Big Bear City Home Tour: 3-Bed Single-Level for $524,900

What does a $524,900 home in Big Bear City get you?

At the time of this tour, $524,900 bought a single-level, three-bedroom, two-bath home of about 1,400 square feet in a quiet Big Bear City neighborhood south of the airport. It comes with a concrete driveway that fits about six cars, a two-car garage, skylights, a gas fireplace, and well-kept decks front and back. It works as a full-time home, a second home, or a rental candidate, if the rules for the property allow it.

By Rachael Smith | October 17, 2026

Most of the cabins people dream about in Big Bear come with a catch: steep driveways, lots of stairs, and trees leaning over the roof.

This one doesn't.

I just listed a one-level home off Salem Road, near Mountain Lane in Big Bear City, and I walked through every room on camera so you can see what it looks like before you drive up the hill.

I'm going to use this home as an example of what to look for in a Big Bear City house, whether you're buying or just comparing. The price was $524,900 when I filmed, so check current status before you plan a showing.

Why the Big Bear City location works

This street sits on the lower side of the valley, south of the airport, in a part of Big Bear City full of well-cared-for primary homes.

What I notice every time I'm there: neighbors. You've got actual neighbors, yards, and garages, which is a rare find in a lot of Big Bear neighborhoods. Watch Rachael describe the neighborhood at 0:00.

That matters if you plan to live here full time. A street with year-round residents tends to get plowed, watched over, and cared for in ways a seasonal street doesn't. In my experience, buyers who plan to use a home as a primary residence feel that difference the first winter.

The basics

• 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• One level, about 1,400 square feet
• Two-car garage plus driveway parking for about six cars
• Concrete driveway with a very low slope
• Central heat, no air conditioning, which is normal for the mountains
• Dual-pane windows and skylights

The exterior: check this stuff first

I always start outside, and so should you. That driveway is concrete and gently sloped, so it won't be a battle once the snow starts. Watch Rachael walk the driveway at 1:42.

Then look under the deck. Here's where the mountain-specific details live:

• The stop-and-waste valve, which is covered under the deck, so you can find it in winter
• The gas meter, tucked where it's less likely to get buried by snow
• The electrical panel and a cleanout
• The deck posts, which are beefy and solid

I pointed all of this out on the tour because it's exactly what a good inspector will look at, and it's what you'd want to know before closing. Watch Rachael explain the under-deck setup at 2:07.

If you're curious how a freeze-protection setup works, I wrote up the steps in how to winterize a Big Bear cabin before the first storm. For a look at what inspectors flag on mountain homes, read my seller inspection checklist for Big Bear cabins.

The trees matter too. The pines on this lot are healthy and a good distance from the house, and I'd tell any buyer to look at that on every property they tour.

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Want more Big Bear real estate insights like this? Rachael walks through new listings, neighborhoods, and what to check before you write an offer every week on her YouTube channel. Subscribe here so you never miss a home tour.

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Inside: living room, kitchen, and dining

You walk in on plank flooring, then step down into carpet in the living room. The fireplace is a gray rock pebble wall with a real wood mantle and a gas starter, so cozy nights don't mean hauling firewood. Watch Rachael show the fireplace at 4:56.

Above you is pine tongue-and-groove ceiling with skylights, which brings in a lot of light on a gloomy day. And I was there on one.

The kitchen follows the same mountain look:

• Pine cabinetry with plenty of storage
• Matching white appliances, including a dishwasher
• A cast-iron double sink under a window
• Bar seating for four, plus a pull-out pantry

It has what you need whether you're a full-time resident or a second-home owner. Watch Rachael tour the kitchen at 7:15.

The dining room can fit a bigger table than what the sellers had in there, and the slider opens to a deck that's been well maintained. That's an important detail. Wood decks tell you a lot about how a home was cared for, and this one is in excellent shape.

A heads-up on furniture: it's negotiable, so you can ask for it in an offer. Watch Rachael explain that at 7:00.

Bedrooms, baths, and the garage

All three bedrooms are carpeted, with mirrored sliding closets, and the home is drywall throughout. The two bedrooms I showed are close in size, and either one could hold a king bed. Watch Rachael walk the bedrooms at 13:35.

The primary bath has a marble-look vanity, log-style pulls, and a shower with a seat. The hall bath has a tub, a skylight, and updated fixtures. Watch Rachael tour the primary bath at 17:04.

The two-car garage was added after the original build. It's flat, concrete, and wired with plenty of electrical, so it could be a game room, a media room, or extra space for the kids. Watch Rachael show the garage at 19:03.

One more thing I noticed in the backyard: the neighbor has solar panels, which makes this a good candidate for solar if that's on your list.

Is this home a rental candidate?

Here's the honest version. The home was briefly part of a vacation rental program, then came off it because it wasn't the right fit. It's been barely used, more like a second home than a full-time house, and it shows.

If you're thinking about short-term rental income, don't assume anything. Confirm the current rules for this specific property with the city or county, and run your own numbers using conservative occupancy. Rules change, and I'm not giving legal advice here. Watch Rachael explain the rental history at 6:09.

Common questions about homes like this

Is a single-level home easier to own in Big Bear?
Generally, yes. One-level living means no interior stairs and simpler access in winter. You'll still want to check the driveway slope, the deck access, and where the water shut-off is.

Does a Big Bear City home need air conditioning?
Most don't have it. This home has central heat and no A/C, which is normal up here. If cooling matters to you, ask your inspector and an HVAC professional what's possible.

What should I check on the outside of a mountain home?
Look at the driveway slope and parking, the stop-and-waste valve, the gas meter, the electrical panel, the deck, and how far the trees are from the structure.

Your next step

A one-level home with good parking, a two-car garage, and a clean, well-kept deck is a rare find at $524,900 in Big Bear City. The best way to see whether it fits your plans is to watch the full tour and bring your own checklist.

If you want to see more Big Bear homes the way I walk them, with the exterior details, the mountain-specific systems, and the honest notes, subscribe to my YouTube channel. And if you'd like to see this one in person, reach out and we'll set up a time.

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.