I kind of have to ask what area you're looking in? One of my best friends neighbors' has their house for sale, 1400sqft on 8 acres with a barn, and its in the only county that is completely smog exempt in ca (new and old cars) all for $150,000.
http://www.trulia.com/property/30805...urson-CA-95225
Ive been looking up in that area, I get paid more to work there and I could buy 2 houses for what I pay for rent here in so-cal, there are a couple dozen nice homes in the $60,000-75,000 in that area too.