June brought the heat and a renewed appreciation for why I live and work in 29 Palms. This past month, I took some time to highlight the people, places, and everyday moments that make the desert special. At the same time, I stayed deep in the work: helping clients navigate permitting challenges, digging into CEQA reviews, and moving real projects forward.
Whether you’re investing in land, figuring out how to stay code compliant, or laying the groundwork for your next build, this month was all about clarity, momentum, and smart decision making. From Planning Commission meetings to celebrating client wins, I saw firsthand how valuable local knowledge and thoughtful strategy can be out here.
Let’s take a look at what came up in June and where we’re headed as summer unfolds.
From compliance to community: making progress as summer sets in.
Back on the Market + Priced to Sell
7681 Acoma Trail, Yucca Valley, CA
Open House | Sunday, June 29 | 10am-11am
We’re reopening the doors to this thoughtfully updated 2-bedroom, 1-bath home near old town Yucca Valley. After falling out of escrow due to buyer financing, it’s back aggressively priced to meet the market and ready for a new owner.
This is a great opportunity for first-time buyers or anyone looking for a clean, affordable desert home. Plus, a lender is offering 1% back on financing, making it even easier to get in the door.
✨ What You’ll Love:
• 2 bedrooms | 1 bathroom
• Fresh paint inside and out
• Remodeled bathroom with modern finishes
• Brand new HVAC system
• Affordable $75/month solar lease
• Fully fenced yard with mature trees
• Close to Old Town, shopping & schools
If you’ve been searching for a move-in-ready home with charm and smart updates, this is it. Come take a look and imagine the possibilities.
đź“ŤView full listing details + photos:
Read More on the Blog
Joshua Tree Airbnb + Permits Explained
Avoid These Costly Mistakes
Before you drop $300K on a renovation, read this. I teamed up with Patryk Swietek to break down the #1 way STR investors lose money in the High Desert: unpermitted work. We explain how to spot red flags, fix code violations, and navigate due diligence like a pro.
Who this video is for:
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New STR buyers
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Long-term investors
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Anyone mid-renovation wondering: “Is this legal?”
đź’ˇ Takeaway: Knowledge = leverage. Compliance is your biggest ROI protector.
Watch the full chat on YouTube
Get Interviewed: Roaming Travelers
This month’s spotlight on Chelsea & Andrew Evans shows how purpose driven work can truly shape a community. What started as a 100 sq ft Airstream shop has grown into a downtown storefront in 29 Palms and now a 3,000+ sq ft co-op marketplace at JT Trading Post in Joshua Tree. Their journey is a great example of what’s possible when creativity meets commitment in the High Desert.
✨ Takeaway: Shop local. Support the people building things from the ground up. And if you’re a local entrepreneur with a vision, go for it. This community thrives because of people like you.
P.S. If you're building something special in the desert and want to be featured in an upcoming Get Interviewed blog post, just reply to this email. I'd love to hear your story.
Investor Wins + Listings with Purpose
Investor Spotlight: Yucca Valley Mesa Project
(In collaboration with Listing Agent Hargo)
We’re spotlighting a rare 33+ acre development opportunity in the Yucca Valley Mesa featuring potential for luxury modular homes, subdivision, and seller financing.
If you’re exploring desert development, this project offers major potential with the right team behind it. I can consult with you on land use, entitlements, and permitting strategy whether you already have a realtor or not.
And if you're unrepresented and interested in making an offer, I can represent you on the purchase and help guide the full process from vision to execution.
📩 Let’s connect, run the numbers, and explore what’s possible. Reply to this email to set up a call or walk the land.
Just Sold: 5 Acres in Joshua Tree
Big win for my developer client who closed on this lot with a 23% price reduction. We tackled:
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Fire + FEMA overlays
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Legal access checks
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CA Fish & Wildlife considerations
...because beautiful land only works if it’s feasibly buildable.
P.S. Looking for off-market opportunities?
I’m currently representing a handful of off-market deals for serious investors including a luxury short-term rental that netted $130K over the past year, a bar/restaurant property that holds the distinction of being the last rural bar in California (with a proven operator and build-out potential), plus several STR properties with strong performance data.
If you're looking to explore off-market investments in the High Desert, reach out directly to connect and get the details.
Real Talk: Land Use, Splits + Permits
From my desk to the desert floor, here’s what I’ve been helping clients work through this month:
🧩 Can I split this lot?
Maybe, but it’s rarely that simple. One recent project involved a parcel with 200+ Joshua Trees, biological resource overlays, and tribal consultation triggers all of which can initiate the CEQA review process.
In San Bernardino County, lot splits can trigger CEQA when there’s potential for environmental impact, including impacts to sensitive habitat, cultural resources, or native species like Joshua Trees. Each property tells a different story and zoning alone doesn’t give you the full picture.
If you're considering a land split, development, or zoning change, I can help you evaluate what’s possible and what to expect before you invest time or money.
Book a complimentary discovery call
đź’Ą Planning Commission Insights
Sitting in the Chair seat during Planning Commission has given me an even deeper appreciation for how layered and important the development process is, especially in a place as loved, raw, and complex as 29 Palms.
Every project touches a web of things: public trust, environmental impact, city infrastructure, neighborhood identity, and real dollars from people trying to bring something to life here.
In my consulting work, I help real estate investors, developers, and small businesses bring their visions to life and I know firsthand how demanding, expensive, and high-stakes that process is.
But meaningful growth in a place like 29 Palms requires care.
Growth here should reflect where we are. Not just on the map, but as a community.
That means supporting our local businesses and economy.
That means thinking carefully about where and how things are built, how they connect to neighborhoods, how they shape infrastructure, and how they impact real people who live nearby.
And it means respecting the desert not just the views, but the quiet, the wildlife, and the fragile habitat that makes this landscape so powerful.
I’m pro thoughtful intentional development.
I believe we can grow in ways that protect what’s sacred and support a thriving local economy. Sometimes that means slowing down, asking better questions, and making sure we’re creating something future generations will thank us for.
I know not every decision I make will please everyone. But I don’t take votes lightly.
I believe in building bridges between staff and community, between developers and neighborhoods, between growth and conservation.
And I’ll always ask the hard questions, speak the concerns I hear, and do my best to ensure every project moves forward with more care than it started with.
This isn’t about politics or profit for me. It’s about legacy.
What we approve now becomes part of the story of this place and I take that responsibility seriously. My wish is for a thriving balance community and I consider my role as a bridge.
29 Palms Focused Local Love
#Visit29Palms Series | Part 1 & 2
My friend Jen (owner of local business, Cocoon) and I explored everything from iced barista drinks to wellness shops, e-bike tours, indie vinyl stores, and dreamy desert boutiques and restaurants. The vibe? Laid-back, vibrant, and full of gems you don’t want to miss.
Historical Plaza BBQ | City of 29 Palms sponsored event
If you haven’t checked out 29 Palms Historical Plaza lately, now’s the time. The city-sponsored summer night out brought together the best of the desert: BBQ from Cactus Bar, live music, line dancing, local vendors and yes, a mechanical bull.
When the Sun of the Desert crew asked me to volunteer, I chose bull operator duty (obviously). Perfect weather, great people, and a whole lot of laughs a reminder of why this community is so special.
New 29 Palms hotel | Hotel Wren
I recently toured Hotel Wren, the newly reopened 1940s motel turned 12-room boutique desert retreat in 29 Palms. Designed by Manola Studio, it pairs vintage charm with modern touches hand-troweled plaster walls, hand-painted tiles, Parachute linens, saltwater pool, hot tub, and a curated bodega called Windsong.
It’s also gaining major attention featured in Vogue as a standout boutique stay in the High Desert alongside other local 29 Palms hot spots.
Joshua Tree Land Listings
Winfield Listing Alert
Hot Listing: Winfield Rd, Joshua Tree – $69K
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âś… 5 Acres
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âś… Paid water meter
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âś… Homestead slab
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âś… Killer sunrise + moonrise views
If you’ve been waiting for infrastructure-ready land in a design-forward pocket of Joshua Tree, this is it.
Hidden Rivers Listing Alert
$144,000 | 5 Acres + Vintage Rec Cabin | APN: 0599-311-04
➡ Check out this Joshua Tree Listing
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Elevated mesa lot with panoramic sunrise to moonset views
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Legal access, power and water at street
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One Joshua Tree (yes, just one – easier for permitting)
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Vintage homestead cabin eligible for alteration permit
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Conceptual renderings included
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Remote feel, short drive to downtown Joshua Tree
➡ Check the full Blog about this listing here
In July, we’re shifting the spotlight to Joshua Tree
Diving into what makes this town such a draw for artists, investors, and creative entrepreneurs. From community happenings to design forward properties, we’ll highlight the people and places shaping the local vibe.
We'll break down “The Real Costs of Renovating in the High Desert” covering the surprises (good and bad), timelines, permitting processes, and strategies that actually work.
Plus: Get on the Waitlist!
Renovate Like a Pro program launches this fall and if you want to learn how to manage a renovation like a seasoned investor (even if it’s your first), now’s the time to join the waitlist. I help you avoid costly mistakes and move from overwhelmed to in control with expert guidance from planning to punch list.
Join the Renovate Like a Pro Waitlist or Reply to this email to join the list.
Wrapping Up June
From strategic land deals to local wins, this month showed how much is possible when you're equipped with the right information and a clear plan. Whether you're actively building, investing, or just starting to explore your options, there's room to move forward and I’d be glad to help you navigate the next steps.
➡ Want personalized real estate insights? Fill out our quick questionnaire and book a discovery call today!
đź”— Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Tiktok and Youtube for daily updates, expert advice, and exclusive property sneak peeks!
Until next time,
Jessica Cure
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