So, you may ask, what is David's dream? And why should it matter to me anyway?

Well, it might matter to you if you're in a similar situation. You might want to buy a home in Los Angeles, and you might not know the city that well. This series is checking out strange situations - from cheap land in Topanga Canyon to view homes in obscure parts of Woodland Hills. At the very least, you might learn something about Los Angeles.

So, what am I looking for as a place to live?

Burned house, but what a view!

First and foremost, the spectacular view. I spend a lot of time working, sitting at a desk, and I'd like to look beyond that desk into something truly striking. The best home for me is one perched on the top of a hill, overlooking the city, mountains and ocean below. Or an oceanfront home with its own boat dock, like you have in Newport Beach. For just $ 2.5 million, of course.

Second, a vaguely civilized neighborhood. When I leave that desk, I want to be able to buy nice things. A Barnes & Noble or Borders. Gelson's market nearby. First-rate restaurants. A Fry's Electronics for that mid-day computer buying urge. Sleek shopping streets rather than oh so tacky strip malls. Think Fashion Island, Newport Beach. Think Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Think Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills. Classy. Upscale.

$185,000 house, Woodland Hills Oops - Not legally inhabitable

Third, an architectural masterpiece, a design that makes me sit up and say "Wow!". This could be any number of styles, any number of shapes, if it has the quality without a name. I'd lean towards a sleek redwood and glass contemporary if it weren't for the nearly complete lack of same in the houses I've examined.

Finally, while I don't mind the prospect of a "fixer" (I have a good friend who's a contractor), it would probably be a good idea if it was legally inhabitable. I know, picky picky.

As a single guy who's keen on finding a girlfriend one of these days, but not so keen on having a family, a perfect gem of a tiny house would be ideal. Sadly, there aren't many of those around. Nowadays, any house of this kind is likely to be dismissively called a "teardown" - a home to be destroyed, to have a 5,500 square foot palace erected in its place.

The challenge is to find one of these before they're all gone.

Continue.

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