That is a question that I ask many buyers. Many buyer's think that the market is so slow that they don't need to move quickly. They feel like the longer they wait, the better the deals will be. True, the very best deal could come along at anytime, and that is why I love Real Estate. The perfect house could come on the market and someone will buy it. More than likely though if the deal (price) is best, the house will not be so good. Rarely, and I don't mean occasionally, a great house will sell for under value. More often, the best homes sell for the highest prices. What makes them the best? In Big Bear, location is most important. As you know if you have talked to me or read my blog, Moonridge is one of my favorites.Most buyers want to feel like they are in the mountains. They want secl... 01/29/2009

Due to the fact that the mortgage has reset, many people in the Big Bear Valley are trying to sell their homes rather than face foreclosure.  In a lot of cases, the home owner owes the bank more than the house is worth and as a result, can't refinance the home.   If the home owner goes ahead and sells his Big Bear property short of what he owes, he has a couple of options.  The first is to make up the difference at closing and the second is to ask the bank to take a loss.  If the bank agrees to take less than is owed, then you are selling the property short.  Currently, there are 86 homes for sale in the Big Bear Multiple listings Service being offered as short sales.  Short Sales normally take a long time to work their way through the process.  This statement can NOT be underestimated.... 01/24/2009

Big Bear Real Estate is a unique market. With less than 10% of the listings in the Big Bear MLS being bank owned, it isn't the same as the rest of the Inland Empire. While bank owned properties seem to be driving the market here with over 30% of the closed transactions in the past 3 months, these numbers are far below the average for the other areas of San Bernardino County. Close to 70% of the transactions in Big Bear MLS are still coming from traditional Real Estate transactions with a typical buyer and seller situation. Currently we have 931 residential properties available in the Big Bear MLS, and 68 of these are flagged as bank owned (7.30%). The Big Bear MLS has 100 pending sales and 52 of these are flagged as bank owned (52%). Month to date (January 1 - 23, 2009) we have had only... 01/23/2009

Hello all my Inland Empire agents and Victor Valley Agents,   I need some agents to take advantage of a huge opportunity to get unparrelled exposure. Corporate has extended the PROMO for February. If an agent comes into the book for a half page then we will automatically upgrade them to a full page. So, your only paying $320.00 versus $520.00, this includes your listings being fed to all of our partner websites, 35+ !! This is a 3 issue agreement, a savings of $600.00. As an added BONUS, the first agent in the Victorville market and the Inland Empire (Valley floor) to respond will get a home featured on the COVER for free!   I know times are tough, however we all need exposure in this market and I have the best program out there. I have a team of graphic artists waiting to build the pa... 01/23/2009

This 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo is just steps from beautiful Snow Summit in Big Bear Lake.   Just imagine, no more parking your car a half a mile away and riding in the shuttle like a heard of cattle.  This condo was remodeled in 2005 and now features a rock fireplace, new Berber carpet, and the breakfast bar is covered with terracotta stone.           The Big Bear Escape Condos are configured in three rows.  Unit #101 is located on the back row which backs up to Snow Summit.  You can ski all day and then come home and relax in your very own condo.       With the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs.  you get  a much larger living area downstairs.  The kitchen is open to the living room and you feel like you're part of the activities.             41935 Switzerland, Unit 101 comes furnished and ... 01/18/2009

Believe it or not a Real Estate agent that works the local market will have a better feel for property values than a computer. While I agree that Zillow should not be ignored completely, using Zillow as the tool for pricing Real Estate can be a disaster. Two examples of this currently are: 43046 Sunset Drive, Moonridge  Zillow Zestimate $232,000 In escrow at $176,000   801 Barker, Big Bear City Zillow Zestimate $147,500 In escrow at $98,100   This represents a 38.4% inaccuracy from Zillow. You might as well get a dart board and start throwing. 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 htt... 01/16/2009

It seems that we can't escape it.  Every time we pick up the newspaper, turn on the news, or surf the internet, we are always hearing about the home foreclosures.  It wasn't too long after the foreclosures over took the headlines that you started hearing about loan modifications.  In an effort to stop the avalanche of foreclosures, lenders started to take a look at the adjustable rate mortgages.  In many cases, the root cause of many of the foreclosures started with the adjustable rate mortgage. I've been selling Real Estate in Big Bear since 2003 and I can't count how many of the deals I did where done with adjustable rate mortgages.  Why not?  The rate of appreciation in Big Bear was double digit and the turnover was averaging 18 months.  A good example of what I am talking about is t... 01/13/2009

  Three months ago, I took a listing on a clean 1 bedroom cabin in the east end of the Big Bear Valley.  The problem is that I took the listing at to high a price.   After previewing the cabin, I suggested a list price of $99,000.  At that time, there were very few, if any homes for sale priced under $100,000 and I believe that it would have sold quickly at that price.  The sad thing is that the property owner didn't listen to me and insisted that I list the cabin with some "cushion" built in.  Over time, the seller has given me price reductions, but never what I've asked for. Here we sit, some three months later and guess what?  That's right, the cabin has not sold.  The property owner has reduced the price to what I wanted to start with but that price has past.  Three months ago, ther... 01/10/2009

 Summary Report For Residential Closings Last Month   TotalSold Average List Price Median List Price Lowest List Price Highest List Price Ave $ (SP) Per sq. ft. 41 $398,890 $259,900 $58,900 $2,750,000 $211.56             Price         Differential Average Sold Price Median Sold Price Lowest Sold Price Highest Sold Price Average DOM 100% $361,526 $262,000 $55,000 $2,286,000 126   · PROPERTY INVENTORY:  Stable Buyer's Market      · TRENDS IN MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES: Lower or Decreasing · CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS: Very Distressed · VALUES HAVE: Decreased 30% over the past 3 years · NUMBER OF PROPERTIES SOLD LAST MONTH: 41 ( 4.3% of Market)     Mike Dolan Realtor® # 8 Prudential Agent Award 7 time PREA 100 Award 11 time Diamond Circle Award  2 time 5 Year Legend Award   Prudential Properti... 01/07/2009

           The Big Bear Report            January 2009    A Monthly Review of The Big Bear Real Estate Market by Big Bear's Leading Realtor®     So now we know what happens when too many people who have too few assets buy too much house with the help of too many risky mortgage products and too little oversight. While there is plenty of blame to go around, why is it that the culprits most responsible for this financial mess continue to make it so difficult? I don't know about you, but I was under the impression that our tax dollars were supposed to be used to infuse the banking system so they could circulate those funds and make loans. It appears, the only thing these "mismanaged" lenders are doing with the money is making their balance sheets look good for their stockholders. Despite c... 01/07/2009

Call me for the name of an agent in Orange County that can help you, but don't call me or any other agent that works out of the area and expect to get an expert.  When you need a surgeon, you look for the expert in the area of your surgery. You wouldn't call a brain surgeon,   for surgery on your knee.   Real Estate is local and that will not change. I am an expert in Big Bear Real Estate, but I don't know enough about any other area to do a good job for you. Work with an full time agent that is actively working the area that you will be buying or selling in. These agents will be the most knowledgeable about the inventory and local market conditions. Every week I see agents from out of the area showing property to clients as if they are experts in Big Bear Real Estate. Ask your agent ho... 01/06/2009

Moonridge Area of Big Bear Lake market information. If you would like to discuss market trends and information about Big Bear Real Estate, please fill free to 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 the Big Bear Real Estate Blog 01/04/2009

The search has ended and you found the perfect cabin in Big Bear.  The negotiations are over, the inspection is history, and the long and stressful escrow period has closed. Now comes the tough part, it's time to move. Even though you have spent many weekends in Big Bear, the thought of moving can be an especially stressful time. So many details to oversee, children and pets to think of, the tension that comes with leaving family and friends, and the thought of starting your life over in a new community where you don't know anyone. The summer months are the most popular times for moves, usually so a child's school year isn't interrupted. While preparing a child for the big move is important, it's equally important that you keep your cool, stay organized, and present the upcoming move as... 01/04/2009

Home buyers today are of the "Bank-Owned/REO Mentality."  They want to buy something with that kind of price tag, regardless of who owns it. I came across an article from CNNMoney that really hits home on what is going on in the current housing market.  If you want to sell a home in this market, no matter how much it hurts, you need to price your home like a bank-owned or REO property. That is your competition. The tough part about this is that bank-owned or REO properties are priced 20-40% less than the non-REO or bank-owned properties. The first and last paragraphs of the article spell it out pretty clearly: Selling a home in this market is hard enough. Competing in a neighborhood flooded with foreclosed homes that are heavily discounted is nearly impossible. For desperate sellers, t... 01/03/2009

Over 4 feet that past 2 weeks and my back is feeling it.  To put this in perspective, here are two photos of my listing for sale at 42235 Heavenly Valley, Big Bear. Summer shot...... And after the storm.... If you are planning a trip up to Big Bear this time of year, it is always a good idea to carry chains with you, regardless of whether you have 4-wheel drive. It is very common for the Highway Patrol to be checking cars as they come up the hill and they have no problem turning people around who don't have chains in/on the tires. You should also check to make sure the roads to Big Bear are open.  With lots of snow comes lots of driving frustration, be careful. Here are some recommended sites to check on road conditions & chain requirements. Cal Trans KBHR 93.3 Rim of The World Looking ... 01/03/2009

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Big Bear, you may want to take a look at the absorption rate of homes that are currently for sale. Knowing the absorption rate is a good way to become more informed on the current real estate market conditions in a particular area. There is an easy to understand article here describing what the absorption rate is and what it means for the real estate market. In simplistic terms, it is a mathematical equation that tells the amount of time it will take for a specified set amount of properties to be absorbed under current real estate market conditions. To get the most accurate reading for the Big Bear real estate market, you take the number of properties sold in the past month and divide that into the number of properties currently on the ... 01/03/2009

The Castle Glen neighborhood is one of the most sought after locations in all of Big Bear Lake. Generally referred to as a subarea of Fox Farm, Castle Glen is known as the area "up on the hill" above Stater Bros. It also borders Hwy. 18 along the Baker Pond section of Big Bear Lake. History of Castle Glen Castle Glen, which consists of a total of 245 parcels, was first developed at the end of 1998 in the hilltop area previously referred to as 'Rebel Ridge.' Lot prices in the first phase ranged from $39,900 up to $69,900. As the second, third, and final phases came in, prices for the top lots in the area were well over $200,000. Today, the subdivision is approx. 70% built out. Most of the homes are newer log or mountain style, with sizes ranging from 1,800 sqft. to over 5,000 sqft. Lot s... 01/03/2009

    There's little doubt that the real estate marketplace in Big Bear and all over California has changed from a Seller's to a Buyer's market. Sale volume has dropped off from where it was at the peak in 2005. The days of quick sales and multiple offers are few and far between. On top of the change in market conditions, the number of permits that were pulled for new construction in Big Bear has also dropped off considerably from where it was just one year ago. Here's the deal.  A Buyer's market in means sellers will have to fight harder to get his cabin in Big Bear sold. With the influx of bank owned, REO properties in Big Bear, the seller needs to pay a lot closer attention to the price that he asks for his cabin.   Here are 10 suggestions that are designed to help you sell your Big Be... 12/29/2008

When the time comes to buy a property in Big Bear, do you shutter at the thought of dealing with Real Estate Agents?  Have you ever been in escrow on a property and wondered if your agent was really working with your best interests in mind?  More and more people are turning to the internet to search for their property in Big Bear.  When they think that they have found the perfect property, they still need the assistance of a Real Estate agent in order to view the property.  Even calling to get information on the property can be very frustrating.  Have you ever called the listing office to get the price on a piece of property that you're interested in, only to be told that the agent is not available?  How frustrating is that?  You would think that when you call a Real Estate office to ge... 12/24/2008

  Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Monthly 10 Year 2008 % of Rank Average Average                                                                                           Jan 96 125 125 158 130 194 163 128 139 77 12 134 44 33% Feb 97 126 158 128 148 169 173 147 112 80 11 134 43 32% Mar 132 183 174 168 187 197 219 186 118 99 9 166 59 35% Apr 110 159 169 150 213 227 238 170 131 81 10 165 65 39% May 129 151 193 182 269 200 268 171 132 99 8 179 83 46% Jun 154 161 198 207 224 199 246 188 148 78 7 180 85 47% Jul 188 195 180 187 247 228 275 171 108 95 6 187 104 55% Aug 185 191 256 264 292 246 263 198 159 106 1 216 90 42% Sep 202 231 248 199 274 281 263 228 121 82 2 213 109 51% Oct 216 188 270 224 302 227 236 199 123 77 3 206 101 49% Nov 221 227 217 187 241 231 224 192 11... 12/22/2008