Tussock Moth and Bark Beetle meeting set for December 8 Big Bear Civic Center 10:00 a.m.

The public is invited to a Douglas-fir tussock moth and bark beetle informational session at the Big Bear Civic Center on December 8.

U.S. Forest Service and CalFire entomologists are presenting information on the tussock moth infestation and a seasonal update on bark beetle activity in the Big Bear valley. Entomologists and foresters will be providing information for residents that may have tree species susceptible to tussock moth such as Blue Spruce and Douglas-fir.

When: Wednesday, December 8 2010: Time: 10 am to 10:45 am,
Location: Big Bear Civic Center – Hofert Hall, 39707 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA
http://www.citybigbearlake.com/

Woodstock Real Estate Turns 30

Ever since Margaret Shaffner visited Big Bear as a teen, and stayed at friends’ parents’ cabins, the thought of living and working in a resort town was a dream. She made that dream a reality, when with seven years of real estate experience, she moved from the ocean town of Huntington Beach, to live in the mountain resort of Big Bear. Arriving in December, 1978 to a six foot snow storm, she persevered, and opened Woodstock Real Estate just six months later, in June 1979. The building, located on Maple Lane in Sugarloaf, features beautiful wood interiors of natural pine cones and Big Bear nature, by husband Mark, former owner of Artistic Wood Interiors, as well as paintings by Margaret.

Named for the lovable yellow bird in the Peanuts cartoon series, Woodstock Real Estate is one of Big Bear’s most established Real Estate companies, and Margaret admits she has seen many, many changes over the years. Real Estate companies come and go, agents do the same, as well as change companies, owners of cabins and homes become landlords, sell, and perhaps purchase something else. Through all the changes, Margaret and her staff continue with the ability to help everyone with a home in the Valley – whether it is selling, buying, or managing the home through their property management division, with the utmost of professionalism.

Real Estate is often the largest investment people will make, and Margaret and her staff take the responsibility very seriously. “Renters are required to uphold nine addendums to protect the property owner’s interests.”

When asked how she continues in such a volatile industry, with its extreme highs and lows, Margaret says, “It’s just due to hard work, a lot of persistence and tenacity, and having the right people working for me in various areas of support. We’re more like a family here, and service is the key.” She attributes her strong religious beliefs and her positive attitude as very important aspects of her success.

Margaret was intricately involved in the 1988 Sugarloaf Road Commission that helped get the roads in the community paved, by getting the initiative on the ballot. She has also been active in the Big Bear Association of Realtors, where she has served as president.

Woodstock Real Estate, www.woodstockre.com, 479 Maple Lane, Sugarloaf. 909.585.2591

Hiring A Contractor.

Hiring A Contractor. Reprinted from the archives of Big Bear Magazine. © 2005 Big Bear Magazine.
Questions & Answers Question: We are in the process of hiring a contractor in Big Bear, for various home improvements, and we want to make sure he's legitimate. What do we look for? How do we protect ourselves?

Every licensed contractor carries a "pocket license," or "pocket ID," which identifies the individual contractor, or the business name under which the contractor is working. In California, any job that costs $600 or more MUST be performed by a contractor who holds a current, valid license.
According to the CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSE BOARD, unlicensed contractors, who may present a lower bid, and talk you into being your own general contractor, or "Owner/ Builder," may be doing you no favor. YOU, not the person you hire, assume responsibility for the overall job, which includes such things as state and federal taxes, workers compensation, and other legal liabilities." Should you have a complaint or not be satisfied with your project, you have very little legal re¬course with unlicensed individuals.
When you hire a licensed professional to handle your project, you hire a person or company experienced in building, as well as the business of construction. You also have the backing of the CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSE BOARD to assist if problems arise.
Contractors may not work under an¬other person's license. That would be the same scenario as someone driving under another person's driver’s license. Not legal, not valid.delete that contractor from your list of professionals! Make sure the license you see belongs to the person you hire!
Always take the time to verify the status of the license. A license number does not verify its validity. You can easily check this by calling the CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD at 800-321-2752, or visiting www.cslb.com. Take the time to check your contractor and you will avoid problems down the line.
Before you begin any remodeling project, have a contract, in writing that clearly specifies the work to be done by your contractor.
In almost all cases, the law requires a contractor to give you “written notice of your right to cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.” According to the CSLB, you should “use these three days to review the contract again.” If something bothers you, the time to discuss it with your contractor is now, not after the work begins.
Check that your scope of work is specified completely. For example, if the contractor is to "supply and install" your faucet, make sure this is in writing. If your contractor will "install" a client- supplied faucet, make sure that is also in writing. Remember, the contract is your job outline, and it should detail exactly what will happen with your project, and who will supply what items.
Make sure your contract includes everything you feel is important to the job including complete clean-up and removal of debris and materials, and special requests like saving lumber for firewood or saving certain materials or appliances.
Finally, make sure your payment schedule is included in your contract, up front. California law requires that "the amount of down payment for any home improvement contract may not exceed $1,000 or ten percent of the contract price, whichever is less." Make sure additional payments do not get ahead of the contractor's work.
For example, payments for a new garage might read: Completion of grading, completion of slab, completion of framing, completion of electrical, etc. The entire schedule, with exact amounts owing, should be spelled out and signed off by the homeowner. Your contract should "clearly state your final agreement and accurately reflect everything involved in the work being done by your contractor." And as with any legal contract, it must also include the name, physical address and license number of the contractor.

© 2005 HomeWork

Looking Back

Real Estate in Big Bear will always be of interest to homeowners and investors alike.  Where, within two hours of the city of Los Angeles, can you find such a different environment, natural and serene?.  Where, within just two hours again, can you be in the desert community of Palm Springs?  Take a look at Big Bear in 1995.  Walt Dwyer is still an active Realtor with ReMax RealEstate.

Big Bear Real Estate 1995

By Walt Dwyer

The 1995 Big Bear real estate mar­ket has been a mixed bag for the most part, as it was in 1994.

Through October of 1995, there were approxi­mately 2550 properties for sale throughout the valley, with about 266 sales pend­ing and 725 closed escrows for the year. Average mar­ket time ran 323 days for all active listings, with an aver­age sale price of $115,000.

Of existing inventory available through October, about 1,350 were single family residential, 64 were condos, 41 were mobile homes, 10 were Gov't leases, 16 were business opportunities, 93 were com­mercial investment opportunities and 967 were vacant lots.

Prices on all properties dropped an average of 20% from 1991 highs, but did stabilize for the most part last year. Traditionally, December, October, then November rank as Big Bear's top three months for real estate sales. Early editorial closing pre­vents analysis of the 4th quarter for 1995, but September, (normally the 4th ranking month for real estate), did show more promise, reaching 83% of our 10 year average, with a total of 148 recordings for the month.

It's still a buyers market, but the best buys go quick. Are we coming out of a bad real estate market? New construction is up with positive feed­back from local contractors who are bidding or have contracts ready to go in the Spring... another healthy sign that the market is recovering.

It appears that the number of units sold this year will be about 80% of the ten year average. Although low pric­ing and a long marketing time were the norm in this year's market, it looks and feels like better times are just down the road.

From the archives of Big Bear Magazine, January/February 1996. © Big Bear Magazine,