Although temperatures have been below freezing at night for the last few weeks, lakefront homes in Big Bear continue to be selling. Arguably Big Bear's most desirable properties, homes on Big Bear Lake tend to sell year round as lakefront living is a four season experience. Of course most lakefront owners typically buy thinking of the summer months. But most find that the beautiful snowy views and serenity surrounding the lake in the midst of winter is equally as enjoyable.
The latest Big Bear waterfront home to sell was my listing at 205 Lagunita Lane. Being an older 1500 square foot lakeside retreat built in 1962, this home's value was mostly found in its land. The deep water, well forested, secluded location, along with a rare private boat launch, made this a premier, versatile property with which one could restore the original cabin, add on to the existing structure, or demolish the current home and build one's lakefront dream home from scratch.
Selling at $850,000 cash, this home closed at $562 per square foot, well above the $453 price per square foot average for Big Bear lakefronts this year.
In addition to this late season waterfront closing, there have been five other lakefront homes to have sold since the beginning of October, making it the busiest quarter of the year for lakefront sales. With one other waterfront home currently in escrow, if this pending sale closes before the end of the year, the fourth quarter will have had more lakefront sales that all three previous quarters combined.
So contrary to popular belief, the Big Bear lakefront real estate market is not just a summer thing. Because lakefront homes are so desirable, when the inventory is there and when that inventory is priced right, lakefront properties will sell year round. With our busy Holiday Season now upon us, and with the lake's water level rising due to recent precipitation, I anticipate that we'll continue to see interest in Big Bear lakefront homes as we ring in the New Year.