Vacation rentals are likely my most discussed topic while showing property to potential buyers. "How much could this generate annually?" "What are the restrictions?" "Do I need a hot tub?" "What is the best vacation rental area?" . Here in Big Bear, 80% of the homes sold are second ones and a majority of those will take advantage of the short term rental market. So what makes a great vacation rental? Let's dive in... Where should I buy? Location is a big factor (if not the biggest) when you are on your quest to … [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 Vacation Homes – Poised for a Comeback
April 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Big Bear second home sales have always driven our local real estate market. With over 25 million people living within a 2 hour drive, Big Bear is a natural choice for families looking for a vacation home or investment property. Thanks to affordable prices and unlimited recreational opportunities, the local vacation rental market is one of the hottest in California. The trend for second home purchases seems to be increasing across the country. The National Association of Realtors recently published the 2012 … [Read more...]
Big Bear Lake is Open!
April 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The first of April marks the beginning of our season out on the lake. The East Ramp on the North Shore is open to the public for boat launching, picnicking, and fishing from the shore. The hours for East Ramp are from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, daily. They are extended to 7:00 PM on May 10. The local marinas are also open for boat rentals and great fishing advice. All boats on the lake must have a permit and state registration. You can obtain permits at the boat ramps and most of the marinas. Motorized boats pay $25 for a … [Read more...]
Big Bear Real Estate Tour – East Big Bear City
April 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment
East Big Bear City is comprised of Baldwin Lake, Erwin Lake and Lake Williams. The area varies from pinion and cedar forests to high desert. It’s a great area for hiking, mountain biking, horses and ranching. All of Big Bear City is in the unincorporated area of San Bernardino County. According to the Chamber of Commerce, a “DBA” (Doing Business As) from your bank is all that is required to work out of your home. High speed computer access and cable television is available in most of this area. We enjoy the area’s … [Read more...]
Insuring Your Big Bear Vacation Home
November 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Finding and maintaining the correct property and liability insurance for your Big Bear vacation home can be a challenge. Most vacation properties are located in high risk areas such as low-lying beach towns or in national forests and that alone can make finding insurance difficult. Add into the equation that the property may be rented on a part-time basis and things can get really complicated. Here are a few basic rules to follow to help protect you and your property from insurance nightmares. Rule One - Honesty Is … [Read more...]
Real Estate: Second Homes
November 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The message delivered to the 2011 Realtors® Conference & Expo over the weekend was, “A diverse set of buyers and property types comprise the second-home sector and opportunities for second-home buyers exist in nearly every market, even in nontraditional, non-resort markets.” Many people investigating the real estate market in Big Bear are looking for getaways close to home. Your second home is an investment that should be carefully analyzed. Ask yourself the following questions: Do you plan to use it for … [Read more...]
