Tony Card's Big Bear REO Blog: December 2007

This article is near and dear to my heart as I currently have a son who is sitting in county jail doing time for his 4th DUI.  If you plan to drink this New Year's, Don't Drive!

Local Big Bear residents are reminded not to drink and drive during the New Year's celebrations. However, the Automobile Club of Southern California is offering a Tipsy Tow service from Sunday through Tuesday night for drivers who drink to bring in 2008.

The service is available from 6:00 pm on Sunday, December 30 through the end of the day on Tuesday, January 1, 2008. Tipsy Tow, now in its 11th year, is available in the 13 counties served by the Auto Club in Southern California.

There are several local tow companies through out the mountain communities that are participation in the program.  If you plan to be out drinking, then you are urged to call the Auto Club at 800-400-4AAA and just say, "I need a Tipsy Tow."

"Tipsy Tow does not include rides for passengers and is a one-time, one-way ride for the driver". "The destination is limited to the driver's residence of up to seven (7) miles and reservations are not accepted."

The Auto Club authorizes the tow truck contractor to charge their regular rate for distances over seven miles.

"Those of us Realtors in Big Bear Lake hope you have a great new years and hope that you will call Tipsy Tow if you need it.  You want to AVOID the 25 campaign involving the CHP, Sheriff's Department and other law enforcement agencies is conducting extra patrols to look for drinking drivers during the holidays."

Drinking drivers frequently don't plan for other ways to get home because they are concerned about retrieving their vehicles. Tipsy Tow provides motorists a safe ride home for themselves and their vehicles instead of driving under the influence. A regular Auto Club contracted emergency road service truck will be dispatched in response to Tipsy Tow calls.

With the increased risk with drinking and driving, motorists need to be aware of the high crash risk from drinking and driving associated with holidays.  AAA encourages them to think twice about getting behind the wheel if they have been drinking. 

Motorists convicted of driving under the influence could lose many of the important things in their lives. Such as family, job, dignity and money. According to AAA,  a first time DUI conviction can cost about $13,468 in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees and insurance costs.

If you are going to be out enjoying the new years eve festivity, please keep these safety tips in mind

• At social events, designate non-drinking drivers who can get everyone home safely.
• Call a friend or family member for a ride home if you have been drinking.
• As a party host, offer a variety of non-alcoholic drink alternatives and provide a gift to guests who volunteer to be designated drivers.
• Take the car keys away from friends and relatives who have had too much to drink. Local residents are reminded not to drink and drive during the New Year's celebrations. However, the Automobile Club of Southern California is offering a Tipsy Tow service from Sunday through Tuesday night for drivers who drink to bring in 2008.

What is your north star?  Do you even have a north star?  What is it that gets you up every day and brings you into your real estate office?  Is it the money?  Is it your co-workers?  Is it a particular lifestyle that you want to provide for your family?  Maybe you are an avid Angels fan and would like to attend every game that the Angels play for a entire season,or maybe you want to be able to drive your motor home to every NASCAR event.  What ever it is, you need decide what it is and then keep it in the back of your mind.  Once you have made this decision, the next step would be to set attainable goals,stepping stones if you will, that will eventually lead you to your north star.

This was the topic of a meeting that I had with my broker, Tim Wood at Coldwell Banker's Mountain Gallery Realtors five years ago when I came to work for him.  I knew nothing about the business that I was getting into but knew that if I did what Tim told me to do, I would do OK in the Big Bear real estate market.  The Big Bear real estate was thriving and we were all making tons of money.  Now, we're in a different market and keeping my north star in the back of my mind has been a big help.  When I wake up and don't want to come to work because I don't feel like getting out of my warm bed, I think of how far this will set me back from attaining my smaller goal of getting one big bear listing or selling a big bear property every week. 

I used to hear stories about markets like this where the seller would have to bring a check in to escrow to close the deal but for the past five years, it didn't seam like it would ever happen in my life time.  But,we are in a new market and we all have to figure out ways to work smarter, work harder than our competition,  and think outside of the box in order to survive.  I have found that by keeping my north star in the for-front of my mind and adjusting my short term goals, I know that I will survive in this market and I will also reach my north star.

As I drive around the Big Bear valley previewing listings I can't help but notice the "For Sale By Owner" signs that pop up from time to time.  I can't resist and have to stop and start asking questions.  One of my first questions is how much are they asking for the Big Bear property.  Once I get the price, that leads me into asking how they came up with the price.  Some of the answers that I get are so far out there that if it weren't for the fact that they are dealing with what is probably their largest financial asset, it would be comical.  I can't help but ask them if they cut their own hair.  With a very puzzled look on their face, they answer me with a no and then ask why I would ask such a crazy question.

If you are going to trust an expert to do something as simple as cutting your hair, why wouldn't you go to a professional to sell one of your largest and most cherished assets, your Big Bear cabin!  Is the commission that you plan to save by trying to sell your Big Bear Lake property worth it?  Is that  commission that you want to save, worth having you stuck in your Big Bear lake home 24 hours a day, seven days a week?  Is the commission you plan to save worth all of the aggravation of dealing with unqualified buyers who just want to waste your time with ridiculous offers?  Is that commission worth the risk of a law suite if all of the disclosures now required are not filled out properly?  Do you know where the buyers are coming from?  How are you going to market the home?  Are you really going to be saving that much money after you market your home in all the wrong places?

I don't know about you, but that five or six percent of the deal is well worth it when you consider all that we do.  Let's take a look at just a few of the key things that we do when we sell your Big Bear property

1. We, as Big Bear Realtors know where to market your property to give it maximum exposure.  We don't waste our marketing dollars in areas that don't produce buyers. 
2. We make your Big Bear property available to other agents through the Multiple Listing Service.  Now instead of one agent trying to sell your home, you have the entire force of the MLS working to find you a qualified buyer.
3. We, as your Big Bear agent pre-qualify the buyers.  This is done so that we don't waste your time with people who can't afford to buy a home.
4. From the minute you sign the listing paperwork and disclosures,until the escrow closes, you can rest assured that you have the very best agent working with you, covering all of the required paperwork and advising you through out the process.

So, the next time you think about selling your Big Bear property, look in the mirror and think of what you would look like if you cut your own hair!

Question?

It's early September and I'm leaving my Big Bear cabin for the night, but plan to be back tomorrow.  Do I have to winterize the cabin before I leave?

You don't have to winterize but I strongly recommend that any time you leave your Big Bear cabin after September 1st, even for a night that you do winterize it.  So many times you get down the hill and something comes up and you aren't able to get back to Big Bear.  Now, your cabin is sitting unprotected from the cold and it may be a month or longer before you are able to return. We've had two feet of snow as early as October 1st so you should always be prepared.  This morning is a perfect example of how quickly things can change in Big Bear.  When I went to bed last night, there was no mention of snow in the forecast.  It was cold and windy but that was about it.  When I woke up this morning, it was 12 degrees and we had a light dusting of snow on the ground.

Now, let's get back to your Big Bear cabin.  It's now the middle of November and you still haven't made it back to the cabin and we are getting very cold temperatures at night. Based off of the weather change that we had last night, there is a very good possibility that when you do get back to your Big Bear cabin, you will have broken water pipes.  If the pipes that break are under the house, it isn't to bad.  But if the pipes in the walls break, you are going to return to your Big Bear cabin and find a flooded mess!

I tell all of my clients that if they are leaving the cabin over night anytime after September 1st, they should winterize the cabin and continue this practice until Mothers Day has past.  If you follow this practice, then you will lesson the chances of having to deal with broken pipes and a flooded cabin upon your return.

If you own a cabin in Big Bear or are planning to purchase one and would like more information on winterizing, please email me

The snow is here and driving in the winter terrain can be challenging. Caltrans, California Highway Patrol (CHP), U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino County Sheriff, San Bernardino County Fire and the Big Bear Lake Resort Association have compiled winter driving tips for motorists who plan to travel to the mountains during the winter season.

WINTER DRIVING TIPS:

·Keep three car lengths away from the vehicle in front of you. The distance needed to stop on ice is twice as long as you would need to brake.

·NEVER brake suddenly while driving on ice - use brakes lightly.

·If you are required to put chains on, look for a turnout or find a safe area to pull over to the right side of the road out of the flow of traffic. DO NOT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY TO PUT CHAINS ON.

·Black ice remains on the roadway that is not subject to direct sunlight. Be careful when driving into shady areas and cautiously slow your vehicle on approach.

·If you go into a skid, special maneuvering is required. In a Front Wheel Drive, when your car begins to slide, slowly remove your foot from the accelerator, until you feel your wheels regain traction - do not brake! As your tires grab the road, slowly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want your front wheels to go. In a Rear Wheel drive vehicle, when you start to spin, remove your foot from the gas pedal and slowly steer in the direction you want the car to go. If you are still skidding, counter-steer until your vehicle is pointing in the right direction. Never apply steady pressure to the brakes.

·Make sure you can see out all windows of your vehicle before you drive.

·Use your low beams when driving in fog, ice or snowstorms.

·Reduce your speed before you approach a turn. Avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration. Travel gently, meaning move slowly, turn slowly, and brake slowly. Sudden changes can cause a skid.

·Be especially aware of your surroundings, including other drivers that may be losing control on the roadway. The posted speed limit may be 45-mph, however, that does not mean 45-mph is a safe speed for the conditions.

·When driving uphill pick a path that will allow the most traction.

·Make sure your tires have good tread and are properly inflated. Chains may be required in mountain areas so plan ahead. Make sure you install the chains on the drive tires. Refer to your vehicle's manual or contact your dealer if you are unsure if your vehicle is two wheel or rear wheel drive. It is crucial to put the chains on the proper tires.

·Carry emergency supplies, including: food, water, warm clothing, blankets, medication and a cell phone.

·Caltrans maintenance crews work continuously day and night using de-icing agents to keep the roadways clear for travelers. Please be patient and courteous while Caltrans crews work to keep the roads clear.

·Be courteous to other drivers and be aware of driving conditions before you make your trip.

CHAIN CONTROL REQIREMENT LEVELS:

W: No Restroctions - Watch for snow on payment

R-1: Chains are required on all commercial vehicles (trucks or buses). All other vehicles(cars, pick-ups, vans, etc.) must have either snow tread tires or chains on the drive axle.

R-2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel drives with snow tread tires. Four-wheel drive vehicles must carry chains in the vehicle.

R-3: Chains required - ALL VEHICLES - no exceptions.

C: Road Closed

T: Truck Hold - During major storms when traffic flow is heavy, Caltrans may hold tractor-trailer combinations at specific points below the snow line.

TS: Truck Screening - All semi-trucks will be checked to make sure they have a full set of tire chains before being allowed to travel into areas where chains will be required.

VS: Vehicle Screening - All vehicles will be checked to make sure they have a full set of tire chains before being allowed to travel into areas where chains will be required.

MT: Metering Traffic - Implemented when necessary to control the number of vehicles that feed into the snow area. This congestion control procedure gives Caltrans a better chance of keeping the freeway open.

R-1 and R-2 are the most common chain controls. The highway will often be closed before an R-3 control is imposed.

Snow chains can be purchased at retail department stores, sporting goods, and auto parts stores. Mountain weather can change dramatically on very short notice. For current road conditions, call Caltrans Public Affairs at (866) 383-4631 or Road Conditions at (800) 427-ROAD (1-800-427-7623). You may also check our website at www.caltrans8.info for road information and closures.

(Courtesy Caltrans)