If you plan to relocate to Alturas, build the home that you want to live in -- if you love it, someone else will too you if you decide to sell later. If your intention is to build and resell immediately, that is a very different experience in our market. The same disciplines you use to invest in other areas of the U.S. should be used here. Get the comps, understand the types of properties that buyers want to buy -- ie., views, easy access (this is a big deal in snow country), your neighbors, quality of homes in the area, etc. Work with a realtor that takes the time to show you the areas and review the comps. Investors who try to go it alone in our market take bigger risks with their investment dollars because the pros and cons of certain properties are not always obvious. A competent realtor can take you to various properties, point out the pros and cons and help you understand what you are buying with your hard earned cash. If you plan to buy in Modoc County, take a trip to the area so that you know what you are buying -- buying sight unseen isn't the best strategy. I relocated to Alturas from the Central Valley in California in 2004. Going from suburban living to country living is a big change --moving from a rain in winter to snow in winter climate a bit of a shock. I appreciate a well graveled or paved road today. And, I really like it when the roads are snow plowed in the winter. Seems simple enough but working with a realtor that will point out these things can be a real help when selecting a property in Modoc County. Yes, the subdivisions have CC&Rs -- but they are far less restrictive than what you'll see in urban areas. Don't be afraid of them here -- they won't tell you what color your window coverings can be and the property owner association fees won't run you $200+ per month. The CC&Rs set out some basic rules to help minimum standards for the area and the property owner association fees are quite low (in Modoc Recreational Estates it will be $30 per lot per year). A realtor in our marketplace can provide you with copies of CC&Rs prior to even looking in that subdivision - just ask. Hope this information is useful to you. Evelyn R. Panning

Alturas is a small town, and as such, is a slower market than some areas of California. It would depend on what you plan to build and your intent. There is a call for new, nice quality homes in our area, but be careful not to overbuild the neighborhood and be sure that the area you choose to build, is an area that is going to appeal to the masses. Another consideration is to buy/build while prices are down and place your property on the market when the market warms back up. Evelyn has a valid point that we do have A LOT of land here that is unbuildable or unaccessible, so make sure you do your homework. The link that Cindi Hagley posted would be helpful if you were building in the City of Alturas, but most of the available land is in subdivisions that are subject to County of Modoc Building codes, as well as any CC&Rs that may effect the particular parcel. If you are considering purchasing vacant land with the intent to resell it for a profit undeveloped, I would advise you to do your research. - Heather L Salazar

The market in Alturas has softened just as other areas in California. The good news is that our prices did not soar as high and certainly did not have as far to fall. Prices in Modoc County were relatively flat until a few years ago -- we have seen an increase in values. Certainly land prices are far less than in other parts of California, but buyer beware -- there are cheap land parcels with no power, accessibility problems and resale value will be hurt by those issues. Be sure to understand exactly what you are buying. The old saying holds here, "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is". Work with a real estate company that will give you details on the property, location, buildability, area growth and comparables. Hope this helps. -- Evelyn R. Panning

Here's a link theat may help you. A local Realtor can best best advise you. Try Evelyn Panning 530) 640-2411.