Gee, here it is the end of the week again and I haven't been able to write until now! What a Memorial Day Holiday I had! It was so busy that I can't believe it. I don't know if the count (amount of visitors) was up or down but the people that were here were looking at real estate. I was swamped both Saturday and Sunday. Monday I was able to work in my yard and plant some flowers because the phones, cell and land lines were down all day, so we couldn't do business.
I listed a little cabin in Sugarloaf on Saturday and by Sunday I had an offer on it. I went to show a house that I have for sale in Big Bear City to a man and before he got there people walking by asked to see it and another couple that was driving by asked if I could show it to them. By the time the original buyer arrived I already had three other possible buyers. One of the buyers wanted me to look at their cabin because they were thinking of selling it and buying a larger cabin. It was crazy. Just being out and about in my car that has my name and Century 21 all plastered all over it brought me future clients! There is lots of business out there if you are out there among them! Buyers and sellers don't always come into the office.
I wrote an offer on one of my listing in Running Springs, too! Those buyers live in Green Valley Lake so I drove over there and left the contracts for them for when they got home from work. That was a pretty drive and the lake was full of people boating.
On the way back I shot some video of the new bridge over the dam. It is a huge project and won't be finished until 2011. I filmed the footings and piers that have been poured in the bottom of the canyon as well as where they have carved out the future road through the boulders on the other side. I plan to put some of the footage on my website in the near future. It is an amazing project and the rendering of the future bridge is something. Very modernistic looking bridge. I think we will be proud of it when it is finished!
Sunday I met with a woman that is just finishing a 2 million dollar home with wonderful lake views. She wants to sell it so I am working up a price. All in all it was a great holiday weekend for real estate. It sure looks like the buyers are back! I don't think we will see prices lower and actually I am seeing some new listing coming on the market at a little higher price. The bank owneds have all but disappeared here and I don't know when they will be back. So, this is the perfect time to buy in Big Bear. Real estate prices are low and the interest rates are at the rate they were in 1971. It couldn't be a better time! Hope to see you here in Big Bear soon ready to look at real estate! Until next time, BB
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
I was fortunate to make a couple of sales in the past few days. I have also listed several pieces of property. The market is heating up here in Big Bear real estate. I spoke to one of the title insurance people yesterday down in San Bernardino and he told me that the last 30 days has been better than any month in over two years. So, it is true! The real estate market is changing and for the better!
There remain some wonderful opportunities out there in our Big Bear market. They are not bank owned but just properties owned by average people that want to sell! You couldn't pick a better time to buy. The deals are there and most of the sellers want to move on. Interest rates at a low, ample inventory, (not the amount we had one or two years ago but enough), and prices at a level that most buyers can find something they can afford, all makes for the best buying season coming up that we have seen in years! If you have been sitting on the bench now is the time to get up, get in the car and drive to Big Bear! We have the best values in southern California. Plus we have clean air and four seasons! Who wouldn't want to buy in Big Bear right now.
Driving up the front way, 330, you will see beautiful Scotch Broom with their yellow flowers bursting in huge bouquets. Lots of little red and orange wild flowers too! When you come to the road over the dam you will see the massive project underway building a new road over the dam. It is very interesting. There are several Mr. Cranes on the job site as well as other very large equipment. The new road will go right past the old Dam Keepers house. I have lived here 41 years and it hurts a little to see the dam road go but you can't stand in the way of progress. I plan to take some video of the process and have it on my website soon. That is bonnieblue.com for your information.
This week end will be the kick-off of our summer season! Lots of people will be up to enjoy the mountains and the holiday. If you are a garage sale nut then this is the weekend to be in Big Bear. You will delight in all the sales going on. There are many other activities this Memorial Day weekend so if you get a chance come on up! Just give me a call if you have any questions and I will be happy to help. One thing I know is Big Bear! And the other thing is Big Bear real estate! So, hope to see you then! Until next time, BB
There remain some wonderful opportunities out there in our Big Bear market. They are not bank owned but just properties owned by average people that want to sell! You couldn't pick a better time to buy. The deals are there and most of the sellers want to move on. Interest rates at a low, ample inventory, (not the amount we had one or two years ago but enough), and prices at a level that most buyers can find something they can afford, all makes for the best buying season coming up that we have seen in years! If you have been sitting on the bench now is the time to get up, get in the car and drive to Big Bear! We have the best values in southern California. Plus we have clean air and four seasons! Who wouldn't want to buy in Big Bear right now.
Driving up the front way, 330, you will see beautiful Scotch Broom with their yellow flowers bursting in huge bouquets. Lots of little red and orange wild flowers too! When you come to the road over the dam you will see the massive project underway building a new road over the dam. It is very interesting. There are several Mr. Cranes on the job site as well as other very large equipment. The new road will go right past the old Dam Keepers house. I have lived here 41 years and it hurts a little to see the dam road go but you can't stand in the way of progress. I plan to take some video of the process and have it on my website soon. That is bonnieblue.com for your information.
This week end will be the kick-off of our summer season! Lots of people will be up to enjoy the mountains and the holiday. If you are a garage sale nut then this is the weekend to be in Big Bear. You will delight in all the sales going on. There are many other activities this Memorial Day weekend so if you get a chance come on up! Just give me a call if you have any questions and I will be happy to help. One thing I know is Big Bear! And the other thing is Big Bear real estate! So, hope to see you then! Until next time, BB
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
I just sold another home in Big Bear! Sales are really picking up. It is on the news and in the papers...real estate sales are rising and Big Bear is no exception. Those of you who have been waiting for the bottom, "Take Notice". It has arrived! I have been saying don't wait, the time is right now to buy, but I believe that many buyers have, perhaps, waited too long!
The number of sales in Big Bear have increased by more than 50% over last year over all. The indicators are all there. You can still get a decent buy but the way it is going those deals won't last. So, what are you waiting for? We can help you find your dream cabin and guide you through the real estate maze as well. Just give us a call. It couldn't be a better time and the interest rates are wonderful. I hope to hear from you...soon!
Until next time, BB
The number of sales in Big Bear have increased by more than 50% over last year over all. The indicators are all there. You can still get a decent buy but the way it is going those deals won't last. So, what are you waiting for? We can help you find your dream cabin and guide you through the real estate maze as well. Just give us a call. It couldn't be a better time and the interest rates are wonderful. I hope to hear from you...soon!
Until next time, BB
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Just another beautiful day in Paradise here in Big Bear! Lots of sun and blue skies and everything is turning green. It is a beautiful time of the year.
Real estate events were overshadowed yesterday by Ellie, my cat. After a very busy and productive day at selling real estate I came home . Later, about 6:00 pm I opened the storm door, (I haven't taken it off for the summer yet) which is on the right side of my house to go outside and water. I had only pushed it open a few inches and like a shot, Ellie, my little, number two, cat was out the door and on the lawn. I couldn't believe she had gotten out. I was in shock and I stood in the doorway for a moment, stunned!
I ran out the door and followed Ellie onto the lawn. Every time I got close to her she ran further away. I tried to creep up to her slowly but she continued to travel further away. Now she was next door at the neighbors house in their garden. I went next door to no avail. She moved on to their back yard and then I got the idea to get a blanket and throw it over her so I could grab her.
I retrieved a blanket from the house. She came back into our back yard for a look and that is when I threw the blanket over her. Or, so I thought. The blanket tripped me and I fell on top of it and out of the corner of my eye I saw Ellie running to the neighbors house once again. By this time I was getting angry with that cat! I got up and carried the blanket with me to the neighbors but by this time Ellie was about to cross the street. I ran to catch her but it was too late she was already up the driveway of the neighbors across the street. I tried the blanket trick one more time and fell up the stairs of the deck across the street. I decided to abandon the blanket!
I had been all over my yard, the house next door's property and now I was chasing a cat under the deck across the street. Have you ever tried to catch a cat? I am no match for a feline, I could see that! Once she went under a space in the deck across the street I knew I couldn't get her out so I went back home to collect my thoughts.
At this point I thought who needs that cat? She won't come when she is called. She doesn't care so why should I? I was tired, I hurt from the falls I had taken and I wanted to eat dinner. So I sat down thinking about all the things that could happen to her outside. Ellie is an inside cat. There are lots of coyotes here in Fox Farm and I knew unless she was very lucky she would be dinner tonight for one of them! Even though I was mad at Ellie I went back outside and across the street and began looking once more. There she was rolling in the dirt, jumping and eating grass. She was having a delightful time in the out doors. I remember thinking it is where a cat belongs but Ellie is an inside cat and not prepared for coyote fighting so I tried to catch her again.
Well, each time I went out to get here she moved further down the street. By now I was done in and knew I couldn't continue. So I gave up and went home. By now it was getting dark and if you know Big Bear when it gets dark it is really dark!
I went back in the house and felt really bad. My other cat, Julie, even seemed a little sad that I hadn't brought Ellie back home. I felt defeated and helpless. I thought about calling my cousin that lives in Big Bear, too, and maybe he and his son could help me catch her but by now it was dark. So, I decided to give it up! However, something inside of me couldn't do it!
So, I sat out on the brick steps in front of the door, in the dark and called for Ellie. She didn't come so eventually I went in the house. I keep the door open and just shut the storm door so I could occasionally look out. After a while I noticed that the sensor lights outside were on and I thought they might have been triggered by Ellie. I opened the door and there she was frolicking on the grass. I grabbed Julie so she wouldn't go out and I held the door open and Ellie flew inside like a shot! What a relief I felt having here back home!
Ellie was dirty and had things stuck to her fur. I was so tired I went right to bed and within a few minutes Ellie was on my bed snuggling up to me and soon fell asleep. She was exhausted and so was I!
Until next time, BB
Real estate events were overshadowed yesterday by Ellie, my cat. After a very busy and productive day at selling real estate I came home . Later, about 6:00 pm I opened the storm door, (I haven't taken it off for the summer yet) which is on the right side of my house to go outside and water. I had only pushed it open a few inches and like a shot, Ellie, my little, number two, cat was out the door and on the lawn. I couldn't believe she had gotten out. I was in shock and I stood in the doorway for a moment, stunned!
I ran out the door and followed Ellie onto the lawn. Every time I got close to her she ran further away. I tried to creep up to her slowly but she continued to travel further away. Now she was next door at the neighbors house in their garden. I went next door to no avail. She moved on to their back yard and then I got the idea to get a blanket and throw it over her so I could grab her.
I retrieved a blanket from the house. She came back into our back yard for a look and that is when I threw the blanket over her. Or, so I thought. The blanket tripped me and I fell on top of it and out of the corner of my eye I saw Ellie running to the neighbors house once again. By this time I was getting angry with that cat! I got up and carried the blanket with me to the neighbors but by this time Ellie was about to cross the street. I ran to catch her but it was too late she was already up the driveway of the neighbors across the street. I tried the blanket trick one more time and fell up the stairs of the deck across the street. I decided to abandon the blanket!
I had been all over my yard, the house next door's property and now I was chasing a cat under the deck across the street. Have you ever tried to catch a cat? I am no match for a feline, I could see that! Once she went under a space in the deck across the street I knew I couldn't get her out so I went back home to collect my thoughts.
At this point I thought who needs that cat? She won't come when she is called. She doesn't care so why should I? I was tired, I hurt from the falls I had taken and I wanted to eat dinner. So I sat down thinking about all the things that could happen to her outside. Ellie is an inside cat. There are lots of coyotes here in Fox Farm and I knew unless she was very lucky she would be dinner tonight for one of them! Even though I was mad at Ellie I went back outside and across the street and began looking once more. There she was rolling in the dirt, jumping and eating grass. She was having a delightful time in the out doors. I remember thinking it is where a cat belongs but Ellie is an inside cat and not prepared for coyote fighting so I tried to catch her again.
Well, each time I went out to get here she moved further down the street. By now I was done in and knew I couldn't continue. So I gave up and went home. By now it was getting dark and if you know Big Bear when it gets dark it is really dark!
I went back in the house and felt really bad. My other cat, Julie, even seemed a little sad that I hadn't brought Ellie back home. I felt defeated and helpless. I thought about calling my cousin that lives in Big Bear, too, and maybe he and his son could help me catch her but by now it was dark. So, I decided to give it up! However, something inside of me couldn't do it!
So, I sat out on the brick steps in front of the door, in the dark and called for Ellie. She didn't come so eventually I went in the house. I keep the door open and just shut the storm door so I could occasionally look out. After a while I noticed that the sensor lights outside were on and I thought they might have been triggered by Ellie. I opened the door and there she was frolicking on the grass. I grabbed Julie so she wouldn't go out and I held the door open and Ellie flew inside like a shot! What a relief I felt having here back home!
Ellie was dirty and had things stuck to her fur. I was so tired I went right to bed and within a few minutes Ellie was on my bed snuggling up to me and soon fell asleep. She was exhausted and so was I!
Until next time, BB
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The blue skies are back and it almost looks like summer. The trees are leafing out and the lilacs blooms are about to burst. Soon the air will be filled with that fragrance! One more of the joys of living in Big Bear.
Real estate is changing! I have been saying that for months now but CNN finally confirmed it! The real estate market is up as well as the new home starts and construction in general. No, it's not because of the government stimulus packages. By the way, it is our money, taxpayers money, not the governments that is being given away. The reason that real estate and housing is improving is again supply and demand. Real estate was the first sector to fall and it is the first to recover.
No, it isn't gang busters yet but there is improvement and buyers are back! It's the old, " let it alone and it will take care of itself", theory. There was too much supply and at high prices when it all collapsed. Over the last almost two years the market has adjusted. Mostly downward. Prices corrected. There were great deals on bank owned properties as well as regular sellers taking lower prices and giving concessions to get their homes sold. Again, supply and demand of the market place.
What we are seeing now is the new beginning, the start of the turn around. I believe it began at the end of February her in Big Bear. Our first quarter was up over seven time what it was in 2008. The reasons are many, lower prices bring out investors and the average buyer can now afford a home. Perhaps, the main reason is that many people feel that we have hit bottom and that they need to buy now before prices do rise. They are correct. We are near or at the bottom in most metro areas and these prices won't last.
I think I mentioned in an earlier piece that the bank owned properties are not such a bargain now. The banks are pricing them right along side the average home sellers listings. I wasn't certain if this was just in Big Bear until I heard from a fellow real estate agent in Grand Rapids, MI who said the very same thing. So, it appears that the hay day of bank owneds may be behind us. It doesn't matter though because there currently are so many sellers that are priced well. You will still get a great deal in Big Bear! So, as I have said before, now is the time, don't wait any longer to buy your dream cabin! Until next time, BB
Real estate is changing! I have been saying that for months now but CNN finally confirmed it! The real estate market is up as well as the new home starts and construction in general. No, it's not because of the government stimulus packages. By the way, it is our money, taxpayers money, not the governments that is being given away. The reason that real estate and housing is improving is again supply and demand. Real estate was the first sector to fall and it is the first to recover.
No, it isn't gang busters yet but there is improvement and buyers are back! It's the old, " let it alone and it will take care of itself", theory. There was too much supply and at high prices when it all collapsed. Over the last almost two years the market has adjusted. Mostly downward. Prices corrected. There were great deals on bank owned properties as well as regular sellers taking lower prices and giving concessions to get their homes sold. Again, supply and demand of the market place.
What we are seeing now is the new beginning, the start of the turn around. I believe it began at the end of February her in Big Bear. Our first quarter was up over seven time what it was in 2008. The reasons are many, lower prices bring out investors and the average buyer can now afford a home. Perhaps, the main reason is that many people feel that we have hit bottom and that they need to buy now before prices do rise. They are correct. We are near or at the bottom in most metro areas and these prices won't last.
I think I mentioned in an earlier piece that the bank owned properties are not such a bargain now. The banks are pricing them right along side the average home sellers listings. I wasn't certain if this was just in Big Bear until I heard from a fellow real estate agent in Grand Rapids, MI who said the very same thing. So, it appears that the hay day of bank owneds may be behind us. It doesn't matter though because there currently are so many sellers that are priced well. You will still get a great deal in Big Bear! So, as I have said before, now is the time, don't wait any longer to buy your dream cabin! Until next time, BB
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Home Buyers Fair
It's Sunday and the weather is cool and it is cloudy. The wind has been blowing most of the day. It is still very pretty and I know that summer is now close at hand so I can endure.
Yesterday, we had our "Home Buyers Fair" at the North Woods Hotel. The room was decorated nicely by my agents and it really looked professional. Our turn out was not as good as I had hoped but we had a crowd. I spoke about "Renting vs Owning". There are numerous programs out there right now for the first time buyer to get in a home without much or any down. I talked about real estate doubling every 10 to 12 years and about the advantages of owning real estate.
We had three lenders speak as well on different related subjects. All in all, it was a very good afternoon and very informative. Afterwards, we decided to hold another "Home Buyers Fair" in the next 30 days. I really want to get the word out that prices are so low, as are interest rates and that there is lots of money available for loans. Now is the time for our sons and daughters and other Friends and relatives to be a home owner. That $8,000 that the government is giving to first time buyers is a great deal. It expires on December 1, 2009 so you have to hurry!
Even if you are just wanting to buy a second home the deals exist. But the real estate market here is changing. The signs are there and I think we will see the turn around in Big Bear by the last quarter of 2009. Don't wait too long.
until next time, BB
Yesterday, we had our "Home Buyers Fair" at the North Woods Hotel. The room was decorated nicely by my agents and it really looked professional. Our turn out was not as good as I had hoped but we had a crowd. I spoke about "Renting vs Owning". There are numerous programs out there right now for the first time buyer to get in a home without much or any down. I talked about real estate doubling every 10 to 12 years and about the advantages of owning real estate.
We had three lenders speak as well on different related subjects. All in all, it was a very good afternoon and very informative. Afterwards, we decided to hold another "Home Buyers Fair" in the next 30 days. I really want to get the word out that prices are so low, as are interest rates and that there is lots of money available for loans. Now is the time for our sons and daughters and other Friends and relatives to be a home owner. That $8,000 that the government is giving to first time buyers is a great deal. It expires on December 1, 2009 so you have to hurry!
Even if you are just wanting to buy a second home the deals exist. But the real estate market here is changing. The signs are there and I think we will see the turn around in Big Bear by the last quarter of 2009. Don't wait too long.
until next time, BB
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