The wedding and the honeymoon are joyous times, celebrating with family and friends. As you move into daily life, home buying becomes one of the largest decisions you make together. Planning and communicating will save you time and reduce arguments later. Define how long you expect to live there and whether this is where you will begin to raise a family. This will impact what you need in a home. 1. Deposit Considerations Prior to considering your amount for deposit, be sure you have at least three to six months … [Read more...]
Home Selling Tips
Photo: East Big Bear City, Baldwin Lake Neighborhood You’ve picked your listing agent and your home is priced right. The show is on! Here are a few helpful suggestions about showing your home. The Lock Box Option These are not for everyone, but they increase your home’s marketability. It makes your home available to prospective viewers seven days a week. Most Agents will give you several hours notice. If you’re interested, ask your listing agent to set this up for you. Try not to be home It’s not always possible, … [Read more...]
Real Estate Neighborhood Tours – Fawnskin
You may recognize the Fawnskin area from the Eddie Murphy movie, ‘Dr. Doolittle’. We love this area because it’s heavily wooded and backs into some of the Valley’s best hiking and mountain biking trails. Fawnskin was originally an artist’s community, and is steeped in history. It was the beginning of the main coach road through the mountains. It’s best known as the gateway into Holcomb Valley, where southern California’s largest deposit of gold was found. Fawnskin was also home to loggers and hunters. The Pederson … [Read more...]
Cleaning Up Your Credit – Big Bear Real Estate
Having a good credit score is more important than ever. It can mean the difference between qualifying for your Big Bear dream home or missing out on a great opportunity. Savvy buyers have been snatching up well priced Big Bear real estate within days of coming on the market. The key to having a strong negotiating position is to be pre-qualified and ready to move when the right property becomes available. The first step in the process is to get the hard, cold facts. There are several places to obtain your score such … [Read more...]
Southern California’s Rim of the World
In most of Southern California, "Winter" means clear, brisk days, morning fog and snow capped mountains. Visibility, given the right conditions, can be completely "socked in" or crystal clear and breathtaking. There are particular times, coming to or leaving Big Bear and the San Bernardino Mountains that offer fantastic views. Obviously, you will need to choose your times to drive and take advantage of the conditions. For a change of pace, don't allow yourself to get caught in a long line of locals expecting you … [Read more...]
Your Home, Your Abilities
Buying a home is an emotional decision. Real Estate buyers typically “try the house out.” They open closets, cupboards and almost anything else with a handle. They will switch on lights, turn on faucets and flush toilets. How do you make your home stand out in today’s real estate market? Small, incremental improvements can make a big impression on prospective buyers. Home Preparation Tips • Clean and shine fixtures including door handles, light switches, faucets and anything else that’s shiny. Check ceiling for … [Read more...]
Big Bear Lake’s Snow Summit
I finally made it to the slopes. It’s been almost two years since my last snowboard outing. After years of begging my nephew to come up and ride with me he called me over the holidays and informed me he was ready to join me on the slopes. What I didn’t know was my nephew had been preparing for this day for quite a while. He took some lessons last year and without my knowledge had become a competent snowboarder. When he arrived the night before with some of the nicest, most expensive gear I have ever seen, I knew I … [Read more...]
Healthy Big Bear Homes
During the winter, the average American spends 90% of their time indoors. We rarely think about the air quality around us. By taking a few easy steps we can improve our surroundings. Asthma and other chronic diseases will especially benefit from a healthy environment. From house plants to natural fibers, there are several inexpensive ways to improve your home and your health benefits. Air Fresheners Beside adding color and vibrance to a home, house plants also act like an air filter, purifying the air. They … [Read more...]
Snowshoe Big Bear Lake
With some of the best snow in the country, Big Bear is calling you to come celebrate all that Winter 2012 has to offer. Snow conditions couldn't be better. We're not just talking about the fantastic skiing and snowboarding. The holiday snow fell everywhere, leaving a thick, inviting, layer of white throughout the valley. Need a break from "Machine Groomed Packed Powder"? Just need to walk? Get off the roads and paths. Both fun and useful, snowshoeing is well worth the try. Head into untouched snow! Be your own "Off … [Read more...]
Big Bear Real Estate – Tour Moonridge
The Moonridge area is comprised of Lower Moonridge, Upper Moonridge and High Timber Ranch. It backs up to the San Bernardino National Forest and was one of the first areas settled in Big Bear Lake. Today it's home to the Moonridge Zoo, the Bear Mountain Golf Course, and Bear Mountain Resort. The area is loaded with hiking trails and is a perfect location if you love mountain biking. Aside from activities there are shops and great places for lunch. Lower Moonridge The lower section of Moonridge has all of the … [Read more...]