Porsche Timeline in Lake Arrowhead Village

Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Southern California? Here is a fun, low-cost idea. Head up the hill to #LakeArrowheadVillage for the annual Porsche Timeline.

Since the event is free, all you’ll have to come up with is gas and spending money to tour the village, where 70 vintage, tricked-out Porsches representing several exciting models and styles from the early 50’s to 2015 will be on display. The public is invited, with or without a Porsche. And if you drive a Porsche but don’t want to register it, you will still be able to enjoy free, priority-Porsche-only parking in the Village parking lot. And this year’s event is especially noteworthy because it ushers in the first weekend of Oktoberfest, where food and fun reign supreme.

The 2014 Lake Arrowhead Village Porsche Timeline is sponsored by Porsche Riverside Region Club of America.

Sponsored by the Riverside Our Region, which was founded in March 1968, the timeline event incorporates enthusiasts from the Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial counties of Southern California, extending into the high desert north towards Las Vegas and south throughout the southern deserts, including Palm Springs. The Riverside Porsche region is the largest group within the PCA Zone 8 of Southern California, representing approximately 600 members. What that means for tourists in #LakeArrowheadVillage is that more Porsches will be parked this weekend than at virtually any other So Cal event. So the nice thing about the #LakeArrowhead event is that it gives permission to peek at Porsches…something most people do every time they see one in a lot or on the street.

Porsche owners will be able to take advantage of expert-information about vehicle services and discounts offered by regional Porsche dealers and independent service and parts vendors. Even Porsche members who are not yet a member of PCA, and Porsche lookie loos are invited to come on by and “kick some tires” and join the fun! Also, as usual in Lake Arrowhead, there are tons of outlet and specialty stores, restaurants and activities on Center Stage.

Once you’ve checked out the Porsche Timeline, you might decide to invest in a vacation or full-time home. But real estate investing can be tricky—whether you are buying your first home, purchasing a vacation home, or upgrading from a starter. If you are interested in buying or selling property in Lake Arrowhead, California or the surrounding area, don’t get caught in a Catch 22 — owning two homes or none at all. The Prime Team is the only group of real estate agents in the Lake Arrowhead area who stand by our services by offering a number of guaranteed sales and purchasing programs. So don’t miss a prime opportunity to take advantage of today’s market. We’ll answer all of your questions today, and you’re never under any obligation. Call 1-909-337-7653 and ask for a member of the Prime Team.

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Fall Fun at Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest

Let’s face it. Unless you are enrolled in a study-abroad program or are a wealthy jet-setter, you probably don’t have time or money to fly to Munich each fall to celebrate Oktoberfest. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beer, bratwurst and associated festivities of a traditional Oktoberfest celebration. Just drive up to #LakeArrowhead to celebrate FOR FREE right here in the United States, where you will be able to party without the hassle and cost of a trip to Europe.

#LakeArrowheadVillage offers arguably the best, most authentic Oktoberfest in Southern California. This year’s event (Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest 2014) kicks off on in a genuine Alpine Village, complete with authentic food and free entertainment, on Saturdays and Sundays from September 27 – October 25.

Often referred to as the jewel of Southern California, Lake Arrowhead is the closest thing in the Inland Empire to Europe in regard to beauty and old world charm. This makes it the perfect place to celebrate the time-honored tradition of Oktoberfest! So don’t miss out on this year’s free events:

• German Music—this year’s lineup is packed with great, authentic live bands
• German Beer—more German and specialty beers on tap than any other Oktoberfest in the #InlandEmpire
• Food—bratwurst, knockwurst, German potato salad, pretzels, hot dogs, sauerkraut, rotisserie and more are sold by vendors and Village merchants, alike
• Fun & Games—stein-holding contests, sausage toss, chicken dance and dog costume competition…to name a few!
• Oktoberfest Midway—enjoy shopping in #LakeArrowheadVillage at event booths as well as Village merchants
• Click here for a complete list of Oktoberfest events.

One of the unique offerings offered over several weekends at #LakeArrowheadOktoberfest is Master of Ceremonies Pieter Meister. Event organizers say he is the most energetic and entertaining Meister in the business, having trained in the beer factories of Germany and raised on the streets of California. You will be amazed at his ability to combine Ein Prosit together with Sweet Caroline.

Once you’ve celebrated Oktoberfest in Lake Arrowhead, you might decide to invest in a vacation or full-time home. But real estate investing can be tricky—whether you are buying your first home, purchasing a vacation home, or upgrading from a starter. If you are interested in buying or selling property in Lake Arrowhead, California or the surrounding area, don’t get caught in a Catch 22 — owning two homes or none at all. The Prime Team is the only group of real estate agents in the Lake Arrowhead area who stand by our services by offering a number of guaranteed sales and purchasing programs. So don’t miss a prime opportunity to take advantage of today’s market. We’ll answer all of your questions today, and you’re never under any obligation. Call 1-909-337-7653 and ask for a member of the Prime Team.

Prime Properties Lake Arrowhead Home Tour 2014

Driving through #LakeArrowhead is a unique experience—instead of cookie-cutter spec homes crammed together, as in the valleys below, San Bernardino Mountain houses have been built in unique family neighborhoods with rich foliage and custom construction. Have you ever wished you could see the interior of some of these homes? Now is your chance!

If you buy VIP tickets, on Friday, September 19 you can take a tour of the VIP Gala at Canterbury Estates home with fine food, wine and music. Saturday tickets include a tour from 9 a.m. -5 p.m., and a boat shuttle to the lake home and a shuttle to a Cedar Ridge Estate home. Unfortunately, tickets for the Lake Arrowhead Home Tour run from $90-$100. And if you see anything you like, you won’t be able to purchase it because the homes on the chamber tour are not for sale. However, if you would like to enjoy a relaxing tour of up to six homes in just two hours for free, we have another option for you—and it isn’t relegated to a single weekend in the fall.

Prime Home Tour

Next tour scheduled for September 13, 2014

You Can View 6 Homes in Two Hours!

The Prime Home Tour is a quick and easy way to preview several homes in a couple of hours without any pressure or hassle, and it’s a great way to get an overview of the homes and features available in your price range.

Here’s how it works: On a special weekend, we conduct a tour of six homes. The tour runs between 11 a.m. and 1:15 .pm., and you can meet us at any home on tour. Feel free to drive by the homes before their scheduled tour times. But once the tour starts, don’t be late for the one(s) you want to preview. There will be lots of other buyers on the tour, and show times are exact.

Our Prime Home Tours Differ From Traditional Open Houses

Traditional open houses are sometimes uncomfortable for both buyers and sellers because you’ve often got a hovering agent watching your every move. Most importantly, they’re NOT very effective at selling homes either. In fact, according to industry statistics, less than 1% of homes are sold as a result of a traditional open house. That’s why we don’t do them.

In contrast, our well-organized and efficient Prime Home Tour is much more convenient and productive for both buyers and sellers. We have found that most buyers can determine within a very short time-frame whether or not they’re interested in a home they’ve previewed. If you see a home on the tour that you’re interested in, a second private showing can easily be scheduled for you (often later in the same day). Click here to register! 

Real estate investing can be tricky—whether you are buying your first home, purchasing a vacation home, or upgrading from a starter. If you are interested in buying or selling property in Lake Arrowhead, California or the surrounding area, don’t get caught in a Catch 22 — owning two homes or none at all. The Prime Team is the only group of real estate agents in the Lake Arrowhead area who stand by our services by offering a number of guaranteed sales and purchasing programs. So don’t miss a prime opportunity to take advantage of today’s market. We’ll answer all of your questions today, and you’re never under any obligation. Call 1-909-337-7653 and ask for a member of the Prime Team.

How to Quickly Sell Your Home

Few things are as frustrating as listing your house for sale only to watch it sit on the real estate market for days, weeks, months, even years…without a bite. If you have decided to list your home, whether out of necessity or just because you would like to upgrade, your best case scenario is to sell the property fast. After all; time is money. And the harsh reality is that homes that sit for sale for long periods of time typically sell for much less than their short-run counterparts. So how can you make sure your house sells quickly and for top dollar?

Here are five time-tested tips for rapidly selling your home:

1. Set realistic expectations. Before you start counting chickens before they are hatched, do a little bit of research. You can check on websites like Zillow or Trulia to figure a rough estimate of value. But don’t put too much stock into what you find…particularly if your listing is in an area with lots of variety. Another thing you won’t be able to detect from public information is how long properties sit on the market before generating offers. And as the seller, you will likely be asked to absorb at least some of the closing costs. So don’t make the mistake of estimating too much potential profit. This could leave you disappointed and disillusioned even if your house nets a tidy sum.

2. Ask the right price. The enemy to a quick sale is to ask too much for your home. Of course, many buyers are afraid of leaving money on the table. But if your house is priced to sell and in tip-top shape, you could generate enough interest to start a bidding war. And even homes that are located in low demand areas pique interest when they are offered at bargain prices. One of the most important reasons to hire an experienced listing agent is because professionals have the ability to subjectively evaluate a home’s value. Most owners are unable to separate their own hopes, dreams and needs from the actual value of their property.

3. De-clutter, clean and fix it up. Nothing detracts from value so much as a dirty, unkempt, overcrowded house. So do whatever it takes to de-personalize your property. Remove family heirlooms and photographs so home to help buyers picture themselves in your home. It may be necessary to hire handymen, painters and housecleaners to get your property up to snuff. Consider doing so, as you will likely see a higher return on your investment.

4. Stage it. If you can swing it, hire a professional home staging crew. Studies reveal that staged homes sell faster and for more money than empty buildings or over-crowded properties. Although your home means a lot to you, it may not fit in with the expectations of the average buyer. So making it as attractive, de-cluttered and clean as possible will up your ability to quickly sell.

5. List with the right team. Homes are usually the highest-ticket item anyone sells or buys. So the importance of working with the right team cannot be overstated. The right realtor brings a lot to the table: education, experience, neighborhood knowledge, price guidance, information about market conditions, professional networking, negotiating prowess, paperwork processing, closing questions, confidentiality, and the ability to serve as a buffer between sellers and potential buyers. What’s more, some real estate agencies (such as the Prime Team) actually offer guaranteed sales and purchasing programs. So don’t go it alone.

Real estate investing can be tricky—whether you are buying your first home, purchasing a vacation home, or upgrading from a starter. If you are interested in buying or selling property in Lake Arrowhead, California or the surrounding area, don’t get caught in a Catch 22 — owning two homes or none at all. The Prime Team is the only group of real estate agents in the Lake Arrowhead area who stand by our services by offering a number of guaranteed sales and purchasing programs. So don’t miss a prime opportunity to take advantage of today’s market. We’ll answer all of your questions today, and you’re never under any obligation. Call 1-909-337-7653 and ask for a member of the Prime Team.

Pristine Home with Tree View

Should You Buy Vacation Property? Five Things to Consider.

As we discussed in last week’s post, there are plenty of reasons to consider investing in vacation property.

Wouldn’t you prefer a specious, relaxing home-away-from-home where you can build new traditions along with equity instead of overpaying for cramped quarters? Of course, the idea of investing in property is nice. But is it really practical?

Here are five things you should consider before buying vacation investment property:

1. Is your holding period at least five years?
   The real estate market estate ebbs and flows. So you shouldn’t venture in if you want to quickly cash out, especially with vacation property. Since vacation homes are located in resort communities like Lake Arrowhead, California, the market is even more susceptible to market downturns than primary residences located in residential communities. The reasons for this are many. But the bottom line is that people are quick to sell second homes when things get rough.

   2. Could you rent the property when you aren’t using it?
   Even if you plan to use your vacation home and have absolutely no intention of renting it out, you would be wise to purchase one that has income potential. Homes that can be rented are more generally more valuable than their less desirable counterparts. Also, if the market takes a downturn, renting it out could help you ride out the market until things improve. What’s more; it’s a good idea to have the option of renting to others in case your circumstances change.
   
   3. Would your tax situation benefit from income property?
   Since there are significant tax advantages to renting vacation property, make sure you select a home that will give the option of declaring expenses if you decide to rent it out.

   4. Will you be able to properly budget carrying costs?
   Even if you can handle the mortgage on a second home, make sure you consider additional associated expenses such as taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance. Also include landscaping, care-taking, exterminating, property management, repairs, periodic exterior painting, etc. To be safe, you should set aside two percent of the home’s value annually for maintenance-related costs. Then, add at least 10 percent for contingencies.

5. Can you afford to buy in the perfect location?
Although you might easily afford something in a less-than-desirable neighborhood, do you really want to vacation where it isn’t safe? Would anyone want to rent from you if the place is located in an area with high-crime? Did you know that more than 80 percent of second-home buyers choose a house within driving distance from their primary residence?

Real estate investing can be tricky—whether you are buying your first home, purchasing a vacation home, or upgrading from a starter. If you are interested in buying or selling property in Lake Arrowhead, California or the surrounding area, don’t get caught in a Catch 22 — owning two homes or none at all. The Prime Team is the only group of real estate agents in the Lake Arrowhead area who stand by our services by offering a number of guaranteed sales and purchasing programs. So don’t miss a prime opportunity to take advantage of today’s market. We’ll answer all of your questions today, and you’re never under any obligation. Call 1-909-337-7653 and ask for a member of the Prime Team.

Should You Buy Vacation Property?

While it may seem attractive to rent timeshare property or register at a hotel for your next holiday, consider the benefits of buying a vacation home in your ideal location:

• Equity—why pay rent to cover someone else’s mortgage when your vacation dollars could be building a nest egg? Since the average amount spent on vacation is just over $1,600, according to a study done by Visa, you could greatly reduce the amount spent on meals eaten out and rentals by applying vacation funds directly to your investment portfolio.

• Home Away From Home—one of the drags about going on vacation is all of the prep work required. Since packing and lugging your belongings is an unnecessary requirement if you own the home you travel to, vacation home owners rest more than their hotel-going counterparts. After the initial move in, the only thing you’ll need to bring with you on your next trip is a good book.

• Room to Relax—why pay per night to rent someone else’s cubicle when you could buy an entire multi-room facility suited precisely to your own taste? Regardless of your budget, the cost-per-stay will go down with every trip if you stay in your own place. And if you take the plunge and buy a vacation home, you will actually save money the more vacations you decide to take!

• A Place for New Traditions—if you are taking a family vacation, you are likely doing it (at least in part) to build memories with your family. Purchasing a second home is an investment in family because it will allow you to develop rich family traditions.

• Potential for Income—as much as you would love to vacation every day, chances are that your opportunities to get away will be tempered with the demands of the real world—jobs, kids in school, community responsibilities. So you might consider letting your vacation home pay for itself by renting it out. If you buy right, you should be able to entice vacation hunters to pay by the day to stay instead of letting the home sit empty. Many income property owners enjoy their second homes almost rent-free by generating sufficient income during vacation season to cover the total amount of their annual mortgage payments.

• Time to Grow— since people rarely increase their wealth by owning property for short periods of time, long-term vacation property investing makes a lot of sense. Instead of purchasing property to let it sit idle while the market improves, why not buy something you can enjoy while it appreciates?

Real estate investing can be tricky—whether you are buying your first home, purchasing a vacation home, or upgrading from a starter. If you are interested in buying or selling property in Lake Arrowhead, California or the surrounding area, don’t get caught in a Catch 22 — owning two homes or none at all. The Prime Team is the only group of real estate agents in the Lake Arrowhead area who stand by our services by offering a number of guaranteed sales and purchasing programs. So don’t miss a prime opportunity to take advantage of today’s market. We’ll answer all of your questions today, and you’re never under any obligation. Call 1-909-337-7653 and ask for a member of the Prime Team.

Buy or Sell Your Lake Arrowhead Home

Lake Arrowhead is a 4-season resort community centered around a private lake. Arrowhead Woods defines the area of land surrounding the lake and homeowners who live in Arrowhead Woods enjoy lake rights. Homes surrounding the lake vary from cabins and cottages to lodges and estates.

Whether you want to sell your home or buy one, you couldn’t pick a better group of people to guide you through the somewhat daunting process of buying or selling a home. The Prime Properties’ Prime Team has successfully sold millions of dollars worth of real estate throughout our careers. And we work together, in tandem, so you aren’t left waiting by the phone for someone to return your call. We consider ourselves lucky to work together and even luckier to live and work in the San Bernardino Mountains–selling the most beautiful real estate in Southern California.

So don’t venture out into the cold, hard world of residential real estate without the Prime Team by your side. We are so committed to selling your home that we will offer to buy it from you if it hasn’t sold in 90 days. If you’d like to hear more, give us a call today (909) 337-SOLD (7653) or complete this contact form.

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