By owning your own Big Bear home, you are eligible to receive many tax benefits throughout the time you own the property. Here’s a brief overview of the top ten homeowner tax deductions: 1. Mortgage Interest Interest that you pay on your mortgage is tax deductible, within limits. If you're married and filing jointly, you can deduct all your interest payments on a maximum of $1 million in mortgage debt secured by a first or second home. The maximums are cut in half for married taxpayers filing separately. Note: … [Read more...]
How To Hold Title To Your Big Bear Real Estate
December 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment
One of the last things most home buyers think about is how to take title to their new house. It's best to consult a real estate attorney before deciding but, unfortunately, most homeowners don't do that. Here are the options available for holding title to your Big Bear real estate and how they affect your ownership. 1. Sole ownership If you are single, one way to hold title to your home is in your name alone. This method is also called ownership in severalty. When a married person takes title to real property … [Read more...]
Creating Defensible Space – Big Bear Real Estate
December 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers will help protect you against fires originating inside the home, but the best way to protect your Big Bear property from a forest fire or a nearby structure fire is by creating defensible space. Defensible space creates a separation between structures and trees and shrubs. By removing congested trees and shrubs, fire cannot easily jump from one plant or tree to another and eventually to your home. The following is an overview of local Big Bear clearance … [Read more...]
Real Estate Projects – Kitchen Makeovers
November 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Looking to improve your home’s resale appeal? An inexpensive kitchen makeover may be the way to go. Kitchens are the heart of the home, and Americans spend a lot of time there. Here are four easy tips to make your kitchen bright and inviting. 1. Painting Painting is probably the least expensive, yet effective, project. A new coat of paint will make your kitchen look revitalized. Be sure to include the ceiling. Check out Valspar (the Eddie Bauer Collection) for great color palette paint choices. This task can … [Read more...]
Big Bear CA – Utility Providers
November 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The utility services available to Big Bear homeowners vary depending on the location of the property. For instance, some areas in Big Bear have mail delivery and trash pick-up while other areas require you to pick up your mail at the local post office and haul out your trash to a disposal area or the local dump. The following is a list of Big Bear utility companies with a brief description of their services: Big Bear City Community Services District – (909) 585-2565 - 139 East Big Bear Blvd. (PO Box 558) Big Bear … [Read more...]
Winter Fun – Big Bear Real Estate
November 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
As soon as the first prediction of snow is forecast, the excitement builds across the Valley. Many of us choose to live in Big Bear because of the variety of recreational opportunities. Both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit lead the industry in snowmaking. That means plenty of snow, even when the afternoon temperatures hit 60 degrees. Bear Mountain caters to snowboarders. There is free public internet access everywhere. We recommend you start at Red Bull Plaza. The Park at Bear Mountain is devoted to free-style … [Read more...]
Winter Home Presentation for Real Estate
November 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
5 Tips on Staging & Selling Your Big Bear Home The spring and summer months aren’t the only Big Bear real estate selling season, the fact is there are lots of potential buyers in Big Bear during the winter season. And with inventory at its lowest level in years, the decision to market your property in the colder months can really pay off. 1. KEEP SAFETY IN MIND Clear snow from the driveway and walkways and apply ice-melt as needed. First impressions are most important, so be sure that access to your home is … [Read more...]
Nuances of Mountain Living
November 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Purchasing a Big Bear mountain home is a different decision than purchasing one “down the hill.” You’ll want to be prepared for the change from urban living to our mountaintop lifestyle. Expect changes in trash pickup, mail delivery and even grocery shopping. Trash pickup is determined by your neighborhood. Big Bear Lake and parts of Big Bear City have regular trash pickup. Once you get out to the east Valley, like Baldwin Lake, you have to take your trash to the dump (as a resident, there is no charge). Big Bear … [Read more...]
Big Bear Real Estate and Mortgage Rates
November 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Looking to purchase a home in Big Bear, CA? Obtaining the best mortgage rates can be daunting, especially since the lender requirements have changed over the past few years. There are fewer lenders and higher standards, due to the mortgage industry crisis. Your credit score has the most influence, but lenders also take into consideration your debt to income ratio, equity, job history and assets and savings. We distilled the qualifications for you: FICO Score Your credit score is the most influential part of … [Read more...]
Mountain Holidays
November 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Living in the mountains of southern California is especially fun during the holiday season. Big Bear dresses up with some magnificent touches from Mother Nature. One of my favorite traditions is singing Christmas carols with Santa, in the Village. This year, we expect Santa to arrive on Friday, November 23rd (the day after Thanksgiving). You can take advantage of free parking at the Visitor’s Center. We suggest you arrive early and dress warm so you can enjoy the live entertainment and the carolers. Enjoy … [Read more...]
