3-Bed Home for Sale in Big Bear City: $524,900 Tour

What does $524,900 buy you in Big Bear City right now?

A meticulously maintained, single-level 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home of about 1,400 square feet near the Big Bear City airport, listed at $524,900. It includes a two-car garage, a low-sloping concrete driveway that parks about six more cars, a gas fireplace, a pine tongue-and-groove ceiling, and two recently maintained decks. The furniture is negotiable, and the home works as a primary residence, second home, or rental candidate.

By Rachael Smith | October 16, 2026

If you're shopping Big Bear City under $525,000, you want to know one thing first: is it a house you can actually live in, or a project that looks good in photos?

This one is the former. I toured it on camera, and here's what stood out in person.

The home sits south of the airport in Big Bear City, in a neighborhood with streets like Bowmont and Rally. In my experience, this part of town is where you find well-cared-for primary homes. They have yards, garages, and — this is the rare part in Big Bear — actual neighbors.

It's a 3-bedroom, 2-bath, single-level home of about 1,400 square feet, listed at $524,900. I listed it myself, and I can tell you the inside is meticulously maintained. Watch Rachael start the tour at 1:04 to see that first impression.

Parking, driveway, and what's under the deck

Start with the driveway, because it tells you how the house will treat you in January.

The concrete driveway has a very low slope and fits about six cars. Add a two-car garage and you've solved parking for guests, family, or a rental.

That low slope matters. A steep driveway is one of the most common winter headaches up here, and this isn't one.

I also walked under the deck, since that's where the mountain-specific details live:

• The stop-and-waste valve is under the deck, so it's covered and easy to find in winter.
• The gas meter and electrical panel are in the same area, and the deck is held up by sturdy pillars.
• The water heater is under there too, which is worth knowing before you ever need a plumber.

Buyers skip this part of a tour all the time. Don't. Watch Rachael walk the under-deck utilities at 2:07 if you've never seen how a Big Bear home is set up for snow.

Inside: wood, light, and a real mantle

You come in through a wood door with glass panes, onto wood plank flooring. I love wood plank because it picks up all the character of a cabin, and you can sand and stain it whenever you want a fresh look.

The living room has carpet in decent shape, a gray rock pebble fireplace, and a real piece of wood for the mantle. It's a gas fireplace with a gas starter, so there's no hauling logs on a Tuesday night.

Above you is a pine tongue-and-groove ceiling with beautiful knots, plus skylights and a slider that pull in light. The windows are dual pane.

Watch Rachael show the fireplace and mantle at 4:56.

One note on the history: the owners barely used the house. It was briefly on a vacation rental program, wasn't the right fit, and is now off it. That's why the carpet and finishes look the way they do.

Also, the furniture is matching and negotiable. If you want a turnkey mountain place, you can request it in your offer.

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Kitchen, dining room, and the deck

The kitchen is pine cabinetry with matching white appliances and a mica laminate counter in a clean gray tone with white flecks. There's a pull-out pantry, a dishwasher, a cast iron double sink under a window, and bar seating for four.

I wouldn't call it a luxury kitchen. I'd call it a kitchen that works for a full-time resident, a second-home owner, or a vacation rental guest, and that's exactly what a home at this price should do. Watch Rachael tour the kitchen at 7:15.

The dining room has room for a bigger table than the one in there now, and it opens to the outside deck through a slider.

The wood on the deck is in excellent shape and has clearly been kept up. There's a gas line for a barbecue, pine trees all around, and none of the trees are threatening the home.

The front porch doesn't give you yard access, which adds a little privacy. If you're planning on a morning coffee spot, this is it. Watch Rachael step onto the deck at 9:47.

Bedrooms, bathrooms, and the heating question

Down the hallway you'll find the laundry, with a washer and dryer on vinyl flooring, and the central heating intake. The home has central heat and no air conditioning. In Big Bear you rarely need A/C, so I treat that as a minor point, not a problem.

Here's the layout:

• Bedroom one: ivory carpet, a mirrored sliding closet, and enough room for a king-size bed even though a double is in there now.
• Bedroom two: currently set up with bunk beds. You could put a king in here, too.
• Bedroom three (primary): a real wood queen headboard, outdoor deck access, and a dual mirrored closet.

The hall bath has vinyl flooring, a skylight, and a white tub insert. The primary bath has a one-piece marble vanity, log-style handles, and a shower with a seat, but no tub.

Everything is drywall and in good shape, with crown molding around the doors. Honest note: I didn't climb into the attic, so I can't speak to what's up there. A home inspection will cover that.

Backyard, garage, and the flexible space

The back deck matches the front deck in condition. A neighbor has solar on the roof, which tells me the lot could be a good solar candidate, though you'd want a solar professional to confirm.

The two-car garage is worth a mention. The previous owners added it after buying the home, when the lot was a blank canvas. It has a concrete foundation, a flat, level apron, and electrical throughout.

I've seen garages like this turned into game rooms, movie rooms, or a second living room for the kids. If you need space, this is where it comes from. Watch Rachael open the garage at 19:03.

Is this home right for you?

Here's how I'd think about it:

1. Primary residence: single level, a gentle driveway, a garage, and neighbors make it livable year-round.
2. Second home: the barely-used condition and negotiable furniture mean you can show up with a suitcase.
3. Rental candidate: it was briefly in a vacation rental program, so if that's your plan, confirm current short-term rental rules for the property before you write an offer.

If you're comparing options in the same area, I toured another single-story home that's under $500,000 with a different set of trade-offs. You can read the Big Bear City home with ski slope views tour and compare the two.

Before you make an offer on any Big Bear home, I'd ask three questions: how old is the roof, where is the stop-and-waste valve, and what has been permitted versus added over the years. Those answers tell you more about your first winter than the listing photos ever will. A good inspection and a conversation with your agent will fill in the rest.

The takeaway: at $524,900, this home gives you a level entry-to-bedroom layout, real parking, wood finishes that feel like a cabin, and a garage with room to grow.

If you want to see it in person, subscribe to my YouTube channel for more tours like this, and reach out through buyinbigbearlake.com or call 909-744-2190 to set up a private showing.

About Rachael Smith
Rachael Smith is a top-producing real estate agent with RE/MAX Big Bear, specializing in mountain homes, short-term rental investments, and luxury properties in Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas. With over a decade of experience and hundreds of homes sold, she helps buyers, sellers, and investors make smart, strategic real estate decisions. Through her strong online presence and data-driven approach, Rachael connects clients with opportunities both on and off the market.