As of today March 25, 2008 there are currently 353 properties listed for sale in the Rim Association of Realtors that are designated in Lake Arrowhead.  Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty has 136 active listings which represents 39% of the market.  Contact Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty for all your Mountain Property Needs.OfficeListings% of MarketColdwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty13639%Re/Max Lake Arrowhead9326%Century 21 High Country4412%Lynne B. Wilson and Assoc.267%Prudential134%Out of Area Broker93%Windermere Lake Arrowhead82%Mountain Country Realty72%Lake Arrowhead Realty41.1%The Arrowhead Company41.1%Exit Realty30.8%California Home Sellers20.6%Keller Williams20.6%Holiday Realty10.3%Prime Properties10.3%Total Available Lake Arrowhead Homes353Visit http://www.mountainupdate.com/ for ... 03/25/2008

As of today March 25, 2008 there are currently 28 properties listed for sale in the Rim Association of Realtors that are lakefront.  Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty has 16 active listings which represents 57% of the market.  Contact Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty for all your Luxury Property Needs.OfficeListings% of MarketColdwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty1657%Re/Max Lake Arrowhead518%Lynne B. Wilson & Assoc.518%The Parkinson Group14%Prudential14%Total Available Lakefronts28Visit www.mountainupdate.com for All Things Real Estate on the MountainVisit www.mountainmoves.com for available listings.Or contact me directly at steve@cbskyridge.com for a recommendation of a great agent to assist you in your home search.  03/25/2008

Fred  & Laureen Wagner"Arrowhead Fred"Residents of Orange County for many years, both native Californians, Fred and Laureen Wagner are realizing their dream, living and working in Lake Arrowhead.  They both have had a lifelong enjoyment of the mountains and, as children, spent summer vacations in the local mountain areas and Yosemite. They were married in the chapel in the Yosemite Valley.Fred worked as a Vice President, General Manager for Robinson's May Dept Stores for many years and Laureen has a comprehensive background in Information Technology, as the Director of Business Systems for the Orange County Register, prior to moving to the mountains.  Both Fred and Laureen have extensive professional and management experience to facilitate negotiations and expert problem solving, creati... 03/25/2008

Last time I talked about other agents being the seller's "best friend(s)" because they have their pulse on the market, alert their buyer clients when new listings come onto the market and because they have access to all properties listed in the multiple listing service.  My point in part two of this series was to show that internet marketing and print advertising are all desigend to get a client to come to the area to look at houses for sale.  To look at those houses, you need someone with a lockbox key.  Enter...the real estate agent.Word of mouth travels lightyears faster than traditional print advertising and even advertising on the web.  There are currently (per their website) 332 agents in our Rim O' the World Association of Realtors.  Though a certain number of those are unactive ... 03/24/2008

Keeping you up-to-date with current market conditions.  Twenty-nine new listings from Crestline to Green Valley Lake (and all places in-between) and almost 100 homes in escrow.  With good weather on the horizon, buyers should be making the trip to the mountains to look at property.  Bank-owned homes are getting a ton of attention and good deals are to be had.  New listings coming on to the market everyday as Spring has "sprung." ARROWHEAD WOODSNew Listings15Median Price$539,000Price Range$350,000 - $1,795,000  Active Listings328Median Price$544,000Price Range$225,000 - $5,995,000  Pending Listings37Median Price$525,000Price Range$267,550 - $1,165,000  Sold Listings3Median Price $309,000Price Range$247,000 - $675,000Average Days on Market Average List To Sale Percentage92.4%LAKEFRONT HOM... 03/24/2008

  I work and live in a resort community and with that being said, a lot of the homes we sell are vacation homes.  There is a certain convenience factor with buying real estate in a resort area as a vacation home.  Usually the Sellers who are selling their vacation home, are wanting to sell the home furnished and the Buyers' are more than happy to accept the inventory.  There are some Seller's who never come back to the home the entire transaction period and what they leave, they leave, but for the few times that the Seller's does come back and they take things that the Buyer is thinking should remain with the home, this could prove to be a sticky situation.  The best way to have a clear understanding and leave nothing to be questioned is to have it in writing.  Make sure when you are wr... 03/24/2008

Raccoons 2008 - "Midnight Marauders"While preparing for our Easter gathering, I headed out to the garage late Saturday night and was greeted by two jovial raccoons.  We stood there for a while and checked each other out and then the two headed across the driveway and up a big oak tree.  They displaced a squirrel in it's nest and he was not happy about it at all!  He perched on a nearby telephone pole and screeched and drummed for a long time until the coons felt safe enough to come back down the tree and head off.  We see raccoons every few months and they're always welcome visitors.   03/24/2008

 As you may already know I live in Lake Arrowhead, CA. It is a very small lakeside reosrt community in southern California. I must say and agree with the fact that 20% of the agents in our community do 80% of the work. This is true. We have a private MLS up here which is not available to agents outside of our community (unless they go through hoops to join and cough up the money..its expensive). To benefit my clients I'm a member of 3 different MLS / Boards. Thus doing so gives my clients huge marketing coverage and direct exposure to other agents all over California. So when an agent from Burbank, CA has a client in looking to buy a vacation home in Lake Arrowhead that agent can then search his local MLS and there is my clients listing. All the information he needs right there in front... 03/23/2008

Below is a link to a web cam posted in Lake Arrowhead Village. It is such a nice day today I figured I would share it with the entire AR commuinty! its sunny and warm today and the tempreture its supposed to be in the 60's. its a great day to be outside and soak up some sun. http://www.lakearrowhead.net/webcam.htmlEnjoy and Happy Easter!Nathan Diones 909-709-3781LiveLakeArrowhead.com 03/23/2008

I have a great passion for Arrowhead Villas -- after all, I live here! Arrowhead Villas is a small ungated private community located off Highway 18, only a few minutes from Lake Arrowhead Village. It abuts the Arrowhead Ranger Station and Crest Estates to the West, Lake Arrowhead to the North, and Skyforest to the East. Founded in 1928, the Villas is governed by the Arrowhead Villas Mutual Service Company and has both Bylaws and a Board of Directors. The Board works hard to ensure that the area is both clean and appealing. Annual dues of about $900.00 include a share of stock in the AVMSC, base water usage, trash removal, road repaving and maintenance, and street snow plowing. There are several buildings in Arrowhead Villas dating back to 1928 or earlier, including the original Arrowhea... 03/22/2008

 Lake Arrowhead is an awesome place to have fun. There are numerous activities for all ages and interests. The lake is an obvious favorite. Fishing for trout, bass, crappie, blue gill, cat fish, and carp is always fun whether you use flies, jigs, lures, or live bait. If its adrenaline that makes your clock tick then you will have a great time water skiing, wake boarding, sailing, kayaking, swimming, and speed boating. If your more of the kick back and relax type, then Lake Arrowhead is a great place for you too. There is nothing like an evening sunset while cruising the beautiful shore and sipping on a cool drink. You can always be sure to catch a nice tan while laying out at one of the many beach clubs that the Arrowhead Lake Association has to offer. Another favorite pass time for mou... 03/22/2008

The last couple days I've been talking about what will help sellers to sell their properties.  In this current market, it is important to understand what is helpful and what really isn't (when all is said and done).  Do you realize that many of the things Realtors do for their sellers aren't done because they are effective?  Agents do them their sellers want and expect them to be done.  And because sellers have certain expectations, agents do them to get more listings.  What a vicious circle!For instance, some owners are adamant that their agent holds open houses for them.  I have covered open houses in a prior post and, to recap, they are a great way for agents to get more buyer clients and to advertise themselves.  Seldom do listings get sold directly because of an open house.Second i... 03/22/2008

  There is great hiking here in Lake Arrowhead.  Below is an article giving information on the hot springs.Deep Creek Hot Springs, southeast of the high desert town of Hesperia, is located on a creek beach which resembles the beautiful Lilies Beach near Mendocino.Located within the federal lands of the San Bernardino National Forest, Deep Creek Hot Springs can be found on the USGS Lake Arrowhead Quadrangle Map, 10 miles due north of Lake Arrowhead's outlet tower.As fantastic!! as this hot springs is, its slight Achille's heel lies in its remoteness, and the Achille heals which some nonhikers acquire when visiting it. But for those who would enjoy a moderate 45 minute hike in and another one-hour hike out, Deep Creek is highly recommended. The hot pools are situated in some fascinating r... 03/22/2008

Our mountain residents invite visitors to our Easter Sunrise Service at the beautiful Lake Arrowhead Resort on March 23. Service begins at 6:15 a.m.    Music by; Steve Smith and the Sunrise Band. The Rev. Bob Erickson, retired pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, will deliver the Easter message. Click here for: Map and DirectionsHave a Happy, Happy Easter to all!  03/22/2008

The following chart shows the 6 largest real estate companies in the Lake Arrowhead Market and the number of single family home listings that have sold in Lake Arrowhead since January 1, 2008 as of March 21, 2008 according to the Rim Association of Realtors.ListingsMarketOfficeSoldShareColdwell Banker Sky Ridge2049%Re/Max Lake Arrowhead1448%Lynne B. Wilson and Assoc13%Century 21 High Country13%Prudential 13%Windermere Lake Arrowhead13%Total Solds41BuyerMarket OfficeSalesShareColdwell Banker Sky Ridge1434%Re/Max1229%Lynne B. Wilson and Assoc.37%Century 21 High Country25%Prudential25%Windermere00%Total Solds41TotalMarket OfficeSalesShareColdwell Banker Sky Ridge3441%Re/Max Lake Arrowhead2632%Lynne B. Wilson and Assoc.45%Century 21 High Country34%Prudentail34%Windermere12%Total Solds82 03/22/2008

Weekly Update of Lake Arrowhead Housing Market 3/21/08Market Statistics for Lake Arrowhead MLS Active Residential Listings: 1240 Active Residental Listings in Arrowhead Woods: 355 Pending Residential Sales: 124 Sold Residential Properites month to date: 26 New Residential Listings this week: 101 MLS wide Median Residential Sold Month-do-date: $242,250 Arrowhead Woods & Lake Front Median Sold Month-do-date: $832,000 (#8)  Source: MLS, Rim of the World Association of Realtors 03/21/2008

 Being an avid wakeboarder of Lake Arrowhead I can't wait until the water warms up to appropriate tempretures. My friends and I always start our wakeboard and boating season the first week of April. We have had such an impressive winter and the lake level is well above where it was last year at this time. In fact it is over flowing. We try to launch our boat at the Marina the night before the "First Day" of the season. This will ensure us that we will be first out on the lake the very next morning. There is nothing like wakeboarding on glassy water. Yes the water is definitely cold but nothing that a wetsuit cant handle.There is also a local waterski and wakeboard school that will teach you to ski or wakeboard. The school only operates during the summer and offer private lessons as wel... 03/21/2008

Southern California's best kept secret:Sequestered at 5,100 feet above sea level, in a distinctive alpine setting among the tall pines and birch trees ...  It could well be Southern California's best-kept secret: Lake Arrowhead and the recently redone (in tasteful fashion, to the tune of $18 million) Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. Sequestered at 5,100 feet above sea level, in a distinctive alpine setting among the tall pines and birch trees on what is called "The Rim of the World," this legendary resort-just 2-1/2 hours from Los Angeles-has long attracted entertainment stars, business moguls and lovers in search of the solitude of a lazy lakeside village.    Lake Arrowhead harkens back to a simpler, more innocent time when barbecue grilled on the beach or dock together with moonlit walk... 03/21/2008

Yesterday, I talked about how open houses are not exactly the best way for a seller to sell their home.  They are a great way for the agent to find more buyer clients and to advertise themselves, but seldom do people walk into an open house and buy it.So what, in fact, does help a seller to sell their home?Before we go any further, let's examine a typical couple who is interested in buying a home.  Let's follow "Paul and Amy," through the process of finding their perfect mountain getaway....Amy remembers visiting the mountains with a friend in college and develops an interest in possibly owning a property there.   Paul really likes the idea of having a place outside the city where they can get away and relax.They hop on their computer and do a Google search on the area.  They look at a ... 03/21/2008

Jerusalem                              ________        OBITUARIES                     _________                      33 ADCALVARY - Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth, died Friday on Mount Calvary, also known as Golgotha, the place of the skull.  Betrayed by the apostle Judas, Jesus was crucified by the Romans, by order of the ruler Pontius Pilate.  The causes of death were crucifixion, extreme exhaustion, severe torture, and loss of blood.Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, was a member of the house of David.  He was the son of the late Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth, and Mary, His devoted Mother.  Jesus was born in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, Judea.  He is survived by His mother Mary, His faithful Apostles, numerous disciples, and many other followers.Jesus was self educated and... 03/21/2008