It looks like a single-story, three-bedroom, two-bath home with 1,321 square feet, a two-car garage, and a level lot in the Whispering Forest neighborhood of Big Bear City. You get gas fireplace comfort, a primary bath with an indoor hot tub, parking for about seven cars, and ski slope views from the street. It's priced around $499,000, and the furniture is negotiable.
By Rachael Smith | October 11, 2026
If you've been searching Big Bear City for a home that works as a full-time residence, a second home, or a rental, this one deserves a look.
I walked through it on camera so you can see every room before you ever drive up the hill.
Here's what stood out to me, and what I'd want you to think about before you book a showing.
The home sits off White Mountain in Whispering Forest, north of the airport. You're about a mile and a half from the lake and two miles from the grocery stores.
The ski slopes are roughly five miles away, and the Village is about six. That's a practical spot for daily life, not just weekends.
The lot is about 8,100 square feet and set up nicely on a little hillside. The driveway gets plenty of sun, so you're not fighting with ice and plowing as much as you would on a shaded lot. The slope is gentle, too.
You can park about five cars on the blacktop, plus two more in the garage. Watch Rachael walk through the parking at 1:44 if you're picturing guests, a rental crowd, or a few trucks.
One honest note: the property line on the street side is a bit of a mystery. Some bricks near the edge look like they belong to the neighbor. Any home you're serious about deserves a survey and a title review, and this one is no exception.
It's about three steps up to a flat, single-level floor plan. If you have parents, guests, or a future version of yourself who doesn't love stairs, that's a real advantage in the mountains.
I point out the entry and the single-story layout at 2:00.
The exterior is a light blue with white trim, and there's a covered porch with wood decking and railing. It's a good spot for your morning coffee. The yard was just cleaned up by the RE/MAX yard crew, and the pines give you good privacy from the neighbors.
You walk straight into the living room, with the dining room, kitchen, and backyard access all off to the right. Bedrooms and bathrooms run down the hallway to the left.
The ceilings are vaulted, the trim is a dark teal, and the floors are a gray laminate wood look that's easy to clean. The walls have tongue-and-groove cedar, but it's not overdone. You get hints of that cabin feel without every surface turning into wood.
The centerpiece is the original rounded brick fireplace. It's gas, so you can have a fire going in about ten seconds. The seller recently painted it Sherwin-Williams Muddled Basil, a green-gray-brown that looks great. Some buyers will love the paint, and some will want the original brick back.
See the fireplace and living room at 4:59.
The kitchen is open to the living room, which is a rare find in older Big Bear cabins. In a lot of Gambrel-style homes, the cook gets closed off at one end of the house. Here, you're part of the conversation.
You get Micarta countertops with a granite look, oak cabinetry, a gas stove, an upgraded microwave, a dishwasher, and plenty of storage. Dual-pane windows run throughout. Check out the kitchen at 6:20.
Want more Big Bear real estate insights like this? Rachael breaks down home tours, price points, and what your money buys across Big Bear every week on her YouTube channel. Subscribe here so you never miss a new tour.
The three bedrooms have matching wood log-style bed frames, and the carpet is in excellent shape. In my experience, buyers underestimate how much carpet condition affects move-in costs. This carpet doesn't need replacing.
The common bathroom has a marble-top vanity, a plastic tub insert, updated fixtures, and venting. The laundry area has a full-size washer and dryer with storage above. Real closets and deep hallway storage make this a good primary home or second home, not just a cabin you visit twice a year.
The primary suite is why I kept saying "just wait" in the video. The bathroom sits inside a turret, with two stained glass windows that echo the ones in the kitchen, a mirrored area, and an indoor hot tub with a brick surround.
The hot tub is currently drained, because the seller hasn't been using it. I'd add a handrail before you soak, since it's fairly deep. Look at the hot tub and turret at 14:24.
Outside, the backyard is fully fenced with a metal gate, which works well if you have dogs or kids. There's a covered porch, a storage area, and a woodshed that appears to be shared with the neighbor. You own half, they own half.
Since I just paid $420 for a cord of hardwood, a good place to stack firewood isn't a small thing. The garage adds more storage, a rain dial system, loft space for canoes or kayaks, and a small workshop corner.
This home hasn't been a rental, but the floor plan is simple and the parking is generous, which are two things vacation rental guests care about. The clients I work with ask about that first, and I can pull rental income information for any property you're considering.
I talk through the rental angle at 15:27. Rental rules and income vary by property and location, so always confirm current requirements before you buy.
Price is where this tour gets interesting. The video prices the home just under $500,000, and I think it's priced to go. If you're comparing options, start with what $420,000 buys in Lower Moonridge to see how size, lot, and location trade off.
If a forested setting matters to you, read my guide to buying a Big Bear home that backs to National Forest. And if walkable slope access is your priority, buying a condo near Snow Summit is a different path worth weighing.
To see where prices are heading overall, check the latest Big Bear real estate market update for September 2026.
Here's my take: this home gives you single-level living, a real garage, a fenced yard, ski slope views, and a primary bath you won't find anywhere else, all at a price under $500,000. It isn't perfect. The hot tub needs attention, and the property line deserves a closer look. But the bones are clean, and the setting is hard to beat.
Next step: watch the full tour above, then subscribe to my YouTube channel for more Big Bear home tours and market updates. When you're ready to see it in person, call or text me at 909-744-2190.
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.
