It appears that the recession that has haunted us for more than two years is about to end! It has certainly been a struggle to keep a business open and profitable over the past 48 months. I heard the announcement this past week but it remains difficult to believe.

The Index of Leading Economic Indicators says that the ecomony rose 0.06% in July which was the fourth consecutive month of gains. The stock market has rebounded almost 50% since March of this year.

Other countries are rebounding as well. 33 countries of the Organisation for economic Co-operation & Development reported that June had the largest increase since 1962.

The unemployment figure are down slightly and usually don't fully recover until well after a recession is over.

Bank lending is increasing and loosening up for housing as well as big ticket items.

The Wall Street Journal reports that 80% of ecomomists said they believe the recession either has ended or will end by the end of September. They further predict that the economy will grow by about 2.2% in the third quarter as apposed to their earlier prediction of only 1%.

Housing has bottomed! Buyers are taking advantage of the remaining good buys. Record low borrowing cost helped to push up sales.

Manufacturing is also on the rebound! Orders are up. So, it sure looks like the start of recovery!

This may be your last chance to buy Big Bear real estae at a bargain price. Think about! If you want a cabin in the mountains before the winter snows...there's no time like the present! These prices will not last that I do know. So, think about it!

Until next time, BB

There is help now for all you property owners that have or are about to miss a house payment! I have just completed the C.D.P.E course (certified Distressed Property Expert) and received a certificate and the designation. I am qualified to help home owners that are in distress or in a pre-foreclosure situations. I have the knowledge as well as the know how to work with the banks to get a short sale completed.

There are exceptions of who can qualify for a short sale with the bank and I can help screen the candidates that the bank will help. This was a rigorous course and I am very anxious to use my skills to help individuals that need assistance.

A short sale will not be a matter of record like a foreclosure and show up on your credit for the next seven years. Actually, a foreclosure will never go away because it is part of a permanent record that is recorded in the county where the foreclosure occurred and will never be removed. It is not the best way to go, a short sale is much better.

If you or someone you know is in need of help or has missed payments please give them my name and number. I would love to assist them. Short sales will be much more popular in the future because banks don't want to take real estate back. They lose too much money when they do. A short sale is the best avenue but is has to be done by someone who is well trained and understands the process. I look forward to helping you!

Until next time, BB

Labor Day weekend here in Big Bear was great! Lots and lots of people were up for the holiday. Money was spent and it was a real shot in the arm to our town.

Several cabins were sold as well. Real estate was very good. I am noticing that the really good buys are selling quickly and we aren't replacing them with equally good buys. I think it is just that the cycle we are in is beginning to improve. Prices are not as low as they once were. There are terrific buys here today but I am not certain it will continue. We may have witnessed the turn around in Big Bear some months ago!

I have been asked by Century 21 Corporate to write all my Federal representatives, Congressman and Senators about the first time buyer program. That program currently will expire December 1, 2009. It consists of any first time buyer who buys a house before December 1, 2009 will receive $8,000 from the Federal Government. No strings attached. Problem is that most of those first time buyers are getting 100% financing to get into the house and will probably be among the foreclosures of the future. But what I am doing and would like you to do is e-mail or write your Congressman or Senator and ask him or her to extend that program but remove "First", out of First Time Buyer", and give the credit to anyone who buys a home or cabin. I would like to see the money be increased to $15,000 instead of $8,000 to be given to all home buyer's not just first timers. That is what the National Association of Realtors, California Association of Realtors and my parent company would like to see as well. It could be a whooper of a stimilus package that creates jobs right in your home town!

If the money back was $15,000 the buyer could fix up the house, buy a car, pay bills whatever they need to do. This money spent in their local community would help other people to keep their jobs. That money would be used right there in your own town and it could make a difference to Realtors, handymen, home inspectors, pest control people, furniture stores, lumber and hardware stores, department stores, contractors and trades people, car dealers, and many more people that are trying to make a living like you. So, would you please write or e-mail and ask that the program be extended for another year and that the credit be raised to $15,000. and be given to all buyers. I thank you for helping. This plan could help every state and every town.

I realize that the myriad of programs that Obama has created will cost us dearly in the future in taxes; however, I see so many American citizens suffering and not able to pay their bills or put food on the table for their families. This is one small way to get money out in the community to be spread around. Rather than it being distribued by the government who is so wastful.

We can't depend on the government to make things better because they are part of the problem. However, since they are giving our tax money away we do have a say in where it goes. Take charge of what is happening and speak your opinion to those that make the rules. Thank you.

Until next time, BB

The Labor Day Holiday is on! Lots of people came on Thursday night I noticed, to get in a 4 day weekend! That is great for our little valley because they will certainly spend some money. We can't survive without help from tourists and cabin owners.

We had a good amount of rain on Thursday and it is cloudy today so we may get some more. We do really need it.

A while back I spoke about "seller financing and owner carry", from the seller's point of view. I want to mention some benefits to the buyer. First off the buyer doesn't have to have an appraisal, and won't pay the huge loan fees associated with acquiring a new loan. The first trust deed that the seller carries is simple interest not compounded like at the bank so that saves a great deal over the life of the loan.

Normally with an owner carry the seller is going to ask for 20% down sometimes you can get in for less but generally a seller wants down what the bank wants down. The other nice thing is that you can close the sale in a very short time. Usually 15 to 30 days and you own the property. Quick and easy!

What will the seller want from you? Well, seller will want to see your credit report and possibly income taxes for two years. If you have had a hardship of any kind or if you are self employed you may want to write a brief letter to the seller and explain your situation. Even if you have had a BK the seller would want to see that you are now paying your bills on time. There would be a late charge written into the contract and a due on sale clause. Otherwise an owner carry is pretty simple.

All in all owner carry can be a great deal for both sides. The seller gets rid of the property, earns some interest and has a monthly income. The buyer is able to buy a house that he or she couldn't before because they didn't qualify under the very strict standards of today's lending institutions. It is a win, win situation!

If you have any questions please call me. Until next time, BB

Here we are just days away from Labor Day and pretty much the end of summer. School is or has started and soon the weather will change. That means winter is on it's way! If you have been thinking about a cabin in Big Bear nestled in the snow then you better get moving! To own a cabin here before winter takes time. With the new rules that the government has mandated it takes a good deal longer to buy a property. They have changed how the appraisal system works and loans are more difficult to close so you are looking at at least 45 days to close an escrow and move in.

Let's say it takes a few weeks to find the right property and to negotiate the purchase. So, we are looking at two to two and a half months minimum to be in the cabin. Time is a wasting so you need to get up here now and start looking. We can have snow as early as November (I have seen it sooner a few years) and the ski slopes normally guarantee snow by Thanksgiving, (man-made) unless we have a heat wave and they can't make snow. We are almost there so now is the time to start looking to be in your cabin prior to the big snow storms!

Winter is our season. That is when most people come to Big Bear. The interest rates are still good and the prices of properties are great so come on up! Until next time, BB