While Mammoth Mountain may be your ultimate winter getaway we have tons of summer activities as well. You can enjoy mountain bike rides, hiking, fishing, camping and so much more!

The mountain is still open for skiing, Tioga Pass just opened yesterday to Yosemite and we are waiting for flooding from all of the snowmelt!

Our market is accelerating!  Inventory is low so if you are thinking of buying then contact me now!  

How High Can Southern California Home Prices Go?

Source: Orange County Register

For 62 straight months, Southern California home prices have gone in one direction. Up.

Five years ago, you could snatch up a median-priced condo in Orange and Los Angeles counties for about $280,000, 76 percent less than today’s prices. A median-priced house cost $323,000 in L.A. County five years ago and $495,000 in O.C., about $260,000 less than today’s prices in both counties.

Will prices keep rising or are they close to the top? Here’s what economists and industry analysts say about what the future holds for home prices in the region.

Southern California home prices aren’t about to drop. In fact, they believe prices will keep rising for two more years, at least, and possibly longer.

The market isn’t in a bubble — yet — although bubble talk is starting to “raise its ugly head” at cocktail parties, one economist said. Some analysts are saying Southern California home prices are showing signs of being overvalued.

If you’re thinking about buying a home, now just might be the time to act — provided you don’t overextend yourself and you plan to live there awhile.

Read the full story

How to Compare HoAs

Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs) are popular throughout much of the country. You’ll find that most condos and townhouses are part of an HOA as well as many single-family homes in subdivisions. When buying a home in an HOA, you have to consider more than just the property. Here are three ways you can compare HOAs to ensure you select the right one.

Amenities

The amenities offered by the HOA will be one of the main considerations for buyers. Most HOAs have at least a few basic amenities such as a common area and maintenance. Some have a local park while others include a swimming pool, tennis courts, golf course and other activities. Part of the amenities include services provided by the association. For example, lawn maintenance is often provided in condo associations while it is not as common in HOAs with single-family homes. Consider which amenities are provided versus which ones you will likely use. 

Fees

Tied into the amenities are the annual fees that HOAs charge. The cost of one HOA can drastically differ from another. Often, this is based on the amenities, but maintenance of the property is a contributing factor as well. These fees pay for repairs and regular maintenance, so HOAs with more amenities and more common areas will probably have higher fees.

Some of the older associations allow the contribution to be voluntary while most of the newer ones make paying fees a requirement. Always ask about all fees before you decide to buy into an association so you can figure it into your budget.

Restrictions

Most HOAs have some rules you must follow to live there. Some are basic, such as upkeep of the lawn. Ohers are more restrictive, such as what color you can paint the exterior of the house or how many trees you can have in the yard. Some associations will not allow decorations for holidays or limit the number of cars you can have parked in your driveway.

It’s important to find out about these restrictions before you buy a property. You’ll be bound by them, and you want to know that they won’t inhibit your enjoyment of the property.