Yesterday, in our Annual awards presentation, Sales Associates and Staff were recognized for their accomplishments in 2007.  Team Excel, (Bob and Marti Peck, Andrea Lassak and Josh Jones) were awarded with the company top team award for 2007.  Nancy Mellinger was honored with the company top producer award for her sales production in 2007.  I feel so fortunate to have some many top agents on our team.  Even in a down market they continue to expand market share and make deals happen.  Below is a recap of the awards presentation. Recognition of CBREC Designation Winners (Individual)International Diamond Society:Top 7%  of over 118,000 AgentsPat EnterriosJac JacobsenJim PriceInternational Presidents Circle  Top 3% of Over 118,000 AgentsJoe EvansBarry LiebermanNancy MellingerRecognition of... 03/21/2008

Coldwell Banker is at the forefront of internet marketing.  www.coldwellbanker.com one of the most viewed real estate sites on the world wide web has become even more powerful because if its relationship to other top viewed sites.  Listings that are on coldwellbanker.com are fed directly to these other sites to provide the maximum possible exposure on the net for sellers and a rich online experience for buyers.  If you are looking for a Real Estate Broker with state of the art tools to maximize your real estate experience, Coldwell Banker is the brand. 03/21/2008

My Personal Thoughts about Open HousesPicture this:  You're driving down a mountain road on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  Just ahead you see a colorful sign advertising an open house.  You think, "Hey, why not?" as you make the turn and follow the signs to the house.Stop!  Before you even get out of the car, I ask you, do you know much the house is listed for? Do you have any idea how many bedrooms it has?  Does it have a view of the lake?  Is there a family room? You don't know, you say?  How could I expect you to?  If you actually are interested in buying a home in this area (many are just "lookie-loo's"), what really are the chances that this house is even remotely close to what you're looking for?Okay, so now you walk into the house and meet a cheerful real estate agent who hands... 03/20/2008

In the Mountain News this week is an article about the Heaps Peak Arboretum - an interpretive hike (about 3/4 mile) and education center that is located on Highway 18 between Skyforest and the transfer station (the dump).  This site is an easy walk for most people and describes the various plants, trees and animals that are native to the area.  Adventure passes are required and can be purchased on weekends at the Arboretum or at the Ranger Station in Rim Forest (near the Cal-Trans Station on Hwy 18) during the week. Michelle and I walked this trail last year with Haley in a stroller, so it is very accessible for people who aren't up for a difficult walk.  As a matter of fact, I helped build some of the animal habitats and trails when I was a Boy Scout, a million moons ago!  George Hesem... 03/20/2008

Easter is upon us and it looks like the weather will be cooperating!  If you plan to be in the mountains, here are some of the things going on....Lake Arrowhead Village:  Easter Egg Hunt  on Easter Sunday - 2 years and under 11:00 am in front of Bass, 3-5 years at 12:00 at Center Stage, 6-8 years at 1:00 at Center StagePhotos with Mr. Bunny - Professional photos taken, packages for purchase available 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday and SundayPetting zoo Saturday and SundayMr. Twister's balloon creations Saturday and SundayMrs. Bunny strolling the Village handing out candy Saturday and Sunday"The Bunny Hoppers" - Entertainment throughout the Village Saturday and SundayHoly Thursday:Our Lady of the Lake (Lake Arrowhead) - 7:00, Adoration until 12:00 midnight - 337-2333Community Presbyteri... 03/20/2008

Join the Mountain Arts Network- Mountain Arts Gallery is hosting the March 2008 Crestline Chamber of Commerce Mixer and Ribbon Cutting, Tuesday March 25th, 5pm - 7pm at the Mountain Arts Gallery, 28651 Highway 18 in Skyforest. 909 337.1238 Mountain Arts NetworkJoin Lake Arrowhead Country Club- They offer a variety of membership packages. Whether you want to spend time dining and networking, play tennis, play bridge, or play golf. There is something for everyone here. 909.337.2441 LakeArrowheadCountryClubJoin The Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club-If sailing, kayaking, lounging and meeting a ton of great people is for you, you've gotta' check out the Yacht Club. They are open all summer long and have several weekly events. 909.337.0725 LakeArrowheadYachtClubVisit the MSAS Astronomy Village- Check... 03/19/2008

Frequently, I get feedback on my agents performance and the performance of our company.  I just received the following "Like to Hear from you" from one of Carolyns customers that just closed escrow.  Carolyn has rapidly become a top agent in the Lake Arrowhead Market and Happy Customers are the norm for her, but it is always nice to get the feedback.If you would like to reach Carolyn, she can be reached at Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty in Blue Jay.  Her phone number is 909.336.7907 or fox@cbskyridge.com 03/19/2008

Brady Heuser | Coldwell Banker SRR | 909.336.7913 Grass Valley rd., Lake Arrowhead, CA Great Lake Arrowhead home with a 2 car garage and Lake Rights!!! 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $459,000 Year Built 1980 Sq Footage 1,882 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors 3 Parking 4 Car garage Lot Size 9,085 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION GREAT 4 BEDROOM 3 FULL BATH HOME. LEVEL ENTRY INTO A TWO CAR GARAGE, ENJOY ALL THE SUN LIGHT FROM DECK OR INSIDE. VERY OPEN AND AIRY. GOOD DISTANT VIEWS.HOME SHOWS PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP. LOTS OF STORAGE UNDER HOME AND GARAGE. MASTER BEDROOM COULD BE CONVERTED INTO FAMILY ROOM. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Tile floor Family room Living room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stov... 03/19/2008

Brady Heuser | Coldwell Banker SRR | 909.336.7913 West Shore, Lake Arrowhead, CA ****Beautiful Remodeld Lake View Home**** 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $1,499,000 Year Built 1971 Sq Footage 3,646 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 full, 0 partial Floors 3 Parking 4+ Lot Size 11,330 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION BIG,BEAUTIFUL HOME WITH EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF.GREAT LAKE VIEWS,FAMILY ROOM,GAME ROOM,4 BEDROOMS PLUS AN OFFICE/STUDY,4 BATHROOMS,CHINESE SLATE EVERYWHERE.COMPLETLEY REMODELED,CRAFTSMAN STYLE.FORMAL DINNING WITH LAKE VIEWS.THIS HOUSE IS PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING LARGE OR MULTIPLE FAMILIES. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Tile floor Family room Living room Bonus/Rec room Office/Den Dining room Bre... 03/19/2008

Todayis so beautiful!I feelso blessedto livehere!      To have this weather with the coming Holiday weekend is a true blessing. While I appreciate all weather that we experience, there is something remarkable about driving by the lake on a Sunny morning that makes me want to play outside! I will have to make time to go for a walk today and really enjoy this gift! My daughter starts softball today, which I love since it gives me the opportunity to go outside and watch the kids have fun. It's hard to believe just a few days ago we had snow!Come up for a day, spend a lifetime! I know you'll love it as much as I do! 03/19/2008

From time to time, I receive feedback from our customers on our agents and companies performance.  Recently, I received feedback on Josh Jones an agent in our office.  Josh is a up and coming agent.  He is extremely enthusiastic about the business and will likely someday be one our top producers.  Josh is familiar and comfortable working all market areas on the mountain from Crestline to Green Valley Lake.  To find Josh, contact him at Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty 909.336.7978 or via email at joshjoneser@aol.com. 03/19/2008

Frequently we get feedback from our clients on our agents performance.  I recently received back from one of our sellers feedback on George Cerecedes an agent in our office.  George has rapidly become one of the top agents in our organization.  His work ethic and exellent people skills in my opinion are two of his strengths that have contributed to his success.  If you would like to contact George he can be reached at Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty in Lake Arrowhead California.  909.336.7915 or via email at geoceds@charter.net 03/19/2008

Prime Office Space available in Lake Arrowhead Village available now.   We consolidated our Mortgage operation and brought it closer to our real estate company.  The suite features a reception area, a single private office and a loft area that would accomodate 3 or 4 desks.  A kitchen area and storage.  It is located right next door to the chamber of commerce and Association of Realtors offices in Lake Arrowhead Village.For additional information on this prime office space contact me at 909.336.2131 or steve@cbskyridge.com 03/19/2008

Steven R. Keefe | Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty | 909.336.2131 27825 North Shore Road, Lake Arrowhead, CA The Crown Jewel of Lake Arrowhead 7 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $8,000,000 Year Built 1928 Sq Footage Unspecified Bedrooms 7 Bathrooms 5 full, 0 partial Floors 3 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Live the dream. Lake Arrowhead has what is referred to as "Charmers". This is the Ultimate Lake Arrowhed Charmer. It is one of the finest Lakefront estates on the lake. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Family room Living room Bonus/Rec room Office/Den Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Balcony... 03/19/2008

Grossly overpricing a property is both a disservice to the client and yourself as a Realtor.  Take for example this listing in our market.  Most would say that this property is one of the nicest properties in the Lake Arrowhead area.  A local Realtor who projects herself as a "High End Expert" listed the property for $15,000,000.  That is FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS.  She had it on the market from May 2005 to April of 2006 at which time the seller decided she wasn't getting it done and decided to list with an out of area company in Beverly Hills for $8,900,000.  At that time that price reduction held the record in the Lake Arrowhead Real Estate Market.  A price reduction of $6,100,000 with one whack.  The property was listed in Beverly Hills for just over a year with one reduction to a $7,9... 03/18/2008

Sold Homes for Week Ending March 16th 2008             AddressList Price Sold PriceYear Built BedBathFirm811 W Victoria$274,900.00$262,000.00200522.5CB Sky Ridge 27376 Pinewood$725,000.00$699,000.00200643.5L. Wilson296257 Arrowhead$189,000.00$167,000.00194041.5CB Sky Ridge1050 Arbula$174,900.00$158,000.00198232c21-Hi Cntr23750 Crest Forest$253,000.00$237,500.00198642.5Remax LA607 Yukon$189,700.00$190,000.00196331.5CB Sky Ridge27465 Bayshore$2,250,000.00$2,025,000.00199067.5Remax LA27591 W Shore$2,025,000.00$2,600,000.00196454Remax LA15034 Daisy$158,900.00$132,300.00199442CB Sky Ridge30372 Live Oak$279,000.00$265,000.00197232Mnt Top Pro                                          94 Homes Sold Since January 1 2008      For more information on all your Real Estate needs.Contact Kim Kelley wi... 03/18/2008

Pending Listings Week Ending 3-16-08             AddressList Price FirmYear Built BedBathArea33080 Robin Ln$160,000.00c21-bill baker198021.5AB2310 Birch$179,900.00c21-bill baker196332AB32757 Porcupine$185,000.00Mtn Top Pro197821AB717 N Oakmont$279,000.00CB Skyrige197643AV531 Dover Ct$344,500.00Windermere196032AV222 Grizzly$398,000.00CB Sky Ridge198633AW27463 Alpen Dr$650,000.00Remax LA197153AW1177 Nadelhorn$746,000.00CB Sky Ridge198042.5AW23879 Inspiration$189,900.00c21-high cntry195811CR13272 Cntry Club$290,000.00CB Sky Ridge198943OOA2578 Catalina$189,900.00Prudential197832RS2529 Spring$199,000.00Mtn Top Pro196542RS823 Lo Lane$179,000.00CB Sky Ridge192721TP26551 Valley View$249,900.00CB Sky Ridge198232TP              86 Homes have gone Pending Since January 1st 2008             For mor... 03/18/2008

 My wife's parents have been out of town for a few days and the task of walking their dog was handed to me.  I've been stopping by their house on my way into work in the mornings to walk her and again in the evenings on my way home to walk her again and get her dinner.   Katie is a sweet, spunky beagle who, unfortunately, lost her "momma" at the beginning of this year when my wife's grandma passed away.  Now she's a "mountain dog" (formerly from La Crescenta) sniffing the pine needles and pungent, moist soil like a St. Bernard in the Alps.  Her enthusiasm for her walks is very endearing and we've been having a great time getting to know each other a little better.Quite honestly, I'm enjoying my short-lived chore.  It gets me out of doors more than I normally would on an average work day... 03/18/2008

This past weekend brought a small winter storm to the area and left 1-4 inches of light, powdery snow in it's wake.  Most had melted by sundown and the clouds were still moving through as the light faded.  What a gorgeous area to live in.  What mind-blowing sunrises and sunsets we get to enjoy.  Come see them yourself - until you do, you can't imagine how extraordinary they can be in real life. 03/18/2008

To be an informed seller or buyer, it is imperative to know what is happening in the current market.  There are many factors to determining the proper price when listing a home for sale.  There are just as many factors to help you decide whether you are getting good value for your dollar when you purchase a home.The charts below represent weekly breakdowns of new listings, homes sold, active listings and homes currently in escrow.  We have further broken down this information to show you median prices and price ranges, number of days on market and the percentages of list price to sales price.To discuss your particular property and to get a more detailed idea of what your property is worth in our current market, including a free comparative market analysis, please call us.  If you are lo... 03/17/2008