Hello, Renovators and Design Enthusiasts!
March was packed with renovation insights, smart upgrades, and a new property listing that’s already turning heads. If you're planning a renovation (or knee-deep in one), this month’s takeaways will help you avoid costly mistakes and maximize your investment.
Now, let’s dive into what happened this month!
Open House Spotlight: Acoma Trail, Yucca Valley
Amid all the renovations, I also got to list this stunning property that blends vintage charm with modern updates. This Yucca Valley home instantly stood out for its warm character, smart upgrades, and natural light.
Yucca Valley, CA
Built: 1977 (Recently Renovated)
Walking through, it was clear: This isn’t just a house—it’s a desert escape.
Standout Features
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A cozy wood-burning fireplace for cool desert winter nights.
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New HVAC system, updated kitchen, and renovated bathroom.
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A huge covered patio shaded by mature trees -perfect for morning coffee, work from home office hours and golden-hour gatherings.
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Extra storage with a two car garage, parking and shed.
But what really makes this home special is the location. Old Town Yucca Valley is quickly becoming a creative hub—with its blend of desert vibes, small-town charm, and an ever-growing community of artists and designers.
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Minutes from Frontier Café for your vintage coffee shop vibes.
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Luna Sourdough - because fresh-baked sourdough is a must.
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Close to Pioneertown and Joshua Tree for weekend adventures.
This home is a rare find—whether you're looking for a full-time retreat, an investment, or a desert getaway.
Listed by Jessica Cure EXP Realty DRE02218627 | $325k - 2 Bed | 1 Bath
View the full blog about this property
Featured Business: Star Tile Ceramics
This month, I sat down with Andrea and Mikayla, the founders of Star Tile Ceramics, to talk about their journey into handcrafted luxury tile design.
How It All Began: Frustrated by the lack of creative tile options, they started making their own—designs that tell a story, evoke emotion, and bring the organic beauty of nature indoors.
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Handmade with old-world techniques for a truly custom, high-end look
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Designed to last a lifetime—perfect for timeless renovations
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Earthy, glam, and crafted with sustainability in mind
Ready to elevate your home with stunning handcrafted luxury tiles?
Read the full Star Tile interview
RENOVATION SERIES: AVOIDING COMMON MISTAKES
Renovating your home? Let’s make sure you’re set up for success! We’ve launched a Renovation Series to walk you through the most important (but often overlooked) steps of the process. So far, we’ve covered:
✔ The hidden costs of skipping permits (Hint: It could mean tearing out work later.)
✔ The overlooked projects that make a huge difference (Think drainage fixes, foundation work, and utility upgrades.)
✔ The top renovation mistakes that could hurt your home’s value (Not every upgrade pays off when it’s time to sell.)
✔ Is your home earthquake & fire ready? (Safety upgrades you can’t afford to ignore.)
More insights are coming—stay tuned!
🔗 Need expert guidance on your renovation? Let’s make it stress-free.
Fill out our quick questionnaire and book a discovery call today!
CLIENT CASE STUDIES: THREE RENOVATIONS, THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS
Real estate renovations come with unique challenges, and this month, we tackled three different projects—each with a valuable lesson.
Adobe Retreat – Designing for Desert Living
📍 Twentynine Palms, CA | 💰 Budget: $150K
This renovation prioritized nature and livability while staying on budget. By focusing on climate-conscious systems and seamless indoor-outdoor flow, we transformed the space into a wellness-centered retreat—perfect for desert living.
✔ Lesson learned: Plan for extreme weather before you start renovating.
The Golden Abode – Short-Term Rental Success
📍 Joshua Tree, CA | 💰 Budget: $30K
To maximize rental value, we focused on outdoor appeal first, adding a fire pit, hot tub, unique feature deck with a cowboy tub, and hammock lounge to maximize sunset and moonrise viewings with a goal to elevate the guest experience. These strategic upgrades boosted bookings and set the stage for future improvements.
✔ Lesson learned: Invest in high-impact features first to maximize short-term rental value.
HGTV’s The Flipping El Moussas – A Costly Permitting Mistake
🎬 HGTV Feature
During a kitchen remodel, a window relocation mid-project wasn’t updated in the permits, leading to delays and extra costs. This serves as a reminder that even small changes can cause major setbacks if they’re not properly documented. (Guilty pleasure: binge watching HGTV)
✔ Lesson learned: Stick to approved plans or be prepared for costly delays.
APRIL FOCUS: HOME MAINTENANCE & SMART RENOVATIONS!
Spring is the perfect time to refresh, maintain, and upgrade your space. Whether you're preparing your home for the warmer months, considering a renovation, or just looking for inspiration, here’s what’s coming up:
Spring Property Maintenance & DIY Projects
Spring is the perfect time for home upkeep! This month, I’ll be tackling:
✔ Sanding & sealing wood decks, benches, and furniture.
✔ Yard & garden cleanup + prepping for warmer weather.
✔ Spring pest control essentials.
✔ Deep cleaning HVAC units & swamp coolers (I'll share my cleaning process!).
🎁 FREEBIE ALERT: Download my Spring Property Maintenance Guide & Checklist when you subscribe!
Spring Cleaning & Organization
Spring refresh time! I’ll be sharing my process for:
✔ Closet swap: transitioning winter to spring clothes.
✔ Pantry cleanup & reset.
✔ Workshop bench refresh.
✔ Window cleaning tips.
📌 Feature: I’ll also be chatting with a local BNB cleaning expert for pro cleaning tips (especially for tough stains like hard water spots)!
Real Estate & Open Houses
If you’re looking for a new home or investment, here’s what’s coming up:
Chickasaw & Acoma Trl listings (more details soon!).
📅 4/5 – Open House at Acoma (stop by for jelly donuts & coffee!).
Spring Adventures & Local Events
Looking for things to do? Here are some highlights this month:
📅 4/11 – Full Moon Festival & Glow-in-the-Dark Paint Party.
📅 4/12 – Desert Ecology After Dark: Moonlight Hike.
📅 4/26 – Tycho live at Pappy + Harriet’s.
📅 4/26 – Line Dancing & Country Night @ JTTP.
📍 Plus, don’t miss weekly Blues Nights at The Copper Room & the JTTP weekend market!
What’s Coming in May?
🚀 I’m preparing to launch Renovate Like a Pro, a new way to connect with top home renovation professionals! Stay tuned for updates.
🎯 Planning a Renovation? Let’s Make It Stress-Free!
Renovating can be exciting—but without a solid plan, it can quickly become overwhelming. I’ve worked with homeowners and investors who want to add real value to their spaces while avoiding costly mistakes.
The key? A clear strategy from start to finish. Whether it's handling permits, managing contractors, or making smart design choices, having the right plan in place saves time, money, and stress.
If you're considering a renovation or real estate investment, there’s a streamlined way to navigate the process. You can start here:
Explore the best approach for your project
A Little Insider Secret…
Did you know that i have a VIP and subscriber-only perks? Let’s just say the best projects, insider tips, and market insights don’t always make it to the public feed. 😉
Curious? You’ll have to keep an eye out…
🔗 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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