Nice to have you guys back…hope you enjoyed your get away. I laughed when I read that you found time on your vacation to check out local real estate. I laughed because I did the same thing in Mexico…not the same vacation as Lake Arrowhead but fun non the less. I had not been down to Rosarito Beach for a while so I was supprised to see a huge amount of homes being built along the beach. What I found interesting is that condo’s were being sold in the high 200k range. I obviously don’t have a grasp on the real estate market in Mexico but this seemed high considering you can buy a condo in San Diego for the same (no where close to the beach).

Hey, Anthony! I was starting to think that all of the contributors were on vacation – Got awefully quiet around here. On the subject of second homes, just curious – Do you see many second home mortgages? Also, do you sense more or less demand for this market as prices have adjusted here at home?

Okay, I’ve been trying to hold back from this because it may/will sound somewhat self-serving. But I’ve got to say that Lake Arrowhead may be the last great investment opportunity in SoCal. Not just for a second home, either. We have owned there since 1997 and while prices have increased, you can still get a great home for a lot less then “down the hill”. That may be why so many more homeowners there commute down the hill daily to various destinations in the L.A. Basin. It’s 40-45 minutes closer than Big Bear and much less commercialized. But it has just about everything you would need (except “The Mall”, as Kris puts it). No problem!! Ontario Mall is 30 minutes away (not to mention Ontario Airport).

The best part, though, is that in such a short drive to get there you are literally in a subalpine environment. totally populated by Pine, Cedar and Sliver Oak trees. Even a bear or two are known to show up periodically. You are above 5,000 feet in elevation so no smog. clear blue skies and STARS (yes, you can see so many more stars there). Okay, enough of Lake Arrowhead! This is the San Diego Home Blog.

Note to readers: Steve neglected to mention the bats (we got buzzed by a couple this time on the deck), the spiders (on steroids) and, in our humble case, the 80+ degree heat with no air conditioning, the magic toilet that requires a precise 8-second flush to work, the carpet that needs replacing, the neighbor that fashions himself a weekend hobbiest and starts his projects at 8:00 (power tools included) each Saturday, etc. All part of the charm, I suppose.