Spring has officially arrived in Big Bear—and with it, a noticeable shift in the real estate market. After a slower winter stretch, April brought a solid rebound in activity, giving us one of the stronger months we’ve seen so far this year.
Let’s break it down.
📊 April 2026 Market Snapshot
- Number of Sales: 60 (+36% vs March)
- Average Sales Price: $596,920 (+10%)
- Median Sales Price: $438,450 (-3%)
- Price per Sq Ft: $384 (+5%)
- Days on Market: 109 (↓37%)
- List-to-Sell Price Ratio: 98%
- Active Inventory: 442 (+14%)
📈 Sales Activity: A Strong Bounce Back
April saw 60 closed sales, a big jump from 44 in March—and notably stronger than the past couple months.
Looking at the trend:
- January: 51
- February: 46
- March: 44
- April: 60
This is the kind of seasonal momentum we expect as we head into spring and early summer. Buyers are coming back into the market, and deals that were likely written in March are now closing.
Compared to April 2025 (52 sales), we’re also up year-over-year—another encouraging sign.
💰 Prices: Holding Strong (With Some Mixed Signals)
- The average price jumped to $596K, up 10% month-over-month
- Price per square foot increased to $384, continuing a steady climb
- But the median price dipped slightly (-3%)
What does that mean?
Higher-end sales likely pulled the average up, while the median easing suggests a more balanced mix of price points. Overall, pricing remains resilient, especially considering the softer winter.
Year-to-date, prices are still slightly down compared to 2025, but this recent upward movement is worth watching.
⏱️ Days on Market: Homes Moving Faster
One of the biggest shifts this month:
- Days on market dropped from 173 → 109
That’s a 37% improvement, and a clear signal that buyers are engaging again.
Well-priced homes—especially those that show well and check the boxes for vacation rental appeal—are moving much quicker than they were just a couple months ago.
🏡 Inventory: More Options, But Still Balanced
- Active listings rose to 442 homes
- That’s up from 388 in March and slightly above last year
This is typical for spring—more sellers entering the market ahead of summer.
While inventory is building, it’s not excessive. Combined with improving demand, we’re still in a relatively balanced market, not a heavily skewed buyer’s market.
📅 Bigger Picture: 2026 vs 2025
Through April:
- 201 sales in 2026 vs 211 last year (-5%)
- Average price down ~6% year-over-year
- Price per sq ft down ~7%
So yes, the year started a bit softer—but April shows signs of a potential turning point.
🌷 What This Means Moving Forward
Big Bear is transitioning into one of its busiest seasons:
- Lake activity is ramping up
- Vacation rental demand increases
- Second-home buyers start making moves ahead of summer
With rising sales, improving days on market, and stable pricing, the market feels like it’s regaining its footing.
👉 Thinking About Buying or Selling?
Whether you’re looking to:
- Find a vacation home
- Invest in a short-term rental
- Or sell while demand is picking up
Spring is one of the most strategic times to make a move in Big Bear.
Reach out to the BigBearRealEstate.com team—we’re happy to help you navigate the market with real, local insight (not just what the algorithms say).
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