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Big Bear Lake, CA Real Estate News

By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
Well, fall is starting to show up.  The maples are starting to turn bright red.   Did you know that Big Bear has played host to an Oktoberfest celebration every fall.  Rumor has it the convention center in Big Bear City was built just for this event.  Each year about 20,000 visitors come to Big Bear to partake in the German style clebration of fall.  There are oompah bands and stein carrying contests, polka dancing and lots of beer. For six weekends in a row, starting Sept 18th through Oct. 30th the convention center will open about noon on Saturdays and Sundays and do it's best to provide that German celebration experience.  There are a long list of activities and events available at their website... We've actually had several nights that have dropped into the 20's and 30's but the day...
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
I got a lead the other day from one of my marketing pieces, spoke to the caller and told him the property was in escrow, but the deal was looking shaky.  Yesterday I re-activated the property on the MLS and began calling people to let them know.  One of those people I recalled told me he was looking for a rental not a purchase, and then he decided to explore his purchase options.  My listing is two units in Moonridge and he saw some additional options for himself with it. Come to find out that this self-employed man had been reading horror stories and felt that his self employment would require him to have a lot more money than he actually needed, and that maybe, if he could save up more money over the next year of renting, he might be able to pursue a purchase next year. This was one m...
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
Well, Labor Day seems to be the official end of summer.  There is now a chill in the night air, and maples are starting to turn red already. If you're thinking about spending this final summer holiday in Big Bear Lake and want to do something other than search for real estate, here are some of the things going on: Sept 4 9-11a If you like to cycle join the community bike ride. All levels are welcome from beginner and intermediate to advanced cyclists. Meet at the Copper Q on Pine Knot in the Village at 9am. Parking is available at the Bartlett Street parking lot. Don’t forget your helmet! Sept 4 from 11-3  Moonridge Animal Park, the only Alpine Zoo in California, will be hosting their Ice Cream Wildlife Safari.  A $5 ticket buys you 5 scoops of ice cream.  Admission to the park is $9 fo...
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
Did you know that Big Bear Lake hosts an International Film Festival? It is dedicated to showcasing the emerging talent of screenwriters and independent filmmakers. The festival screens independent feature films, short films, student films, high school student films, documentaries, animation and family films. Jury and Audience Awards are given in each category in addition to a Student Cinematography Award. Each year there is a special sidebar or cultural showcase. They hold a screenwriting competition with agents, managers and producers as jurors in addition to seminars during the Festival. The festival has a film industry presence with film & screenwriting jurors in attendance and participating on the popular screenwriting/filmmaker panel discussion on Saturday morning. Screenings and ...
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
As anyone whose read my profile knows, I started in the Real Estate business as a loan officer.  In the last few years I morphed into a Realtor, and being pretty good at it, I've been happy to call this my little neck of the woods lately.  I recently had occasion, however to join forces with a Loan Officer I know on a client I referred him, as his processor for a purchase money loan.  I had done a lot of the processing on my own loans, "back in the day" but never wore the title.  It's the first time since all these changes to protect consumers have been put into place, that I've had a bird's eye look at the insanity that is a broker originated loan. My buyer is purchasing a short sale that has fallen on hard times.  In reading through the new rules regarding Good Faith Estimates, it tur...
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
Sometimes lessons in life come from the oddest places.  Today's was learned at the Recycling Center. Since I moved to Big Bear, I've recycled my bottles and cans.  I've chosen to go to the center that will pay me the deposit back.  As time has passed, this habit has gotten more popular and widespread. Our Big Bear Lake's recycling center can handle 2 maybe 3 cars running thru a driveway fashioned like a "chute" and unloading their bottles and cans.  As recycling has gotten more popular, the inconvenience has gotten greater.  Often there may be one party with bags and bags of items to be put into the proper containers or even sorted. Today there was a truck with garbage bags full of items, another car with garbage bags and a line of cars waiting to pull up.  The center makes barrels avai...
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By Steve Hirschler, Big Bear Real Estate
(Keller Williams Big Bear)
Click here to see the details and additional photos of these new bank owned homes in Big Bear Please give me a call if you would like to schedule a showing for any of these Big Bear homes. Steve Hirschler / Coldwell Banker “The Tim Wood Group” 909 725 5889
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
My client bought, at the county tax sale, the back 2500 sq ft parcel of a property fannie mae took back in foreclosure.  From the stakes he's seen he owns the entire back yard and maybe 6 inches of the back corner of the house on the front parcel.   Evidently Fannie Mae forgot to pay the taxes on this parcel that was not combined with the parcel that has the  house  on it. My client wants to sell the property, notified the buyer of the house, who was told she had also purchased the back parcel.  In fact my client recorded title on the property 5 days before the buyer of the house recorded title on the same parcel. I got a call from attorneys representing the title company that wrote the title policy.  This was an exploratory call to find out more info and I was told the title company is...
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
My client bought, at the county tax sale, the back 2500 sq ft parcel of a property fannie mae took back in foreclosure.  From the stakes he's seen he owns the entire back yard and maybe 6 inches of the back corner of the house on the front parcel.   Evidently Fannie Mae forgot to pay the taxes on this parcel that was not combined with the parcel that has the  house  on it. My client wants to sell the property, notified the buyer of the house, who was told she had also purchased the back parcel.  In fact my client recorded title on the property 5 days before the buyer of the house recorded title on the same parcel. I got a call from attorneys representing the title company that wrote the title policy.  This was an exploratory call to find out more info and I was told the title company is...
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
In reviewing Zillow's market reports, I was really surprised to see how much appreciation the Fawnskin, CA area has experienced in the last year.   92333 Zillow Home Value Index 92333 Home Values - Interactive chart This chart represents a 10% increase in home values in Fawnskin.  In 2009 Values were around $214,000 and at the end of June they were coming in at $235,800. Fawnskin, located on the north side of the lake, is a smaller community.  It has always seemed to be populated by a more independent, and more affluent segment of the population, which could account for some of this. Never the less, I'll take good news where ever it comes from.
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
In reviewing Zillow's market reports, I was really surprised to see how much appreciation the Fawnskin, CA area has experienced in the last year.   92333 Zillow Home Value Index 92333 Home Values - Interactive chart This chart represents a 10% increase in home values in Fawnskin.  In 2009 Values were around $214,000 and at the end of June they were coming in at $235,800. Fawnskin, located on the north side of the lake, is a smaller community.  It has always seemed to be populated by a more independent, and more affluent segment of the population, which could account for some of this. Never the less, I'll take good news where ever it comes from.
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By Steve Hirschler, Big Bear Real Estate
(Keller Williams Big Bear)
One of the nicest areas in Big Bear Lake is Castle Glen. There are 25 homes that are available currently. Prices and interest rates are down.  Sellers are motivated. Current Active Listings in Castle Glen Area ML # Price Address Bd Baths SF Apx Ttl 2101420 459,000 42880 TIMBERLINE 3 3 1972 2101485 494,500 400 SUNRISE 3 3 2029 2100183 499,900 384 STARLIGHT CIRCLE 3 2 1875 2101668 525,000 42897 TIMBERLINE 3 2 1920 2101286 565,000 42274 CASTLE CRAG 4 3 2212 2100134 650,000 389 GLENWOOD DR 3 2 2135 2101509 699,900 354 GLENWOOD 4 3.5 3018 2101465 729,000 374 GLENWOOD 3 3 2800 2101738 799,000 42756 TIMBERLINE TRAIL 4 3 3694 2100065 799,500 400 STARLIGHT CIRCLE 4 3.5 3366 2101174 819,000 351 GLENWOOD 4 3.5 3384 2100260 879,000 42714 TIMBERLINE 4 4.5 3053 2100692 899,000 447 WINDSONG 4 3.5 325...
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
If you like the nostalgia of the Old West, you can get your fill in Big Bear this coming weekend. This is part of the cowboy poetry circuit and events start Friday evening at the PAC (Performing Arts Center) with a no host wine and margherita bar 5:00-6:30 and BBQ dinner.  Inside from 7-10 p guest will enjoy a "Tribute to Charlie Muscgrove".  Featured speakers include Alan Geoffrion and Gary Robertson speaking about how they get their inspiration for writing. Ross Knox will speak about Grand Canyon Adventures, Events carry on Sat from 10a-10pm and from 7a through 1pm on Sunday.  There will be vendors, food and entertainment throughout the weekend.   Join the Cowboy Gathering for Free entertainment all day Saturday outdoor at the PAC with artists ranging from Cross Town Cowboys, Gary All...
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
Aug. 11, 2010 Being a "Local" you'd think I'd know this stuff without reading other folks blogs, but, what can I say?  Sometimes some of the most interesting perspectives on your town come from the visitors.  I have visited Butler Peak observation tower, so I can relate to the experience, a little. Let me start by saying that Big Bear Lake is a town established over a hundred years ago in the middle of the San Bernardino national forest.  It is surrounded for 50 miles in every direction by national forest or desert.  That is what makes it both beautiful to live here and a little more difficult to interact with the rest of the world.  It  also means that a forest fire can be pretty threatening.  The forest service has built towers to help spot a fire before it is out of control.  One of ...
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
Want to sell your house fast and for the most money?  Here's a to do list. Curb appeal:  Remember you only have one chance to make a first impression.  And in today's market, if it isn't a good one, it could cost you in more ways than one.   1. Look at the outside of your house, as if you were a buyer, and fix or spruce up the exterior.  Fix little things that are broken, repaint anything that is chipping, peeling or faded, Clean the windows, power wash the siding, fix the gutters, screens, etc. 2. Tidy your lawn, garden and landscape.  If it's manicured and maintained, prospective buyers will assume you keep up the whole property.  Prune, clip, rake. 3. Make sure your entry screams WELCOME!.  A neat transition area where everything from the door bell to the door knocker works.  Touches...
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By Steve Hirschler, Big Bear Real Estate
(Keller Williams Big Bear)
65 Homes sold in Big Bear 7/2010 With 852 homes on the market, this represents a 13 month supply. Sold Statistics, Big Bear Real Estate 32 of these homes were traditional sellers (50%). 23 of these homes were bank owned (35%). 10 of these homes were short sales (15%). Steve HirschlerDRE#01703081stevehirschler@gmail.com909 866-3481 EXT. 217CELL 909 725-5889Fax 909 866-3531  
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By Carol Neu, SFR, RCS-D - Big Bear Foreclosures
(Evergreen Realty)
If you are thinking of buying a home using an FHA loan, you need to know that your payments will be higher if you wait until after Sept. 7th. FHA loans are low down payment loans that use mortgage insurance to guarantee a lender that they will be paid back if the borrower defaults. They will be lowering the up front premium they charge, which a borrower is allowed to finance by adding the cost to the principal balance, but the monthly premium interest rate will increase from .55% to .9%.  Additionally, HUD could choose to raise it even further, to 1.55& if they want to. Moral of the story is, if you're planning to use an FHA loan to purchase a home, sooner (before Sept. 7th)  is better than later.
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By Steve Hirschler, Big Bear Real Estate
(Keller Williams Big Bear)
  SOLD YTD Currently Listed Months Supply Over $1,000,000 4 60 120 $900,000 – $1,000,000 4 13 26 $800,000 – $900,000 4 20 40 $700,000 – $800,000 7 18 16 $600,000 – $700,000 12 30 20 $500,000 – $600,000 10 47 37.6 $400,000 – $500,000 29 86 24 $300,000 – $400,000 58 131 18 $200,000 – $300,000 105 227 21 $100,000 – $200,000 174 188 8.6 Under $100,000 69 45 5.2 As expected, homes listed over $1,000,000 in Big Bear are the slowest moving inventory. With over 185 homes currently priced over $800,000 and only 12 closed sales YTD, the high end seller will need to be patient. The average days on the market for these 12 homes is 217. 116 homes have sold YTD between $300,000 and $800,000, with 312 on the market in this price range. Average days on the market for this price category is 160. 348 ho...
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