Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

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This family-friendly vacation spot offers beaches, boating, golf, fishing, hiking, off-roading, casinos, and shopping. The famed London Bridge is in Havasu City. The bridge was sold by the Common Council of the City of London to Lake Havasu City in 1968. The structure was reassembled and serves as Lake Havasu's unusual claim to fame.

Lake Havasu City list prices range from $30,900 for a 624-square-foot condo to $1.25 million for a 6,670-square-foot golf palace. The median sales price is $135,000, about half as high as it was in 2007.

Here's a townhouse in a gated community with gorgeous views of the golf course, lake and mountains.

• Price: $174,500
• Square footage: 1,247
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2
• Features: Pool

Sedona, Ariz.

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Sedona is known for its spectacular scenery and its mild climate. The community is a year-round destination, ideal for outdoor activity. In addition to hiking, biking, golf, tennis, fishing, and skiing, Sedona boasts an abundance of art galleries, shows, musical and theatrical performances, spiritual and personal enrichment activities, and festivals. Visitors can relax in local spas, shop, or go wine tasting in the beautiful Verde Valley.

Sedona's median sales price is $314,736, up 1.5 percent over last year, but down from over $600,000 a few years ago. Here's a mid-grade listing:

"Here's a town home located high on the hill in West Sedona with easy access to shopping, hiking and dining."

• Price: $299,900
• Square footage: 1,354
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2
• Features: Spa

Las Vegas, Nev.

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Remember when Vegas was known for something other than unemployment and foreclosures? That something was fun! And fun is still in abundance in this desert playground. From golf communities and quiet family neighborhoods to splashy resort properties and Strip-side condos, Las Vegas is on sale, baby! Check out these high-roller homes at penny-ante prices.

Las Vegas' median home price has fallen to $114,000, less than half of its 2006 high. Current asking prices range from $7,900 for foreclosure homes to over $20 million for celebrity play pads.

Here's a listing in the Trump Tower (yes, that Trump Tower) for those who dream of living at nightlife's ground zero.

• Price: $155,000
• Square footage: 533
• Bedrooms: 1
• Bathrooms: 1
• Features: Fitness center, heated pool, business center

Lake Mead (Boulder City), Nev.

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An hour from the Vegas Strip is another sort of resort community. Lake Mead, Nev., and the surrounding Moapa Valley are home to stunning views and a decidedly rural lifestyle. Lake Mead offers more than 700 miles of fishable shore. Camping, biking, hiking, and kayaking are also popular pastimes. If you want a dose of winter and some skiing, Mount Charleston is only an hour away.

Boulder City's median sales price is $176,400, $2,100 less than it was three months earlier. However, it's nearly $20,000 higher than it was in 2006. Current asking prices of Boulder City homes range from $55,000 for a 962-square-foot condo to nearly $4 million for a luxurious private estate. You'll probably want a home with Lake Mead views, perhaps like this listing:

"Spectacular views of Lake Mead from this upgraded condominium. New price reduction!"

• Price: $97,500
• Square footage: 1,430
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2
• Features: Lake view, granite, fireplace

San Diego, Calif.

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San Diego has a lot going for it. Check out its robust arts and culture, surfing, professional sports teams, sailing, beaches, or pop on down to Mexico for a day. When shopping for your San Diego home, take this advice from David M. Rice of New Home Star Corp: "A new home will require less maintenance and should have fewer surprises that would require significant time or money. Make aggressive offers at the end of fiscal quarters or at the end of the year."

San Diego's median sales price is $310,000, which is down $12,000 from 2010. However, you can expect values to recover long before you run out of things to do in this fun zone. San Diego home prices range from a low $7,969 for a bank-owned 990-square-foot single-family home to just under $16 million for an ocean-front 9,000-plus-square-foot Coronado estate.

Even homes with ocean views are affordable; this listing might be exactly right for you:

"Beautiful tri-level townhome with ocean and sunset views! Conveniently located near all, a must see!"

• Price: $168,000 (short sale)
• Square footage: 1,459
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2
• Features: Move-in ready with designer paint in most rooms, laminate flooring in common areas, open kitchen with breakfast bar, attached garage

Palm Springs, Calif.

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Today's celebrities, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Dakota Fanning, Halley Berry and Gwen Stefani, keep the Palm Springs glamour alive as they indulge in the desert sun. From golf and tennis to shopping and spas, Palm Springs is an ideal place to do everything–or nothing.

The name may conjure up visions of billionaire palaces, but the median sales price in Palm Springs is only $288,915. Homes in Palm Springs range in price from $24,900 for a 900-square-foot manufactured home in a retirement community, to nearly $14 million for the historic Elrod House, one of Palm Springs' more significant pieces of twentieth-century architecture.

Expect some nice amenities with a moderate-priced getaway like this listing:

"This beautiful two level condo has breathtaking views from the upper two bedrooms and balconies and is located steps from the pool."

• Price: $211,000
• Square footage: 1,636
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 3
• Features: Property is being sold turnkey furnished

Fort Myers, Fla.

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Bargain hunting? Florida real estate investor Rich Urban says, "Tax Deed Sales are where some of the best deals in South Florida can be found right now. The county clerk's office can provide you with a list of property owners who have not paid their taxes for two-plus years and the property is up for auction. These properties have a good amount of equity or are free and clear."

Fort Myers' median home price increased by 16.5 percent in the last three months to $120,000, and it's up almost 20 percent over last year! Homes in Fort Myers range in price between $3,300 for condos at foreclosure auctions (be careful!) to over $14 million for a spectacular Gulf-front mansion with an indoor pool and nearly 9,000 square feet of living space.

Between these two extremes, homebuyers may choose something like this listing:

"Absolutely brand new condition: Capistrano casita with two separate water features and lake view."

• Price: $199,999
• Square footage: 1,176
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2.5
• Features: $20,000 in developer-installed upgrades

Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.

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Sarasota-Bradenton is just south of Tampa Bay. This area offers many vacation choices, including ecotourism, beaches, golf, tennis, and fishing. The arts are well represented, including the opera, theatre, ballet, a film society, and jazz club.

Sarasota's median home price is still dropping, so shop carefully. At $145,000, it's almost 9 percent lower than it was in the second quarter. However, the number of sales is up by 12 percent, so this town may be hitting bottom, price wise. Sarasota properties range from $22,000 for a 554-square-foot manufactured home to nearly $15 million for a beach-front estate. Split the difference with a home like this listing:

"Lake and preserve view from this nice condo with a screened-in lanai."

• Price: $64,500
• Square footage: 967
• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 2
• Features: Two pools, tennis courts, picnic area and clubhouse