CAMPING, HIKING, FISHING in the San Bernardino Mountains

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. YIPPEE! And I'm sure many people share my enthusiasm. ARE YOU READY to enjoy "THE GREAT OUTDOORS?" Here in the San Bernardino Mountains, we have something for everyone who enjoys outdoor activities: CAMPING, FISHING, HIKING, OFF ROADING & MUCH MORE. So dust off the tent (or, for lightweights like ME, the RV), pack up the kids and come on up. The following are useful links that will answer questions you may have before heading out.
Start your search at the MOUNTAINTOP RANGER DISTRICT to get info on hiking trails, maps and your ADVENTURE PASS. To enjoy our forest, you MUST have a "Permit." At this link you'll learn HOW purchasing the ADVENTURE PASS helps our National Forest. You can buy the pass on-line or at one of the Ranger Stations. To see where your money is going, check out YOUR FEES AT WORK.
Make sure you click here and learn how the forest can be a wonderful experience for the kids. Then let them explore JUST FOR KIDS to find out about SMOKEY the BEAR and WOODSY OWL. Lots of fun!!
For general maps, topo maps and brochures, click HERE. This is an awesome NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM MAP in PDF form that shows ALL the trails across the good old USA.
For more information and more links about The San Bernardino Mountains, try the links below:
Frequently Asked Questions
Recreational Activities
Forest Rules and Regulations
Google Map to Ranger Station in SKY FOREST
Please feel FREE to call or e-me for any additional information

Lake Arrowhead's Weekly Market Update 4/13/08

Market Statistics for Lake Arrowhead MLS

Active Residential Listings: 1317

Active Residental Listings in Arrowhead Woods: 387

Pending Residential Sales: 119

Sold Residential Properites month to date:26

New Residential Listings this week: 72

MLS wide Median Residential Sold Month-do-date: $215,000

Arrowhead Woods & Lake Front Median Sold Month-do-date: $487,500 (#6)

Source: MLS, Rim of the World Association of Realtors

Lake Arrowhead's Weekly Market Update 4/13/08

Market Statistics for Lake Arrowhead MLS

Active Residential Listings: 1317

Active Residental Listings in Arrowhead Woods: 387

Pending Residential Sales: 119

Sold Residential Properites month to date:26

New Residential Listings this week: 72

MLS wide Median Residential Sold Month-do-date: $215,000

Arrowhead Woods & Lake Front Median Sold Month-do-date: $487,500 (#6)

Source: MLS, Rim of the World Association of Realtors

FINDING a Realtor YOU LIKE

Let's face it, finding a Realtor is not an easy task. At least finding one you're comfortable with, TRUST and LIKE. Consumers, it's vital to have a REALTOR in your corner who is knowledgeable about the AREA you want to live.You want a Realtor who KNOWS HOW TO NEGOTIATE. For buyers; to get YOU the best bang for your buck. Sellers; to get you the best price for your property. Buyers and sellers: You want a Realtor who is HONEST, ETHICAL and one YOU can TRUST--and DO trust. Anyone less, you need to say NEXT.

We (Realtors) still have a stigma to overcome. Many consumers still look as us with that Ah, you're nothing more than a used car salesman, look. In some cases, that may be true. This is not a perfect world, nor a perfect business. There are bad apples in all different careers and positions.
Long before I became a Realtor (and before the Internet), I found my Realtor by going to Open Houses. That way, I didn't feel "trapped" to use this person if I didn't feel a bond or trust. If they were pushy, I could run for the hills. I have a great gut instinct--most of the time--and use it OFTEN.

Nowadays, the Internet is where consumers--90%--begin searching for homes and a Realtor. You look at OUR pictures FIRST! (That being said, I AM going to be getting a new one). You read our bio/profile. Depending on the person doing the searching, our photo and bio can be a turn off. First impression is important, be it on or off the World Wide Web. Keep in mind, however, it is difficult to express yourself on the Internet. Even in e-mails, quite often, we may come across completely different than what we were intending to sound like.

A couple of tips to start your search for a REALTOR:
Begin your search on the Internet in the area you want to live.
Check out Realtors' profiles and bios. What does it tell YOU about that person?
How long have they been in business--and lived in the area you're searching?
Don't get stuck on the word "Expert." It is used loosely in R.E.
When you feel comfortable, shoot off an email ...if you don't want to call.
See how long it takes the Realtor to get back to you--very important!
Drive around on weekends and pop in Open Houses.

When you do find a Realtor you like, and feel a connection with, STICK with him/her.
You can find a Realtor on California Association of Realtors
Consumers, don't toss all of us in the same apple barrel. Because there are thousands and thousands of good Realtors out there. I KNOW. I am one and I can honestly say I know many others.

Find a professional Realtor you feel safe with and relax. Let them guide you through the process.

MEDIAN verses AVERAGE--what they mean

When you read about home price statistics, you often find the words: Median and Average. There's a BIG difference!!!

MEDIAN price is the price halfway between the least expensive and most expensive home/s sold in an area during a specific period of time. During that particular period, half the buyers purchased homes that cost more than the median price and half the buyers purchased homes for less than the median price.

Changes in median price measure changes in market activity. When more consumers purchase less expensive homes than consumers purchasing more expensive homes, the median price falls. And, vice versa; when there are more consumers purchasing more expensive homes than there are consumers purchasing less expensive homes, the median price rises.

Basically, a median price indicates which price range is "most active at that time." So, when you read that the median home price increased 10% in past the six months, this may not mean your home increased 10% percent in value. It could have increased more or less. Keep in mind, if the median price were to drop 10%, this wouldn't necessarily mean that home values dropped by 10%--they may have dropped more.

AVERAGE PRICE:

The AVERAGE home price is the sum of prices of all homes sold in a certain area in a particular time period, divided by the number of properties sold in the same area in that period.

For example, ABC Subdivision in YourTown, USA, had five homes sold in December 2007. The homes were priced at $200,000, one for $250,000, two for $275,000, and one for $295,000. The sum of all of these properties is $1,295,000. Divide that by 5 homes and it equals: $259,000. Thus, the average price in ABC Subdivision is $259,000

Lake Arrowhead has always had ties with the Hollywood bunch. MANY celebrities now, as well as then, have called Lake Arrowhead home....an escape from the hustle-bustle of Los Angeles and other large cities below. But the most famous celebrity ever to own property in Lake Arrowhead was the notorious mobster, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegal."

Bugsy (he lothed being called Bugsy) talked the Chicago Mob into backing his new venture, which is now known as Bracken Fern Manor. This Alpine-style inn opened as Club Arrowhead in The Pines on July 4th, 1929. The inn had state of the art amenities, such as electricity! More importantly, it catered to the rich and famous, offering gambling, illegal liquor and "working girls." Other amenities included an Olympic size swimming pool, skiing, tennis courts, a bathhouse, and more. The brothel continued operations through World War II. Gambling was maintained in the speakeasy (across the street) up until 1955. Today, Bracken Fern Manor is a Certified Historic Landmark in the State of California. (The door to the right led to underground tunnels).
Across from Bracken Fern Manor is where gambling took place at The CLUB. We now call this (below/left) "The Tutor House." Story has it that when cops were on their way up the mountain from San Bernardino, and administrators were alerted, gambling tables were actually turned over, then appearing as regular tables.

Bracken Fern Manor claims to be haunted by a former "working girl" named Violet. She killed herself after the mob killed her lover. You can still smell her violet scented perfume wafting through the halls. Another ghost of a little boy has also been seen at this historic inn. He is thought to be the son of a former prostitute and was trampled by a team of horses. Today his tiny footsteps are often seen in the snow...so it is told.
After the inn became successful, Bugsy convinced the Bosses in Chicago to front him the dough for another little gambling adventure.....Las Vegas. However, Bugsy's lavish taste caused him to go way over his one million dollar budget and ultimently cost him his credibility with Chicago. And his life. While he was having dinner one evening with his lover, Virginia Hill, at her Hollywood home, Bugsy was shot dead.
Bracken Fern Manor is located at 815 Arrowhead Villas Road, Arrowhead Villas, a tiny sub-area in Lake Arrowhead and is currently a B & B.

Buyers--The Process of Buying

1. Contact your lender and get Pre-qualified: Tell him/her your budget, then he/she will tell you what price range you are in. Go over terms and interest rates
2. Sit down with your Realtor and go over your criteria-what you're wants and needs are: area, price, property type, etc
3. Preview homes with your Realtor
4. When you find the "home of your dreams," tell your Realtor you're ready to "write it up" and decide what price you want to "offer," and terms of offer: closing date, etc.
5. Get your check book out so that you can write an "Earnest Money Deposit." This will go into escrow once an offer is accepted and toward your purchase price at closing.
6. Have your lender send your Realtor a Pre-qual letter.
7. Realtor will present your offer to the listing agent and, or, Realtor and sellers. "Wait" for response from seller/s.
8. Once all terms (or counter offers) are accepted, we go "into escrow."
9. The clock starts ticking:
10. You get inspections (unless you have a contingent offer that states you are selling your home. If so, we wait until your home/property goes into escrow.
    Review all "Disclosures" seller supplies you.
11. INSPECTIONS: Pest, Well, Septic, Home; Regardless who is paying for the reports, once they are done, a buyer can then ask seller to make any, and all, repairs. Seller does NOT have to fix any items (except Water Heater Bracing and Smoke Alarms). In CA, at least. However, at this time, a buyer can "cancel" escrow if they do not accept inspections or disclosures. All inspections and reports are a part of your contingencies.
12. Lender will be preparing your loan, have appraisal done and submit loan documents. Near the close of escrow, the loan documents will be sent to escrow officer and you will go in and sign loan and escrow documents (I WILL be there with you). Once this is done, it is usually two days for closing to occur and, if there are no "last minute hiccups," we close escrow and YOU get the KEYS.
13. Congratulations Homeowner/s!