Owners
Just ask our guests – 5 STARS on Yelp & Google!
Big Bear Lakefront Cabins is a leading vacation rental management company in Big Bear Lake, with 5 star ratings on Yelp and Google, yielding our homeowners some of the best rental income on the mountain. Check us out on Yelp, Google, VRBO, Airbnb, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TripAdvisor, and many more. We are VRBO Premier Partners and Airbnb Superhosts! People LOVE us!
Scroll down for Frequently Asked Questions!
For a FREE ANALYSIS
OR Schedule a FREE Analysis and Home Owner Inquiry meeting HERE!
What Sets Big Bear Lakefront Cabins Apart?
We are the #1 Vacation Rental Management company in Big Bear! Big Bear Lakefront Cabins and Best Mountain Vacation Rentals has been in business for over 20 years! We provide excellence, quality customer service, and a personalized experience (Just check our reviews!) We are a small vacation rental company and intend to stay that way; a small company provides a more personalized experience with better care and attention to your cabin and our guests. One of our main selling points is our Quality Inspectors! We have quality inspectors that will do a detailed check before and after every renter to ensure your cabin is perfect for renters and that nothing was broken or stolen. Since we have a smaller number of homes, we are consistently able to provide top tier quality inspections. Our business also has a Spa Company partnership. If you have a spa or are interested in one, we give deals to our owners on maintenance, service, and purchases. Weekly cleaning and cleaning after renters organized and scheduled by us is just another plus when working with Big Bear Lakefront Cabins!
Every Stay, Every Time
We believe that you can share the value, freedom, and pride of your vacation rental home with others, in the most responsible way, with the best interests of owners, guests, and neighbors in mind. To do this, our Big Bear team works harmoniously to drive more revenue for you, delivering the highest standards of service for every vacation rental home, stay, and time while respecting the quiet relaxation and integrity of our Big Bear residential neighborhoods. With top-notch service, resources, and a team devoted to excellence in managing your property, we can help you get the most out of your vacation rental home when you aren’t using it.
EARN more revenue
You want to ensure you’re making the wisest decision for you, your family, and your vacation rental home. Big Bear Lakefront Cabins makes that decision simple by keeping costs low, with no hidden fees, so you earn more from each booking. We work hard to maximize your profit because we know that together, we succeed. Ask us for our revenue reports and a detailed market analysis of your cabin.
Professional Cleaning
Every Big Bear vacation home has a dedicated team focused on the success and care of their vacation home. We maintain Big Bear’s best Professional Cleaning crews and standards so that your vacation rental home will be well cared for with our highest standards in mind and always be 100% guest-ready and quality inspected before each guest’s arrival to ensure our greatest measure of quality care. Our professional cleaning services are staying on top of CDC guidelines to ensure that our cleaning is maintaining the highest level of cleanliness to give our team, our cleaning crews, and guests peace of mind.
We are proud of our 4 Tier Cleaning Process!
1. Our in-house laundry team (not laundered in your home) washes and dries at high temperatures using high-quality bleach and detergent for the best sanitation.
2. Big Bear’s best professional housekeeping crews clean your home thoroughly according to CDC guidelines.
3. Our Certified Spa Technician balances hot tub water with proper chemicals and testing to ensure the highest water quality after every guest’s stay!
4. WE DON’T RUSH our Quality Inspections! Each vacation home is then inspected by a quality inspector to ensure our desired level of cleanliness and readiness for each guest and to inspect for any possible damage to your home. Our inspectors spend, on average, 30 to 45 minutes carefully walking through your home to ensure that our team has delivered the best service and care possible. With an unbeatable ratio of 1 Quality Inspector for 20 homes per week, we do it right, and it shows.
Premier Guest Experience
We know that your vacation rental home is a significant investment. At Big Bear Lakefront Cabins, our goal is for your guests to experience the warmth of your vacation rental home while our team provides a seamless experience from booking to departure. Exceptional customer care leads to repeat bookings, great memories, positive reviews, and more revenue for our owners. Everyone benefits.
Why Should I Partner with Big Bear Lakefront Cabins & Best Mountain Vacation Rental?
Big Bear Lakefront Cabins & Best Mountain Vacation Rental, established in 2000, is a mid-sized vacation rental company committed to hard work, integrity, and innovation, offering personalized service for guests and homeowners alike. We maintain one of the highest employee-to-property ratios in Big Bear, with a 1 Quality Care Inspector per 25 vacation rental homes, which means that we dedicate the time to inspect each and every vacation rental home between guest visits and after each cleaning. This allows us to provide dedicated, hands-on, boutique-level service for every homeowner, guest, and property. Quality is what we do best because we take the time to do it right.
- We offer the most comprehensive and best quality services at a reasonable rate.
- Dedicated, full-time local team on the ground, eager to serve, and easily accessible.
- No restrictions on owner stays.
- Simple owner portal access.
- No hidden fees.
- Our structure is designed to profit with our owners, not from them.
- Dedicated property managers and maintenance technicians for your vacation home.
- No annual contracts or required maintenance programs.
- A service tailored to your goals in owning a vacation rental.
- Detailed Quality Care Inspections after each cleaning and after each reservation.
- Full Service – Professionally staffed teams – Maintenance, Housekeeping, In-House Laundry, Reservations, Sales, Quality Care Inspection Team, and more.
Providing Excellent Big Bear Property Management Services
Big Bear Lakefront Cabins proudly provides property management services to Big Bear Lake home and cabin owners. With top-notch service and the resources to manage your property, we can help you get the most out of your home when you aren’t using it.
Thank you, Big Bear Lakefront Cabins, for excellent management of our vacation property. We look forward to our checks each month, and we appreciate that you don’t nickel and dime us like our previous experience. Thank you for doing what you do best because it is a partnership that works!”
– The McBrides August 2019
Would you like…
Your cabin to be well cared for and quality inspected after each guest visit?
NO HIDDEN FEES?
To come up and enjoy your cabin and relax, stress-free?
To receive a good income and the best tax deduction there is?
Your cabin appreciated and stay well maintained with minimal effort from you?
Very minimal expenses?
Are you tired of other companies that take a lot and do very little?
If you answered yes to all these, then please give us a call.
We guarantee your SATISFACTION!
20+ years of professional experience!
Serving owners in Big Bear with professional vacation rental management experience!
Professional Management Services include
- Implementing Industry Technology to stay above the rest and provide excellent results
- High Ranking on search engines for excellent exposure to renters and frequent bookings
- Online web calendar and owner portal login to book your reservations or block out dates.
- Licensed VRM that maintains city code enforcement, ordinance & inspections
- 24-hour Emergency response to handle any emergencies or immediate action.
- Personal attention and relationships with owners will always be our top priority.
- High-quality maid service to make sure your property stays clean
- Frequent inspections to ensure quality is top-notch.
- 20+ years of rental experience for confidence in our methods
- Full Linen services from which we provide sheets, towels, soaps, and paper products.
- On-staff maintenance crew to keep your property in tip-top shape at a low price.
- Many different advertising programs to keep your property well rented.
- Rental Insurance for each stay so that our owners are protected from damage & theft without using your homeowners’ insurance deductible.
- Home improvement program for those that want to add value & rentals with no out-of-pocket expense.
- A professional listing of your property with professional pictures and descriptions.
- Hot tub maintenance, service, and purchase programs and much more
We are dedicated to providing exceptional service because we know what you want as a Big Bear vacation homeowner! We guarantee that you will be pleased.
SELECTING your VACATION HOME
GOALS – What type of investment goals do you have? Will you be investing for financial goals, family goals, or both? Will you be purchasing a vacation rental to maximize your rental revenue, or will you be using this home for your family and offset costs by renting your vacation home when you are not enjoying it? Both options can be great and invaluable investment opportunities for you and your family.
Size – 3 to 5 bedroom, 2 plus bathroom homes will yield the best revenue, yet we know your budget may only allow for a 2 bedroom home. Guests prefer a minimum of 2 bathrooms, if possible.
LOCATION – The location is imperative when selecting your vacation home from an investment perspective. The most lucrative Big Bear rental locations are Lakefront, Lakeview, Walk to Lake, Moonridge, Walk to or Ski In / Out Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, walk to Village, Fox Farm, Castle Glen, and Boulder Bay neighborhoods. Fawnskin is becoming a more popular area as well when appropriately marketed. These locations can produce excellent rental income in the summer and winter months, keeping in mind the Lake areas produce the best rentals for the Summer and Winter months. Staying close to the lake, Village, and slopes will produce the best rental income. For non-lakefront homes, 60 % to 70% of your rental income will be generated from November through March, with an exception for Lakefront rental homes.
QUESTION to HELP YOU SELECT the BEST VACATION HOME – When selecting a vacation rental, look around the neighborhood and see if this would be a place you would love to visit on vacation. What is your first impression when driving into the driveway, when stepping into the home (views, smells, feeling, memories,) what is the neighborhood experience, how are the neighboring homes, what are the views, what is the backyard experience, what is the hot tub experience, the views from the deck and the general feeling evoked? These questions will help you create the best guest experience and maximize your rental income.
To preserve the quiet integrity of our residential neighborhoods…
Vacation Rental Ordinance are in effect
Understanding the rental rules as an owner in Big Bear when considering your vacation home is essential. The City of Big Bear Lake (92315 zip code) and the County of San Bernardino (92314 zip code and others) each have different ordinances that must be followed. Our management services uphold all ordinances on behalf of owners to ensure that the vacation rental industry is preserved and to uphold the quiet integrity of our residential neighbors and neighborhoods. Both Big Bear Lake and the County of San Bernardino strictly enforce their ordinance codes by posing fines and even evicting guests that are not adhering to a quiet relaxing vacation in the mountains,
Big Bear Vacation Rental Owner Checklist
City and County Ordinance Information
Vacation rental properties must be registered with either the City of Big Bear Lake or the County of San Bernardino, depending on the cabin’s zip code. Big Bear Lakefront Cabins will arrange the inspections and complete any mandatory permit requirements.
City and County Ordinance Information
Vacation rental properties must be registered with either the City of Big Bear Lake or the County of San Bernardino depending on location. Big Bear Lakefront Cabins will arrange the inspections and complete any mandatory updates. You may or may not be notified, depending on the extent and cost of the update, prior to the completion of the work and will see charges on your statement. Big Bear Lakefront Cabins does not profit on any items that need updated to meet code. We have resources to have items fixed, or you can hire your own contractor if you prefer. Before any home can be rented, it must be inspected and pass with both Bear Valley Fire and either the city or county.
Fire Inspection
- Smoke Detectors: One per level, in the kitchen, in each bedroom, in the hall between bedrooms.
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors: One per level
- If HARD WIRED: Smoke Detector AND CO2 must be combined in one (same) unit.
- Exit Lights
- Illuminated Address Sign
- Fire Extinguisher (Do NOT purchase/install prior to inspection. There are strict regulations)
- 5 gallons locking, metal ash can for each fireplace
- BBQ must have a lid, metal ash can, and wire brush
Big Bear Lake Fire Department Requirements
- Interior wood, wood pellets, gas fireplace, fireplace inserts, and stoves are okay and exempt from AQMD restrictions in Big Bear.
- Big Bear Properties are above 3000′ (AQMD Exemptions for elevations above 3000 feet. Rule 445-f-7-d)
- Fireplaces must be used in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines, properly installed, and maintained.
- Propane and gas fire pits are okay
- with 15 feet of clearance from anything combustible
- Charcoal burning and propane/gas barbeques are okay
- with 4 feet of clearance from a structure
- and 15 feet of clearance from any flammable vegetation
- Wood-burning fire pits require 25 feet of clearance from anything combustible, including vegetation and structures
- If the 25-foot requirement can be met, a permit is required and can be obtained through Big Bear Fire Department for a $75 fee
- The permit is valid for 3 months but can be temporarily suspended at any time due to high fire danger
Minimum Requirements & Code Compliance Requirements (City Ordinance Info)
- One (1) 2A:1OB: C type refillable fire extinguisher per level with current inspection certificate is required. Fire extinguishers shall be mounted in visible locations with the tops of the extinguishers mounted between three (3′) feet and five (5′) feet above the floor and shall be accessible to occupants at all times. Yearly service is required.
- A minimum of one (1) smoke detector is required per level: in the kitchen, in each sleeping room, and the hallway between bedrooms, and must be located within twelve inches of the ceiling’s peak.
- One (1) carbon monoxide detector is required per level.
- Emergency lights must be provided so that there is a reasonable level of illumination to light exit routes.
- No gaps of four inches or more between railings on any decks for child safety.
- No tree branches within ten inches of the chimney.
- Yard abatement must be complete.
- Handrails on all stairways. (Mushroom grip with returns/T-stops at top and bottom)
- All sleeping areas must have screens on the windows without any holes. Furnishings cannot block window egress.
- Wood-burning fireplaces must be equipped with screens and a 5-gallon metal ash can. On a gas log fireplace, the damper must be permanently fixed in the open position.
- Charcoal BBQs must have a lid, metal ash can, and wire brush.
- No permanent use of extension cords with lighting, heaters, appliances, etc.
- Hot tubs and spas must have 2 clips on 2 sides of an approved cover. A combo lock is also recommended to keep neighbors out. A rail extension is required as well if the hot tub has less than 36″ clearance to the railing and if the deck is 3 feet or more above ground.
- There must not be any exposed wiring or overloaded electrical circuits.
- Switch plates on all outlets.
- No horizontal slats on decks that are higher than 3 feet. Ask the office for details on what to do.
- Spark arrestors must be put on all fireplace flues.
- Any locking mechanism on outside doors must be operable from inside the unit without the use of a key. Any locking mechanism must be located no higher than four feet above the ground.
- Property address, exterior light, and exterior sign must all be plainly visible from the street.
- There must be at least a 54″ minimum clearance between furniture/combustible material and the fireplace opening and a 30″ clearance between combustibles and wall heaters.
- No leaking fixtures or clogged waste lines. All appliances must be operational, and water heater tanks must be secured with earthquake straps on the top and bottom thirds of the tank.
- Garbage disposal must have a stress (Romex) clamp installed.
- Snow removal must be provided.
Occupancy Limits
BIG BEAR LAKE’S MAXIMUM RENTAL OCCUPANCY
Occupancy shall not exceed two adults per bedroom, plus two additional adults, not including persons under eighteen (18) years of age, but the total number of persons, including persons under eighteen (18) years of age, may not exceed one person per two hundred (200) square feet of living space or sixteen (16) persons, whichever is less. Section 4.01.060 (C)
Example #1: A 3,500 sf home with 5 bedrooms has a maximum occupancy of 16 people. Only 12 of those can be adults. The remaining 4 people can be children.
Example #2: A 1,000 sf home with 3 bedrooms has a maximum occupancy of 5 people. All 5 of those can be adults, and no additional people are allowed.
The City of Big Bear Lake performs annual inspections, and rental permits are required. These rental occupancy rules apply to homes in the “92315” zip code.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY (92314 zip code)
Big Bear City, Sugarloaf, Fawnskin, and more maximum occupancy is calculated as follows
1 person per 70 square feet in a room plus 50 additional square feet for every additional person in a room. 12 people per cabin maximum regardless of sq ft.
Per legal sleeping room or legal sleeping area, including pull-out sofas in living rooms, lofts, etc.
- 800 sq. ft. or less max rental occupancy is 6 guests
- 1,200 sq. ft. or less max rental occupancy is 8 guests
- 70 sq. ft. = 1 guests
- 120 sq. ft. = 2 guests
- 170 sq. ft. = 3 guests
- 220 sq. ft. = 4 guests
IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – PARKING
The county no longer monitors the maximum occupancy for cars, only requires they park within a garage or paved driveway and parking area. The county additionally requires that no cars are parked on the street.
Unit Supplies, Appliances, and Recommendations for Owners
Kitchen:
- 12’’, 8’’, 6’’ saucepans, all with lids
- Broiler Tray
- Baking Dishes
- Frying Pans & Skillets
- FULL knife set & knife block
- Kitchen utensils: ladle, spatula, potato peeler, scissors, corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener, cheese grater ect.
- Cutlery divider and FULL cutlery set
- Serving Items for the kitchen (Spoons, bowls, )
- Baking essentials: measuring cups and spoons, baking dishes, cookie
- Place settings: plates, soup bowls, coffee cups, drinking glasses, wine glasses, & steak knives (enough for the maximum number of people allowed, plus four.)
- Tea Kettle
- Toaster
- Blender
- Oven Mitts
- Ice Cube Trays
- Chopping Board
- Coffee Maker (with auto shut off)
- Trash Can
- Meat thermometer
- Microwave Oven
General Household Items:
- Smart V. with remotes and apps (Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, and more. Personal login access does not need to be provided.)
- Adequate Lighting
- Adequate furnishings for the desired number of people
- Broom w/ Dustpan
- Fans for each level
- Artwork & decorations
- All windows should be screened and have curtains or shades that are both decorative and provide
Bathrooms:
- Shower Curtains
- Rugs
- Plunger
- Toilet Brush
Bedrooms:
- Headboards for all beds
- Mattress Protector
- Comforters
- Pillowcases
- Adequate Hangers
- 2 Extra Blankets per bed and extra Pillows
Fireplaces:
- Non-Flammable Hearth Rug
- Fireplace Tools
- 5-gallon Ash Can
Decks & Outdoors:
- Weather treated deck
- Sturdy patio furniture (Weather treated)
- BBQ with a chain and protective plate (Propane or Gas Line)
Optional and recommended to create the best revenue and guest experience:
- Guest Book
- Fairy Lights (outdoor lighting)
- Private Hot Tub
- Outdoor Gas Fire Pit
- Game Room (i.e., Pool table, arcade games, air hockey, etc.)
- Additional Kitchen Equipment (Air Fryer, Garbage Disposal, Crockpot, KitchenAid, )
- Washer and Dryer
- EV CHARGER
- Smart TVs in every room (at least ONE Smart TV is required)
***Free Internet access is required***
***Please Remove All Food, Personal Items, and Items of Sentimental Value***
INQUIRE for REVENUE RENTAL COMPARISONS for recent years. Don’t be misled…
Projecting your rental revenue is an important task. We can make promises to owners and project rental incomes, but we realize that this is your rental investment, and you will most likely prefer the most accurate numbers regarding rental income. While projecting your income will be based on several variables, we will be happy to offer you real numbers from past rentals to offer comparisons that you can count on.
We yield some of the highest rental incomes possible on the mountain! We look forward to hearing from you. .
OR Schedule a FREE Analysis and Home Owner Inquiry meeting HERE!