Big Bear... was hit with a cold snap earlier in January and the ever present problem of frozen pipes reared its ugly head throughout the valley. I made the rookie mistake of leaving my hoses attached to the outdoor faucets and woke up to frozen pipes. Fortunately, the problem was isolated to a small area of my home, but I learned from my plumber that over 40 homes in my neighborhood had been affected. Water, as we learned in school, expands when frozen. That's a problem because inside the pipes, there is no room … [Read more...]
Big Bear Healthcare Services
January 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
For a relatively small community, Big Bear is fortunate to have excellent health care services. This includes a top rated hospital (4 out of 5 stars), private practice doctors and dentists, ambulance services, chiropractors, optometrists, and two large chain pharmacies. Big Bear also has two excellent veterinary clinics to care for our pets and the occasional injured wild animal. The “Bear Valley Community Healthcare District” encompasses our local hospital with emergency services, acute care, radiology, … [Read more...]
How Much Big Bear Real Estate Can I Afford?
January 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Are you gearing up to buy a Big Bear home? Now is a great time to make a move in the local real estate market. First of all, interest rates are at historic lows. Compare today's 30-year fixed-rate average of between 3 and 4 percent to the 13 to 18 percent rates of the 1980's. This gives buyers more purchasing power as current interest rates equate to lower monthly mortgage payments. Additionally, homes are now at their most affordable on record. This is because home values have dropped considerably in the past few … [Read more...]
Tips for Winter Driving in Big Bear
December 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Before coming "Up the Mountain" for some slope time at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, please be sure you and your car understand the conditions you may encounter. Here are a few tips you may not have thought of when driving in the mountains. Before you leave, check your tire pressure. Balance the pressure in all 4 tires and check the spare. Don't over inflate! You are more likely to slip and slide. We really do have, "Twisty Mountain Roads", just like it says in the brochures. Throw a can of flat fixer under the … [Read more...]
Top 10 Tax Breaks For Homeowners
December 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
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...]
