This is the moment I've been waiting for all year - the most recent lakefront home to sell, 39623 Lake Drive, marks the 32nd Big Bear lakefront to sell in 2012. This doubles the 16 sales we had in 2011. That's a 100% increase in sales! Seems like the lakefront home market has turned a corner.
39623 Lake Drive is a rare new construction on the lake. This 4 bed, 3.5 bath, 2883 square foot home was completed in the current year. Originally listed at $1,250,000 and later price reduced to $1,199,500, this lakefront closed at $1,035,000 resulting in a price per square foot of $359 and selling at 85% it's list price at time of sale.
The exterior of this home is made of vertical barn wood. This new style seems to be desirable to Big Bear homes buyers. It gives a rustic mountain feel and is a nice change of pace from the ever popular log style homes that have become commonplace throughout the Big Bear Valley. This home had all the contemporary fixtures one would expect from a new constuction - granite counters, stainless steel appliances, upgraded fixtures and finishes. Complete with a 2 car garage, a spa on the deck overlooking Big Bear Lake, and coming sufficiently furnished, this home was turn-key for either the permanent resident or vacation home owner alike.
The one drawback to this property is its location. The home sits atop a hillside set relatively far back from the water. It fronts Holloway's Marina and the view from the home is mostly of docks and boats. There is also a concern of potential marina noise during summer months. As well, this home did not have a boat dock currently in place although it does have dock rights.
Again, this home marks the doubling of lakefront home sales this year. With only 22 homes for sale on Big Bear Lake at this time and with buyer activity near all-time highs, it appears the Big Bear lakefront real estate market turn we've been waiting for is finally here!