Big Bear California Real Estate Market Report ~ November 2009

WINTER ACTIVITES IN THE SAN BERNARDINO MTS

The storm/s have passed (for now) and the sun is out and glistening...so come on up for air and enjoy Lake Arrowhead and The San Bernardino Mountains. Here's a list of what's going on or other fun things to enjoy:

LAKE ARROWHEAD VILLAGE is always a great place to go to stroll, shop and eat!

THE BLUE JAY VILLAGE for more shopping and restaurants. It's an easy walk around Blue Jay, and especially now with all the snow.... it's like a little Normal Rockwell picture.

Always check in with the LAKE ARROWHEAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and see their "Calendar of Events" for a list of exciting things going on around the area.

WILDHAVEN is a fun, family place to take the family.

You can always go see the most recent movies playing at THE BLUE JAY CINEMA

Skiers, go to Southern California Ski Resorts and Slopes, as they ALL have tons of fresh powder.

But before you head up, please check the weather and driving conditions.

To view ALL Active Listings in Lake Arrowhead, go to LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT
CALL 909-273-4542 OR see my website @ LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT for ALL your Real

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE SHAKEOUT!!! Today.

Today, November 13, 2008, the Earthquake Country Alliance has organized the Great Southern California Shakeout, a massive earthquake drill--7.5 magnitude--at 10 AM. THIS IS ONLY A DRILL! Below is a list of things you can do and things you should have on hard, in case...

• If you're INDOORS when it hits, Drop, Cover, and Hold On!


• If you're OUTDOORS when it hits, Move to a clear area if you can safely do so.


• If you're DRIVING when it hits, pull over to the side, stop and set your parking brake.


• AVOID overpasses, bridges and power-lines.


• Have on hand: Water, food, blankets, clothing, flashlights, batteries, radio--for SEVERAL days or WEEKS.


• Have emergency items in your car


• Prepare your home: secure furniture, electronics, wall hangings, ANYTHING that could fall


• Know where your gas shut off is and HOW to SHUT IT OFF

Those are just a teeny-tiny list of things WE should DO. For more information on this event TODAY and HOW-TO be prepared, click on THE SHAKEOUT.
Other helpful links below include:
Earthquake Country
ShakeOut: What You Can Do
Dare to Prepare
Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country
Terremotos.org
U.S. Geological Survey

LAKE ARROWHEAD AIRPORT--fly up for air!

Lake Arrowhead really is close to "everything!" We're only an hour from Palm Springs and a little over an hour to Los Angeles or Orange County---and that is by automobile. But what about by plane? Lake Arrowhead ALSO has an airport and some folks can "FLY UP FOR AIR." However, the airport is private and, at this time, you need to have permission from the owner, MARK BAYLEY.
LAKE ARROWHEAD AIRPORT has hopes of becoming a premier transportation provider for the Lake Arrowhead Resort area, eventually. The runway is perfect for most general aircrafts and currently provides private business and recreation travel for firefighting, air evacuation and emergency landing for all public agencies in our local mountains. The airport is located 2.5 miles north of the Lake Arrowhead. This private airport has been in use for over 50 years and has plenty of historical significance (check out that link, it is an awesome tour).
The link is for Airport data and addiontal information.
Other Southern California Airports:
BIG BEAR CITY AIRPORT
JOHN WAYNE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Orange County
ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (LAX)
BURBANK AIRPORT (Bob Hope Airport)


To view ALL Active Listings in Lake Arrowhead, go to LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT(click on properties on the dashboard and choose your price range)
For all your Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.

SANTA ANA WINDS and The San Bernardino Mountains

This week we're going to be experiencing SANTA ANA Winds, so the San Bernardino Forestry Dept, has issued the following warning!!!

For more information about the SB forest, please check out
San Bernardino Forest Dept.

PET STORES, PLACES & THINGS --LAKE ARROWHEAD

We are a world of animal lovers...
And in order to help you with your pets needs, I've compiled the list below to include pet stores, training services, vets and much, much more... ALL right here in, or around, Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountain. I hope you find it useful. If you need more information on a particular place, or would like me to add a something of use to other pet owners, please let me know.

"PET STORES"
BARK AND MEOW, THE PUPPY 909-336-5006 - 27177 STATE HWY 189, BLUE JAY, CA 92317
FEATHERS FINS AND FUR PET SHOP 909-336-1061 - 27177 CA-189, Blue Jay, CA 92317 Map it
HOUSE OF SCALES SKINS AND SHELLS 909-336-7300 - SCALES SKINS & SHELLS
WILD BIRDS FOREVER 909-336-6681 - BIRDS FOREVER
MOREHART OBEDIENCE TRAINING - 909-337-7911
PAWSITIVE TRAINING FOR BETTER DOGS 909-337-2400 -PAWSITIVE TRAINING

"PET SITTING"
MORE-HEART PET SITTING 909-338-3935
CRITTER SITTERS 909-336-0717 REDUPTHEHILL@EARTHLINK.NET

"GROOMING"
LAURENS GROOMING 909-337-5077
ALL CREATURES BIG & SMALL PET GROOMING 909-338-4004
DOGGY STYLES 909-338-2850 -- 23827 LAKE DR SUITE A, CRESTLINE CA 92325
GROOMERS ON THE GO MOBILE 909 336-6639 -- Lake Arrowhead, CA
HEAD TO TOE PET GROOMING 909-338-5407 -- Crestline, CA
PUPPY LOVE GROOMING 909-337-0506

"VETERINARY SERVICE"
ARROWHEAD ANIMAL HOSPITAL 909-336-6800 -- 27244 STATE HWY 189, BLUE JAY, CA 92317
RIM FOREST ANIMAL HOSPITAL 909-337-8589 -- 1299 BEAR SPRINGS RD, RIM FOREST CA 92378

"VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES"
ANIMAL CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES 909-338-1791 -- 340 State Hwy 138, CRESTLINE, CA 92325 info@animal-care.com

"HUMANE SOCIETY OF SAN BERNADINO COUNTY"
909-882-2934 OR 909-88-4205 -- HUMANE SOCIETY OF SAN BERNARDINO

LAKE ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB

It's hard to believe, but LAKE ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB (LACC) was once a cow pasture. THAT'S RIGHT! Because the area was all about logging in the late 1800's and early 1900's, the
work horses and cows needed a grazing area and LACC was it!
That all changed in 1963 when LAKE ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB was constructed as large a-frame clubhouse. Some of the celebrity guests at the grand opening included Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Tony Bennett. Then in 1978, members of the club purchased the course, club house and tennis courts and turned it into a private, member-owned Country Club, as it is TODAY.
Members not only have this beautiful course to play on, other amenities with membership include tennis, swimming or plain old relaxing on their aquatic deck. There's no better way to spend a day in my book!
Perhaps you have a function coming up: wedding, anniversary or other important event. The Club House staff can handle "most" anything. What a setting to have a party, don't you agree?
Members may dine at the Club every day. However, during spring and fall, hours are reduced and the menu selections are changed. Even though the Clubhouse is open all year, in the winter, only pre-scheduled parties and events are held.... speaking of winter, there is nothing more gorgeous than this golf course with a blanket of fresh snow covering it.
Three mmemberships are available here at Lake Arrowhead Country Club:
GOLF MEMBERSHIP: This membership includes unlimited golfing, tennis, swimming, clubhouse dining, social events. You may participate in tennis clinics and socials, Ladies putter club, Book of the Month, Bridge and Bunco. Email: accmembership@verizon.net for pricing.
TENNIS MEMBERSHIP: (Same as Golf Membership w/unlimited tennis).
SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP: Unlimited use of the clubhouse for dining, participation in Club Social events, mixers and parties, Ladies' Putters Club, Participation in the Book of the Month Club, Ladies' Bridge & Bunco. Email: accmembership@verizon.net for pricing. There's always something happening at LACC: barbecues, weekend dinners, dancing, concerts or many other social events.
Along the north side of Lake Arrowhead Country Club is Grass Valley Park. This little jewel is a perfect place to take family and friends for a picnic. There are picnic tables, barbeque's, restrooms and children's play equipment. Grass Valley Lake is also adjacent to the park and the golf course. ONLY ducks can swim here!As you're golfing or driving around this area, you'll see a variety of homes and cabins, either on the course itself or the surrounding area. Prices of homes vary in this neighborhood. E-mail or call for a list of golf course properties.
Like most places in Southern California, LAKE ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB (Lake Arrowhead) is only a few hours, or less, away. Actually, regardless of where you live in Southern California, you're fairly close to the mountains, desert or beaches.
Other important and useful information about LAKE ARROWHEAD and Lake Arrowhead Country Club:
Membership fees and dues
LAKE ARROWHEAD Chamber of Commerce
Directions to LAKE ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB
Take a little TOUR of Lake Arrowhead Country Club and the Surrounding area
For your Lake Arrowhead Real Estate needs: Kathy "Kat" DeLong, REALTOR.

Photos taken by Kat DeLong

WEATHER IN THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS...ALWAYS CHECK BEFORE HEADING UP

When you live in the mountains, you accept the fact that weather is quite different from our "flat lander" friends' weather below (Flat-lander is a GOOD term, really). Generally, our summer days are cooler, as much as 20 degrees cooler, when temps below are scorching hot. Oh, we do get hot up here, once in while. But in the fall and winter months, our temps may ALSO be cooler/colder! We have four, beautiful seasons, and we respect and love each and every one.
Respect, in that, weather can actually change quickly here: from a cool, clear, crisp fall day...to drizzly, rainy, foggy or snowy. So, it's always a good idea to double check weather reports before heading up the mountain. You MAY be experiencing sunny skies down the mountain and think, "Oh, it can't be that bad up there..." But, in fact, it can be very "different."
Here are some sites/links that will make your search fast and, I hope, helpful... before you head out the door for your trek up the mountain.
LAKE ARROWHEAD-UP TO DATE-WEATHER (this link is for Lake Arrowhead, but you can put in another zip code or city)
WEB CAM AT LAKE ARROWHEAD VILLAGE (up to the minute view at The Village)
HIGHWAY CONDITIONS (insert Hwy number (18 for Lake Arrowhead)
WINTER DRIVING TIPS (provided by California Highway Patrol)
For your Lake Arrowhead Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.

LAKE ARROWHEAD LAKEFRONT LISTINGS 10/2008

MONTH TO DATE MARKET REPORT ON LAKE FRONT HOMES/ESTATES
***
ACTIVE LISTINGS: 42 Price range: $879,000 - $9,950,000
PENDINGS (in escrow): 0
SOLDS: 1 (27983 PENINSULA DRIVE SOUTH) SOLD Price: $3,490,000


FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS, VISIT LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT.

LISTING AGENTS; PLEASE CALL ME BACK...I HAVE A BUYER

You know something that really gets on my LAST NERVE? (Well, one of several, I guess); When I call a Realtor with a question about one of his/her listings and he/she never gets back to me. EVER. This doesn't happen a lot, but even once is too much as far as I'm concerned. UNLESS you have a good excuse.
I have a client who called me three days ago about a listing I had emailed him. "Please ask the listing agent...." he asked. I said, "Of course. I'll get back to you as soon as I find out."
Immediately, I call the listing Realtor and get put into the Realtor's voice mail. I leave a message. THEN I call the Realtor's cell. Again, I leave a message. 24 hours later... still, NOTHING. I email the Realtor. 12 hours later...still, NOTHING. Okay, it's been three days now. NOTHING!
Times are tough in Real Estate and when I have a buyer who is generally interested in buying (these are buyers I've been working with), I do my best to find out the information the client needs/requests. (I do that even in a GOOD market).
I not only feel frustrated with THAT listing Realtor's lack of courtesy, but I felt like a big boob when I had to call my buyer and say, "Sorry, the Realtor hasn't gotten back to me." THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR OUR BUSINESS. IT'S NOT PROFESSIONAL.
Now before you come up with a dozen excuses for this Realtor, let me say:
The Realtor is ON the mountain (we live on a mt) and NOT out of town.
The Realtor has been on ActiveRain several times this week, since my calls, so I "assume" the Realtor IS available and most likely checked his/her email!!!
Here's how I look at it: The Realtor could at least call me and say: There's already an offer on it...It's going into escrow as we speak... OR, whatever. Just call and say "something." PLEASE.
Am I calling again? No. Am I over-reacting? (I have been known to once or twice in my life). Go ahead...you can tell me.
To view ALL Active Listings in Lake Arrowhead, go to LAKE ARROWHEAD KAT(click on properties on the dashboard and choose your price range)
For all your Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.

SHAKE ROOFS TO BE REPLACED IN LAKE ARROWHEAD BY 2014

Image via WikipediaThis is a topic that people don't want to think about, but not talking or thinking about it, doesn't make it disappear. The topic is FIRE.
By the year 2014, old, wood shake roofs MUST be replaced. Gone. History. As everyone in the nation knows, Lake Arrowhead and all of the San Bernardino Mountains have had their share of fires; the last being OCTOBER 2007, The Grass Fire. Though that fire, or prior fires during the last decade, may not have been caused by shake roofs, old shake-roofs are like matchsticks waiting to ignite. When most of our charming mountain cabins (homes) were constructed way-back-when, these shakes roofs fit the "mountain style." However, there's no style worth risking your house being in harms way during a blazing, Southern California fire.
On September 23, 2008, The SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' meeting addressed the shake roof issue. They proposed that by the 2014, home owners within the FIRE OVERLAY SAFETY AREA must have their old, shake roofs replaced by roofs with a minimum Class A fire rating roof. Sellers of homes with shake roofs must have this done during escrow and before closing.
This ORDINANCE WILL become effective by January 2009. If you'd like to attend future meetings regarding this issue or others, CLICK HERE for dates and times.

For your Lake Arrowhead Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.

BUYERS: GET OFF THE FENCE--IT'S A PERFECT TIME TO BUY!

Dear Buyers:
IT'S A PERFECT TIME TO PURCHASE PROPERTY. Prices in California (everywhere) have dropped (A LOT) to a more affordable level. We have more-than-enough listed homes ripe for your choosing. Don't keep waiting because you THINK prices will continue to fall. No one has a crystal ball showing us when the turn around in the housing market will occur. And, it will turn around.
Recently I posted SELLERS: HELP, ME, HELP YOU--SELL YOUR HOME, with a list for SELLERS to help get their home SOLD. Though this post is all about BUYING, you may find something of interest in my prior post, or perhaps you know someone who would benefit from it. Please feel free to pass it along.
That said; Let's get down to the PURCHASE process. BUYING A HOME is one of the most exciting things you'll ever do....and one the most expensive purchases you'll ever make. You NEED to be armed with as much information on this process as possible. Don't hesitate to call or e-mail me with additional questions or concerns. Remember, there are NO dumb questions.
Here's my list:
FINDING THE RIGHT REALTOR. It's extremely important that you feel comfortable and trust your Realtor. Do not take this step lightly. The right Realtor can make the difference between a good or bad buying experience. Check out my profile while you're doing your homework.
THE BASICS OF BUYING: Okay, you've chosen your Realtor (Me, I hope), now we get down to the basics. I'll explain the Agency Relationship, Residential Purchase Agreement, Financing, Earnest Money Deposit, making an Offer and the Closing process. (See term explanations below).
FINANCING; YOU need to speak with a lender NOW and find out exactly what you can or can NOT afford. You don't want to go previewing homes and find one you absolutely love, only to find out you canNOT afford it. I'll give you several names of professionals I know and arrange a meeting for you. Once this is accomplished, he/she will fax me a Pre-Qualification or Pre-Approval letter to go with the offer we'll submit once you find "The Right Home."
TELL ME YOUR CRITERIA: Share with me your wants and needs. You've probably already been surfing the Net and possibly have a good idea of what's out there. Tell me your favorite neighborhood. What style home you like? Do you want new construtruction or re-sale? Do you have children who will be attending the Rim 'O The World School District? Give me details!
PREPARING OUR SEARCH FOR HOMES: I'll pull up listings from my local MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS) of homes you'd like to preview. We'll scale down your list to approximately eight (if possible). Anymore than eight homes in a day can be confusing. With our list of homes in hand, we'll head out on a house-hunting adventure.
KEEPING NOTES ON PROPERTIES YOU SEE: I'll give you a printout of each home we'll preview, so you can make remarks on each one. THIS IS IMPORTANT and this will also help you eliminate homes you are not interested in. YOU are narrowing down your list and getting closer to finding THE RIGHT HOME.
MAKING YOUR CHOICE: Okay, you've found a home you love! We sit down and discuss making an offer: Price? Earnest Money Deposit amount? Conditions? Time for closing? I fill out the Purchase Agreement, you sign and initial and I contact the Listing Agent and I begin negotiating for you. And...we wait for a response from the sellers.
OFFER HAS FINALLY BEEN ACCEPTED: Once your offer has been accepted and all terms are agreed upon by all parties involved, we open escrow. In the state of California, we have an escrow company; an unbiased third party who handles the transaction and all monies.
You are now getting closer to owning a home!!!
My Next Article will be ALL ABOUT THE ESCROW & THE CLOSING PROCESS! Stay Tuned.
IMPORTANT LINKS BELOW:
WHY USE A REALTOR?
REAL ESTATE TERMS & EXPLANATIONS
FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
RIM OF THE WORLD SCHOOL DISTRICT
LAKE ARROWHEAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
YOUR PIECE OF CALIFORNIA

For your Lake Arrowhead Real Estate needs, CALL: KAT DELONG, REALTOR.