Steve Hirschler, Big Bear Real Estate

I see more and more clients that are hoping to find the best deal, the one they think will be just sitting out their waiting for them to come along. Some buyers actually are looking for a cabin without the help of a local agent. This must be very frustrating. It reminds me of shopping at a big box retailer. I just wander around until I find what I am looking for. It takes me twice as long, but I know it is a waste of time to ask one of the clerks for help, since they have little knowledge of any of the products they sell.

If you have experienced this with Realtors, I apologize! I think the biggest enemy of a Realtor is the fellow agents that don't know their inventory or their market. This gives the buyers in the market the idea that Realtors are not an essential piece in the search for a home. If your agent can't hear what you want and direct you to it, they are wasting your time.

I won't waste your time. I know the inventory. I listen to what you want, and then I take you to see all of the homes that fit your criteria.

What do you want in a Big Bear Cabin? Is it the bank owned property that is located in a neighborhood setting that reminds you of the home you live in now? Is it the house that they made the movie "The Money Pit" after? Is it stacked against the homes next to you so tight that you hope the neighbors don't snore? Does the neighborhood look like a parking lot?

Let's face it, what most buyers have always dreamed of in a mountain cabin is not unique. They want something that feels like a cabin, but has the functionallity of this era. They want seclusion and privacy. They want a quiet space with a view. They want rustic feel, with craftsmanship. They want to be near the ski slopes, but not at the party. They want to be able to take an evening or morning walk without concern. They want to here the wind blowing in the trees and they want to smell the pines. They want to bring their family and friends to enjoy Big Bear's four seasons of fun.

Once you find this cabin, place an offer. Hesitation at this point will give you a bad case of remorse. I can't tell you how many times I have shown a buyer exactly what they want, and the love it, but they think they should wait a couple of weeks and then see what happens. This usually results in the cabin selling to someone who has already made this same mistake in the past.

The best cabins are not the best just because of price per square foot, or the fact that the bank owns them. The best cabins in Big Bear fit the description above. The only way you can buy one of these properties is to put an offer in writing to the seller.

Let me help you with your Real Estate needs in Big Bear

Steve Hirschler

Associate, The Tim Wood Group

Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery

42153 Big Bear Blvd.

P.O. BOX 6820

Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

stevehirschler@gmail.com

909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889

Fax 909 866-3531

http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com

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A Thankful Thanksgiving by Jim Rohn

You may be wondering why I would call this article a Thankful Thanksgiving. Aren't all Thanksgivings Thankful? Unfortunately, no. As a person who has experienced over 70 Thanksgivings, I recognize that being thankful is something that we have to work at, even on Thanksgiving.

If your home is like most, your Thanksgiving Day will be very busy, with either traveling to where you want to go or preparing your home to have others over for the day. Either way, that can be very hectic and emotionally trying, which doesn't lend itself to preparing your heart to be reflective and thankful. In fact, Thanksgiving weekend is the most traveled weekend in America. Airports are full and not always providing much room for contemplation of your good fortune.

This means all the more that if we want to be the kind of people who are characterized by thankfulness, then we must make sure that we focus on it, and not just on Thanksgiving Day, but at all times during the year.

Here are a few key words as well as some thoughts that are simple and practical to apply; something you can use right away in your quest for becoming more thankful:

Time. Set aside time regularly to be quiet, to reflect. We live in the fastest paced time ever. From the moment we awake to the moment we collapse into bed, we have the opportunity to go at full speed and never slow down. If we schedule time every day in which we can be quiet and reflect, we will free our hearts and minds up from the tyranny of the urgent and rushed.

Thought. Give thought to the many blessings that you have. Living in a consumer culture, most of us are fully aware of what we do not have and how we absolutely must have "it". But how often do we reflect upon that which we already have? Take some time each day and think of one or two things that you have that you may typically take for granted and then take a moment and give thanks for those. In fact, I make it a part of my reflection time to review a list of things that I'm thankful for.

Generosity. Be generous toward those with less and not envious of those with more. We tend to look at others who may be wealthier than ourselves and think, "I sure wish I had what he does." That kind of thinking breeds envy and jealousy rather than contentment. What can we do to break that cycle? I would suggest being generous to those who are less fortunate than yourself. Go to work at a food bank. And not just during the holidays - everybody works there then - but on a regular basis during the year. That will remind you of how good you really have it.

Ask. Ask a friend what they are thankful for. The next time you are at lunch with a friend, ask him or her what they are most thankful for. You will be amazed at the answers you receive and you will create a meaningful bond with your friends as you focus on this powerful question.

Acknowledge. Lastly, tell those you love how thankful you are for having them in your life. So many times we neglect to take the time to craft the words to express to those closest to us what their presence in our lives means to us. Take the opportunity of Thanksgiving Day to write them a note or sometime during the day put your hand on their shoulder, look them in the eyes and tell them. Let them know what they mean to you, and in return you'll begin to create the possibility of deeper, richer, more fulfilling relationships with those you love.

Of course we should do what we can to make the most of the day we call Thanksgiving, but wouldn't it be a shame if the only time we reflected on our blessings was that one Thursday in November? And the answer is, of course! So let's do our best to be aware of the many great gifts that we have each and every day of the year. As we do so we will see our hearts soar and our minds will experience more and more at peace as we regularly remember and remain aware of our good fortune.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jim Rohn

The Statistical Summary above was taken from the local Big Bear Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.

Recently I have had a number of clients ask about the bank owned inventory and sales prices. This chart shows that in the past 6 months we have had 91 Bank owned REO properties that have sold through the Big Bear Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service. (Obviously we have had some transactions that were not listed through the local MLS)

What is interesting and a point of discussion with the buyers is the price differential. Unlike some of the more traditional markets in Southern California, these properties have been selling at list price or higher. (101.61%). Even traditional sellers are getting an average of 94% currently here in Big Bear. Those that are overpriced simply are not being shown or sold.

So, if you plan to buy a bank owned property in Big Bear, a couple of thoughts....

• Work with an agent that understands the local market. That would be an agent that works full time in Big Bear only.
• Realize that once you've looked at the available inventory and found the very best deal, you might have to pay list price. (If you are opposed to this ask, your agent to show you the overpriced listings, and then you can get the type of deal that make you feel like a winner by getting a huge discount off of list.)
• Act quickly once you find your deal, the average days on the market for bank owned properties is 59 days, less than half of the days on the market of properties that are not bank owned.

If you would like more information on the Big Bear Market, or would like to schedule a time to look at the Real Estate opportunities here in Big Bear, give me a call or shoot me an email.

Steve Hirschler

Associate, The Tim Wood Group

Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery

42153 Big Bear Blvd.

P.O. BOX 6820

Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

stevehirschler@gmail.com

909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889

Fax 909 866-3531

http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com

Year	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	Monthly	10 Year	2008	% of
											Rank	Average		Average
Jan	96	125	125	158	130	194	163	128	139	77	12	134	44	33%
Feb	97	126	158	128	148	169	173	147	112	80	11	134	43	32%
Mar	132	183	174	168	187	197	219	186	118	99	9	166	59	35%
Apr	110	159	169	150	213	227	238	170	131	81	10	165	65	39%
May	129	151	193	182	269	200	268	171	132	99	8	179	83	46%
Jun	154	161	198	207	224	199	246	188	148	78	7	180	85	47%
Jul	188	195	180	187	247	228	275	171	108	95	6	187	104	55%
Aug	185	191	256	264	292	246	263	198	159	106	1	216	90	42%
Sep	202	231	248	199	274	281	263	228	121	82	2	213	109	51%
Oct	216	188	270	224	302	227	236	199	123	77	3	206	101	49%
Nov	221	227	217	187	241	231	224	192	115	87	4	194		0%
Dec	179	237	194	199	276	216	214	186	111	68	5	188		0%
Total	1909	2174	2382	2253	2803	2615	2782	2164	1517	1029		2163	783	36%
Yr Rank	8	6	4	5	1	3	2	7	9	10
2006 vs. 2007 68%

This is the most recent deed recording information for the Big Bear area. We had a 31% increase in recordings for the month of October 2008 vs October 2007. That's 2 months in a row that we have had an increase in recordings over the previous year, I hope this trend continues. Year to date for 2008 through October we are at 89.6% of 2007's year to date recordings and 60.6% of 2006. This puts the recordings at 43.98% of the 10 year average through October and only 34.25% of the best year in the past 10 for the number of recordings, 2002.

Steve Hirschler

Associate, The Tim Wood Group

Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery

42153 Big Bear Blvd.

P.O. BOX 6820

Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

stevehirschler@gmail.com

909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889

Fax 909 866-3531

http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com

It just doesn't add up....

Many of you are wondering what you should do with that nest egg that is disappearing in the stock market. You are working harder and struggling to save for your retirement.

There is an opportunity right now that will soon be the thing you should have done. Big Bear housing prices have adjusted back to early 2004 levels.

Can you go to your portfolio for the weekend?

Can you make family memories at your portfolio?

Will you be pulling out your quarterly statement and sharing memories or photo's of your family enjoying your Big Bear get a way?

Big Bear is Southern California's four season resort. Big Bear is within 2 hours of most of Southern California.

Do something you won't regret, come up to Big Bear and let me show you what your money can buy. You will be surprised at the values.

We have condos near Snow Summit that are price under $200,000,

and we have weekend homes in Moonridge that are priced under $200,000.

Jump up to $400,000 and you can afford a Log Style 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a 2 car garage in Moonridge,

or a home that is less than a block from the lake.

Give me a call today to set your showing appointment.

Steve Hirschler

Associate, The Tim Wood Group

Coldwell Banker Mountain Gallery

42153 Big Bear Blvd.

P.O. BOX 6820

Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

stevehirschler@gmail.com

909 866-3481 EXT. 217 CELL 909 725-5889

Fax 909 866-3531

http://www.stevesellsbigbear.com