Does your Big Bear Real Estate agent tell you what you want to hear, or the truth?
Listening to a Real Estate agent that has their interests in front of yours can be a big mistake. I must admit that I have a problem, I am often Brutally Honest. Being honest is not the problem, but I know I could improve on the way I deliver the message.
I don’t do the sugar-coating thing well. I tend to tell it like it is and live with the consequences. I won’t tell you what you want to hear, unless I believe it to be the truth. It really makes things easy to remember.
When you work with me, you might hear more than you want to hear about the house. I might get in the way sometimes as if I were buying the house myself. Sometimes I will want repairs made that the buyer doesn’t seem to care about or is not aware of. That’s just how I am.
If I am representing you as a buyer, I might tell you all of the things that the seller would rather have you overlook. I will more than likely be at the home inspection and in addition to thoroughly looking at the items that the home inspector discovers, I might ask him to look at things that he didn’t discover or mention. I will also let you know as a buyer that repairs done by sellers are often done with the cheapest materials and least expensive labor that the seller can find. This doesn’t always equate to the best results, so I will often recommend that we get a bid from someone who knows how to do the repair correctly, at a fair price. I might tell you that the house you like is over priced, or not the best value. Isn’t that the type of honesty you deserve?
If I am your listing agent I will tell you the recommended list price based on market conditions, not your needs or debt. That’s not to say I am not flexible at all or sympathetic to your financial situation, but I will give you the real price, even if you don’t like it. I will recommend the work needed to get the home sold and lead you through the selling process. I will work with you on improvements that need to be made by providing contractors and handyman that will perform their jobs as professionals. I will be available to return your calls timely and with real answers. Don’t be surprised if I tell you your home is worth less than some other agents will tell you. I won’t give you a price that is 20% above what I believe is the real value just to get your signature on the listing agreement. I might offer to show you the other homes that a buyer will look at in your price range to show you the reason your home needs to be priced correctly.
After all, what sign do you want to have hung in front of your home in 90 days?
or
If your agent of choice is unable to put your interests first, you need to find one that will.
Click here to read my recommendations for buyer’s and seller’s that I have represented in the past.
Shouldn’t I Price My Big Bear Home with a Little Cushion?
I get this question on most listing appointments that I have. The sellers want to leave some room to negotiate. In a market that is moving in the sellers direction, pricing your home with a little cushion will benefit sellers because 30, 60, 90, or more days from the list date, the home will be worth more. That is why we always say “It’s time or money”.
In a buyers market, it’s “TIME AND MONEY”. Pricing with cushion will often price your home above market value and effect showings. Slowing down the showings on your property will result in wasted market time. With prices coming down, this will cost the seller money.
Please don’t overprice your property in the market that we are currently experiencing. Amend your price frequently if you are not having ample showings. Get your home priced so that buyers and their agents find your home to be the best value. The good news is you don’t have to accept any offers that come in below your asking price, and believe me buyers will try to get the best deal they can.
What situation do you want to be in? Do you want to be getting offers and negotiating, or have your home sit and not be shown while prices are falling? Seller’s should take a hard look at every offer in this market. Always counter an offer if you are not going to accept. I don’t believe in rejecting offers in any market. The goal is to sell your property, so lets not get our ego in the way. Tell the buyers what you will accept and see how they respond. Buyers in this market are rare. Don’t go shooting endangered species.
Slow decision making on the part of sellers will also be costly. I have had this happen a number of times. I will give the sellers information on comparable properties and recommend amending the price. This market analysis is based on current conditions, not a month later. If you are a seller that takes weeks to come around to getting back to your agent and approving the price reduction, you might miss that price again.
In the current Real Estate market in Big Bear prices are still coming down. So, if you aren’t going to pull the trigger for a few weeks or more on the recommended price change or list price, you might want to consider how far prices will drop during the time that you will need to make the decision.
So, save yourself some money and price your home at or below market value in a buyers market and respond quickly to market changes.
Steve Hirschler
Associate, The Tim Wood Group
Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery
42153 Big Bear Blvd.
P.O. BOX 6820
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
steve@bigbeargallery.com
909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889
Fax 909 866-3531
http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com/
Steve Hirschler
DRE#01703081
Associate, The Tim Wood Group
Coldwell Banker
42153 Big Bear Blvd.
P.O. BOX 6820
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889
Fax 909 866-3531
www.bigbearhomes.wordpress.com (blog)
www.stevesellsbigbear.com (website)
www.activerain.com/blogs/slhoo7\ (blog)
www.thetimwoodgroup.com (group website)
http://twitter.com/stevehirschler (follow me)
Big Bear Real Estate Fast Facts 10/25/2009
- Current Residential Inventory Available 766
- Last years inventory 10/2008 – 1078
- Inventory is down 29% from last year
- Residential Sales closed in the past 30 days – 78
- Homes sold October 2008 – 73
- Number of year to date closed residential sales – 681
- Number of year to date closed residential sales 561 for the same period in 2008 +21.3%
- Current Pending sales 154
- 39 of these are Bank owned 25%
- That means 75% are not bank owned!
- Bank Owned Homes 46 make up only 6% of the inventory available in Big Bear
- That means 94% of the homes available in Big Bear are not Bank Owned!
- 261 of the 681 sold this year were bank owned 38%
- 77 of the 561 sold last year were bank owned 13.7%
What does all of this mean?
- There are less homes to choose from currently than there were a year ago.
- More homes have sold this year than last year for the same period.
- With 154 pending sales and 681 closed sales this year, more homes will be sold in Big Bear this year than last year (669)
- Big Bear does not have a high percentage of bank owned properties available, but what is available is selling faster than other homes sold by traditional sellers.
2010 Amgen Tour of California to include Big Bear stage
Levi Leipheimer, shown here in the 2009 race, is the three-time defending champion of the Tour of California. Leipheimer and Lance Armstrong have committed to participating in the 2010 race in May, which includes a leg in Big Bear Valley.(Photo courtesy of Amgen Tour of California) |
Sixteen host cities for the Amgen Tour of California professional cycling road race were unveiled Oct. 22 including the tour’s first-ever mountaintop finish. The Stage 6 ride on May 21 will begin in Pasadena and wind its way along mountain roads to finish in Big Bear Lake.
The eight-day race will take place May 16-23 beginning in Nevada City, Calif., and ending in Agoura Hills. Other cities involved in the event include Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Davis, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Modesto and Visalia.
“For the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, we had the unique opportunity to move our race to a part of the year when we are almost guaranteed great weather in California,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports. “This timing will help us to better showcase the beautiful features the state of California has to offer, while allowing us to travel to parts of the state that just weren’t feasible in previous years.” Previous tours were in February.
The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, and is the largest cycling event in America. Soon after the 2010 tour stages were announced on Oct. 22, Lance Armstrong committed to competing in the event, along with three-time Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer, Dave Zabriskie and George Hincapie.
“Our community is pleased to be selected as the first-ever mountaintop finish for this awesome cycling event,” said Big Bear Lake mayor Rick Herrick. “Event spectators and visitors alike will be able to stay in our quaint Alpine town, view a world-class event and take in the warmth and hospitality of Southern California’s only four-season resort.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Oct. 28 issue of The Grizzly.
Article Courtesy of the Big Bear Grizzly News Paper
5 New Bank Owned REO Homes in Big Bear, 10/17/2009
As of this morning, we have 48 bank owned homes (REO’s) on the market, that’s only 6.17% of the 777 active listings. Please call or email if you want to purchase a bank owned home in Big Bear,
I will get you the best deal.
I can show you any home for sale in Big Bear.
Search the Big Bear MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
Search the Southern California MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
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
93 Homes Sold in Big Bear September 2009
List Price | Address | Area | Bd | Baths | SF Apx Ttl | Broker | Sold Price | Sold Date |
$1,150,000 | 39473 LAKE DRIVE | BLC | 4 | 5.5 | 2874 | RMX-M | $1,000,000 | 9/30/2009 |
$1,100,000 | 896 SKY HIGH | BLC | 6 | 4.5 | 4666 | BBV | $1,000,000 | 9/1/2009 |
$725,000 | 464 WOODSIDE DRIVE | BBC | 5 | 3 | 3292 | GCR | $560,000 | 9/23/2009 |
$636,800 | 427 EAGLE LAKE PLACE | FOXF | 4 | 3 | 2880 | BBV | $615,000 | 9/11/2009 |
$634,900 | 41599 STONEBRIDGE | BLE | 4 | 3 | 3343 | OBK | $700,100 | 9/3/2009 |
$631,700 | 42292 CASTLE CRAG | FOXF | 4 | 3.5 | 3304 | PRM | $650,000 | 9/14/2009 |
$617,900 | 149 STONY CREEK ROAD | FOXF | 4 | 3 | 3316 | OBK | $617,900 | 9/21/2009 |
$599,900 | 385 GLENWOOD DRIVE | FOXF | 3 | 2 | 2200 | MTG | $580,000 | 9/9/2009 |
$575,000 | 717 JEFFRIES RD | BLE | 6 | 8 | 5304 | PRU | $450,000 | 9/15/2009 |
$537,500 | 40365 LAKEVIEW DRIVE | BLC | 3 | 2.5 | 2363 | PRU | $535,000 | 9/15/2009 |
$499,900 | 997 CLUBVIEW | MOON | 3 | 2 | 1880 | FTR-B | $489,000 | 9/16/2009 |
$478,800 | 47275 LAKEVIEW | BALD | 4 | 3 | 3160 | BBV | $480,000 | 9/11/2009 |
$400,000 | 819 JAYBIRD LANE | BLC | 4 | 2.75 | 2904 | REX | $392,500 | 9/8/2009 |
$379,000 | 42363 SNOWCREST | FOXF | 3 | 2 | 1497 | FTR-B | $370,000 | 9/11/2009 |
$369,000 | 43527 SAN PASQUAL DRIVE | MOON | 3 | 2 | 1344 | GCR | $340,000 | 9/28/2009 |
$359,000 | 43439 SHEEPHORN | MOON | 3 | 2 | 1300 | GCR | $345,000 | 9/19/2009 |
$349,999 | 1139 CANYON RD | FAWN | 3 | 1.75 | 1719 | ERA | $339,999 | 9/28/2009 |
$339,000 | 1628 MALABAR WAY | BBC | 3 | 2 | 1894 | PRU | $300,000 | 9/9/2009 |
$333,000 | 816 TEHAMA | MOON | 4 | 1.75 | 1900 | PRU | $299,000 | 9/22/2009 |
$325,000 | 229 FINCH | BLE | 3 | 2.5 | 1830 | RMX | $295,000 | 9/16/2009 |
$314,900 | 829 MC ALISTER | FOXF | 3 | 2 | 1928 | CEN | $310,000 | 9/29/2009 |
$309,000 | 1087 SNOWRIDGE | WHIS | 3 | 2 | 1644 | CHB | $300,000 | 9/23/2009 |
$299,900 | 43441 SHEEPHORN | MOON | 5 | 2.5 | 2336 | BBV | $300,000 | 9/15/2009 |
$292,900 | 43335 BOW CANYON | MOON | 4 | 2 | 1440 | PAL | $305,500 | 9/25/2009 |
$289,000 | 1060 SE ASH | ERWL | 3 | 2 | 1795 | REX | $245,000 | 9/24/2009 |
$279,900 | 619 VILLA GROVE | MOON | 3 | 2 | 1166 | MTG | $265,000 | 9/9/2009 |
$275,000 | 583 VICTORIA LANE | SUGA | 3 | 2 | 1840 | RMX-M | $235,000 | 9/1/2009 |
$274,900 | 1291 BUFFALO CT | MOON | 3 | 2 | 1712 | BBC | $276,000 | 9/5/2009 |
$270,500 | 316 SANTA CLARA | FOXF | 3 | 2 | 1776 | PRM | $270,500 | 9/2/2009 |
$259,900 | 40105 HILLCREST | BLC | 3 | 2 | 943 | BBV-B | $230,000 | 9/24/2009 |
$259,000 | 41446 OAK ST. | BLC | 3 | 2 | 1300 | PRU | $235,000 | 9/16/2009 |
$259,000 | 39578 RACCOON | FAWN | 2 | 2 | 1423 | MTG | $243,000 | 9/18/2009 |
$249,900 | 507 ANGELES | BBC | 3 | 2 | 1546 | RMX-M | $230,000 | 9/22/2009 |
$249,900 | 42595 WILLOW AVE | MOON | 2 | 1 | 1070 | CEN | $225,000 | 9/1/2009 |
$245,100 | 397 CATALINA ROAD | FOXF | 3 | 1.75 | 1478 | BBV | $245,100 | 9/25/2009 |
$239,000 | 605 ROSEHILL DRIVE | BBC | 3 | 2 | 1536 | BBV | $245,000 | 9/11/2009 |
$229,900 | 45457 THIRD STREET | BALD | 3 | 2.5 | 1450 | RMX | $220,000 | 9/11/2009 |
$229,000 | 110 WABASH | SUGA | 3 | 3 | 1763 | PRU | $207,000 | 9/21/2009 |
$219,000 | 42898 ENCINO RD | MOON | 2 | 1 | 864 | ERA | $202,500 | 9/3/2009 |
$215,000 | 45346 7TH | BALD | 3 | 2 | 1707 | WHR | $195,000 | 9/4/2009 |
$209,500 | 739 PANAMINT | WHIS | 3 | 1.75 | 1838 | ERA | $193,717 | 9/4/2009 |
$208,100 | 2009 CEDAR PINE | ERWL | 4 | 2 | 2400 | BBV | $200,000 | 9/17/2009 |
$200,000 | 1116 MOUNT DOBLE | BBC | 3 | 2 | 1288 | REX-V | $200,000 | 9/16/2009 |
$200,000 | 567 VISTA | BLC | 3 | 1.25 | 1700 | RMX-M | $187,000 | 9/30/2009 |
$199,900 | 1842 BALDWIN LAKE ROAD | BALD | 3 | 2.5 | 1807 | RMX | $195,000 | 9/18/2009 |
$199,000 | 42660 LA PLACIDA | MOON | 2 | 1 | 864 | SPN | $182,000 | 9/18/2009 |
$189,000 | 46009 PARKWAY RD. | BALD | 3 | 2 | 1514 | BBV | $180,000 | 9/2/2009 |
$187,500 | 872 TEHAMA | MOON | 2 | 1.72 | 1003 | CEN-B | $175,000 | 9/23/2009 |
$184,900 | 1300 MOUNTAIN VIEW BLVD | BBC | 3 | 1.75 | 988 | REX | $184,900 | 9/3/2009 |
$179,900 | 305 E SHERWOOD | BBC | 2 | 1 | 945 | ERA | $179,900 | 9/18/2009 |
$179,900 | 42826 WILLOW | MOON | 2 | 1 | 864 | MTG | $179,900 | 9/23/2009 |
$178,000 | 356 PINE LANE | SUGA | 2 | 2 | 1166 | CEN | $165,000 | 9/18/2009 |
$175,000 | 209 SHAKESPEARE LANE | BBC | 3 | 1.75 | 2700 | SPN-C | $175,000 | 9/3/2009 |
$174,900 | 42766 SONOMA | MOON | 3 | 2 | 1273 | MTG | $172,900 | 9/11/2009 |
$169,995 | 654 VICTORIA LANE | SUGA | 2 | 1 | 1072 | CEN | $155,000 | 9/30/2009 |
$169,900 | 673 BUTTE AVE | MOON | 2 | 1 | 697 | PRM | $165,000 | 9/18/2009 |
$169,900 | 43449 SHASTA ROAD | MOON | 2 | 1 | 984 | PRM | $195,000 | 9/23/2009 |
$158,000 | 960 HEMLOCK | ERWL | 2 | 1 | 976 | FTR-B | $140,000 | 9/4/2009 |
$152,000 | 304 E NORTH SHORE DRIVE | BBC | 4 | 2.5 | 1722 | MTG | $145,000 | 9/25/2009 |
$150,000 | 430 IMPERIAL | SUGA | 2 | 1 | 988 | REX | $145,000 | 9/23/2009 |
$149,900 | 545 IMPERIAL | SUGA | 3 | 2 | 980 | ERA | $112,000 | 9/28/2009 |
$149,500 | 1865 POND DR | BALD | 3 | 2 | 1386 | BBC | $140,000 | 9/2/2009 |
$149,000 | 395 LOS ANGELES | SUGA | 2 | 1.5 | 896 | PRU | $149,000 | 9/18/2009 |
$148,005 | 699 RIVERSIDE | SUGA | 3 | 2 | 1378 | PAL | $149,000 | 9/4/2009 |
$144,900 | 1253 BALSAM | MOON | 3 | 2 | 912 | OBK | $241,000 | 9/1/2009 |
$140,000 | 1037 GREENWAY | BBC | 2 | 1 | 1040 | CEN | $150,500 | 9/30/2009 |
$139,900 | 941 MOUNT DOBLE DRIVE | BBC | 3 | 1 | 912 | RMX-M | $150,000 | 9/16/2009 |
$139,000 | 205 W SHERWOOD | BBC | 2 | 1 | 944 | RMX-M | $130,000 | 9/10/2009 |
$134,000 | 836 E FAIRWAY BLVD. | BBC | 2 | 2 | 1344 | SPN | $137,500 | 9/22/2009 |
$133,650 | 701 MARIN | BLE | 2 | 1 | 896 | CEN-B | $123,000 | 9/18/2009 |
$131,500 | 765 W BIG BEAR BLVD | BBC | 4 | 2.5 | 1768 | RMX-M | $118,000 | 9/4/2009 |
$130,000 | 225 W SHERWOOD BLVD. | BBC | 2 | 1 | 840 | MTG | $125,000 | 9/23/2009 |
$129,900 | 1082 ROCKY MOUNTAIN | WHIS | 2 | 1 | 910 | BBV | $130,000 | 9/30/2009 |
$129,000 | 722 W AEROPLANE | BBC | 3 | 2 | 1694 | MTG | $129,000 | 9/9/2009 |
$125,000 | 403 LEONARD | SUGA | 2 | 1 | 608 | RMX | $125,000 | 9/24/2009 |
$124,900 | 827 KERN | SUGA | 3 | 1.75 | 1454 | RMX-M | $94,500 | 9/1/2009 |
$119,900 | 820 RAINBOW | BBC | 2 | 1 | 824 | RMX | $117,500 | 9/11/2009 |
$119,899 | 1031 W COUNTRY CLUB | BBC | 2 | 1 | 906 | PRU | $110,000 | 9/15/2009 |
$119,000 | 1008 SEQUOIA DR | BBC | 2 | 1 | 760 | PRM | $110,000 | 9/4/2009 |
$119,000 | 523 LOS ANGELES | SUGA | 2 | 1 | 800 | PRU | $107,000 | 9/28/2009 |
$114,999 | 359 LOS ANGELES | SUGA | 2 | 1 | 608 | CEN | $109,999 | 9/30/2009 |
$104,000 | 905 MICHAEL AVE. | BBC | 2 | 1 | 1135 | BBV | $99,000 | 9/21/2009 |
$89,900 | 695 HIGHLAND | SUGA | 1 | 1 | 570 | PRU | $85,000 | 9/10/2009 |
$85,000 | 105 E COUNTRY CLUB | BBC | 2 | 1.5 | 816 | BBV-B | $80,000 | 9/3/2009 |
$80,000 | 2057 THIRD LANE | ERWL | 2 | 1.5 | 840 | PRM | $80,000 | 9/25/2009 |
$74,900 | 309 CEDAR | SUGA | 2 | 1.1 | 1064 | PAL | $74,000 | 9/28/2009 |
$69,900 | 413 WABASH | SUGA | 2 | 1 | 570 | PGR | $69,900 | 9/15/2009 |
$69,000 | 912 BARKER | BBC | 0 | 1 | 400 | MTG | $69,500 | 9/9/2009 |
$68,805 | 814 ROBINHOOD | BBC | 2 | 1 | 740 | WDS | $75,100 | 9/30/2009 |
$64,800 | 312 E SHERWOOD BLVD. | BBC | 2 | 0.75 | 590 | BBV | $67,000 | 9/4/2009 |
$59,900 | 46572 ARASTRE ROAD | BALD | 3 | 2 | 972 | PRM | $52,000 | 9/18/2009 |
$51,900 | 325 W MOJAVE | BBC | 2 | 1 | 720 | OBK | $45,000 | 9/24/2009 |
$47,900 | 403 HIGHLAND LANE | SUGA | 0 | 1 | 463 | MTG | $46,500 | 9/15/2009 |
$23,594,452 | $22,459,415 |
5 New Bank Owned REO Homes in Big Bear, 10/7/2009
921 W RAINBOW , BIG BEAR CITY/ $79,200
Total SqFt: 840 (Approx)
Bedrooms: 2 Baths: 1.00 /Fireplace: One FP /Garage: None /Stories: Two Story /View: Neighbors & Trees View ML#: 292125
Listing Courtesy of Keller Williams Big Bear Lake Arrowhead / David Cartright , JR
593 HIGHLAND LANE, SUGARLOAF /$95,800
Total SqFt: 624 (Approx)
Bedrooms: 1 Baths: 1.00 /Fireplace: One /Stories: Two Story/ View: Neighbors and Trees View
ML#: 292106 / Virtual Tour Link: http://www.vflyer.com/home/flyer/mls/home/2857578
Listing Courtesy of Coldwell Banker / The Tim Wood Group / Tyler Wood
39286 CEDAR DEll, FAWNSKIN /$207,500
Total SqFt: 456 (Approx)
Bedrooms: 1 Baths: 1.00 / Fireplace: Two/ Garage: Two Car / One Story /ML#: 292121
Listing Courtesy of Ash Realty / Sam Ali
As of this morning, we have 48 bank owned homes (REO’s) on the market, that’s only 5.96% of the 805 active listings. Please call or email if you want to purchase a bank owned home in Big Bear,
I will get you the best deal.
I can show you any home for sale in Big Bear.
Search the Big Bear MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
Search the Southern California MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
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
Market Condition Report for the Big Bear Area
I can show you any home for sale in Big Bear.
Search the Big Bear MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
Search the Southern California MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
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
How Do I Winterize my Big Bear Home?
Winterizing your Big Bear Cabin can save you money and avoid damage to your plumbing system. Below is the instructions that the DWP sends out to help homeowners understand the process. It’s a good idea to turn your stop and waste valve off whenever you are leaving the mountains, even in the summer. By doing this you will keep the stop and waste valve from becoming hard to turn or stuck in one position.
Steve Hirschler
Associate, The Tim Wood Group
Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery
42153 Big Bear Blvd.
P.O. BOX 6820
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
steve@bigbeargallery.com
909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889
Fax 909 866-3531
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