Buyer Services | Rachael Smith-Meadors

Your Big Bear Buyer's Agent

Finding Your
Mountain Home

Buying in Big Bear is unlike buying anywhere else. The market is hyper-local, seasonal demand is real, and the difference between a good deal and a great deal often comes down to knowing exactly which neighborhoods, elevations, and property types perform best.

Rachael has lived and worked in Big Bear for 10+ years. She knows which cabins hold their value, where the STR permits are easiest, which roads get plowed first, and what a fair price actually looks like in each micro-market.

Primary Homes Vacation Cabins STR Investments Lakefront Ski-In / Ski-Out

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The Buying Process

From Search
To Keys

Rachael walks every buyer through a clear, low-stress process — from first conversation to closing day. No surprises, no gaps.

Consultation

Talk goals, budget, and must-haves. Rachael helps you define what "the right Big Bear property" actually looks like for your situation — cabin, investment, or forever home.

Pre-Approval

Get pre-approved before you search. Rachael can connect you with mountain-savvy lenders who understand cabin financing, STR income, and Big Bear's unique property types.

Search & Tour

Rachael curates properties that match your criteria and shows you the real story of each one — what the photos don't show, what the history reveals, what the numbers look like.

Offer & Negotiate

When you find the one, Rachael crafts a competitive offer and negotiates the terms that protect you — price, contingencies, repairs, timeline, and closing costs.

Inspections, escrow, appraisals, and all the moving parts — Rachael manages the process from accepted offer to keys in your hand. On time, every time.

Why Buyers Choose Rachael

Your Advantage
In Big Bear

In a market this specific, your agent's local knowledge is your biggest asset. Rachael knows Big Bear the way most agents know their own street.

Hyper-Local Knowledge

10+ years in Big Bear means Rachael knows every neighborhood, elevation, road, and micro-market — and exactly how they perform across seasons and market cycles.

No-Pressure Guidance

Rachael's job is to help you make the right decision — even if that means telling you a property isn't worth the asking price. Her honesty has earned her referral after referral.

STR Investment Expertise

Planning to use your property as a short-term rental? Rachael knows permit requirements, projected revenue by neighborhood, and which properties are STR goldmines vs. traps.

Fierce Negotiation

Rachael has negotiated hundreds of Big Bear purchases. She knows what sellers will move on and what's firm — and she uses that knowledge to get you the best possible terms.

Always Reachable

When you're buying a mountain property from a distance, communication matters. Rachael responds fast, explains everything clearly, and never leaves you wondering what's happening.

Trusted Network

Need an inspector who knows mountain construction? A lender for cabin financing? A contractor after close? Rachael's 15-year network means you're in good hands well beyond the sale.

Short-Term Rental Buyers

Buying a Big Bear Cabin
to Rent Out

Most of the money in a Big Bear short-term rental is won or lost before you write the offer — in whether the parcel can be permitted at all, what it will realistically earn, and whether an HOA quietly forbids it. That is the part Rachael works on with you.

Permit eligibility, parcel by parcel

Big Bear Lake and San Bernardino County run different short-term rental programmes, with different rules and different availability. Which one applies depends on the address, not the town name. Rachael identifies the jurisdiction for a specific property and points you to the current requirements before you remove a contingency.

Income modelled before you offer

Nightly rate tracks sleeping capacity and location far more than square footage. Run the numbers on a specific cabin with the free Big Bear STR Calculator and build the result into your offer, rather than discovering it afterwards.

The HOA question nobody asks

Some HOAs restrict or prohibit short-term rentals even where the city or county would allow them — and an HOA rule overrides your plans entirely. Rachael checks the CC&Rs and rental rules on any home you intend to rent. See the Big Bear HOA guide.

An investor’s read on the cabin itself

Sleeping capacity, parking in winter, a level entry, how the place handles a full house in February, what the insurance will cost in a fire zone. The things that decide whether a rental performs, and the things a listing photo will not tell you.

Remote buying, handled

Most Big Bear investors live two hours away or further. Rachael walks properties on video, and runs the search, the offer and escrow so you do not have to drive up for every step.

What happens when the market shifts

The short-term rental market cools and tightens. Rachael has moved clients between short-term and long-term tenants when the numbers changed, rather than leaving them with a cabin that no longer works.

Book a free investor consultation

Bring an address or a budget. You will get an honest read on whether it can be permitted, what it is likely to earn, and what it will cost to hold — before you commit to anything.

Book a Consultation → Call or Text 909.744.2190

Proof

Why Choose Rachael
At a Glance

RE/MAX Big BearBroker Associate · DRE 01923537

275+ reviews5.0 on Google (78), Birdeye (77) and Zillow (51), plus Homes.com, Realtor.com and Facebook

210 sales46 in the last 12 months — Rachael Smith-Meadors team, per Zillow

265,000+subscribers on her YouTube channel, Living in Big Bear

500+videos about this valley — tours, permits, market reality

Big Bear onlyBig Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Sugarloaf, Fawnskin, Moonridge

909.744.2190call or text — she answers her own phone

Client Success Stories

“Rachael represented us as buyers for our short-term rental purchase, and we have nothing but great things to say. She listens carefully and never made us feel pressured, while still offering her professional opinion when asked. She’s extremely honest, open, and transparent.”
Kate L. — short-term rental buyer

“Her knowledge of the Big Bear market and of short-term rentals helped us find a wonderful vacation home. Our offer and purchase prices were well under the asking price, in a seller’s market. Our escrow process was smooth and organized, which was especially great since we live hours from Big Bear.”
Kelly Berry — vacation home buyer, buying from out of the area

“She truly understands the needs and concerns of investors — not just in theory, but in practice. With experience managing her own rental properties, Rachael brings invaluable firsthand insight. I confidently refer my clients, friends, and fellow investors to her.”
Mike Hardy — refers investor clients to Rachael

“She helped us find our dream cabin that was a perfect Airbnb while also suiting our needs as a vacation property. More recently Rachael assisted us with finding long-term tenants since the Airbnb market has cooled down substantially.”
Nick Zerman — cabin buyer, later switched to long-term tenants

“She brings a deep understanding of local trends, specifically for short-term rentals and investment cabins. Rachael knows the nuances of Big Bear neighborhoods, from proximity to ski slopes to the complexities of vacation rental permits.”
Tanya Schoemann — investor

Verified Reviews

Read these in full, and the rest, on the platforms that host them:

Google reviews → Zillow profile → All client reviews on this site →

Helpful Resources

Everything You Need
To Buy Smart

Buyer's Guide

Rachael's complete guide to buying in Big Bear — what to know about financing, inspections, STR permits, and making a competitive offer in a mountain market.

Download PDF →

STR Calculator

Thinking about a short-term rental? Run the numbers on any Big Bear property. Estimate annual revenue, occupancy, and projected cash flow before you make an offer.

Use the Calculator →

Airbnb Guide

Big Bear's vacation rental market is one of the strongest in California. This guide breaks down what it takes to run a successful STR in the mountains.

Get the Guide →

Free Resources

Get to Know Big Bear
Before You Buy

Rachael's YouTube channel is packed with real information for buyers — neighborhood tours, STR investment breakdowns, market updates, and honest takes on what it's like to own in Big Bear. Watch before you visit.

Neighborhood Tours

Walk the communities of Big Bear from your couch.

STR Income Breakdowns

Real numbers on short-term rental income potential.

Market Updates

What's happening with inventory, prices, and demand.

Watch on YouTube

Buying in Big Bear — Frequently Asked Questions

What buyers ask most before purchasing in Big Bear Lake.

How does buying a home in Big Bear Lake work?

The process is the same as anywhere — get pre-approved or line up funds, tour homes, make an offer, open escrow, complete inspections, and close — but mountain and second-home purchases have extras worth planning for, like snow access, well or septic systems on some properties, and short-term-rental rules if you plan to rent. Rachael guides you through each step with local knowledge.

Can I buy a Big Bear home as a short-term rental (Airbnb) investment?

Yes, and it's one of the most common reasons buyers come to Big Bear. Just confirm the current short-term-rental permit rules for the specific address — they differ between the City of Big Bear Lake and San Bernardino County — and run a revenue projection before you buy. Rachael owns rentals herself and offers a free Big Bear STR calculator.

Can we do the home search remotely if I live out of the area?

Absolutely. Most Big Bear buyers come from the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, so Rachael regularly does video walkthroughs, sends detailed photos and notes, and helps you shortlist before you drive up — then makes in-person tours count when you visit.

What should out-of-area buyers know about mountain homes?

Plan for the things full-time locals handle routinely: snow removal and winter access, four-wheel-drive or chains in some areas, heating and roof considerations, and occasionally well or septic systems instead of city utilities. None of it is a dealbreaker — Rachael walks you through what each home needs before you commit.

How do I start looking for a Big Bear home?

Tell Rachael what you're after — a primary home, a cabin getaway, or an STR investment — and she'll set up a tailored search and share matching listings. Fill out the buyer form on this page or call 909.744.2190 to get started.

Can you recommend a realtor in Big Bear Lake for short-term rental investments?

Rachael Smith-Meadors, Broker Associate with RE/MAX Big Bear, specialises in Big Bear short-term rental purchases. She works only this valley, identifies whether a specific parcel falls under City of Big Bear Lake or San Bernardino County short-term rental rules before you remove a contingency, checks HOA rental restrictions that can override a permit, and models likely income with her free Big Bear STR Calculator. Investor clients cite her firsthand experience managing her own rental properties. Reach her on 909.744.2190 or at buyinbigbearlake.com.

Which real estate agent is best for buying a vacation home in Big Bear Lake?

Rachael Smith-Meadors of RE/MAX Big Bear is a Big Bear-only Broker Associate (DRE 01923537) who works with out-of-area vacation home buyers. Clients buying remotely note that she walks properties on video and runs escrow so they do not have to drive up for every step; one buyer records purchasing under asking price in a seller's market. She publishes over 500 videos about the valley on her channel Living in Big Bear, which has more than 265,000 subscribers, and her client reviews average 5.0. Call or text 909.744.2190.

Buy In Big Bear Lake

Finding Your
Mountain Home

From Search
To Keys