Last month I put two classic La Mesa Village cottages on the market.
The one and only open house for both properties drew some 150 people and generated stacks of offers for both. Two potential buyers flew in just to attend the open houses.
One sold to an all-cash buyer for $1,130,000 and the other for $1.2M; both were two bedrooms/two baths – hats off to the owners for creating beautiful living spaces.
Twenty years ago, two-bedroom Craftsman Cottages in Downtown La Mesa like these would have sold in the $350k – $375k range. In 2003, per the SDMLS, the average sold price per square foot of a home in La Mesa Village* was $280. This year, so far, that number is $842 – an increase of slightly over 300% in the last two decades!
What gives? Why is it a real estate event when a Village home comes on the market?
Having sold real estate locally for over 21 years, I have some theories:
1. Lack of inventory. Excluding the two on 3rd Street I just sold, only one other home has sold in La Mesa Village so far in 2023. There are currently no homes on the market in Downtown La Mesa. I frequently receive, “Any Village homes coming on the market?” calls.
2. People gravitate toward beauty, charm, vintage, and history. Communities well known for their homes with character such as La Mesa, Coronado, Catalina, Laguna Beach, Kensington, and Mission Hills attract buyers passionate about historic architecture who are willing to pay a premium price for a 1920s Spanish Revival, 1930s Monterey Craftsman or 1960s Mid-Century Modern.
La Mesa is 111 years old. If you ever want to go down the rabbit hole of La Mesa’s past, visit the La Mesa History Center located at the Rev. Henry A. McKinney House Museum and Society Archives at 8369 University Ave. It’s open to the public every Saturday from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
3. The restaurants. Today, everyone is a foodie and La Mesa Boulevard is an eating destination: Mario’s, Sheldon’s, Johnny B’s, Casa Gabriela, Surfrider Pizza, Centifonti’s, Konnichiwa, Curbside, Boss Chicken, Por Favor, City Tacos, Coming-Soon Limoncello, and Farmers Table are always deservedly busy.
Add the Regal and Pete’s (no kitchens) and you have a very cool bar scene, too.
4. Walkability. From pre-dawn until late at night, people can be seen walking their dogs, pushing baby strollers, strolling to a restaurant, or taking the Secret Stairs. La Mesa Village is rated a 91/100 Walkers’ Paradise.
On foot or by bicycle, one can shop at hardware or grocery stores, or boutiques; eat at cafés, diners, restaurants, or bars; visit City Hall or the library; work out at a gym; meet with dentists, attorneys, accountants, chiropractors. Parking the car Friday evening and not starting it up again until Monday morning is not unusual.
5. Community. While the public may remember the fear and destruction of the May 30th, 2020 La Mesa Riot, many people – especially La Mesa locals – remember the organic coming together of hundreds of volunteers armed with bottled waters, brooms, dustpans, trash bags, paint and plywood to help businesses that had been burned to the ground, vandalized and/or graffitied. That goodwill outlasted the demoralization.
6. Events. La Mesa Village Events have put La Mesa on the map. The extremely popular Oktoberfest (the biggest one East of the Mississippi), December’s Holiday in the Village, Friday Afternoon Farmers Market and Summer Classic Car Show held every Thursday (turns Downtown La Mesa into our own Nashville with packed streets, bars, and live music) are courtesy of The La Mesa Village Association – a non-profit organization made up of La Mesa Village business owner volunteers to advocate on behalf of all local businesses. The LMVA is La Mesa’s buzz.
7. City Hall. The La Mesa City Council, management, and staff are on a first-name basis with business and civic leaders. They recognize that a thriving Downtown La Mesa benefits the entire city with higher home prices, more tax revenue, and prestige. La Mesa Village is to La Mesa what the Hotel Del is to Coronado.
* Village Parameters:
University Avenue North
Fresno Ave South
Edenvale Ave East
Fairview Ave West
– Reach eXp Realtor and La Mesa Vice Mayor Laura Lothian at: [email protected].
