Why don't you e-mail me at jtharlan@earthlink.net, and I'll be happy to share with you exactly what we've been doing the past few months.

Jeff

I live in Silverado Canyon (zip code 92676). There are some pieces of land, although they seem to be either really small or really big, and most of them have steep hills in the back. It is very rural and you'd have to be willing to use a septic tank and propane.

However, there are some homes that you might want to renovate. It's definitely cheaper out in the canyons and you'll be in great architectural company if you move there. Out of the 8-10 homes on my curve of the street, 3 are owned by architects.

We got a very cool place (2800 sq ft, 1/3 of an acre - all hill!) a year ago for about 800K, but it needs a total remodel. We are at the beginning Phase 1 (of 4) right now.

[url href=http://www.pixel-monkey.com/gallery/index.htm]Silverado Canyon House Remodel[/url]

Wow, you really are on hill. I like your photo documentation of your remodel. It looks like you have put in several hard hours and it looks great. How far into the canyon are you? There are a couple of neat lots back on Old Mill Road that are quite flat. Keep up the good work.

jtharlan: How is the search going? I would love to hear where you are at right now. I'll email you again or you can get in touch with me at [email]mddh@sbcglobal.net[/email]

We're exactly 5 miles up canyon. That's about 0.7 miles from the end, where there is a gate into the Cleveland National Forest.

Not sure where Old Mill Road is, but the flat land I know of is right next to the creek, which for us is literally across the street.

Marmol Radziner is building prefabs in Vernon. There is an open house in Desrt Hot Springs On Sat Nov. 5, 2005. 14875 McCarger Rd. Desert Hot Springs, CA (310) 689--0089. http://www.marmolradzinerprefab.com