land."
"Luckily, a lot of the people who are coming are of the artistic vein, and really want to be on the last frontier of Southern California," she said.
Her clients are looking for dark starry nights, fresh air and vistas.
As she spoke in her downtown Joshua Tree office, the trend under discussion demonstrated itself when a woman walked in the door asking about a piece of property she had seen "in the middle of nowhere."
Compelled by the idea of a bohemian getaway, Dawn Bein, a massage therapist from West Los Angeles, got up at 5 that morning and headed east in search of one for herself.
While she hadn't read the story, she did see an online advertisement for a "bohemian house."
But those in search of a little piece of paradise, or a speculative investment, aren't limiting their foraging activities to Joshua Tree.
"I never saw (the story), but I'm sure getting a lot of action," said Landers Realty owner and broker Eve Vykydal.
"The real estate industry was really good before, but there seems to have been a flurry in the last few weeks," she added. "They've grabbed up all the parcels I have for sale."
Barbara Weeda, owner of Weeda Realty, based across the street from Jean, reported an almost immediate response to the article, and made some different observations.
"The people responding have not fallen in love with the desert. They have fallen in love with making money," said Weeda.
"They want to get in and get out and make money. And it's sad. That's the unfortunate result of publicity. I'll look at a lady with high heels and nylons and know that she hasn't spent much time here."
Realtors Jennifer Thacher, Sara Braun and Bill Davenport at Thacher and Daughter Realty have noted the increase also. Their responses included misgiving about what will be lost as a result of what's coming.
"I actually think it was a very bad thing," said Jennifer Thacher. "Now normal people can't get a house or even a piece of land."
Thacher continued unabashedly, "It has increased the amount of people calling here saying, 'I want an investment.' They don't really want to move here, they just want to cash in. Like a hot stock tip."
Added Braun, "It's awful. We're going to be Los Angeles soon."
"My other comment is," Thacher piped in again, "I wouldn't mind if people moved here who liked the desert."
She said realtors are getting a lot of calls from people who want to purchase and then rent their homes, driving up the market and making it more difficult for the average local working person to own a home.
"It has increased speculation from outsiders. Everything is gone," Thacher said, echoing Vykydal's comment.
After listening to the comments of his colleagues, Bill Davenport jumped into the conversation on a more philosophical note and with a willingness to observe the irony of his situation.
"Definitely we're getting calls. It has made us look more expensive than we are. In the long run, economically it's obviously good for the area. But we're possessive, and we don't want change."
Davenport moved up to the Hi-Desert after working in real estate in Palm Desert. "I came up here for the air and space, all the things we had that will fast be disappearing."
Davenport's voice didn't hide an edge of frustration.
"We're so busy, and of course we're making money and of course we like to make money. But, I think there's a fine line," he said. "I want to make a living, but I want to preserve the land."
"Look at the confusion I'm in," said Davenport. "Who am I today? In the middle of it?"
Rosemarie Benson of Benson Realty out of Joshua Tree said she didn't notice any specific increase as a result of the story, but like all area realtors, she is busy and has been since sales started increasing about three years ago.
"We get calls from all over the place," said Benson, who also gets a lot of walk-ins. "They have found us. They have discovered Joshua Tree. One of the best-kept secrets is out."
According to Arlene Jean of Joshua Tree Village Realty, shoppers are looking for property "in the middle of nowhere and up against BLM land."
"Luckily, a lot of the people who are coming are of the artistic vein, and really want to be on the last frontier of Southern California," she said.
Her clients are looking for dark starry nights, fresh air and vistas.
As she spoke in her downtown Joshua Tree office, the trend under discussion demonstrated itself when a woman walked in the door asking about a piece of property she had seen "in the middle of nowhere."
Compelled by the idea of a bohemian getaway, Dawn Bein, a massage therapist from West Los Angeles, got up at 5 that morning and headed east in search of one for herself.
While she hadn't read the story, she did see an online advertisement for a "bohemian house."
But those in search of a little piece of paradise, or a speculative investment, aren't limiting their foraging activities to Joshua Tree.
"I never saw (the story), but I'm sure getting a lot of action," said Landers Realty owner and broker Eve Vykydal.
"The real estate industry was really good before, but there seems to have been a flurry in the last few weeks," she added. "They've grabbed up all the parcels I have for sale."
Barbara Weeda, owner of Weeda Realty, based across the street from Jean, reported an almost immediate response to the article, and made some different observations.
"The people responding have not fallen in love with the desert. They have fallen in love with making money," said Weeda.
"They want to get in and get out and make money. And it's sad. That's the unfortunate result of publicity. I'll look at a lady with high heels and nylons and know that she hasn't spent much time here."
Realtors Jennifer Thacher, Sara Braun and Bill Davenport at Thacher and Daughter Realty have noted the increase also. Their responses included misgiving about what will be lost as a result of what's coming.
"I actually think it was a very bad thing," said Jennifer Thacher. "Now normal people can't get a house or even a piece of land."
Thacher continued unabashedly, "It has increased the amount of people calling here saying, 'I want an investment.' They don't really want to move here, they just want to cash in. Like a hot stock tip."
Added Braun, "It's awful. We're going to be Los Angeles soon."
"My other comment is," Thacher piped in again, "I wouldn't mind if people moved here who liked the desert."
She said realtors are getting a lot of calls from people who want to purchase and then rent their homes, driving up the market and making it more difficult for the average local working person to own a home.
"It has increased speculation from outsiders. Everything is gone," Thacher said, echoing Vykydal's comment.
After listening to the comments of his colleagues, Bill Davenport jumped into the conversation on a more philosophical note and with a willingness to observe the irony of his situation.
"Definitely we're getting calls. It has made us look more expensive than we are. In the long run, economically it's obviously good for the area. But we're possessive, and we don't want change."
Davenport moved up to the Hi-Desert after working in real estate in Palm Desert. "I came up here for the air and space, all the things we had that will fast be disappearing."
Davenport's voice didn't hide an edge of frustration.
"We're so busy, and of course we're making money and of course we like to make money. But, I think there's a fine line," he said. "I want to make a living, but I want to preserve the land."
"Look at the confusion I'm in," said Davenport. "Who am I today? In the middle of it?"
Rosemarie Benson of Benson Realty out of Joshua Tree said she didn't notice any specific increase as a result of the story, but like all area realtors, she is busy and has been since sales started increasing about three years ago.
"We get calls from all over the place," said Benson, who also gets a lot of walk-ins. "They have found us. They have discovered Joshua Tree. One of the best-kept secrets is out."
 |
 |
|
| Kites Over Yucca Valley attracts over 1,000 | YV residents honored for loving care |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of hidesertstar.com.
You must register with a valid email to gain access to this site feature.
Already a Member?Login Here:
|
Become a Registered MemberFill out the form below.
|
RSS
GGWebGrrl wrote on Jan 17, 2009 1:59 PM: