Are You Ready to Buy a Cabin in Big Bear?

Most buyer’s start their search online before they contact a realtor. This gives the buyer a feel for the market, but not always a true picture.

After you have done some research online, you should contact a lender to determine the current mortgage rates, what you will qualify for, and a price range that will produce a payment that is comfortable on you budget. Taking the time to get your prequalification with a lender will allow you to avoid looking at homes that out of your budget.

Most lenders currently require a minimum of 20% down payment for second homes, and it’s a good idea to offer 3% in good faith deposit. Closing costs are additional cash needed to buy, so be sure to inquire with your lender what these will be for your loan etc.

This is also a good time to select a local Realtor to represent you during the buying process. Selecting your agent is an important process. I would recommend reading blogs from agents that live and work in the Big Bear area to get a feel for the agent that will best represent your interests. It would also be a good idea to check the agent’s client endorsements and reviews. Once you select your agent, I recommend communicating your list of wants and needs so that they can best serve you.

Every buyer wants to get a great deal, but great deals aren’t going to last long. Be ready to act quickly once you see the home that fits your needs and is priced like a deal. Be prepared to compete with other buyers, and often these homes will sell at or above the listing price.

Don’t forget to bring your checkbook!

Amgen Tour of California 2010 Stage 6: Pasadena to Big Bear Lake route

As a avid cyclist and cycling fan, I am excited to have the most difficult stage of the Agmen Tour finish here in my home town of Big Bear Lake! Thanks to Larry Longo for this very well done Video production.

Hallmark Gold Crown Store for Sale in Big Bear

Gold Crown Hallmark Store

Overview Maps Photos Description

$199,900 Commercial For Sale Main Features 1 Unit Interior: 3575 sqft Location 42166 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

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Steve Hirschler Coldwell Banker DRE# 01703081 (909) 866-3481 steve@bigbeargallery.com http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com Listed by: Coldwell Banker / Steve Hirschler

Our recent listings Gold Crown Hallmark Store Mountain Get A Way Priced like a Bank Owned Moonridge Lakeview Property Single Family Residential for $499,900 in Big Bear City, CA Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Big Bear Lake, CA real estate for sale

Market Condition Report for the Big Bear Area 11/15/2009

Market Condition Report provided by "Chicago Title"

Please call me if you would like to discuss the Real Estate Market here in 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

http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com

Follow me on Twitter

Subscribe to “Ask an Expert, Big Bear Real Estate Blog”

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.

Should I Install an Earthquake Gas Shut Off Valve on my Big Bear Home?

 

 

 

 

Gas shut off valves are not required by law in Big Bear. Many people that buy a home in Big Bear are faced with the question of whether or not they should have one installed. Some of the insurance carriers require a earthquake gas shut off valve before they will issue home owners insurance.

As a homeowner in the Big Bear area for over 18 years, I would say that you want to do your homework on this before you have one installed.

I have sold homes to people that have had these installed and have not been happy with some of the things that can happen.

These valves are designed to shut off the natural gas in the event of an earthquake. That means they are activated by movement. If the valve closes it must be reset and you will need to relight the pilot or check to see that the appliances, heater and water heater are working after the reset. This can be hard to accomplish if you are not aware of the valve activating or the event that caused the valve to shut off. If your home is a second home and the gas shuts off in the winter, you may end up with some damage to your plumbing.

 

Another type of valve (shown at the right) may be a better choice in this situation. A valve that restricts the flow, or a excess flow valve. These valve claim to restrict the flow to a safe level, but only activate if there is an increase in flow that is caused by a break in the line.

 

 

 

 

You can always just turn the gas off manually if you are at the home when the emergency occurs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You should consult a plumbing and heating contractor to find out the pros and cons of each type of gas flow protection that is available.

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/

San Bernardino County Homes Sales Prices March 2009

San Bernardino Home Sales Prices March 2009

 

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

http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com

Follow me on Twitter

Subscribe to “Ask an Expert, Big Bear Real Estate Blog”

 

Home Sales information provided by:

Robert Maletti / Chicago Title

Trout Fishing is Good in Big Bear!

FISHIN’ FOR $50K

Catch Big Cash

 
in Big Bear Lake

 
May 30 & 31, 2009