Having a good credit score is more important than ever. It can mean the difference between qualifying for your Big Bear dream home or missing out on a great opportunity. Savvy buyers have been snatching up well priced Big Bear real estate within days of coming on the market. The key to having a strong negotiating position is to be pre-qualified and ready to move when the right property becomes available.

The first step in the process is to get the hard, cold facts. There are several places to obtain your score such as www.annualcreditreport.com, www.freecreditscore.com and www.equifax.com. Once you have your report check it thoroughly for identity theft, errors, and omissions. If you find something contact all three reporting agencies to have your information updated.

When you’ve confirmed that the all your information is correct and up to date it’s time to start the repair process. Make sure no new inquiries pop up by resisting the urge to purchase anything on credit. Even an upgrade to your cable TV or cell phone service can cause an inquiry to show up. Wait until you’ve closed escrow on your new property before you buy new furniture or a new car. The lower interest rate on your new mortgage will be your reward for all that self-control. Above all else, do not make any big purchases during the escrow and loan qualification process.  That can sometimes make the difference between getting the loan and not.

Now it’s time to pay down the balances on your credit cards. High balances greatly reduce your score. Your lender will advise you on how much debt needs to be paid off. The next important thing to remember is never pay late. You may need to set up payment reminders but find a way to pay on time and stick to it.

Timely payments and responsible spending are the way to build credit. There’s no quick fix to credit repair so be wary of credit fixing scams. Just do the hard work and pay down your debt. Before you know it you’ll be well on your way to achieving the American Dream – owning a home in beautiful Big Bear.

More about home finances;

• Don’t Let A bad credit score Prevent you from Finding a Good … – Don’t Let A bad credit score Prevent you from Finding a Good Personal loan · January 27, 2012. When you are looking for ways to a loan you already know that there are various with details that happen to be considered to determine you may …
• The Correct Way to Pay Off Personal Debt: The Debt Avalanche – Setting and achieving these short term goals influences the same area of the brain (the mesolimbic system) as the act of paying off the first credit card and are similar enough to provide the same motivational results. Quick wins may help to motivate debt reducers to continue along the path, but the real win comes in knowing you’ve made the smarter choice. If you need help in ….. So that experience taught us that real estate is volatile and that equity isn’t a guarantee. So we decided to …
• How To Build Good Credit Score With Essential Financial Habits … – Your credit score in some ways is meant to be a snapshot of your overall financial habits – especially your habits surrounding debts and other financial responsibilities. Developing some good financial habits can help your credit score by … With the tighter credit situation and property values going down, it has become more important to keep your house and get the cheapest mortgage on it. Refinancing can help to reduce your interest rate and monthly payments and …

In most of Southern California, “Winter” means clear, brisk days, morning fog and snow capped mountains. Visibility, given the right conditions, can be completely “socked in” or crystal clear and breathtaking. There are particular times, coming to or leaving Big Bear and the San Bernardino Mountains that offer fantastic views. Obviously, you will need to choose your times to drive and take advantage of the conditions.

For a change of pace, don’t allow yourself to get caught in a long line of locals expecting you to go the speed limit. The reason being; using the turnouts for people that want to pass is a good thing. Using the turnouts with views, is a great thing.

Rising up the 330, off the 10 and 210, there are some great vistas to the Southeast. San Jacinto and the mountains stretching to San Diego can be visible. Below you, the grasses are pushing their green up the sides of the hills. Toward evening and particularly sunset, the whole basin transitions to a seemingly endless patchwork of countless lights. All this is visible from the road, usually in quick “bites” as you navigate the mountain curves. A few moments enjoyed while parked can be those moments you need to adjust your altitude and attitude. Pick a view and corresponding turnout. Plan a dawn or sunset drive.

Early Rim of the World Image

When leaving Big Bear, instead of heading back down the mountain at Running Springs, stay on the 18. Try to arrive along the “Rim” around sunset. When you arrive in Running Springs, after the Snow Valley resort, follow the sign you’ve never followed: the one that says, “Lake Arrowhead”.

Winding along the Rim of the World is a highway connecting thousands living in the San Bernardino mountain communities.

When the weather is clear, if you drive the Rim of the World Highway to Lake Arrowhead and Crestline, in a very short time, you get a sweeping view of the San Gabriel Mountain Range and the whole Inland Empire Valley.

If you follow the mountains, you’ll see the skyscrapers of Los Angeles. Sweeping along the horizon, you realize you are looking at ships on the ocean and the Palos Verde Peninsula. If you can schedule your drive for sunset and watch the countless lights come on, you will leave the mountains appreciating the vast diversity Southern California has to offer.

Find Your Second Home in the Mountains

More about Second Home Purchases;

• Every Market is a Second-Home Market – ANAHEIM (November 12, 2011) – A diverse set of buyers and property types comprise the second-home sector and opportunities for second-home buyers exist in nearly every market, even in nontraditional, non-resort …
• Polo – Purchasing Income Properties | PoloZONE – For resale here in the desert, the can sell well since our housing market’s buyers can be many second home buyers. They also may be more affordable for many home buyers than a single family home! Another type of income …
• Is it the Right Time to Buy a Vacation Home? | real estate with judy … – by Phoebe Chongchua. Housing prices are more affordable than ever and that’s not just for a primary home. Today, the second-home luxury market is loaded with deals. Second-homes that once were out of the price range for …

Buying a home is an emotional decision. Real Estate buyers typically “try the house out.” They open closets, cupboards and almost anything else with a handle. They will switch on lights, turn on faucets and flush toilets.

How do you make your home stand out in today’s real estate market? Small, incremental improvements can make a big impression on prospective buyers.

Home Preparation Tips

• Clean and shine fixtures including door handles, light switches, faucets and anything else that’s shiny. Check ceiling for water stains and be sure to fix any leaks.

• Make your home anonymous. Take down the photos and most of the art. If possible have minimal furniture and remove all clutter. A buyer needs to be able to visualize moving in. A cramped living space doesn’t deliver a cozy message.

• A little bit of fresh paint will rejuvenate the appearance of your home. Choose a color palette with the widest appeal. Have the carpets washed (replace with a neutral color if necessary) and be sure to replace any broken floor tiles.

• Remove clutter and give the prospective buyers room. Let them imagine living in your home. Remove things from the kitchen counter. When someone opens the kitchen cupboards, do they appear spacious or cluttered?

Whether you clean and repair yourself, or bring in a team for a thorough upgrade, the goal is to make others feel like this could be their home. These improvements can decrease the amount of time your house is on the market, and the bottom line.

Search Big Bear Real Estate

More about Selling Real Estate

• Browse Articles » Understanding The Selling Process With These … – Meanwhile, there are numerous sources available to help real estate sellers, some of it is useless and can easily be described as a waste of space. This article will give you tested advice that will help you get the best deal …
• I’m Not Just A Number! The Art of Knowing & Understanding a Seller – The more investors I talk with the more I am convinced that the lost art of conversing and getting to understand a seller and their needs has been replaced with handing over complicated forms and giving low-ball offers. It seems in this fast-paced, digitalized, G4 world, we have forgotten how to make friends before making the deal. The first 19 appointments I ever met with sellers and toured their homes took no shorter than 4 hours every time.

I finally made it to the slopes. It’s been almost two years since my last snowboard outing. After years of begging my nephew to come up and ride with me he called me over the holidays and informed me he was ready to join me on the slopes. What I didn’t know was my nephew had been preparing for this day for quite a while. He took some lessons last year and without my knowledge had become a competent snowboarder. When he arrived the night before with some of the nicest, most expensive gear I have ever seen, I knew I was in trouble.

It was my nephew Ryan’s birthday and in case you didn’t know, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain offers a free lift ticket to skiers and snowboarders celebrating a birthday. We arrived at Snow Summit early enough to be some of the first riders on the chairlift. It had snowed the night before and the conditions were perfect. The last time I’d been snowboarding, two seasons past, had been a disaster. Icy, hard pack snow may be o.k. for skiing but snowboarding on ice is a challenge.

After four runs at Snow Summit with perfect snow Ryan and I jumped on the shuttle to Bear Mountain. If you haven’t been to Bear Mountain lately you’re in for a bit of a surprise. The mountain has been transformed into a skate park for snowboarders. Every run has jumps, rails, jibs, and boxes from top to bottom. I have to admit, I was out of my element. As much as I love to snowboard, my freestyle days are far behind me and I was happy to cruise the flats and watch the action. My 21 year old nephew was in heaven. He was hitting everything in sight and landing most of his tricks. Oh, to have young knees again.

After a few runs I left the kids at Bear and headed back to Summit to spend the rest of the day carving turns on the wide uncrowded slopes that Summit is famous for. It was a perfect day on the slopes, for both of us. The Big Bear resorts truly offer something for every level of skier and snowboarder. When the day was over my nephew met me in the Bear Bottom Lodge for a beer and couldn’t stop talking about how great his birthday had been. It looks like he’ll be back up several more times this season. I just hope my knees can handle all this fun.

Southern California Real Estate News;

• Tips for the First Time Home Buyers – Home Buying Process Tips – Jan 10, 2012 … This is one of the most difficult decision you have to make, in choosing the right
• California Real Estate Hot Spots – What passes as a “real estate hot spot” in California today is vastly different from
• Southern California Real Estate in Easy to Find with the SoCal Real … – Real estate in Southern California is stunning and provides a number of options

On Big Bear Blvd. within 4 blocks of the traffic light at Division, there are 4 restaurants, a pizza parlor, a liquor store, and a produce stand. If you haven’t investigated, what are you waiting for?

Just past ‘Twin Bears Equipment Rentals’, is the tiniest Mexican restaurant, ‘La Paws’. This little place is one of the nicest secrets of dining outside of the Village. ‘La Paws’ has been open a very long time and are sure to please your taste buds with their authentic hand made food.

Right past them is a great produce stand, ‘Select Foods’. Their prices are very reasonable and a quick stop can save time and money from the supermarkets in Big Bear Lake. When you just want to grab a couple of potatoes, some milk, and a handful of chiles, this is the place. They always have a good selection of fresh produce and basic groceries, breads and dairy.

Right next door is ‘No Name Pizza’. This is another little treasure place outside of Big Bear Lake. The best is, you can “Take and Bake”, insuring the absolute hottest, freshest pizza, straight from your own oven. To-go, or dining in, this little place has a great menu for the whole family.

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Just across the street is the ‘Broadway Cafe’ with great outdoor seating. Good old “Mom ‘n’ Pop” food is what comes from their kitchen. Check the burgers and onion rings! They also have a great reputation for their hand made milk shakes. This is worth a visit in itself!

2 doors up and on the corner of Gildart, is ‘Liquor Junction’. You’ll find a large selection of imported and domestic beers and wines, including a unique collection of microbrewed American beers. Grab a pizza across the street and treat yourself to an unusual brew. You can say you had it in Big Bear!

Just up the street, the ‘Lumber Jack Cafe’ has been in business for years. Serving all 3 meals, this place can’t stop. A Lumber Jack style breakfast and coffee are just the beginning of their menu. Judging by their parking lot, their meals are still pleasing the patrons.

Last, but certainly not least on this little strip of Big Bear Blvd. is ‘Madlon’s‘. Starting with that great exterior, it only gets better on the inside. ‘Madlon’s’ is where to go when you want an intimate, absolutely catered dinner. Elegance and mountain charm go into the decor and the French cuisine. Plan an evening, but don’t forget their awesome breakfasts. All you can eat waffles and pancakes served with hot coffee can certainly set your day.

Find Big Bear Real Estate

• Big Bear Lake – The Village of Big Bear Lake was the center of commerce early in the Valley’s history with Bartlett’s Store and the Pine Knot Lodge. Early industry included logging, fishing and tourism.

• Big Bear City – Big Bear City is an unincorporated township of San Bernardino County located in the central portion of the Big Bear Valley, east of Big Bear Lake and west of Baldwin Lake. It’s bordered by the San Bernardino National Forest on the north and south.

• Fawnskin – The small township known as Fawnskin was once an artist’s colony. Mountain travelers in the 19th century came to the Big Bear Valley through Fawnskin on the rough road by stagecoach and later motorcars. This charming village has always been an attraction to those seeking a retreat from city life.
• Sugarloaf – Sugarloaf is an unincorporated residential area less than a mile south of Big Bear City and 8 miles from the eastern tip of Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Big Bear City Homes

Direct link to - Window of opportunity for Big Bear sellers

The number of homes for sale in Big Bear has been steadily dropping the past few months.  Just recently, we dipped below 600 homes for sale.  With that comes a window of real estate opportunity for some Big Bear home sellers.

As the inventory levels drop, so does the number of available options for buyers to choose from.  And when they have less options to choose from, this makes certain properties stand out, which in turn increases the odds of that property selling.  It’s that simple.

Keep in mind, the asking price is still the main factor in causing a home to sell.  This window of opportunity just adds to the importance of pricing correctly as the property will stand out even more from the competition.  When it stands out, it sells!  There may be 550-600 homes for sale in Big Bear, but how many are actually priced correctly and in sellable condition?  Few.

All things considered, now could be the right time to get your Big Bear property sold.

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Is It Really a Buyer’s Market in Big Bear?

Where Are The Big Bear Real Estate Buyers?

During the winter, the average American spends 90% of their time indoors. We rarely think about the air quality around us. By taking a few easy steps we can improve our surroundings. Asthma and other chronic diseases will especially benefit from a healthy environment. From house plants to natural fibers, there are several inexpensive ways to improve your home and your health benefits.

Air Fresheners

Beside adding color and vibrance to a home, house plants also act like an air filter, purifying the air. They counter act chemical out-gassing from rugs and construction materials. With the average home ceiling height being eight to nine feet, the recommended ratio is one plant per 10 square yards. Palms, ferns, ivy and rubber plants work well.

You might also consider humidifiers. Mountain life can be very dry. Adding a humidifier to your home environment will mitigate dry skin, dry throats, and irritated noses (which can lead to sinusitis).

Natural Fibers

Wherever possible, work with natural fibers. Many rugs are made from plastic fibers that continue to out-gas in your home. Try to find natural carpeting that is cotton or wool. By maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, you will also cut down on accumulating dust and allergens.

Because of the dryness of our climate, and its altitude, mold and dust mites are rarely an issue.

Filter Your Tap Water

Many of us spend money on bottled water. Installing a home water purification system will not only cut down on expenses; it will also improve the quality of cooking and bathing water. Living here in Big Bear Lake, our water is already good. A good filter will remove fluoride and traces of chemicals in the water.

Taking a few inexpensive steps can help to improve you energy and overall health. For more ideas, check out the WebMD’s article, “10 Affordable Ways to Make Your Home Safer and Healthier”.

More Healthy Home Links;

• The Healthy Home Book – The Healthy Home, is a truth-revealing father-son collaboration that focuses on
• Green Living: the cost of not going green – Loading Fetching blurbs now… please stand by ….. It guides you through the
• A Go Green Home With Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring – … homes, and redecorating with the concerns of energy efficiency, and having a

Take advantage of Southern California’s magnificent weather. Come cruise the mountains.

Without precipitation and with the warm weather, one tends to treat Big Bear a little differently than during a snowy winter. Motorcycles are visible in January. Tops come down on the convertibles. Even the Corvettes come out of hibernation. Almost all the streets are dry from that great preholiday snowstorm and it is time to take advantage of this great Southern California weather.

 This season has been much kinder, giving the opportunity to take care of things usually left for Memorial Day. You’ll see lines at both the Do-It-Yourself car wash on Big Bear Boulevard, and the Fox Farm car wash. This is a real treat!

You’ll also see those brown, mud covered, 4×4′s with only sunglasses and teeth visible through the windshield. Someone’s having fun! If you are so inclined, ask at the Big Bear Discovery Center for some good areas to go “Bouncing” at this time of year. The forest roads behind Fawnskin and “The Dump” are open. You’ll find a mix of totally dry packed dirt, slick ice, and slick mud of various depths. If you really crave mud, in the past, copious amounts have been found up the Polique Canyon Road into Holcomb Valley.

If mud and snow just aren’t in your comfort zone, this is a perfect time to ride the convertible to, around, and through Big Bear. Pick your highway, either end of the 18 or the 38. Put the top down. Put the heater blowing on your feet. Feel our famous mountain air blowing across your head. Circumnavigate the lake at sunset with the radio blaring. Head to town for a great dinner.

Well, that’s one way to drive around the mountains! Day times really have been that delightfully warm. Top down is optional. Any humble Land Yacht can bring you to Big Bear in a couple of hours.

We’ve seen plenty of motorcycles riding our roads, too. You won’t need a snowmobile suit unless you like riding late at night. Night time temperatures still drop below freezing, so if a motorcycle is your only transportation, plan to use the daylight hours to your advantage. We’ve noticed this doesn’t seem to stop some of the locals. Driving highway 18 to, or from, Lucerne Valley has the most rapid temperature change in the shortest amount of time. If you need to warm up quickly, this is the best route off the mountain.

• Winter Driving Tips from a Lake Tahoe Local: Driving in the Snow … – Jan 29, 2011 … Winter Mountain Driving: How to Drive in the Snow. As a South Lake Tahoe local,

• Outdoor Lovers Enjoy Scenic Vistas On An RV Road Trip – In addition, mountain driving with diesel RV models is more comfortable than

• An Amazing Mountaintop Experience – … Scene on road to Lackawack , Catskill Mountains.

Direct link to Big Bear Real Estate – Who Controls Real Estate Pricing?

In short, the buyers.

Real Estate agents like to think they have some effect on the pricing, but I believe it is determined mostly by the buyers, and to some degree, sellers.  It doesn’t matter how great an agent thinks they are, our how much money they spend marketing the property, if the price is too high and the buyers don’t agree with it, it won’t sell.  No amount of skill or marketing will force a buyer to pay a significant amount more than what a property is truly worth.

Now, you definitely want an agent who knows how to market and position a property, but that is all secondary to the asking price.  Finding a listing agent that knows how to price accordingly in this market should be your #1 concern.

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Where are the Big Bear Real Estate Buyers?

Low Appraisals – The Kiss of Death for Your Big Bear Real Estate Transaction.

With some of the best snow in the country, Big Bear is calling you to come celebrate all that Winter 2012 has to offer. Snow conditions couldn’t be better. We’re not just talking about the fantastic skiing and snowboarding. The holiday snow fell everywhere, leaving a thick, inviting, layer of white throughout the valley.

Need a break from “Machine Groomed Packed Powder”? Just need to walk? Get off the roads and paths. Both fun and useful, snowshoeing is well worth the try. Head into untouched snow! Be your own “Off Road” Vehicle! Snowshoeing offers you a chance to head into the deeper snow and visit areas that are otherwise unavailable during the Winter season. Walking in snowshoes can be no more strenuous than a walk along the North Shore’s Alpine Pedal Path, but much more rewarding.

Beginner or experienced, there are 2 ways to snowshoe in the mountains of Big Bear:

Bring, buy, or rent your own. Many of the ski and board shops sell and rent snowshoes. Visit the Big Bear Discovery Center for suggestions of where to go for a “trek”.

Or, if you have never tried snowshoes, reserve a spot at the Discovery Center for a great lesson and combined guided tour. Weather permitting, the Discovery Center offers guided snowshoe tours in scenic areas around Big Bear Lake.

Offering an educational experience as well as a non-strenuous walk, a naturalist will be your host leading you through areas of the forest where you will learn about the ecology and natural history of Big Bear. Geared for beginners to experts, everyone will expand their understanding of what the Big Bear outdoors has to offer.

Snowshoe Tours are offered on weekends through March 4, 2011.

Times are:

Saturdays at 9:00am, afternoons at 1:00pm.

Sundays at 9:00am.

This is a full 3 hour tour. You will definitely want to bring your cameras and sunscreen. Snowshoes and a snack will be provided by the staff. Meeting at the Discovery Center, participants caravan to the starting point. Reservations are highly recommended, as sessions are limited to 12 people. Call, 909-866-3437 to reserve your places and check weather conditions.

 Rates are:

Adults: $30

Children (8-12): $20

National Forest Association Member Rates:

Adults: $25

Children (8-12): $15

More Winter Sports;

• Skijoring With Horses « Simply Marvelous – Nate Bowers of Bowers Farm Fort Collins, CO. ~~~. Skijoring, or ski driving, is a winter sport that originates in Scandinavia, where it has been practiced for centuries. Laplander’s skied on Nordic skis holding the reins attached …
• Get your body ready for extreme winter sports: – Winter Sports Travel … – Feb 4, 2011 … As you are getting your body ready for winter sports you should go for an honest
• Preventing Winter Sports Injuries – Winter Sports Travel Cover – Feb 2, 2011 … As the snow falls and the temperatures fall, the onset of winter marks the start