Brayton's Big Bear Blog

Are You Visiting Big Bear Lake and Would Like Some Coupons?

 
Are You Visiting Big Bear Lake and would like some coupons for local restaurants, retail shops or specialty services? That's an easy one!

Click here for valuable coupons 

Save on energy costs

• 

  8 Easy Ways to Seal Air Leaks Around the House

  For what the typical family wastes every year on air leaks--about $350--you can plug energy-robbing gaps, start saving money, and enjoy a more comfortable home. Read

• 

  Save Money With an Insulation Upgrade

  Beefing up inadequate insulation is one of the quickest energy-payback projects you can do, resulting in lower heating and cooling bills and increased comfort. Read

• 

  7 Tips for Saving Energy with Home Lighting

  Lighting eats up as much as 20% of your annual electric bill, but using energy-efficient bulbs and making other simple changes can cut lighting costs dramatically. Read

• 

  Water Heaters: 5 Tips for Saving Energy

  Water heating accounts for up to 25% of household energy costs, but there are inexpensive things you can do to increase efficiency and reduce energy bills. Read

• 

  Low-Flow Showerheads: How to Choose

  Thanks to innovative new technology, today's super-efficient low-flow showerheads save water, reduce your energy bills, and still feel good to use. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Yikes, that's a lot of snow on the roof!

I was showing property the other day and noticed this.

   

Not good. We did have one heck of a storm and there are roofs with 3+ feet of snow. The sun comes out during the day to melt just a little of that snow,  then freezes at night.  Now there is rock hard ice on the roof that when it slowly melts, and cannot drain off properly, can seep under the shingles and the weight may be too much for some older homes. It is not every winter that we see this but if your Big Bear home still has snow and ice on it, you may want to get up there with a shovel. I hired a local handy person and he got up on the roof and got rid of all that snow and ice.  I feel much better (especially if we get more snow) after all, it is only February.

Stats for sold properties in Big Bear, CA

Sold properties for September, October, November, December 2009
and January 2010 for residential properties in Big Bear MLS

# of listings sold
September 94 (34 are bank owned)
October 94 (31 are bank owned)
November 90 (28 are bank owned)
December 77 (26 are bank owned)
January 57  (27 are bank owned)

Average Selling Price per Sq. Ft.
September $155.67
October $184.66
November $165.64
December $178.09
January $151.83

Average Number of Days on Market (How many days until accepted contract)
September 111
October 137
November 143
December 148
January 127

Average percentage of sold price compared to list price
September 96%
October 96%
November 95%
December 95%
January 94%

Buying a Bank Owned Property in Big Bear, CA - What Price Should You Offer?

Buying a bank owned property in Big Bear, CA? The price you offer

should be close to list price if you really want the property and it has been listed for less than a few weeks. The longer it is on the market, the more the bank will bend on price. If it looks like it is a great deal, it is. There may be another buyer that has missed out on another property because they wrote an offer that the bank rejected, and this time they will make sure they get it and will present an offer the bank will accept on the property you are thinking of making a low offer on. Yes, it happens! 

If you are thinking of taking advantage of the great prices of bank owned cabins in Big Bear, not to mention some low interest rate loans, why not start to look? All 3 properties below were bank owned, so you can see there are all kinds of available properties.   Search Bank Owned properties in Big Bear Now.

      

Big Bear Lake - services you may not know about

Heidi's Consignment - upscale resale in Big Bear Lake

41658 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 909 866-4508

RedLine Vehicle Registration Services - Vehicle - Boats - Motorcycles - RV's -  No More DMV Frustration

575 Pine Knot Ave. Suite B Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 909 866-7137

 

Home Purchase Tax Credit

We have all heard about the tax credit for first time home buyers and the move up/repeat buyer tax credit but there are time frames to be aware of.

Homes must be purchased by April 30, 2010 and the purchase must be completed by June 30,2010.

The $8,000 tax credit is designed for first time home buyers OR those who have not owned a principle residence in the past three years. 

The $6,500 tax credit is those buyers who have lived in their previous home for 5 consecutive years out of the past 8.

Are you 55+? Do you know about Propositions 60 and 90

In California if you are over 55 years, and thinking of moving, you should know about Propositions 60 and 90.

Proposition 60 allows you to move within same county and keep the same property tax base assesment.

Proposition 90 allows homeowners to transfer their property tax base assessment to another county, but you must verify that the county to which you are moving has a Proposition 90 ordinance.

Did you buy your first home in 2009? Home buyer credit

Form # 5405 from IRS

Above is the link to the pdf of form #5405 that all eligible homebuyers must send in with 2009 tax return. You must also include one of the following with your return.

A copy of the final settlement statement showing all parties' names and signatures, property address, sales price, and date of purchase. Also known as a  Form HUD-1, Settlement Statement.

• For mobile home purchasers who are unable to get a settlement statement, a copy of the executed retail sales contract showing all parties' names and signatures, property address, purchase price and date of purchase.
• For a newly constructed home where a settlement statement is not available, a copy of the certificate of occupancy showing the owner’s name, property address and date of the certificate.

As always your tax professional is a good source for tax questions

 

February 2010 Events in Big Bear Lake, CA

3rd Annual Snow Shoe The Bear
2010-02-06
Big Bear's Premier Snowshoe Race!

Snowshoe Tours at the Discovery Center
2010-02-06
Come celebrate our winter wonderland by playing in it!
Also February 7th

Go Huck Yourself at Snow Summit
2010-02-06

USASA Slalom at Snow Summit
2010-02-07

Snowshoe Tours at The Discovery Center
2010-02-07

"Just Voices" at the PAC
2010-02-12
A special Valentines show benefitting the Bear Valley Community Hospital Foundation

Eagle Celebration at the Discovery Center
2010-02-13
Come celebrate and learn cool stuff about our national bird!

Snowshoe Tours at the Discovery Center
2010-02-13
Come celebrate our winter wonderland by playing in it!
Also February 14th

"Just Voices" at the PAC
2010-02-13
A special Valentines show benefitting the Bear Valley Community Hospital Foundation

Sweetheart Snowshoe Tour at The Discovery Center
2010-02-14

Alpine Race #3 at Snow Summit
2010-02-14

Snowshoe Tours at the Discovery Center
2010-02-20
Come celebrate our winter wonderland by playing in it!
Also February 21st

USASA Halfpipe at Bear Mountain
2010-02-21

Snowshoe Tours at The Discovery Center
2010-02-21

Snowshoe Tours at the Discovery Center
2010-02-27
Come celebrate our winter wonderland by playing in it!
Also February 28th

An Evening of Moonshine & Mayhem
2010-02-27
Grab Your Hat, Dust Off Your Boots, Throw On Some Jeans and Don't Forget to Bring a little bit of Yee Hah!

A Sentimental Journey: The Songs of World War II at the PAC
2010-02-27
 A special tribute to America's Troops.

USASA Boarder Cross at Bear Mountain
2010-02-28

Snowshoe Tours at The Discovery Center
2010-02-28