[QUOTE=nostatic;6701841]1. I've been to Houston. I've been to Ventura. If you're comparing the two wrt climate then you haven't been to one of them
Now thats funny!!
Hugh, My wife and I are going through the same process of reallocating some funds into real estate. The first property that came into our sights was a three acre parcel that we loved, small house , rolling hills, mature fruit trees,with happy renters that want to stay on. the cost of this place would require that we borrow about 200K, so with morgage costs, taxes, insurance etc. And at 2k per mo.rental income, there isn't any income in it til reselling. And we both knew that we would be so into the place that reselling would hurt. We do need our investments to earn a bit, at least not loose money.
So we have shifted our sights into the condo market in Prince ville. Prices are down a bit there and with good vacation rental consistency there is a 4% / 8% net return possible. And then some upside potential at resell.
Funny neither of us were interested in condos but it does make more sense in an investment context.
Another plus for us, is that we live in a tsunami zone and could use it as a fall back place if the big one comes.
But what I'm getting at is perhaps a shift to a complex that will allow vacation rentals could swing the spread sheet into a nicer balance for you . Then you could book it for your selves when you want to use it.
That is a nice area. Close enough to L.A.to go do stuff if you need to, far enough to be able to catch your breath.
Cheers Richard
Plus the Jim Hall kart track is right there in Oxnard :-)