· PROPERTY INVENTORY:  1383 Listed     · TRENDS IN MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES:Stable · CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS: Great  Buyer's Market            · VALUES HAVE: Decreased 30% over the past 3 years · NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD LAST MONTH: 51 ( 3.6 % of Market)                                                                                                                                                                     Residential                             East Valley                                  West Valley  Price Range Active Pending Sold   Active Pending Sold $ 0           -  $199,999 208 44 17   28 10 6 $200,000  -  $399,900 167 21 8   198 21 12 $400,000  -  $599,999 22 3 1   107 8 1 $600,000  -  $799,999 11 0 1   50 2 3 $800,000  -  $999,999 10 0 0   32 1 0 $1 Mil     -   $1,499... 03/10/2009

       10 Year Average-Deed Recordings Compliments of Mike Dolan Prudential Properties of Big Bear         2007 vs. 2008 Average  89%         Mike Dolan Big Bear's Leading Realtor    # 8 Prudential Agent Award    7 time PREA 100 Award    11 time Diamond Circle Award     2 time 5 Year Legend Award Prudential Properties of Big Bear (909) 866-6453 (Office) (909) 936-6453 (Cell) mikedolan@bigbearproperties.com     03/10/2009

 The Big Bear Report March 2009    A Monthly Review of the Big Bear Real Estate Market   First of all, it's a buyer's market. But you already knew that, so what's stopping them? Today, more than ever, buyers must get past the media hype and fear and consider the fact that, over time, REAL ESTATE ALWAYS APPRECIATES. Several years ago, I attended a conference where Harry Dent, author of "The Next Great Bubble Boom" and "The Roaring 2000's" (both New York Times best sellers), gave an informative lecture using regional demographic data to forecast real estate market trends. One of his line graphs illustrated the general appreciation rate of real estate values over the past 80 years. When initially viewed, the line appeared to dissect the rectangular chart (starting from the lower left corn... 03/10/2009

I was inspired to write this blog today by, coincidentally, a blog written by another Big Bear Realtor that I read today. In his blog he made a claim that was so far off base it was laughable. He claimed that home prices in Big Bear are actually rising. Rising? I watch this market like a hawk and I have seen nothing that points to a rise in prices. As a matter of fact, for now, prices are dropping almost 1% per month. I understand seeing the glass as half full but, spreading misinformation like that is helpful to nobody. What is going to happen when he talks somebody on the fence into buying a home based on his made up statistics? When that buyers home doesn't appreciate in value that first year, there is going to be some you know what to pay. As a buyer or seller, you owe it to yourse... 03/10/2009

Construction on the Big Bear replacement bridge along Highway 18 will begin this Spring, but there is a groundbreaking ceremony this Thursday (March 11) at the PAC (Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center). Officials from Caltrans, the City of Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino County, the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce, and the Fawnskin Chamber of Commerce are all expected to attend. The event is open to the public and starts at 11am. FCI Constructors, Inc. will be in charge of the $39 million project which will replace the existing bridge with a new structure on the south side of the dam. It will have 3 lanes (12 feet wide) as opposed to two. One westbound lane will have a right turn option, 10' shoulders, and a 5 foot ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant sidewalk on one side of the bridg... 03/08/2009

  If you're looking for beach front property at Newport Beach, wouldn't it make sense to hire a Realtor who specializes in the ocean front property?  What good is a Realtor from San Bernardino going to be?  Is your local Realtor going to be qualified to answer your questions about owning a home on the ocean?  Are they going to know anything about the high tide?  What do you do to prepare for a big storm?  These are questions that you might want answers too.  Don't you think that it would be wise to hire a specialist who deals with nothing but ocean front homes?     If you want home in the High Desert of the San Bernardino County, wouldn't it be smart to locate an agent in that area.  An agent who specializes in the area and knows the difference between Apple Valley and Victorville?  If... 03/07/2009

If you would like to discuss the Big Bear Real Estate Market, please give me a call.   Steve Hirschler Associate, The Tim Wood Group Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery 42153 Big Bear Blvd. P.O. BOX 6820 Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 stevehirschler@gmail.com 909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889 Fax 909 866-3531 http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com Follow me on Twitter   Subscribe to "Ask an Expert, Big Bear Real Estate Blog 03/06/2009

Back in November of 2008 I wrote an offer for a home that was being offered as a short sale.  In December of 2008, I wrote another for a client on a home that was being offered as a short sale.  It is now March 4, 2009 and both of the escrows will close today.  I know one of my clients knew that the short sale process would take some time but the other client was clueless.  Before writing the offer in November, I explained the short sale process to my client and asked him if he was sure that this was what he wanted to do.  When I told him that the short sale could take some time, I don't think he really understood just how much time we were talking. How much are you really saving when you buy a home listed as a short sale? Three days before the short sale closed, the property next door ... 03/04/2009

Some quick facts. Active residential listings are now at 889, the lowest level in over 3 years. 58 of the 889 listed homes are foreclosure listings, or only 6.52% (Very Low Number). 50 closed residential sales in the Big Bear MLS for the month of February, compared to 34 in 2008. (47% increase) 25 of these 50 (50%) were foreclosures and 4 were short sales. (8%) of sales. In February 2008, 9 of the 34 residential sales were foreclosures (26%) and none of them were short sales. I see a trend. 2 months of unit sales increases, and inventory is going down not up..... What do you think this is signaling? Remember, Real Estate is Local! Steve Hirschler Associate, The Tim Wood Group Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery 42153 Big Bear Blvd. P.O. BOX 6820 Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 stevehirschler@gmail... 03/01/2009

Big Bear Lake has some great lakefront homes available.                                                         Big Bear Lakefront Home     There are 35 lakefront homes available currently. These lakefront homes are priced between $500,000 and $3,100,000. With 17 sold in all of 2008, that is a 2 year supply. Of these 35 active listings, 2 are bank owned (.57%), and 1 is a short sale. I should mention that there is another short sale that is not listed in the local Big Bear MLS (like fishing with no bait). I predict that the 2009 summer season will be a good year for unit sales on lakefront homes in Big Bear since the lake level will be high, and because of market conditions many buyers will think that lakefront homes are selling at huge discounts. They are not. While lakefront home pric... 02/21/2009

Some examples of current homes available in High Timber Ranch are shown below.   1679 Angels Camp / Listed by Larry Adam / Remax  3300 sq ft 4 bedroom 4 bath 25,500 sq ft lot Built in 2007 $730,000           1498 Klamath / Listed by Walt Dwyer / Remax             1920 sq ft 3 bedroom 2.5 bath 20,000 sq ft lot Built in 2007 $498,900 1466 Klamath / Listed by Therese McCallon / Remax 2384 sq ft  4 bedroom   3 bath 24,900 sq ft lot Built in 2005 $669,000 Steve Hirschler Associate, The Tim Wood Group Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery 42153 Big Bear Blvd. P.O. BOX 6820 Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 stevehirschler@gmail.com 909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889 Fax 909 866-3531 http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com Follow me on Twitter     Subscribe to "Ask an Expert, Big Bear Real Estate Blog" 02/18/2009

    The market today can best be described as a Buffalo Market. These Buffalo's, fueled by the media are running straight for the cliff. If something doesn't change, they will all run right off the cliff. Prices are down, sales units are up,  inventory is down and so are interest rates. These are all good things, so don't follow the herd off the cliff.     Let's take a closer look at the Big Bear Real Estate Market scenario. The Big Bear Real Estate Market is actually showing some signs of improvement. We have had 70 residential homes close escrow so far this year. Last year (2008) had only 46 for the same time period. That's a 52% increase this year! The median price sold has decreased from $290,000 to $233,850. That is a 19% decrease in median price sold in the past year. Inventory i... 02/16/2009

Just yesterday an agent from another brokerage was in our office in Big Bear telling us about a home that he had just listed.  When I heard the address, my ears perked up because I was the listing agent when the current owner bought the cabin.  The current owner bought this cabin about 18 months ago, so hearing that it was going up for sale, made me wonder about the price he was planning on asking for it.  I asked about the listing price and before he told me what it was listed for, he started off by telling me that he took the listing for twelve months and felt that he would need every bit of that twelve months to sell the place.  Obviously, he has the cabin priced at an inflated value. The Big Bear valley is no different than the rest of California. We ARE in a declining real estate m... 02/14/2009

You bought your week end get a way in Big Bear in 2006 and sat helplessly as your property taxes were adjusted to reflect the new value of the property.  I can't think of one of my clients who were thrilled when they got the supplemental tax bill.  Because of Proposition 13, the state is unable to increase taxes until the property sells.  Once the property changes ownership, the new owner is taxed off of the assessed value of the property.  Up until recently, that meant your taxes were going up as home values in Big Bear were up.  With the increase of bank owned, REO properties coming on the market and the decrease of home values, property taxes also have taken a dive. In December of 2007 I sold a bank owned, REO property for $60,000 less than the previous owner paid for it.  The new ho... 02/13/2009

 The Way It Was In 2006 You purchased your cabin in Big Bear in 2006 for $299,000.00  Loans were very easy to get at that time so you bought the cabin with as little as 10% down.  In an effort to keep the monthly payment nice and low, you chose the Adjustable Rate Mortgage, (ARM) over the 30 year fixed rate.  Fixed rate mortgages were 6 percent and the interest only ARM was only 4.5 percent.  The fact that the note would only give you three years at that low rate didn't concern you because you would simply refinance the loan when the time came.  The Way It Is In 2009 Ok, the three years have come and gone and your mortgage has reset to a much higher interest rate.  The payment is too much for your budget so you look to refinance the mortgage.  You bought the cabin in 2006 for $299,000. ... 02/11/2009

Moonridge received 1 1/2 - 2 foot of fresh snow on so far this week. This video was taken on Clubview Drive heading up to Bear Mountain. This is the Moonridge Area. If you would like to see what properties are available in Big Bear, just click here to: Search the Big Bear MLS. Steve Hirschler Associate, The Tim Wood Group Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery 42153 Big Bear Blvd. P.O. BOX 6820 Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 stevehirschler@gmail.com 909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889 Fax 909 866-3531 http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com   Subscribe to "Ask an Expert, Big Bear Real Estate Blog" 02/10/2009

We finish out the year in 2008 with 11% fewer deed recordings than 2007. The inventory of active listings in the Big Bear Area is now at 908, which is the lowest number of active listings in over 2 1/2 years. This is just about a one year supply based upon 2008 deed recordings. We currently have 115 pending escrows and 53 sold YTD 2009 (Big Bear MLS). Out of the 53 sold, 26 of those were either bank owned or short sale and 27 resale or new. Steve Hirschler Associate, The Tim Wood Group Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery 42153 Big Bear Blvd. P.O. BOX 6820 Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 stevehirschler@gmail.com 909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889 Fax 909 866-3531 http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com   Subscribe to "Ask an Expert, Big Bear Real Estate Blog" Previously Posted on "Ask An Expert, Big... 02/06/2009

The Big Bear Report    A Monthly Review of The Big Bear Real Estate Market by Big Bear's Leading Realtor®   Economic Forecast: Cloudy with a chance of Recession. No matter what news you watch or read, there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty that is being reflected in the financial and real estate markets throughout the country. Escalating job losses, declining retail sales and cash flow problems with the American auto makers all threaten to stall a meaningful recovery. People don't buy homes when they are worried about losing their job. The collapse began as a result of the housing market (mortgage backed securities) so the economic stimulus package must focus there first. Installing sod at the Washington monument can wait until the grass is greener in our backyards. Have we hit bo... 02/05/2009

If you would like to discuss the Big Bear Real Estate market, give me a call! Steve Hirschler Associate, The Tim Wood Group Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery 42153 Big Bear Blvd. P.O. BOX 6820 Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 stevehirschler@gmail.com 909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889 Fax 909 866-3531 http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com     Subscribe to "Ask an Expert, Big Bear Real Estate Blog" 02/02/2009

As a Realtor in Big Bear Lake, I have the opportunity to meet with a number of people, some Buyers and some Sellers.  In the five years that I've been selling Real Estate in Big Bear, I've gone from a very strong seller's market to the current Buyer's market.  The days of taking an overpriced listing and simply waiting for the market to catch up with the price have fallen by the way side.   The MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR in 2009 that a seller must understand if he or she is going to be successful in selling a Big Bear property is PRICE! Currently, there are 949 properties for sale in the Big Bear Valley.  140 of these homes are Short Sales and Bank Owned, REO properties.  The Bank Owned, REO and Short Sale properties account for 15% of the current inventory, yet the account for 70% of the sa... 02/02/2009