About Lake Arrowhead's Arrowhead Woods

After church on Sunday, Michelle and Haley headed over to Lake Arrowhead Village where Wildhaven was celebrating Misha's birthday. Haley had been excited about the chance to see Misha again (we first saw her at Mountain Top Days in Running Springs and Misha has been the topic of many conversations with Haley....she even calls her Teddy Graham crackers "Misha Bears.").

So, in her polka dots, fancy socks, and pig-tails, Haley towed a stuffed monkey (a birthday gift) behind her and headed toward the enclosure where Misha was located. Michelle told me that they sang Happy Birthday to Misha (who is playful and plump...a real cutie) and gave her the monkey. Misha played with the toy (too roughly in Haley's opinion - she started crying when she thought Misha was hurting the poor thing).

After spending some time celebrating Misha's big day, Haley and Michelle stopped for a short spell (it was getting dangerously close to Haley's nap time!) at the Pumpkin Patch. Besides all the pumpkins (several different varieties), there is also a huge Jack-O-Lantern-shaped jumpie room for the kids. Though Haley didn't hop in this time, she's done so a couple time already (and will probably go again before it is all over).

Carve some time out to visit Lake Arrowhead. The Fall colors are growing more spectacular each day and the temperatures are cool, but very comfortable...

1) One of Orchard Bays best locations. 1 slip of 4 slip multiple. Sandy beach, huge platform deck for BBQ or relaxing, perfect views of the fireworks, directly across from the Lake Arrowhead Village. Easy parking & access on John Muir. Located @ the bottom of ALA 17. Offered at $85,000

2)S596 Single Slip Trex Dock Located In Emerald Bay on the South Shore. Deep Water Area and Easy Access from the Highway, Plenty of Parking. Offering a Dock House, Canopy, Dock Box, and Room to Side Tie a Boat on Either Side of the Dock. Offered at $157,000

3)N456-B. One Of The Best Locations Available In North Bay. Newer 1/2 Double Dock. New Trex Decking, 2 Dock Boxes, Covered Patio, Canopy, and Hydro Hoist! Located Between ALA access 48 & 49. Call For More Details. Offered at $120,000

For a private showing on any of these docks please call Nathan Diones at 909-709-3781.

You are also encouraged to visit www.LiveLakeArrowhead.com for an updated list of all the docks available on Lake Arrowhead.

This week's "Weekly Market Update" is a tad different...in the past I have been posting real estate statistics for ALL areas of the mountain (Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and Running Springs) under the heading of "Lake Arrowhead Real Estate." Well, looking at it, that doesn't make sense, does it?

So, from now on, I'll be posting this is pieces under their respective area headings: Lake Arrowhead (Arrowhead Woods) Lakefront properties in Lake Arrowhead (because lakefronts are a totally different animal), Crestline and Running Springs (including Running Springs, Arrowbear and Green Valley Lake). You won't find my brief commentary of the past week's activity here, but it will still be shown on our website posting (www.GregSteffens.com).

The only segment that doesn't translate is the "Surrounding Communities" statistics which has included Arrowhead Villas, Cedar Glen, Twin Peaks, Deer Lodge Park, Crest Estates, Crest Park, Rim Forest, and Skyforest. I'm still contemplating how I'll address this, but for now you'll have to visit the web page ("Weekly Market Update" button) at www.GregSteffens.com to view these statistics....

ARROWHEAD WOODS

For the most current posting of statistics, or to look back at corresponding periods to compare, visit the "Weekly Market Update" and "Market Statistics" sections of our website at www.GregSteffens.com. Of course, you're always welcome to email us (info@GregSteffens.com) or call us (909.336.7971) with any questions you may have....or just to chat.

Even though it's fall, temperatures in some areas (like mine, the mountains) can drop to freezing or below freezing anyday at anytime. Our mountain weather really can be unpredictable. Well, let's face it, Mother Nature can be unpredictable. Just in the past week, we've had temps down to 29 degrees! YES, I said 29! As a matter of fact, I've already had several calls from clients friends asking me to go turn off their water. And, I gladly did.

I've decided to post a few ideas of things my family does to avoid--or try to avoid--winter-time disasters. Hopefully, my tips will help you get your home "winter ready" and prevent being CAUGHT OFF GUARD when you least expect it.

PIPES--PREVENT FROZEN PIPES

• Make sure your entire family knows where the MAIN SHUT OFF valve is in case of an emergency.
• Buy, and install, insulation for ANY exposed pipes.
• Prepare your A/C (Some need draining) and cover/wrap it.
• When you're going to be away from home for several days or longer, set your heater at 55 degrees.
• IF you're leaving for several days, drain your hoses, pipes and shut off the water.
• Tips from : LAKE ARROWHEAD COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT (WATER CO)

FIREPLACE:

• Have a professional chimney sweep clean and inspect your fireplace. Make repairs as suggested by the professional chimney sweep.
• If you have firewood outdoors, store it in a dry place and make sure it ISN'T touching the exterior of your house.

FURNACE/HEATER:

• Have a professional inspect your heater and, if necessary, clean your ducts.
• Change your heater's filter often, usually monthly in heavily used months.
• Think about buying an updated thermostat.
• Make sure household products or anything else that may be combustible, is away from your furnace/heater.
• Many Gas companys will come out and check your pilots on appliances, heater and water heaters for free.

CHECK SMOKE ALARMS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

• Check your local county requirements on smoke detectors, as to where they must be placed in your home.
• Keep extra smoke detector batteries on hand.
• TEST smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors routinely (I use the spring forward, fall back calendar method) and replace batteries.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and water heater.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in a safe and accessible area of the home.
• Teach all family members how to use the extinguisher

WEATHER PROOFING WINDOWS AND DOORS

• Apply weatherstripping around doors to keep out cold air
• Caulk windows that need it (you'll know which ones, as you'll hear the wind whistling through the cracks).
• Replace cracked glass in windows.
• If you have storm windows, it's time to get them installed.

ROOFS AND GUTTERS

• Check flashing around your fireplace. (One of MY worst winter disasters was due to bad flashing).
• Replace old, worn out roof shingles or tiles.
• Clean out gutters and make sure your downspouts are clean of debris.
• Many stores carry leaf guards for gutters--consider these.

GET YOUR OUTDOOR AREA PREPARED

• Trim tree branches away from house or electrical wires.
• OR, call the electric company if branches are already IN the wires
• Time to prune trees

THINGS TO HAVE ON HAND...in case of black outs or other winter emergencies:

• Have several FLASHLIGHTS, in different rooms
• EXTRA Batteries-all different sizes
• Extra candles, matches and lighters
• Tape phone numbers of utility companies near the phone
• Battery back-up to protect your computer and other sensitive electronic equipment.
• Extra bottled water, can foods and other non-perishable goodies
• Blankets and a first aid kit
• Pet food and supplies: WE CAN'T FORGET OUR PETS!!!

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.

There were 18 new Arrowhead Woods listings this week on tour, including one 4 br, 3 ba lakefront house for $1,525,000 and one lakefront LOT for $1,799,000!

Of the houses on the hot sheet, these are the ones that our agents thought were good values:

• 28571 Manitoba (Arrowhead Woods) - 4 br, 3.5 ba new construction (price has been dropped $180K since it was listed) - now priced at $795,000
• 28940 Banff (Arrowhead Woods) - newer (2000) 3 br, 2.5 ba with a one-car garage for $430,000
• 27332 North Bay (Arrowhead Woods) - 3 br, 2.5 ba built in 2004 for $375,000 (down from $465K)
• 319 Grass Valley (Arrowhead Woods) - 3 br, 2.5 ba new construction for $433,750
• 371 Brentwood (Arrowhead Woods) - 4 br, 2.5 ba with 2-car garage - built in 1990 for $499,900

Please contact us for more information about any of these homes or to schedule a time with us to view properties. We can be reached at 909.336.7971 or by email at info@GregSteffens.com