STAY ON YOUR FEET in The WINTER, and OFF The ICE

When you're living in a four-seasons area, you really need to be prepared for ALL of them. We're in the mist of winter now, and after a couple of snow storms, I thought I'd share with you AN "ugly" little secret. I have something that helps me STAY IN A VERTICAL POSITION when I'm walking on icy walkways/driveway, etc (or up until now they have). These not-so-stylish black things in the photo are called GET-A-GRIPS. I bought them several years ago on QVC and I have been thankful ever since. 

I think most hardware stores carry these, or similar ones. They now go by another name, but they're the same thing.  (I don't like the chain type, only the clete type).

WHAT DO YOU USE TO STAY ON YOUR FEET WHEN DEALING WITH ICE?

Okay, so maybe they won't make you look like a fashion Deva... but boy they make you look more graceful by staying on your feet, verses the alteritive.

Peeps have been telling me some of the stores in town are now carrying them, like JUST BROWSING in the Village.

Would You Go Out on A Limb For A Listing? Literally.

Have you ever been showing property and have your clients say, "Wow, this doesn't look anything like the picture in the magazine (or online)!" ???  I bet you have.  My answer is usually the same, "Some Realtors are really good with a camera."     SOME ARE VERY GOOD.   (I even knew a Realtor who actually climbed a TREE once to get a "peek of the lake" so she could put that description in her listing). Was she WRONG for doing this? I think so.

The same goes to describing our listings. Some wording can be MISCONSTRUED, misleading or a flat out fib. True, we run out of descriptions for homes. Also, some folks are better at coming up with new ways to say the same old stuff. There are just so many ways to say beautiful or exquisite. Either way, we really do need to be careful when we paint a picture of our listings.

Words to really use with care:

• VIEW, PEEK OF, GREAT VIEWS; Of what? Forest? Trees? Lake? Inside your neighbors bathroom window?  Tell us.
• NEW: This can be tricky. If you're talking about a roof or household appliances, my broker prefers we use "Newer." Even if it's a month new.
• MOTIVATED:  Are we looking after our sellers best interest when we use this term? It MAY make our sellers sound desperate. (Okay, they may be, but I doubt we should disclose that to the world).
• BEST BUY?  Compared to what? The best buy on the street? The town?

Since I live and sell in a mountain resort, we (many of us Realtors) use some sweet descriptions over and over when we're inputting data about a cabin we've listed...like; charmer, charming, rustic, cozy.  Before I even go look at a listing with one of these delightful words, I'm thinking, "Oh BOY...I can smell musty written all over this."   And, I am guilty of using a few of these on occasion, too.  ...but, I can honestly say that I've NEVER climbed a tree to take a picture.

 So, what's the funniest description you've ever read, or story you've heard about a Realtor whose "embellished" a tad?

10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LAKE ARROWHEAD & Other Mountain Towns

...blue skies, fresh air, the smell of pines & cedars.
There is no way you can be bored when you live in, or come visit, the San Bernardino Mountains; be it Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Running Springs or Big Bear, because there are always places to go and things to do. Below I've touched on 10 of my favorites places to go. So come on up, and come on out.

1. Take a tour on THE ARROWHEAD QUEEN Paddle Boat.
2. Head to the ICE CASTLE TRAINING CENTER and have a blast ice-skating
3. Learn to Water-ski at (summer) MCKENZIE WATER SKI SCHOOL
4. Stroll around LAKE ARROWHEAD VILLAGE and do some shopping & dining.
5. Do a little fishing at GREEN VALLEY LAKE
6. See what kind of score you can get at RIM BOWLING
7. TAKE the kids to THE NATIONAL CHILDRENS FOREST for a hike
8. Visit one of the FIRE LOOKOUTS
9. Make a stop at the RIM OF THE WORLD HISTORICAL MUSEUM
10. Pack up the family and head to the BIG BEAR DISCOVERY CENTER

IS WINTER A GOOD TIME TO LIST MY HOME?

I have sellers ask me all the time "Is winter a lousy time to list my home?" And I respond with, "NO, NO, NO." In fact, it could be the best time to list!

Lake Arrowhead is a resort community, where approximately 50% of our homes/Cabins for Sale in Winter belong to part-timers. Folks purchase here, not only to get away from the hustle-bustle of big city living but, to experience our four mild seasons... winter being one of their favorites!

Here are a few reason why I think listing in winter is a good idea:

• What is more cozy then curling up in front of a fireplace, watching old movies and sipping hot cocoa, as the snow flakes fall?
• For the snow-skiing lovers, they wish to be near the slopes (we're oh, so close to Snow Valley and Bear Mountain.
• There are fewer listings on the market (our inventory is way down), giving your home an even better shot at getting viewed/sold. More exposure. Supply & Demand.

If you've been sitting on the winter fence, pondering to list or not, ponder no more. It IS a great time to list. Don't wait, as your competition will increase in spring. So, let's spring into action in winter!

CUTIE LAKE ARROWHEAD CABIN!

ARROWHEAD LIFESTYLE LIVING!

Overview Maps Photos Market Stats

$269,500 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 Partial Bathroom Location 28822 CEDAR DRIVE LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA 92352 USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

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Kat DeLong MOUNTAIN COUNTRY REALTY (909) 273-4542 lakearrowheadkat@hotmail.com http://www.propertiesinlakearrowhead Listed by: MOUNTAIN COUNTRY REALTY

Our recent listings ARROWHEAD LIFESTYLE LIVING! ON GOLDEN POND ~ 1.7 FLAT ACRES CUSTOM LAKEVIEW HOME MOUNTAIN HOME WITH LAKEVIEWS!!! ARTISTS RETREAT! Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

Sky Forest Jewel (Cabin) for Sale

ON GOLDEN POND ~ 1.7 FLAT ACRES

Overview Maps Photos

$365,000 Single Family Home Main Features 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Interior: 1,441 sqft Lot: 74,052 sqft Location 28752 SYCAMORE DRIVE SKY FOREST, CA 92385 USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below:

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Kat DeLong MOUNTAIN COUNTRY REALTY (909) 273-4542 lakearrowheadkat@hotmail.com http://www.propertiesinlakearrowhead Listed by: MOUNTAIN COUNTRY REALTY

Our recent listings ON GOLDEN POND ~ 1.7 FLAT ACRES CUSTOM LAKEVIEW HOME MOUNTAIN HOME WITH LAKEVIEWS!!! ARTISTS RETREAT! COTTAGE HOME & ENGLISH GARDEN Subscribe to our listing feed

Nearby properties for sale

SECURITY COMPANIES IN LAKE ARROWHEAD

Atleast 50% of our homeowners here in Lake Arrowhead are part-timers. This may just be their "second" home." And many people like to have a Security/Alarm Company to "watch over their place" while they're not here. Below is a list of some of our local companies:

Arrowhead Alarms & Patrol, Inc. They've been in business 30 plus years and offer many differnt packages depending on your needs
Lake Arrowhead Patrol & Securities Services. They've been offering their services since 1928.
SecureTech Security, Inc is another local company with over 20yrs of mountaimn service.