[quote-earlyretirement]…Sure, there are other places you can buy 1/2 to 1 acre lots but again the true reality is most buyers don’t want nor need that kind of space…[/quote]
ER, that’s just it. That’s reflective of who you have been talking to. Buyers in the $1M+ category who buy in your area “don’t want nor need that kind of space.” That is why they spend big bucks to buy there, because they do not need space to park RVs/boats or want to keep horse(s) because they know the HOA won’t allow it. They don’t want to look at neighbors’ vehicles, boats or corrals, either, so that is why they prefer the tightly-controlled gate-guarded HOA and are willing to pay for it.
This in no way means that those (non-HOA) properties throughout the county which are situated on 1/2 – 3 AC lots which have the same value as properties in SantaLuz are any less desirable for:
1) raising a family;
2) entertaining in;
3) having good neighbors in;
4) commuting from;
5) remodeling/upgrading;
6) retiring in;
etc.
The large-lot semi-rural property I’m using is just an example. The same could be said of $1M+ ocean view homes, beach-area homes, boat-slip homes, city-view homes, historical homes, etc, all on city lots.
