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Looking to Ditch That Big Bear Cabin Look? Here’s Some Tips to Modernizing Your Mountain Home….

"We want something cabin-y." This is something I hear ALL the time. Most of my clients want to escape from the city to their mountain home that really feels mountainous. But here's the thing, you can still get that feeling without the bears and lacquered wood. Don't get me wrong, a lot of people love that look and it is important to decorate your home to fit your taste. But, if you're looking for something current or are hoping to maximize your rental potential, kicking that traditional cabin look may be the … [Read more...]

Increasing Property Values in Big Bear

We’ve enjoyed a summer with plenty of monsoonal rain. Fall temperatures are here, along with a couple inches of snow last night. If you take a drive around Big Bear, you’ll find trees heavily laden with apples and pears. This is a great time of year to plant apple trees and berry bushes. Besides providing a delightful harvest, improving your landscaping is an easy way to increase property value and boost curb appeal. A study done by Virginia Tech in 2007 showed that good landscaping can improve a home’s resale … [Read more...]

Big Bear Real Estate News

In our digital economy, international, national and local economies affect our marketplace. As we keep our eye on China, the Euro, the unemployment rate and other leading indicators, the news seems to show an upswing in several economic factors. On the international scene, China’s lifting of some controls is the strongest sign that the government intends to change; according to the New York Times. Some have called the restructuring a symbolic move. But, since it signals a broader acceptance of western banking … [Read more...]

Feng Shui and Your Home

This 5,000 year old art is said to bring peace of mind, good health and happiness. Feng Shui means Wind and Water in Chinese. There are many similarities between Feng Shui and the rules of Home Staging. They both address emotional appearance; stressing clutter reduction and the use of furniture to affect traffic flow. Disney, British Airways and Donald Trump are among those westerners taking Feng Shui seriously. Here are a few guidelines for home buyers and sellers! PROPERTY SHAPE If you are buying a new … [Read more...]

Protecting Your Real Estate Investment – Frozen Pipes

Big Bear... was hit with a cold snap earlier in January and the ever present problem of frozen pipes reared its ugly head throughout the valley. I made the rookie mistake of leaving my hoses attached to the outdoor faucets and woke up to frozen pipes. Fortunately, the problem was isolated to a small area of my home, but I learned from my plumber that over 40 homes in my neighborhood had been affected. Water, as we learned in school, expands when frozen. That's a problem because inside the pipes, there is no room … [Read more...]

Big Bear Real Estate – Sellers

Beautiful landscaping around a home not only increases the overall value, it also acts as an advertisement. Increasing “curb appeal” in the mountains does not require an expensive investment. As a matter of fact, there are many species of plants that naturally thrive in Big Bear, CA. About.com suggests attractive landscaping can increase your home’s value from 7% to 15%. Trends suggest perspective buyers are interested in low-maintenance yards with year-round visual interest. Xeriscaping, landscaping that … [Read more...]

Big Bear Real Estate Resolutions for 2013

At the end of every December, people make all kinds of resolutions for the coming year. Typically, these are things they want to improve about themselves, ways to make their personal or work life better and to put them on track for a positive change. Whether you plan to buy or sell, there are some real estate resolutions that buyers and sellers can, and should, make for the coming year. Here are five New Year’s resolutions to help you with your Big Bear real estate goals. Buyers: Resolve to get your financial … [Read more...]

Winter Home Presentation for Real Estate

5 Tips on Staging & Selling Your Big Bear Home The spring and summer months aren’t the only Big Bear real estate selling season, the fact is there are lots of potential buyers in Big Bear during the winter season. And with inventory at its lowest level in years, the decision to market your property in the colder months can really pay off. 1. KEEP SAFETY IN MIND Clear snow from the driveway and walkways and apply ice-melt as needed. First impressions are most important, so be sure that access to your home is … [Read more...]

Home Selling Advice

Many of us have crowded closets and store extra things in our garages. The problem is, potential buyers love to poke their heads into our closets and drawers. Clutter can turn off a perspective buyer or, worse yet, give them the feeling that the space is too small for their needs. Home buyers will also inspect kitchen cupboards and drawers. Organize them so they look spacious. Eliminate chipped or mismatched dishes and old pots or pans. Small upgrades like changing the counter tops and adding a new coat of paint … [Read more...]

Big Bear Real Estate – Tips For a Smooth Move

Congratulations on selling your Big Bear home! It’s time to concentrate on the "fun" part of selling a home - packing up all those clothes, toys, and pots and pans. Here are a few tips for a smooth move. Start the packing process as early as possible. The earlier you begin packing the more organized and stress-free you’ll be. Go room by room and make notes on what’s going with you (and staying behind). Stock up on packing supplies, including: boxes, bubble wrap, newspapers, labels, markers, packing foam, packing … [Read more...]