A California Town is For Sale. Asking Price: $6.6 Million
In an intriguing real estate opportunity, an entire town in California is on the market for a relatively modest sum, considering the state’s usually high property prices. For just $6.6 million, you could become the owner of a 16-acre property in Campo, Calif., a quaint town nestled about 2 miles from the Mexican border and roughly an hour east of San Diego.
Top Gun Commercial Real Estate, the firm handling this unique listing, states that the sale includes 28 buildings, which make up the majority of the town’s properties. These structures, most of which were erected in the 1940s, span a variety of uses and comprise a slice of American history just waiting for revitalization.
The town is not abandoned; around 100 residents call Campo home, renting their dwellings from the current single owner who has decided to sell. Additionally, the U.S. Border Patrol is among the town’s tenants, renting a commercial building for its operations. The community and the seller alike harbor hopes that the new owner will focus on rejuvenating Campo, preserving its historical charm while steering it into a new era of prosperity.
The listing suggests two potential paths for the buyer. One option is to enhance the town without significantly altering its current structures, focusing on maximizing land density. Alternatively, a more ambitious approach could involve a comprehensive redevelopment effort aimed at modernizing Campo and elevating its status. Campo’s strategic location near San Diego enhances its attractiveness, offering potential investors a unique combination of recreational, cultural, and economic possibilities.
Among the properties included in the sale are 28 residential buildings, with rents ranging from $250 to $1,600 per month, along with a church, a metal shop, a post office, a lumber yard, and the aforementioned Border Patrol building. In total, the sale encompasses over 62,000 square feet of property, generating a substantial $44,253 in monthly rental income for the prospective new owner. At this rate, the investment would pay for itself in just 149 months.
Campo’s rich history dates back to World War II. The town was initially established to house soldiers in anticipation of a possible invasion. Despite the invasion never materializing, Campo has endured, standing as a testament to a fascinating slice of American history.
This unique real estate opportunity not only presents the chance to own a piece of historical California but also offers a canvas for potential investors to imprint their vision. Whether through thoughtful restoration or comprehensive redevelopment, the future owner has a rare opportunity to reforge Campo’s identity while preserving the essence that makes it a remarkable and historical American town.
