Big Bear Is Awesome! - 03/28/08 02:53 PM
I woke up this morning, looked over at my beautiful wife and daughter, and took a moment to just appreciate how very lucky I am to live in Big Bear. As I was thinking, it struck me how quiet it was. I didn't hear any traffic, noisy neighbors, or anything else to spoil my tranquility. As much as I wanted to lay there and do nothing, there was work to be done. I got up and prepared for my day. The first thing I saw as I walked out the door was a gray squirrel on my deck, just looking at … (3 comments)

The Sweetest Thing - 03/25/08 12:39 PM

On March 18th at 7:36 in the morning,my life changed forever. My wife and I were blessed with our first child. Keely Irene Barden came into this world, and immediately took over my whole life. Despite having nine months to get prepared, I was anything but. Until you have to stay up all night with a crying newborn, you can't really know what it is like. This tiny little girl, in a matter of days, has become my lord and master. My wife and I are at her beck and call, and we better be quick or she will show her … (74 comments)

Izzy and Joe's Big Bear REO Adventure - 03/17/08 03:05 PM
Earlier today, my coworker Joe was looking at RealtyTrac  and commented on the difference between the number of REO's listed on the site and the number actually listed on our MLS. Typically, it takes a little while for the homes to show up on the MLS after they are foreclosed on. We talked about it and decided it would be a good idea to get out and look at them before they came on the market. Sometimes a potential buyer will look at an REO site and contact us about a property that isn't on the market yet. In some instances, … (1 comments)

The Riddle Of Steel and Real Estate - 03/16/08 01:14 PM
"He is strong! If I die, I have to go before him, and he will ask me, 'What is the riddle of steel?' If I don't know it, he will cast me out of Valhalla and laugh at me." ... "That's Crom, strong on his mountain." ~Conan the Barbarian
My favorite movie of all time, Conan The Barbarian, was on television again recently, and it got me to thinking. Broken down to its most basic element, the movie is a chronicle of Conan's journey to understand The Riddle Of Steel. When he is just a young child, he helps his father to … (10 comments)

FIRPTA Headaches - 03/14/08 01:14 PM
On every deal I have done over the past year or so, the same thing keeps coming up over and over again . The agent representing the seller is unwilling or unable to provide a signed FIRPTA form properly filled out with the sellers social security number. Even though it is agreed to in The Purchase Agreement, for some reason the selling side thinks it is something they don't have to provide. I ask and ask and they put it off and put it off, until finally I have to threaten to have escrow withhold 10% of the funds from the … (18 comments)

Big Bear Lake Short Sales - 03/10/08 02:19 PM
SHORT SALES IN BIG BEAR
These days it seems like interest in REO's (bank owned properties) has gone through the roof. Every other client I get wants to know everything they can about which bank owned properties are on the market and what kind of a deal they can get for them. When I tell them that the vast majority of them are selling very close to the listing price, they are skeptical. While it may be different in other cities, in Big Bear Lake, well priced REO's are flying off the shelves. If you aren't making a full price offer within … (5 comments)

BIG BEAR LAKE, MORE THAN JUST SKIING! - 03/08/08 12:36 PM
If you were to ask most visitors to Big Bear Lake the reason for their visit, you would in all likelihood hear something along the lines of "Just getting away from it all".  With the two best ski resorts in Southern California and a beautiful lake, Big Bear offers all that and more. What many folks don't realize is, Big Bear Lake is surrounded on all sides by National Forest. No matter which way you choose to go, you will end up surrounded by natural beauty and the serenity of a wooded setting.
The southern side of Big Bear is full of … (4 comments)

Big Bear Short Sale Blues - 03/06/08 01:33 PM

Dealing with Short Sales can be so frustrating. My clients made an offer around three months ago, on a short sale property here in Big Bear. We knew it was going to take the bank some time to accept or reject our offer, but three months? Then, when they finally gave us their acceptance, they demanded a three week escrow. I spoke with my clients and they agreed it could be done, if barely. Then, the next day, they send over the paperwork and they now want a two week escrow. Two weeks? How are we supposed to get in all … (4 comments)

How I Am Going To Make March Spectacular In Big Bear - 03/03/08 11:45 AM
Today, at our weekly meeting, our Broker asked us what inspired actions we were going to take to make March a great month for us. I thought about what my answer would be. All kinds of ideas were bouncing back and forth in my head, when I realized, it all boils down to one thing. I am going to outwork my competition. I am going to do all the things that they aren't.
I am going to get to the office before they do, and I am going to work later than they do. I am going to study my inventory until … (2 comments)

 
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Israel Barden

Big Bear Lake, CA

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RE/MAX Big Bear Village

Address: P.O. Box 6820, 626 Pine Knot Ave, Big Bear Lake, CA, 92315

Office Phone: (909) 273-8980

Cell Phone: isrisrisra

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