There were a total of 400 homes sold in the Lompoc and Vandenberg Village areas in 2008. 346 were detached dwellings, and 54 were attached residences. Of the 400 sold, 226 were REOs (bank owned) and 31 were short sales. So, a total of 257 out of 400, or 64% were foreclosure related sales. Thus, the Lompoc market is thoroughly dominated by foreclosure activity; it is the primary force moving the market.
Vandenberg Air Force Base provides a steady source of new arrivals to the Central Coast area. Due to the attractive climate and small town atmosphere many decide to never leave or to return to the area after they retire from military service. The biggest weather related complaints here tend to be fog and wind; complaints that generate laughter from those who have spent winters living with ice, shoveling snow, and hiding from freezing sleet.