But the dream-building fulfills Joe, too.

Born in Los Angeles and reared in San Diego, Joe attended Mt. Miguel High School in Spring Valley and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University. He majored in sociology, economics and history, also earning a teaching credential. Always interested in civil rights and helping minorities, he taught in a ghetto school while attending college and later taught in the Oceanside elementary schools.

Joe's first major project on his own was a home for himself. At the age of 22, Joe bought a lot in Solano Beach and a home in San Diego. He cut the house in half and moved it 20 miles to the lot. After completing the remodeling and restructuring work, he lived in the house for ten years.

During this period, teaching was his full-time profession, but construction was his goal. After more than 15 years of working with other builders part-time, he finally got his general contractor's license and opened his own business -- Watson Construction. Ten years ago, he changed his company name to Classic Arrowhead Homes as a more imaginative title.

"I like working with people," Joe said. "While it's necessary to be a good contractor, one of the most important skills to have is to be able to communicate and understand the needs of my clients. These folks become my long-term family friends. We establish relationships that continue after the house is finished."

Besides the immense satisfaction Joe receives working with his hands, he sees the process of providing a satisfying experience for the homebuyer as a fulfilling process for himself, too. His specialty is assisting in the design phase to create a home that suits the client's lifestyle and budget, and then overseeing all building phases to transform the blueprint into reality.

For several years, Joe has worked with a Christian ministry in Baja that locates deserving Mexican families who own some land but can't afford to build a house. Under the direction of another contractor, Joe and his family go to Mexico and supervise unskilled adult and child church volunteers from the United States. At the building site, the slab foundation is already poured and all the necessary materials are purchased and waiting. Everyone pitches in, including Joe's wife Laurie and his seven-year-old daughter, Emily. Laurie is fluent in Spanish and helps translate for the non-Spanish speaking workers. Emily carries tools and supplies and, in general, makes herself very useful. It becomes a family project. To everyone's pleasure, the house is completed in just three or four days.

"Even if I won the Lottery," Joe said, "I'd still continue to do what I do. The only change would be that I'd have the means to do more philanthropic work -- I'd extend the time I spend in Mexico building homes with the church group."

"Joe had built a beautiful spec home that my clients loved," Lee said, "but it was already sold when they started to make an offer. My clients were very disappointed. They had searched for a long time, working with two other agents prior to me. They were so discouraged that they asked me to return their deposit check. They were going to give up."

"So I called Joe," Lee continued, "explained the situation and asked if Joe could possibly duplicate that same house on another lot. To my delight and surprise, Joe said he already had similar architectural plans in development for another lot he owned only a few blocks away. Best of all, the lot had a better view!"

"I really love working with Joe," said Lee. "He's patient, a good listener and really is sincere about fulfilling the wants and needs of my clients. Best of all, he's dependable, reliable and stands behind his work...a great combination!"

The next project Joe and Lee took on was a much longer process, involving merging two lake view lots and working with the San Bernardino planning department. As they resolved various issues, Joe developed a high opinion of Lee.

"It is a pleasure to work with her; she has been consistantly competent, sensitive to the needs of her clients and thorough in performance of her professional responsibilities," Joe said. "She represents what I consider to be the perfect Realtor."

Although Classic Arrowhead Homes has grown over the years, Joe has remained true to his original goals and ideals.

Whether creating a spec home, custom estate or Mexican "hacienda", Joe is happiest traveling from job site to county planning office to design firm, doing what he does best -- supervising, negotiating, solving problems, meeting the needs of his clients.

And of course, for his clients and himself -- building dreams.

Perhaps you (the Reader) have envisioned building a house custom-suited to your individual needs. To assist you, simply call Lee Cable. Lee can be reached at RE/MAX Lake Arrowhead at (909) 337-6111, Ext. 113. Happy planning!