Big Bear Lake has been having optimum daytime weather compared to triple-digit Southern California. Autumn has arrived. The leaves are changing. The nights are cooling. The celebration starts as soon as you arrive! The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is a real treat for Southern California. A short drive up in the San Bernardino mountains, the "Highest Altitude Oktoberfest in the United States" is an open invitation to a fun time in Big Bear. There are only 4 weekends left! The 42nd Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is … [Read more...]
Foreclosures and Short Sales
September 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Whether you're attempting to sell Big Bear real estate or you're searching local real estate listings as a potential buyer, it's important to know the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale. Foreclosure is generally a worse outcome than a short sale, if you are the seller, but as a buyer of a distressed property, a short sale is often the more difficult process to negotiate through. Foreclosure for Owner A property that has been foreclosed on means that the owner did make the monthly mortgage payments … [Read more...]
Real Estate Appraisals
September 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The Big Bear real estate market isn’t immune to market fluctuations and many sellers are finding themselves in an unhappy but common predicament. They may be in escrow with a qualified buyer but the financing has now fallen through because the appraisal has come in at less than the agreed upon price of the home. This has led to a high number of contract cancellations. The increase in contract cancellations or delays has been blamed on more lenders declining mortgage applications from stricter underwriting … [Read more...]
Maintaining Your Big Bear Fireplace
September 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
You can feel it in the air. The fall season is upon us and soon temperatures will be dropping. One of the great things about the colder seasons in Big Bear is enjoying a roaring fire in your cabin or home. Here are a few tips for keeping your wood burning fireplace safe and working properly through the fall and winter months. The best thing you can do to maintain your wood burning fireplace is have it regularly checked and cleaned by a professional. A fireplace should be inspected at least once a year to avoid … [Read more...]
Homeowners Insurance
September 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Buying a home is likely the biggest purchase you'll ever make. It's important to protect this investment. This is where homeowners insurance comes in. Homeowners insurance provides you with broad coverage for losses that can arise while owning or renting out your home – like damage to your personal property, theft and vandalism, and liability coverage for accidental injury to another person or property. Accidents do happen and you want to be sure you're protected if someone is injured on your property. In the … [Read more...]
Maximizing Your Real Estate Agent
September 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
CNN Money: “When you go to an open house and meet a real estate agent showing the property, that agent represents the seller's interests. So you might be better off using a buyer's agent whose job is to represent your interests.” Purchasing real estate in Big Bear is an important financial decision. Home buyers will confront complex issues and lots of paperwork. Finding a buyer’s agent with expertise and local knowledge is invaluable. Market knowledge is one of the most important assets a buyer’s agent brings … [Read more...]
Interest Rates May Have Bottomed Out
August 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The Big Bear real estate market has been picking up steam lately thanks to the correction in home prices and historic low interest rates. And while many potential home buyers have been waiting on the sidelines for an indication that the market has bottomed out, the recent up-tick in interest rates may be signaling that the time to buy a Big Bear home or investment property is NOW. The most recent “Primary Mortgage Market Survey” by Freddie Mac reports that fixed mortgage rates moved higher following stronger … [Read more...]
Big Bear Real Estate – Tips For a Smooth Move
August 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Congratulations on selling your Big Bear home! It’s time to concentrate on the "fun" part of selling a home - packing up all those clothes, toys, and pots and pans. Here are a few tips for a smooth move. Start the packing process as early as possible. The earlier you begin packing the more organized and stress-free you’ll be. Go room by room and make notes on what’s going with you (and staying behind). Stock up on packing supplies, including: boxes, bubble wrap, newspapers, labels, markers, packing foam, packing … [Read more...]
Summer Cycling Events in Big Bear Lake
August 3, 2012 by 1 Comment
After the Big Bear Climb, the fantastic Amgen race in the Spring, the end of July and beginning of August are prime times for bicycling in Big Bear. Well organized and waiting for you, tune into https://www.bigbearcycling.com. The Big Bear Cycling Association is a non-profit organization devoted to all things cycling in the San Bernardino Mountains. As well as workshops and loads of events, they schedule weekly group rides for all levels and ages. In an hour and a half, you'll have the ride of your … [Read more...]
Types of Home Loans
July 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The dictionary defines mortgage, as “a conveyance of or lien against property (as for securing a loan) that becomes void upon payment or performance according to stipulated terms”. There are many features to consider when securing a home loan. You’ll want to consider the size of the mortgage, method of repayment, interest rate and maturity of the loan. Fixed Rate Mortgage 75% of all mortgages are fixed rate, it’s the mainstay of the home loan industry. They’re popular because they’re predictable. Borrowers … [Read more...]
