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Big Bear, CA Real Estate News

By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
I ran into something the other day that has never happened to me before. I got a call from a trusted home inspector I recommend and trust, who said a client I had recommended him too had said " Why should I trust you to do my home inspection? Isn't it possible you guys would work together to downgrade problems and make the deal go together easier?" This had never occurred to me before. It made me think " Is this even possible "?But I put myself in the buyers position and realized, he kind of had a point. I mean, it could happen, right? After I thought for a second, the absurdity of it hit home. Why would the home inspector risk losing his livelihood over a couple hundred bucks? Why would I risk a lawsuit and my license to make one deal come together? The answer is, we wouldn't. It simpl...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
It seems like everywhere I turn, I am constantly reminded about how bad things are supposed to be. According to the media, I should be wearing rags and holding a card board sign asking for donations in front of my office. I should up late worrying about how I can scrape enough change together to buy some Top Ramen and saltines to feed my family. When I first heard these grumblings, I'll be honest here, I really did have moments of despair. But , after some thought, I realized that the only thing I have control over is my own life.It's hard to be sad all the time when you live in a town as beautiful as Big Bear, and I wasn't down for long. I looked around me and realized that the Realtors who were going to make it through were the ones who were prepared to work long and hard. The ones wh...
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By Tyler Wood, Big Bear Real Estate
(RE/MAX Big Bear)
The High Timber Ranch area of Moonridge has been around since 1999. The first phase contained 67 parcels. The second phase, which came up for sale in 2001, had 47 lots. There is potential for another 200 parcels to be developed within the next 2-5 years, depending on the real estate market conditions. The area has underground utilities along with protective CC&R's. Even though most of the properties are over 1/2 acre of land, horses are not allowed in the High Timber Ranch area. Currently, there is no Homeowners Association nor the associated fees/dues. People like the High Timber Ranch area for several reasons. Every property in the area close to 1/2 acre or more with some over an acre. Most of the properties are heavily treed for added privacy and seclusion. Some properties also back ...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
Lately, it seems like I have been getting inundated by calls from buyers who want to get a foreclosed property for pennies on the dollar. With the negative media blitz, it seems like it should be an easy proposition. I've got news for you, it is and it isn't. Like traditional listings, a bank owned property that is priced fairly and attractively is going to garner a great deal of attention and sell for a good price in a timely manner. As a matter of fact, the difference between the listing price and the selling price is almost the exact same as other properties in Big Bear, around 7%.I have run across some very attractive properties that are priced far below what they originally sold for. While it may seem like it is worth a effort make an extremely low offer and "see what happens", it ...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
What a winter we are having. It just keeps snowing up here in beautiful Big Bear. It seems like I get my house shoveled out and WHAM, another storm. We have doubled our average snowfall every month this winter. If it keeps up at this pace, it is going to be really good for the valley. We depend on the winters to keep the lake full and the trees healthy. A good winter is also very important in keeping wildfire risk at a minimum. My hope for the Spring is to see a lake brimming to the top with clear, clean water from all the snow run off. And, I might add, a whole bunch of people enjoying all that Big Bear has to offer.We are, in every sense of the word, a four season resort. As fun as it is to ski in the winter, it's just as much fun to go boating, fishing, and hiking in the summer. We h...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
I don't know what it is, but 2008 has been great so far. The phones in our office are ringing a great deal more than they were just a month ago. I have been very busy and am doing much better than I anticipated after last year. As a matter of fact everyone in my office seems to be doing very well. The board is filling up listings and homes going into escrow. Most importantly, everybody's attitudes are very chipper and upbeat. It's a great feeling to go to work everyday with people who want to be there and are having a great time doing something they love. I just hope it keeps up, because 2008 has been wonderful so far! 
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
As many of you probably already know, bank owned properties come in a wide variety of conditions. From pristine to tear downs. What some agents new to the business may not be aware of, is the condition can directly affect the ability to get financing. On Sunday I showed property to a couple who are looking for an investment property they can fix and then use for a few years until the market turns around and then sell for a profit. Because of their needs, bank owned properties are right up their alley.This is where the trouble comes in. The couple are highly qualified and have a substantial down payment and great credit score. But, since many of the bank owned properties they want to purchase are in various states of disrepair, they are deemed uninhabitable and getting financing is very ...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
SUGARLOAFIf you are in the market for an affordable property in a mountain setting, Sugarloaf is a good place to start.  Situated in the East End of The Big Bear Valley, Sugarloaf is a heavily forested area that borders The National Forest.  When Sugarloaf first came into being, it was a neighborhood dedicated to small cabins for part time use. As a result, many of the cabins are less than 1,000 square feet and situated on smaller parcels of land. On the other hand, there are also many homes on large parcels to be found.Though the average price of a home in Sugarloaf is less than most of the valley, they have had the best appreciation in value over the past couple of years.  Over time, many of the older cabins have been either entirely demolished or completely remodeled, resulting in an...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
For the last year or so we have all been hearing about the great deals to be had on Bank Owned property. This exceptional home really proves that statement to be true. Built on a promontory overlooking Stony Creek, this home is an absolute beauty.  From top of the line appliances, to the four fireplaces and the three car garage, this home is a stunner! Featuring five bedrooms and four and a half baths, this 3,324 square foot home is perfect for either an upscale vacation home or gracious full time living.  It was last purchased in June of 2005 for the price of 1.16 million and rightfully so - Eagle Mountain is one of the best neighborhoods Big Bear Lake has to offer. Now for the best part... Today all of this is available to you for only $689,900.00!  A savings of over $470k.If you hav...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
BIG BEAR LAKE CENTRALBig Bear Lake Central is an area of extremes. In one area you will be surrounded by little, older cabins and the next block over will be multi-million dollar lakefronts. Since it is one of the older neighborhoods in the valley, the conditions of the homes vary greatly. Forest Road, for example, runs right through the heart of Big Bear Lake Central. When you first turn onto Forest from the boulevard, you will be greeted by older properties, many in poor condition. But, as you follow it towards the lake, the character of the neighborhood changes rapidly.  Until you end up with some of the most expensive homes in the valley. Many owners have taken the older properties and remodeled them completely, maintaining the charm of the originals, but adding all the modern conve...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
Boy, is it cold up here. There are some very ominous looking clouds starting to peek their heads over the mountains. It definitely looks like we are in for another winter storm. We have already had two substantial storms this year, and hopefully this will be another one. A good storm is a great bonus for all businesses up here in Big Bear. Snow equals tourists, and they are the life blood of our economy. We had even more fantastic bank owned properties come on the market this week, and I don't think the flow is going to slow down anytime soon. If you are interested in bank owned properties in Big Bear Lake, Ca please visit my blog at www.bigbearreo.com . It is packed with information and links to real estate in Big Bear.Sincerely,Izzy BardenColdwell Banker Mountain Gallery Realtors909-8...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
As I am sure we are all aware, bank owned properties came in all manner of conditions. You can look at one on one street that is nearly immaculate, and the next block over, find one that is falling into pieces. Sometimes the ones in the worst condition, are priced the highest. Sometimes the best ones are priced to sell and go very quickly. Like standard listings, the price is going to be very important in how quickly the property sells. Sometimes, even a very fair price is not enough to get it sold. Even a bank owned property listed under fair market value can sit around in todays market. Some banks realize this fact and price the foreclosed property at rock bottom to get it off of their books. Other banks have a wait and see mentality and price the home around fair market value, a tact...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
In addition to being the premier vacation spot in Southern California, Big Bear also has the distinction of being a top training spot for boxers and MMA fighters. In fact, due to the high altitude and proximity to Los Angeles, we have become the area of choice for many of the top fighters in the world today. It is not uncommon to be driving to work and see Sugar Shane Mosley jogging in the snow besides the boulevard. Boxers first started training up here full time in the late 90's, Oscar De La Hoya in particular. At one time, Oscar, Fernando Vargas, and Sugar Shane all owned homes in Big Bear Lake. Oscar recently sold his estate to former Light Heavyweight Champion Of The World Tito Ortiz. Even more than the boxers, MMA fighters have been training here in droves. In the past year alone,...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
If you are a person who really likes to " Get away from it all " then Baldwin Lake is the place for you. Located at the far East End of the Big Bear Valley, Baldwin Lake has the best seclusion Big Bear has to offer. The terrain is a combination of mountain and desert, with pinon pines vying for space with sage bush and grasslands. The area is a mixture of rolling hills and flat horse country. The views of the East Valley from the hilltops are absolutely breath taking. The property values cover the whole spectrum from manufactured homes in the low 100's, to sprawling estates priced in the millions. As a matter of fact, the only really affordable acreage parcels are almost exclusively in The Baldwin Lake area.Since the area is so rural, a few things need to be kept in mind when considerin...
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Originally posted on the Big Bear REO Blog. Everyone is hearing about how great of a deal a bank owned property can be.  There is a misconception that these REOs are all run down, neglected properties.  Well this isn't always the case.  In fact sometimes a great property is foreclosed on and becomes available as a bank owned.  This lakefront property in Big Bear Lake is one of those unique properties.  This home went into foreclosure and came on the market as an REO during the summer of 2007.  The bank first priced the property at $1.825 Million which was close to the price of the last sale on the property back in Summer 2004.  While this was probably a little high,  it wasn't as outrageous as it might seem.  Prices have came down in Big Bear but as everyone knows Real Estate is all abo...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
I just wanted to let everyone know that today is a beautiful day up here in the mountains. All the roads are open, and the snow is excellent. Plus, it is definetly sweater weather, no jackets required. Unless you hit the slopes that is. I look forward to seeing you all in Beautiful Big Bear Lake.
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By Steve Hirschler, Big Bear Real Estate
(Keller Williams Big Bear)
As a home owner and Big Bear Real Estate agent that has lived in the upper Moonridge area of Big Bear Lake for over 18 years, I have noticed that people can't seem to find their way out of upper Moonridge. Neither could I, the first time I came up to visit my wife parents I got lost. I think I got lost every time we visited. Now it's just second nature for me, but I remember the frustration. My house sits on a corner in upper Moonridge. If I'm out shoveling my driveway in the winter or washing my car in the summer, someone will always stop to ask directions. I'm always happy to help out and direct them to where they want to go. Villa Grove is the longest street in Big Bear, and I live on Villa Grove. Many times people are following someone in their group that doesn't have a clue which d...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
If you are from Southern California, than Big Bears great skiing is already known to you. As a matter of fact, we have the two best ski resorts in SoCal in our town. Both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit have excellent terrain and the best snow making equipment in the world to assure the snow stays great and the slopes stay open.While both snowboarding and skiing are allowed at both resorts, Bear Mountain is more geared towards the younger snowboarding crowd, while Snow Summit caters to the skiers. If you need equipment, no fear, Big Bear has plenty of great shops that offer both new equipment for sale or rental. My two favorite shops are Goldsmiths Board Shop located on the corner of Moonridge Road and Big Bear Blvd and Blauers Board Shop on Big Bear Blvd across the street from Taco Bell....
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Originally posted on the Big Bear REO Blog. During a Real Estate transaction buyers are bombarded with Disclosure after Disclosure to read and sign.  While all the Disclosures are imprortant for different reasons, some seem unnecessary to buyers.  Often times buyers even question why something so obvious has to be put down on paper.  Obviously most of the forms are to protect the parties of the transaction and none more so than the three page Transfer Disclosure Statement, commonly referred to as the TDS.Agent Section of TDSCalifornia law requires a TDS to be part of all transactions involving 1-4 residential units.  Although the responsibilty to deliver the TDS is on the Buyers agent, the TDS form is filled out by the seller, Listing agent and Buyers agent.  The Two agents (or one if i...
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By Israel Barden
(RE/MAX Big Bear Village)
For anybody waiting to buy in Big Bear, it is a great time. Our busiest times of year are the summer, and the year end holidays. The time between January and June are usually our slowest. This means that houses on the market are not getting very many offers, if any at all. If you are a qualified buyer, you will most likely be the only one bidding on a particular property. Also, if a home failed to sell during the holidays, by March it is probably getting close to the end of the listing period and the listing agent is clamoring for a price reduction. In fact, odds are the listing agent may have given the seller a certain price but the seller wanted to try a higher price before giving in to his agents advice. Because of my knowledge of the inventory, I have a good idea of which properties...
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