February in the Desert
February feels like a reset, a moment to take stock, and a time to move with intention.
This month, we’re starting strong with a major launch: the Recreational Cabin Guide is officially here. It’s the resource we wish every desert buyer had before discovering their “home” was actually a recreational cabin.
Alongside the guide, we’re sharing new listings, investment opportunities, and behind-the-scenes stories from ongoing projects across Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and the High Desert.
February is about clarity, strategy, and smart moves in the desert market and we’re just getting started.
Recreational Cabin Guide
There’s a quiet pattern happening across San Bernardino County right now.
People are discovering, sometimes mid-remodel, sometimes in escrow, that their “home” is legally classified as a recreational cabin.
It looks like a house.
It functions like a house.
But on paper? It’s something else.
And converting it into a legal single-family residence isn’t just paperwork.
It’s sequence.
It’s documentation.
It’s strategy.
I’m currently on-site in Joshua Tree working on one of many active conversions. Before an engineer draws plans, we scan and document what actually exists inside the walls. Informed decisions first. Exposure later, if required.
When the order is wrong, budgets expand and timelines drift.
When the order is right, the process is manageable.
Because this keeps coming up and because I’m actively guiding over a dozen of these, today we officially launched the Recreational Cabin → Single-Family Residence Guide.
This is for:
• Owners who just found out
• Buyers in escrow
• Investors planning renovations
• Anyone who wants clarity before spending money in the wrong direction
THE GUIDE IS READY TO PURCHASE NOW!
See the Blog here
Listings & Investment Updates
New Land Listing - Joshua Tree
Prime Joshua Tree land featuring iconic boulder formations, elevated terrain, and panoramic desert views with flexible parcel options ideal for investors and developers.
đź“Ť 63251 Chickasaw Rd | Rice Ave & Chickasaw Rd
This highly desirable pocket of Joshua Tree includes four parcels on both sides of Chickasaw Rd, offering multiple development or long-term investment strategies.
Unmatched Views Include:
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Little San Bernardino Mountains
• Seasonal snow-capped Mount San Gorgonio
• Expansive high-desert valleys
• Golden sunsets, city lights & world-class night skies
Purchase Options:
• APN 0604-051-40 | 5 Acres | $300,000
• APNs 0604-051-60 / 051-58 / 051-57 | ~6.5 Acres | $249,000
đź’ˇ Why investors love this:
The southern parcels deliver that true boulder-forward Joshua Tree aesthetic, ideal for a high-design custom build or retreat, while the northern parcel allows for separation, flexibility, or phased development.
Perfect for a custom desert home, STR strategy, or long-term land hold in one of Joshua Tree’s most sought-after settings.
Listing: 5047 Brisbane Ave, Yucca Valley, CA
Offered at $1,998,000
Architecturally significant and quietly dramatic, this 3BD / 2BA home sits on 2.29 acres in a peaceful Yucca Valley enclave. Completed in 2023, 2,014 sq ft of thoughtful design frames cinematic views of Joshua trees, boulders, and mountains.
The chef’s kitchen features Miele appliances and Dekton surfaces, while spa-inspired baths, custom doors, Delta Millworks ceilings, and a sleek Ortal fireplace define quiet luxury. Expansive glazing, layered landscaping, and a sparkling pool & spa create an immersive outdoor experienceperfect for entertaining, stargazing, or seasonal retreats.
Offered fully furnished and turnkey, it works as a full-time home, luxury second property, or active short-term rental (buyer to verify). Curated privacy meets proximity to town, hiking, and amenities, a rare modern desert opportunity.
Highlights:
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Fully furnished + turnkey
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Heated pool & spa with panoramic desert views
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Chef’s kitchen with Miele appliances
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2.29-acre lot with privacy & proximity to town
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Active luxury STR potential
Check out recent videos from this listing.
Listing - 1800 Belmont St, Joshua Tree | $99k
With legal access, utilities at the street, and a vintage cabin eligible for alteration permits, this is a true opportunity lot just minutes from downtown Joshua Tree.
Includes conceptual renderings and flexible zoning potential.
Visit the Blog
Peep recent Halloween collab listing reel with High Desert Concierge
Featured Investment - The Golden Slipper (Formerly Landers Brew)
A beloved desert landmark is stepping into its next chapter as The Golden Slipper, a restaurant, bar, and music venue with approved permits and a build-out that’s ready to move forward.
This project blends everything we love about High Desert investments:
• heritage and story - a space locals already feel connected to
• design potential - a structure begging for thoughtful revival
• business viability - a rare, ready-to-execute hospitality opportunity
The Golden Slipper offers the kind of investment that doesn’t just promise returns, it creates cultural impact. It’s a chance to restore a community hub while shaping the next era of dining and music in the desert.
If you’ve been looking for an opportunity rooted in nostalgia, positioned in a high-visibility location, and supported by real numbers, this is the one to look at closely.
Interested in learning more?
Reply to request the Investor Deck, financial projections, development details, and next steps for participation.
That’s a Wrap - 3766 Burns Ave, Joshua Tree
$742,500 | Buyer Representation
This wasn’t just a home purchase. It was the acquisition of a business.
The buyer found me through YouTube looking specifically for the tax advantages of acquiring an active short-term rental. That meant our diligence went far beyond a standard transaction.
We reviewed operations, permits, inspections, income realities, and long-term risk, while securing repairs, credits, and protecting existing bookings.
Strategic. Detailed. Quietly protective of the upside.
7.5-Acre Joshua Tree Land
$200,000 | Buyer Representation
I had the opportunity to represent the buyer on this rare 7.5-acre parcel in Joshua Tree. The property features a rocky hillside with multiple ideal building sites depending on elevation and budget. Underground electricity and a partial water main have already been brought close to the parcel, and modern new construction is nearby, highlighting the area’s development potential.
đź“Ť Location: 4900 Nucham Ave #35, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
đź’ˇ Properties like this are increasingly rare, securing it required both strategic guidance and timely action.
Get Interviewed - Eileen Baez, So Cleen Detailing
I first discovered @socleen_detailing on Instagram and immediately noticed the intention behind everything she shares.
The branding.
The care.
The quiet confidence.
Through So Cleen Detailing, Eileen restores more than vehicles. She creates relief and peace of mind for clients across the desert.
This is why the Get Interviewed series exists, to spotlight the people raising the standard of service in our community.
Her full story is live on the blog
We’ve Evolved Our “Site Visits”
They’re now called On-Site Advisory Sessions.
Because that’s what they truly are.
Structured. Focused. Designed to give you clear direction and defined next steps.
Initial Advisory.
Contractor Coordination.
Quick Check-In.
Engineer Field Advisory.
You’re not paying for time on site.
You’re investing in experienced eyes and strategic sequencing that protects your build.
Planning a renovation or permit strategy in the desert? Start there.
Planning Commission Update
An important land-use item is coming before the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission: a proposed 50MW commercial solar project in north Twentynine Palms.
Environmental review, zoning changes, and Development Agreement discussion will be included.
March 3rd – 5pm
City Hall
Public comment welcome.
Looking Ahead to March
Today the Recreational Cabin → Single-Family Residence Guide officially launches to the waitlist, built to help you DIY the process with real guidance instead of guessing through permits, code enforcement, and land-use requirements.
In March, we’ll shift focus to renovation launches: behind-the-scenes access to projects we’ve been working on, including a new short-term rental set to debut soon. These updates will show the process from design to launch, giving you insight into STR-ready transformations in the High Desert.
We’re also preparing the next layer for April: the Guide + Subscription option, giving owners:
• 2 live group video calls per month
• Project-specific Q&A submission
• Full access to recordings in the portal
This is perfect for anyone who needs clarity and strategy without paying for 1:1 guidance. Time is money, especially with permits, escrows, and flips and this approach gives you structure, steps, and insight at a fraction of the cost.
➡ Want personalized real estate insights? Fill out our quick application today!
đź”— Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Tiktok and Youtube for daily updates, expert advice, and exclusive property sneak peeks!
xx
Jessica Cure
Planning Commissioner | Real Estate Consultant | STR Strategist
www.curedesigns.com | @curedesignstyle
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