Donna Wochner

Today was the third winter storm that hit the San Bernardino mountains this season. Snow levels dropped to 3,000 feet as we've had more than 2 feet of fresh powder. Snow Summit and Bear Mountain welcome the snow along with many skiers and snowborders!! Click here for a current snow report from Snow Summit's website.

R-2 restrictions are in effect, meaning all vehicles must have chains except those with four-wheel-drive and snow tires on all four wheels. Be sure to check the updated road information here before driving up the mountain.

REO (BANK OWNED) PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN BIG BEAR!

501 COUNTRY CLUB BIG BEAR CITY CALIFORNIA

LOCATED ON A 9240 SQUARE FOOT CORNER LOT, FULLY FENCED IN QUIET FOREST SPRINGS. PLENTY OF ROOM FOR PARKING. THIS HOME HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHS, GREAT ROOM WITH FIREPLACE, OPEN KITCHEN W/WOOD FLOORING. WASHER/DRYER HOOKUPS. MASTER BDRM WITH SLIDING DOORS AND MASTER BATH. ALARM SYSTEM. SPACIOUS DECK WITH SPA. CURRENTLY LISTED WITH JANET STEVENS MOORE OF ERA BRUIN TROJAN FOR $302,047. FREDDIE MAC BANK OWNED. THIS WILL SELL FAST!!!

41585 STONEBRIDGE ROAD BIG BEAR LAKE CALIFORNIA

2005 CUSTOM EAGLE POINT ESTATES LOG STYLE HOME WITH BOAT DOCK IN PRIVATE MARINA. 4 BEDROOMS AND 4 1/2 BATHROOMS. OPEN AND AIRY. FENCED AND LANDSCAPED. DOUBLE MASTERS WITH DECK ACCESS. JET TUB IN MASTER BATH. GRANITE COUNTERS, EXOTIC WOOD FLOORS, HIGH END FIXTURES. SITTING ROOM AT MATER BEDROOM. LOTS OF WINDOWS. FLOOR TO CEILING FIREPLACE IN GREAT ROOM. STORY BOOK COMMUNITY SETTING. CURRENTLY LISTED WITH SCOTT SHIDLER OF SHIDLER DEVELOPMENT, INC FOR $859,900.

43434 BOW CANYON BIG BEAR LAKE (MOONRIDGE) CALIFORNIA

FULL LOG HOME IN SERENE MOONRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD YET CLOSE TO BEAR MOUNTAIN SKI SLOPES. TASTEFULLY DECORATED WITH MOUNTAIN DECOR GIVES THE CABIN A TRUE MOUNTAIN CHARM. OPEN FLOOR PLAN, HIGH CATHEDRAL CEILINGS GIVES THE HOME A LIGHT AIRY FEEL. LARGE BACKYARD GREAT FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS. EXPANSIVE WRAP AROUND DECKS ALL AROUND. THIS IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE BANK OWNED PROPERTY. CURRENTLY LISTED WITH SCOTT SHIDLER OF SHIDLER DEVELOPMENT, INC...PRICE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE LAST BANK OWNED PROPERTY SIMULAR IN CONSTRUCTION LIKE THIS WAS LISTED FOR $431,000!

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A MOUNTAIN CABIN IN BIG BEAR, CONTACT ME SO I CAN HELP YOU FIND THE BEST POSSIBLE DEAL! I WANT TO SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY AND NOW'S A GREAT TIME TO BUY!

So you are looking for a log style cabin and you're not sure what type of construction fits your needs...a full log home or a half log construction? I've put together the pros and cons of full log home ownership versus the half log construction (log sided construction).

Half Log Construction:

One of the greatest advantages to choosing a half log construction is the opportunity for a variety of interior finishes. You can choose which walls you want drywall and which walls you want to put wood in. Usually half log constructions are lighter and brighter. They offer less maintenance...no settlement issues found in full log homes so that means no slip joints or screw jacks. This might all sound like contractor mumbo jumbo, but it is something you'll find out during your discovery period.

Ease of construction is another big factor. With half log constructions, plumbing fixtures and electrical wires are installed the same way as a conventional home. No drilling holes into the middle of logs, and its much less labor intensive. For log home purists, half log constructions lack the true authentic look of a mountain cabin. Yes, your cost of construction is much less but some feel like a true mountain cabin doens't feel rustic unless you have full logs surrounding you.

Full Log Construction:

Full log homes have a super warm feeling. Nothing says rustic design like a full log home. The aesthetic appeal and charm is second to none. They are typically soundproof and very solid as far as strength.

As far as drawbacks, everyone I talk to seems to have concerns regarding the maintenance and contraction/expansion of the the logs. Yes, wood tends to swell and contract leaving air leaks and gaps. And I've also know homeowners who have needed to adjust their doors because of settling. All of this is the cost of log home ownership and should be weighed when considering full log ownership.

If you are in the market for a log home, please contact Donna Wochner so she can help you find your perfect mountain retreat.

43025 MONTEREY, BIG BEAR LAKE 92315

BRAND NEW LOG STYLE GOING UP IN MOONRIDGE. SKI SLOPE VIEWS, LEVEL PARKING & ACCESS TO MAIN FLOOR. 2 STORY W/MAIN FLOOR ON TOP LEVEL. STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES. WOOD FLOORS IN KITCHEN & ALL BATHS, SLATE FOR SHOWERS. GRANITE COUNTERTOPS IN KITCHEN & BATHS. OIL BRUSHED BRONZE HARDWARE. T&G CEILING, LOG TRIM THRUOUT. SOLD BY GILLIGAN LOG HOMES.

CLOSED ESCROW 5/22/2008 FOR $425,000.

1057 HERITAGE TRAIL, BIG BEAR CITY 92314

TRULY ONE OF A KIND CUSTOM FULL LOG HOME BUILT BY TED KNIGHT. CATHEDRAL CEILINGS WITH LOG AND WOOD ACCENTS, COUNTRY KITCHEN WITH BREAKFAST NOOK, MAGNIFICENT REAL ROCK FIREPLACE. OVER AN ACRE OF LAND BACKING TO SEASONAL STREAM AND PRIVATE SETTING. GREAT MOUNTAIN FEEL. SITUATED IN PRESTIGIOUS MEADOWBROOK ESTATES, THIS HOME WAS THE HIGHEST SALE EVER IN THE SUBDIVISION.

CLOSED ESCROW ON 6/24/2008 FOR $1,550,000

1878 SHADY LANE, BIG BEAR CITY 92314

NEWER FULL LOG HOME IN MEADOWBROOK ESTATES BACKING TO NATIONAL FOREST. INCREDIBLY DESIGNED LOG STYLE TRUSS SYSTEM AND HIGH VAULTED CEILINGS, GRANITE SLAB COUNTERS, SLATE & WOOD, STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES AND HUGE ROCK FIREPLACE. ADDITIONAL 4TH BED AND 3RD BATH IS SEPARATE GUEST QUARTERS OVER DETACHED GARAGE. SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPING W/DISAPPEARING POND AND 4 STALL BARN.

CLOSED ESCROW 5/23/2008 FOR $1,100,000

42741 GOLD RUSH, BIG BEAR LAKE 92315

LOVELY BRAND-NEW SINGLE STORY, LOG STYLE HOME ON A LARGE LOT IN FOX FARM. IT OFFERS 3 BEDROOMS, 2.5 BATHROOMS, 2 FIREPLACES, SEPARATE LAUNDRY ROOM & LARGE PANTRY. IT HAS GRANITE COUNTER TOPS, KNOTTY PINE CABINETS, STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, SLATE FLOORING & MUCH MORE. CLOSE TO LAKE, SHOPPING CENTERS & SKI SLOPES.

CLOSED ESCROW ON 8/15/2008 FOR $640,000

1362 BALSAM, BIG BEAR LAKE 92315

LOCATION LOCATION FOR THIS BANK OWNED PROPERTY IN MOONRIDGE! FANTASTIC SKI SLOPE VIEWS IS WHAT YOUR CLIENT WILL GET FROM THIS HOME. SLIDER OFF LIVING ROOM HAS GREAT VIEWS! STONE FIREPLACE IN LIVING ROOM. OPEN FLOOR PLAN; MANY WINDOWS EQUAL MANY GREAT VIEWS! DOWNSTAIRS FEATURES ANOTHER BEDROOM, BATHROOM, FAMILY ROOM/GAME RM W/DRY SINK. NOT INCLUDED IN SQ. FT. SEPERATE LAUNDRY ROOM, LARGE LOT.

CLOSED ESCROW ON 6/9/2008 FOR $382,500

40332 CLIFF LANE, BIG BEAR LAKE 92315

STELLAR PRICE FOR THIS CUSTOM LAKE-VIEW RETREAT! TOTALLY TURN-KEY WITH FANTASTIC VAC. RENTAL HISTORY AVAILABLE IN LIST OFFICE! OVER 33K IN ANNUAL VACATION RENTAL INCOME- OVER 100 NIGHTS RENTED! DETAILED WOODWORK, GRANITE, UPGRADED APPLIANCES, BRAND NEW SPA ON UPPER DECK! HUGE DETACHED GARAGE WITH LOTS OF STORAGE, SURROUND SOUND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. CLOSE TO LAKE AND VILLAGE.

CLOSED ESCROW ON 6/29/2008 FOR $427,500. PREVIOUSLY SOLD IN 2005 FOR $490,000.

IF YOU ARE IN THE MARKET FOR A LOG STYLE HOME, LET ME HELP YOU WITH YOUR SEARCH. CLICK HERE AND LET ME HELP YOU WITH YOUR MOUNTAIN HOME SEARCH!