Hi friends,
May was a big month around here. From announcing my move to JTTP Realty and helping launch this new brokerage in Joshua Tree, to seeing both The Mandarin and Sandora Domes go live for short term stays, there has been a lot happening behind the scenes.
I've also included a featured development opportunity, recent listings, project updates, and a few things I'm excited about as we head into summer below.
Thanks for following along and being part of the journey.
Listings & Investment Updates
Featured Listing
72767 Mesquite Dunes Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA
Now Offered at $584,000
This isn't just a desert property, it's a fully operational short-term rental business that can continue generating income from day one after closing.
Set on 10 private acres in Desert Heights, this renovated 1957 homestead blends wabi-sabi design, curated antiques, and thoughtful indoor-outdoor living. Currently operating as a successful short-term rental with approximately $75,000 in gross revenue in 2025 (buyer to independently verify).
What makes this opportunity unique is the value beyond the real estate itself. Included is an established vacation rental with existing bookings, a recognizable hospitality brand, professionally curated furnishings (excluding select personal items), design-forward interiors, and press recognition that would take years and significant investment for a new owner to recreate.
Property Highlights:
• 10 private acres with 360° desert and mountain views
• Active short-term rental generating income today
• Turnkey furnishings included (excluding select personal items)
• Established hospitality brand and guest experience
• Press features and marketing assets included
• Cowboy pool, wood-burning hot tub, fire pit, bocce court & horseshoe pit
• Projector entertainment system plus A/C and heat in every room
• Convenient access to Joshua Tree National Park and downtown Twentynine Palms
For investors seeking a design-forward desert retreat with existing revenue, established visibility, and operational infrastructure already in place, this is a rare opportunity to step into a proven asset without starting from scratch.
4444 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA
Now Offered at $138,000
2.5-acre parcel in Panorama Heights with iconic boulder views. Includes working well, completed perc test, and full geodesic dome home plans (2-story, 2BD/2BA, 1,592 sq ft + 364 sq ft garage). Cash-only sale.
Highlights:
- Iconic desert scenery & boulder views
- Full set of architectural, MEP, structural, grading & septic plans
- Prime opportunity for STR, custom build, or long-term hold
- Minutes from Joshua Tree National Park & downtown amenities
1564 Luna Mesa Rd, Yucca Valley, CA
Offered at $498,000
Beautifully renovated 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom property on Yucca Mesa with sweeping 360-degree mountain views stretching from the Joshua Tree National Park ridgeline to snowcapped San Jacinto.
Currently operating as an active short-term rental generating approximately $77K gross income in 2025 (buyer to independently verify).
Designed with a clean modern desert aesthetic, the home features oversized black metal windows and doors, polished concrete floors, a fully renovated chef’s kitchen, updated bathrooms, and natural light pouring through every space while framing the surrounding desert landscape.
Outdoor amenities include:
• Fully decked above-ground pool
• Jacuzzi
• Outdoor BBQ kitchen area
• Shaded gazebo
• Multiple concrete patio + lounge areas
• Mature landscaping + numerous Joshua trees
• Fully fenced property for added privacy
Positioned approximately 15 minutes from Downtown Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, and Pioneertown, this property offers strong rental appeal while still feeling deeply private and connected to the landscape.
Ideal as a short-term rental investment, second home, or personal desert retreat.
0 East Dr, Morongo Valley, CA
Offered at $849,000
Rare land development opportunity positioned within one of the High Desert’s most scenic and protected corridors.
Set across 27.5 acres in Morongo Valley, the property is surrounded by the preserved landscapes of the Sand to Snow National Monument with expansive views stretching toward the San Jacinto Mountains from multiple areas throughout the site.
Just across Highway 62, the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve contributes to the area’s open-space character, protected wildlife habitat, and quiet desert setting.
What makes this opportunity especially significant is the amount of pre-development and due diligence work already completed by current ownership, including:
• Surveying + mapping
• Preliminary engineering
• Utility research
• Environmental + biological review work
• Fire hydrant flow testing
• Tentative Tract Map preparation + submission materials
The property is currently involved in ongoing county and CEQA-related review processes, offering potential buyers the opportunity to step into a project already moving through early-stage planning and evaluation.
Located approximately:
• 20 minutes from Palm Springs International Airport
• 20 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park
This is a rare combination of accessibility, scale, larger acreage surroundings, and protected desert character.
Ideal for investors, developers, or long-term land visionaries looking to explore opportunities within one of the High Desert’s most naturally significant landscape
Project Spotlight: The Mandarin Yucca Valley
The Mandarin officially launched this month, marking the completion of a project I've been involved with since August of last year.
Working alongside the owners of this first-time short-term rental investment, I provided real estate investment strategy, hospitality consulting, interior design direction, project management, contractor and vendor coordination, procurement, and short-term rental optimization to help transform the property into a luxury wellness-focused destination.
From evaluating the highest and best use of the property to developing a design concept, managing renovations, coordinating installations, and refining the guest experience, every phase of the project was approached with both investment performance and hospitality in mind.
The result is a thoughtfully curated retreat featuring a resort-style pool and spa, sauna, wellness movement space, outdoor entertaining areas, a movie lounge, coffee and tea bar, and seamless indoor-outdoor living designed to appeal to today's wellness traveler.
Projects like The Mandarin are a great example of how strategic planning, design, project management, and hospitality positioning can work together to create a more compelling guest experience while supporting stronger long-term investment potential.
Now professionally managed by Stay Cocoon, The Mandarin is officially welcoming guests and beginning its next chapter as a luxury short-term rental in Yucca Valley.
Design Feature: The Bathhouse
Sandora domes previously Bonita domes
Designers will understand this one.
We didn’t choose the easy route, we chose Zia zellige for this curved dome.
(Previously the Bonita Domes in Joshua Tree)
And we committed to it.
4 months inside this space. Cold mornings with rain and no straight lines. just @everlasting_home_solutions laying tile piece by piece while the vision stayed intact through every moment we almost walked away from.
When I first stepped onto the property, this was the moment I saw instantly, a desert hammam bathhouse rooted in water, ritual, and texture.
4 different zellige tiles, 1 concrete tile all hand-cut to meet every curve. Layered tone on tone to create depth, movement, and an immersive, almost underwater feeling.
Paired with a custom Turkish-inspired pedestal, imported marble sink, wavy concrete flooring, and a hand-built Moroccan-inspired door, every detail was intentional.
Check out the transformation of the bathhouse and property...
Rattlesnake Ranch Pool House Tour
The pool house is now complete and ready for guests.
A full renovation led alongside @mr_well_done_ with layered updates across landscaping, interior design, custom branding details, and curated historical and artistic elements throughout the property.
Custom pillows, towels, archival imagery, and site-specific art all come together to elevate the guest experience while keeping the identity of the property intact.
Follow along for Part 4 as we move into the main house restoration and renovation.
JTTP Realty Announcement
Over the past few years, real estate has expanded into something much more integrated, design, development, land use, branding, and project strategy have all become part of how I work with clients.
After time at eXp Realty, this next step came through being invited into something being built locally here in Joshua Tree.
JTTP Realty is a collaborative, community-rooted brokerage being developed in partnership with JT Trading Post.
What stood out wasn’t just the brokerage structure, but the intention behind it, connecting real estate with storytelling, hospitality, design, and the evolving creative economy of the desert.
I’ve officially joined JTTP Realty as a founding agent, while also stepping into a creative direction role to support its development and growth.
This runs alongside Cure Designs, which continues to operate independently.
Looking Ahead to June
June is shaping up to be a month of education, new beginnings, and sharing more of what happens behind the scenes.
I'll be giving a closer look at JTTP Realty as we continue building and launching our new locally owned brokerage here in Joshua Tree, along with sharing more of the real estate, development, and investment opportunities I'm seeing across the High Desert.
I'll also be releasing a new guide focused on navigating properties with Joshua trees. With Joshua trees protected under California law, understanding how they impact land purchases, development plans, new construction, and permitting has become increasingly important for buyers, investors, and property owners.
In addition to my Recreational Cabin Conversion Guide, this new resource will join my growing library of educational tools designed to help people make more informed real estate decisions. Through Guide+, I'll also continue hosting live Q&A sessions where we can dive deeper into real-world projects, challenges, and opportunities together.
As always, I'll be sharing the projects, properties, and lessons I'm learning along the way. Thanks for following along.
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xx
Jessica Cure
Planning Commissioner | Real Estate Consultant | STR Strategist
www.curedesigns.com | @cure.realestate
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