Lake Arrowhead Real Estate

 Trick or Treat Raffle Drawing by RE/MAX Lakeside ~ October 31, 2009 in the Lake Arrowhead area of Blue Jay.

Adults... while you're out walking the little ones around Blue Jay Village to do their TRICK or TREATing, make sure you pop in RE/MAX Lakeside to "let us give the kiddies their treats AND to grab your FREE "Raffle Ticket" to win a $75. 00 Gift Certificate to ( click on Raffle Ticket Below to find out about the prize).  The raffle is open to anyone over the age of 18.

All you have to do is SHOW UP at RE/MAX LAKESIDE in Blue Jay!!!

TIME: 2:00 pm until 5:00 (drawing will be after 5:00 and you do NOT have to be present to win).

ADDRESS: 27169 State Highway 189 Suite 1(next door to Borderline Restaurant).

 Get Your Lake Arrowhead Mountain Home Ready for Winter

 Winter is just around the corner! I know, because several mornings this week, temps dipped to a burrrry 31 degrees. This was my first clue to getting the old cabin ready for winter. If mountain folks don't prepare, they may face some expensive problems (like broken pipes, for one). 

Below are a few tips to get your Lake Arrowhead (mountain) home"prepared" for "Old Man Winter."

Fireplace: It's a perfect time, if you haven't already, to call a Chimney Sweep. He/she can make sure your fireplace is not only clean, but safe.

Roof: Is your roof ready for rain and snow? A good check-up may be in order.

Landscaping: Sprinklers (irrigation systems) should be turned off and hoses drained.

Pipes! Make sure exposed pipes are "wrapped." These problems can be soooo expensive IF they freeze and burst.

Weekend cabin/home: If you're a part-timer, make sure you drain your pipes before heading home, and turn off the water. A SHUT OFF VALVE is an awesome item to have installed.

Doors and Windows: Weather-stripping and caulking should be your best friend!

Gutters: Clean them of leaves and pine-needles.

Power Outages: In case the power goes out (and it can!): Make sure you have plenty of candles, extra flashlights, loads of batteries & a lantern or two and matches.  Generators are always helpful.

Snow Equipment: Place your snow shovels in an easy-to-get-to spot. If you have a snow blower, it's a great time to take it for a "check up."

Food and Drinking Water: Bottled water and can(non-perishable) goods should be on hand (3-4 days...just in case)

Helpful (local) sites for tips and supplies:

1. LAKE ARROWHEAD COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT(LACSD)
2. RIM LUMBER HARDWARE
3. AQUA FRIA HARDWARE

Enjoy your home... enjoy winter...don't be caught off guard.

 This WEEKEND in Lake Arrowhead October 30, 31 2009

OCTOBER 30, 2009

•  LAKE ARROWHEAD Classical Ballet Company will be having its Halloween Party from 4 - 7PM at the San Moritz Lodge in Crestline.

OCTOBER 31, 2009

• Trick of Treat in BLUE JAY starting at 2:00PM
• Join the fun at LAKE ARROWEHEAD VILLAGE's Halloween Party beginning at 2PM!
• WILDHAVEN RANCH invites you to their 1st annual "Howl 'O Ween" from 1 - 4 PM.

(I shared these pictures on FB of the Oct Sky in Lake Arrowhead, so for those folks who've seen them, I apologize the repeat).  UNTOUCHED, Mother Nature at Her best!

LAKEFRONT property in LAKE ARROWHEAD ~ How Many and How Much

Lake Arrowhead is a private, man-made lake and to use the lake for recreational purposes (fishing and boating and swimming), you need to own property within certain boundaries (see map below) of the lake. This post will show you how many lakefront listings we have listed. Keep in mind we do, however, have 343 homes currently listed with "lake right" that are not lakefronts, ranging in price from $145,000 - $14,200,000.  Okay, back to lakefronts:

 ACTIVE Listings: 48    Prices:  $150,000 - $14,200,000 MEDIAN Price: $2,222,500

(the one lakefront for $150,000 is ONLY an "interest in")

PENDINGS:   2    Prices: $1,398,000 - $3,995,000  MEDIAN Price: $2,696,500

SOLDS: (since Jan 1, 09) 15    Sold Prices: $749,000 - $4,250,000  MEDIAN Price: $1,350,000 

Lake Rights Boundary Map Below

Shoreline and Docks Map Below

The Lake Arrowhead Real Estate Market at a Glance

LAKE ARROWHEAD AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS

(All towns from Crestline to Green Valley Lake, including Lake Fronts)

Listings: 760      Prices: $44,900 - $14,200,000   MEDIAN PRICE: $375,000

Pendings:  122    Prices:  $39,000 - $3,995,000   MEDIAN PRICE: $175,000

Solds from: Oct 1 - to date: 56  Prices:  $51,500 - $2,800,000 MEDIAN PRICE:  $191,500

SOLDS Year-To-Date:  571  Price:   $31,900 - $4,250,000  MEDIAN PRICE: $195,000

 ~~~

ARROWHEAD WOODS (What does this mean?)

Listings: 347      Prices: $145,900 - $3,450,000 MEDIAN PRICE $499,000  

Pendings:  37     Prices: $99,800 - $1295,000 MEDIAN PRICE:  $299,900

Solds from Oct 1 to date:  21   Price: $186,000 - $825,000  MEDIAN PRICE: $300,500

SOLDS   Year-To-Date:  210   Price: $119,900 - $1,650,000 MEDIAN PRICE:  $322,000

~ ~ ~

LAKEFRONTS

Listings:  49   Prices:  $150,000 (an interest in) $500,000 - $14,200,000  MEDIAN PRICE: $2,195,000

Pendings:  2   Price: $1,3000 - $3,995,000  MEDIAN PRICE: $2,696,500

Solds Oct 1 to date:  3  Price: $749,000 - $2,800,000  SOLD Median Price: $1,100,000

SOLDS Year-To-Date:   15 Price: $749,000 - $4,250,000   MEDIAN PRICE: $1,350,000

 ~ ~ ~ 

FIGURES ABOVE TAKEN FROM RIM OF THE WORLD MLS ONLY & ARE DEEMED RELIABLE, BUT NOT GUARANTEED

RE/MAX Lakeside is where Kat hangs her Real Estate License! Right here in Lake Arrowhead CA

Sometimes we have to make moves (in business) to better improve ourselves and our business.  I recently did just that. Not because I didn't like my former company and its owner, as I did. This new move, I knew, would be a huge plus for my clients and me.

...and I am proud (MORE than proud) to announce that I am now with RE/MAX Lakeside right here in the Lake Arrowhead area.  My decision wasn't all about the RE/MAX name, which we all know is HUGE. It was also based on the owners of this particular RE/MAX franchise, Joann & Charlie Dickinson, whom I regard as very professional, honest, hard-working and caring people. Working with reputable people who put ethics first and do not take the word "integrity" lightly, mean the world to me.

Now about RE/MAX. There are so many great things I could say and go on and on, but I won't. I'll just point out (FACTS) what brought me to RE/MAX Lakeside:

• Global brand recognition (& the Internet branding is out of this world)
• A global network of nearly 100,000 Sales Associates ( I consider this a big team)
• All home listings in thousands of towns and cities can be found at RE/MAX.com which is the most visited franchise website.
• RE/MAX sales more Real Estate than any other company (I'd say that is what sellers are looking for in a company when they want to get their home sold)
• RE/MAX has raised over $100 million for foundations such as Susan G Komen (Breast Cancer), Children's Miracle Network & The Sentinels of Freedom Foundation.  I'm loving this!!!

So, for all your Real Estate needs in Lake Arrowhead and the surrounding mountains towns, consider Kat. Consider RE/MAX Lakeside. You won't be sorry.

Address: 27169 State Highway 189, Blue Jay CA 92317 in the Lake Arrowhead area.

Phone: 909-337-9999

Thought I let you all know what's going on this weekend here in Lake Arrowhead, in case you want to "Come Up for Air" and enjoy our beautiful fall weather, AND fall colors. The trees are alive with brilliant reds, oranges, yellows and golds. They're breathtaking!

• Tonight, Friday 23, 2009, come down to the Lake Arrowhead Village and check out "Locals Night October-fest & Market." This happens every Friday evening from 4-7 through October 30. Directions & Map to Lake Arrowhead Village

• Bring the whole family to the Mountain Astrology Village (Rim of The World High School on Observatory Way) Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 7-9 to learn about "Today's Universe."  Call 909-336-1699 for more info. Or email stargazersmail@mountain-skies.org. Address: 2001 Observatory Way, Lake Arrowhead, CA. 92352

• Head to Lake Gregory Saturday, October 24th, 2009 for their "350 Climate Rally & Walk."  The Mountain Group and the Sierra Club are inviting everyone for their Walk & Learn how-to help reduce our global carbon to 350 parts per million in hopes of keeping the environment balanced. Walk begins at 10AM on the south shore parking lot. Email Sue Walker: svwalker@gmail.com. Map & Directions

• How about a "Fall Open House" at Carol's Place at the Gallery? Mike, Carol, and Darren hope you'll join them for a great afternoon of art, friends and yummy food. And talk about fall colors; you will see them here!  Check out the hand-painted ceramic holiday gifts & chess sets from local Artisan, Mike Hibbard. View the latest watercolor paintings and graphite sketches of another local Artisan, Darren Parker.   The OPEN HOUSE is on Sunday October 24th 2009 from 12-5PM.  Click here for Map & Directions.

• Like matinees? Then head to the Rim Drama Stages Comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace" performed by the Rim Theatrical Society. Evening shows begin at 7PM through October 25. There will be a 2:00PM matinee on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25. Cost: $10.00, students with ASB cards pay $8.00. For more info check out The Drama Club.    Click here for Map & Directions   

Absolutely one of the most important posts you NEED to read.  THANKS Woo-Hoo Sally.

Hear ye...hear ye... This coming Thurdays is Local's Dinner Night at our beautiful UCLA CONFERENCE CENTER here in Lake Arrowhead. Now I don't want to brag (okay, I do), but my youngest is a chef at the Conference Center (10 years now), so I am certain you'll get the best meal ever!

Okay, enough of the mother stuff, here are the details:

• Starts at 5:30
• Social Hour (5:30 - 6:30) with a No-Host bar
• Four Course Dinner beginning at 6:30
• Program following dinner featureing County Supervisor Neil Derry
• Call 909-337-8200 for tickets.
  
  Map & Location

Click here to read the history & other information about UCLA Conference Center

 Worried Your Home Won't Appraise at The Purchase Price? See these HELPFUL Tips.

We ALL want to get the best price for our home when we're planning to sell (or re-financing). Nowadays, even if you think you've priced it right (once your Realtor has presented you with recent comparable solds in your area) and when you get a ready & willing buyer to sign on the dotted line, it doesn't mean the home will appraise. The following tips may help this happen (and they'll help get your home prepared to SHOW to the buyers):

1. First of all, PUT ON YOUR BUYER SHOES. Tryand detach emotionally from your house.
2. Curb appeal: Let's face it, you have to get the buyers out of their car! When they pull up, you want them to be "WOWd!"   You ALSO want the appraiser WOW'd.
3. Cut the grass. Plant some colorful flowers. PAINT if needed. Fix cracks in the driveway. De-clutter: pick up the kids trikes and bikes. Just like inside the house, everything should be in its place.
4. Inside: Update the carpeting. Nothing is worse than dirty, old shag carpeting. Or, even clean, OLD shag carpeting. New carpeting gives the home that "fresh" look and SMELL.
5. CLEAN the house (every room!) by using some elbow grease! Paint if needed. De-clutter. Organize.
6. The Garage: Organize. Organize. Organize. If you don't need it, get rid (donate it or trash it) of it. You want the buyer (uh, appraiser) to walk into this garage and see he/she can parked there.

Of course, square footage is a BIG factor, and there's little you can do about that, unless you plan to make additions before you sell. But to work with what you have, think about those tips above. They help sell both the buyer and the appraiser.

Important post on the difference between a Short Sale and a Foreclosed Home!!!

19th Annual Pumpkin Patch at Jensen's in Blue Jay October 17 & 18 2009

It's that time of year AGAIN!! It is the 19th Annual Pumpkin Patch  hosted by  JENSENS SUPERMARKET, in BLUE JAY, CA. This is a special time for familys, so come on up and come on out.

 BLUE JAY is in Lake Arrowhead, which is in the Southern California San Bernardino Mountains.  See directions below.

What else does Blue Jay have to offer? TONS! Just park and go...shopping at Country Furniture, Little Folks Bookshoppe & Toys,  the pet store, The Blue Jay Library,  to name a few places. 

Or, go see a movie at the Blue Jay Theater.

How about FOOD? Oh, we have plenty of places to grab a bite or have a big, fancy meal, like Bill's Village Coffee Shop, Borderline, McDonald's, Royal Oak and MORE.

Here's what you'll see at the Pumpkin Patch:

• Face Painting
• Air Jumper
• Sandy Candy
• Game Booths
• Refreshments

DATE: October 17 & 18th 2009  Time of event: 10:00 - 4:00 PM

Where: JENSEN'S PARKING LOT (see directions below)

Click HERE for directions.

Read all about Blue Jay's Jensen's Supermarket beginnging, which is an awesome story.

Lake Arrowhead Weather and Climate information  ~ Thought You'd Like to Know

People ask me all the time what are our summer & winter temps? Well, let me give you a run down for each month/season. Of course these figures may change year to year, but on an average these figures are fairly close.

One of the most special things about Lake Arrowhead is that it gets approximately 310 days of sunshine a year!!!!  

 Average Perspiration:  38.8"   (110) a year.

Very important message here and this issue is popping up daily.