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...]
Snow and Real Estate
November 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
If you purchased a home in Big Bear during the summer months you probably weren’t thinking about things like blowing and drifting snow or sheets of ice around your property. The sun is slowly sinking to its lowest point in the sky and many areas will be shaded by trees or mountains for a large part of the day. Some winters will have snow storms one after the other. Other years can be super dry with hardly any snowfall. No matter what the forecasters say, we just don’t know what will happen until it happens. While … [Read more...]
Big Bear Lake’s Halloween in the Village
October 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Big Bear Lake celebrates Halloween throughout the Valley. Not only can you see decorations by locals, Mother Nature also competes for attention. One trip down Foxfarm and you’ll think you’ve changed coasts. We have beautiful yellows, brilliant oranges and a few reds. The more adventurous people head off-road to see the Aspens turn yellow. The Aspen Glen at Fish Creek usually puts on a spectacular display. The best known mountain-top Halloween event is Halloween in the Village. It’s sponsored by the City of Big … [Read more...]
Home Warranties
October 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The last thing a home buyer wants to worry about after closing is an expensive repair in their new home. Since that can cover a multitude of items and systems, it's a good idea to get a home protection plan. It's especially a good idea if you're a first-time home buyer with no “do-it-yourself” skills. Most homebuyers may not be be particularly well informed about home warranty policies, home warranty companies, or the various optional coverage available, and should ask their real estate agent for guidance. Who … [Read more...]
Going Solar In Your Big Bear Home
October 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The decision to go solar provides a lot to think about. Even though Big Bear receives over 300 days of sunshine per year, solar power isn’t for everyone. You need to get a good picture of what your current energy usage is, and learn how you can reduce your energy consumption in low and no cost ways. Tapping in to the power of the sun has multiple advantages. You can lower your energy costs and it will help you do your share to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, going solar requires you to consider a … [Read more...]
More Fall Colors in Big Bear
October 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The trees changing colors along Rathburn creek, behind the Von's shopping area, looking southeast towards Moonridge and Sugarloaf mountain. … [Read more...]
Fall Season Home Maintenance Checklist
October 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
You can feel it in the air – it’s fall in Big Bear. As we get into the cold weather season the days start getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. It’s time to perform some routine maintenance to avoid major problems and to keep your Big Bear home operating more efficiently. Here’s a fall season checklist to help you with the most common home maintenance issues: Heating System – Replace the filter and consider hiring a qualified professional to service the heating system. Air Vents/Registers - Adjust … [Read more...]
Home Selling Advice
October 12, 2012 by 1 Comment
Many of us have crowded closets and store extra things in our garages. The problem is, potential buyers love to poke their heads into our closets and drawers. Clutter can turn off a perspective buyer or, worse yet, give them the feeling that the space is too small for their needs. Home buyers will also inspect kitchen cupboards and drawers. Organize them so they look spacious. Eliminate chipped or mismatched dishes and old pots or pans. Small upgrades like changing the counter tops and adding a new coat of paint … [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...]
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...]
