Buying property that can accommodate your horse(s) can be a good solution if you don’t want to stable your animal. The investment will pay off over the years. There are several neighborhoods in Big Bear that are excellent locations for horses. North Baldwin Lake has an area especially developed as equestrian property. There are also a lot of horses in Erwin Lake, Lake Williams and Shay Meadow. Big Bear requires a minimum of a half acre to keep one or two horse, allowing a maximum of four horses per acre. … [Read more...]
Reduce Big Bear Homeowner Expenses
February 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Maximize the current upswing in the economy and work to reduce your monthly payables. As a real estate owner on the mountain, tightening your belt will help you to reach your goals sooner and have you prepared for the “unexpected.” Ways to reducing reoccurring expenses. 1. Bundle your services. Charter, the cable access company for many people on the mountain, offers several bundling packages with internet download speeds up to 30Mbps. No contracts are required. Go through your current monthly bills. Consider … [Read more...]
Reducing Cold Weather Energy Costs
February 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Even in sunny Big Bear, California, the temperature can drop below freezing and that means you need to take time to make sure that your home is energy efficient for the cold-weather season. Perhaps the biggest waste of energy is when heat escapes through leaks in windows, doors, fireplace dampers, ducts, wires, and pipes. This is pretty common in older Big Bear cabins and homes. A well-sealed home is an energy-efficient home that can save you as much as 10 to 15 percent on your heating bill. To make sure your home … [Read more...]
Protecting Your Real Estate Investment – Frozen Pipes
February 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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...]
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...]
Big Bear Real Estate – Sellers
January 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Beautiful landscaping around a home not only increases the overall value, it also acts as an advertisement. Increasing “curb appeal” in the mountains does not require an expensive investment. As a matter of fact, there are many species of plants that naturally thrive in Big Bear, CA. About.com suggests attractive landscaping can increase your home’s value from 7% to 15%. Trends suggest perspective buyers are interested in low-maintenance yards with year-round visual interest. Xeriscaping, landscaping that … [Read more...]
Big Bear City – Real Estate Information
December 31, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Big Bear City consists of numerous neighborhoods including; Tanglewood Trails, Valley View, Shay Meadow, Pinewood Estates, North Shore East - Peter Pan, Maple Ridge, Gold Mountain, Forest Spring, Bear Loop, Wildhorse Estates, Hamilton Ranch, Meadowbrook Estates, Whispering Forest, Lake Williams, Erwin Lake and Baldwin Lake. As an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County, Big Bear City comprises 31.95 square miles. Big Bear City is home to an airport (L35), KBHR Radio, the Big Bear City Fire Department, an … [Read more...]
Big Bear Real Estate Buyers – First Time Tips
December 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most of us will make. The real estate market in Big Bear has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Prices have fluctuated significantly, as have the number of homes for sale, and getting a loan ain't what it used to be. Here are five tips to simplify the process of buying real estate in Big Bear today - 1. Lenders and budget. Research lenders first and use their advice in determining your budget. Get pre-qualified. Don’t assume that because your credit is … [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...]
