All Forum Posts by: Mike R.

Yep, Big Bear is all I do- now managing 3 properties (I own one looking to buy another) They each over 200 nights a year. I emailed you. 

Congrats! Where is your place? If you are ever looking for management- let me know!

Hi Brad, I wrote you to your private email on here. 

Hi Lauren, I have a place in Big Bear I have now been renting for 2.5 years I also manage cabins for people and consult on what places to buy - I'm the one who actually helped Michael Perez find an amazing home- and will be managing it for him. 

Big Bear is GREAT 4 season for rentals as long as you buy the right place and you are very active in managing it. I'm not sure why anyone would say winters aren't good in Big Bear- I have been 100% booked on my place from Thanksgiving to Presidents Day every year so far. And this year will avg 225 nights  rented on my home. Not everyone will do as well- but if you are available 24/7 to answer rental inquiries you should do well with Big Bear.

You do not want a condo and you HAVE to have a spa. You DO NOT want anything other than Big Bear Lake. 2, 3 or 4 bedroom will attract different people but won't really effect how much money you make per season. There are big families looking for 8 beds and romantic couples looking for 1 or 2 beds. I find my 3+1 makes as much as my 4+3. In the off season my 3+1 is booked most nights while my 4+3 is booked solid and I can charge a lot more during holidays. 

There definitely are certain things you need in Big Bear to go from 100 nights rented to 200 nights rented a year. If you are looking for a consultant/management let me know, would love to discuss more. 

Time to buy all new sheets for my cabin.  I want to go a little more high end hotel /spa this time around- although no one ever complained about the sheets I was using. 

Any suggestions? Cotton or micro-fiber? 

Also curious: How often so you buy all new sheets and throw out the old ones? Every year? Two years? 

The important thing is obviously feel, durability as well as wrinkle free. (My cleaner doesn't iron) 

Big Bear city does not rent out nearly as well. People want to be near the ski slopes and the village. It's nice to own there as the utilities cost less and there is no regulations for short term rentals- but just not worth it. 3+2 would rent in Big bear city in peak for maybe $150 a night while in Moonridge it would be $250.

And unless it's close to FoxFarm it's usually not as nice of neighborhoods- many have chain link fences and just aren't kept as nice. 

@Eric Dowling thanks! LOve to hear more about where your place is and what works and doesn't. Do you have a VRBO or AirBnB link you can send me here or in private? Congrats on all your success! 

And the big question- if they suspend licenses for 6 months- better to buy after that as prices will come down or buy a place before- as you'll be locked in and thus less new competition for awhile? 

@John D. I was thinking that too- look in surrounding areas- but those seem so tied into events and not "reputation of location" like Palm Springs. People want to go there for vacations no matter what is going on. 

But sounds like @Eric Dowling is doing well with his Cathedral City one- so maybe! 

I have a rental in Big Bear Lake that does very well. There are no STR restrictions in Big Bear- but you do need a license in Big Bear Lake- but easy to get. I rent out 210 nights and year and am now managing 2 others as well. I love the area- just great ROI and a fun place to visit and I work with great locals.