Home appraisals are meant to establish market value. A lowball appraisal can kill your real estate transaction. A Home Appraiser is a specialist who uses mathematical analysis to determine your home’s value (Sales Comparison Approach). This value is based on similar homes in your neighborhood. First, the value per square foot is determined and applied. Then the appraiser looks at the overall condition of the home. 1. All appraisers are not created equal Appraisals are not fact. Rather, they are the opinion of … [Read more...]
Renting Out Your Big Bear Home
May 13, 2012 by 1 Comment
If you own a second home in Big Bear, you’ve probably considered jumping into the rental market. The Big Bear vacation rental market is one of the most active and lucrative markets in California. The City of Big Bear Lake currently has over 1,100 registered vacation rentals on the books and they estimate another 300 to 500 properties are operating “under the radar”. If you take into account the hundreds of vacation rental properties located outside of the city limits, the total number of rentals in the Big Bear … [Read more...]
Big Bear Lakefront Homes
May 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
It’s the ultimate in Big Bear real estate - a single family home on Big Bear Lake with a private dock. Imagine being able to jump in your boat for an afternoon cruise or entertaining a few friends on your lakeside deck while enjoying one of the best views in California. Now imagine that dream becoming a reality. Thanks to the correction in the Big Bear real estate market, what was once out of reach for most homebuyers is now becoming surprisingly affordable. Bank-owned lakefront homes, some located on prime deep … [Read more...]
Big Bear Lake’s Memorial Day Weekend
May 2, 2012 by 4 Comments
Now that the weather has settled down, Big Bear is switching gears for Spring and Summer. Many call this the "slow time" of Big Bear. You can't ski and you can't swim! Not to worry. Everything is being prepared and this is NOT the "slow time". In less than 2 months, official Summer starts. Here in the mountains, we take advantage of every warm day we can. We set our calendars a little differently. We watch the weather and plan ahead. Set YOUR calendar. Spring is here and Summer is coming fast! No matter what the … [Read more...]
Springtime Home Maintenance
April 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment
One of the great things about living in Big Bear is the variety of weather we enjoy. In mid-April, we had over a foot of snow and temperatures were well below freezing. As I write this, just two weeks later, the temperatures are in the seventies and the snow has all but disappeared. We’re swapping our ski poles for fishing poles and everyone is happy to see warm weather again. As temperatures rise and snow melts it signals the time to start thinking about seasonal home maintenance. On average, exterior home … [Read more...]
Big Bear Real Estate – From “For Sale” to “SOLD”
April 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
When it comes to selling Big Bear real estate you have to understand the marketing process to reach the ultimate goal of a closed escrow. Here are a few crucial tips for selling your Big Bear home in today’s challenging market. Choose the right agent Choosing an experienced agent to help guide you is the most important step in the marketing and sales process. Unfortunately, there are dozens of agents that claim to be Big Bear real estate “Experts”. Working with an unqualified agent can cost you time and money. … [Read more...]
New Real Estate Trends
April 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The National Association of Home Builders expects future housing trends to reflect the current economic and demographic changes of our society. They believe the average size home will be reduced by about 400 sq. ft to 2100 sq. ft. These homes will be energy efficient and family friendly. Expect to see homes that have larger family rooms and smaller dining rooms. Formal living spaces will be either downsized or eliminated. We may see the end of the living room. The demand for resource efficient water systems and … [Read more...]
Real Estate Tips – Vacation Home Rentals
April 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Buying a vacation home for rental can be a great investment, especially if you have a stock heavy portfolio. According to MSN, baby boomers hold 57% of all vacation homes and about 21% have two or more vacation properties. Big Bear Lake is a great place to consider investing in vacation rental property. It’s southern California adjacent, with a small town feeling. An alpine forest surrounds the valley and the summer abounds with outdoor fun. Our well stocked lake will keep any fisherman happy. Activities range … [Read more...]
Is The Big Bear Real Estate Market Shifting?
April 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
That is anybody's guess but there is some encourgaing news coming out for the real estate market in Big Bear. The number of homes under contract has nearly doubled while available inventory is down about 25%. Most people are concerned with the number of closed sales every month and what direction prices are heading, but the basics of supply and demand always come first. Based on the most recent numbers, there are some reasons to be optimistic about the Big Bear real estate market. Pending Home Sales … [Read more...]
Big Bear Real Estate – Spring Maintenance Inspection Checklist
April 13, 2012 by 1 Comment
Big Bear winters may not be as harsh as other parts of the country but they can take their toll on your mountain home. Here are a few tips for getting your Big Bear property back in shape after the snow has melted away. Exterior Maintenance Inspection Grab a ladder and thoroughly inspect your roof for missing shingles and flashing. Pay special attention around chimneys and vents. Minor roof damage can quickly turn into major problems if left un-checked. Inspect gutters and downspouts to see that they haven't … [Read more...]
