Big Bear Lake, CA Rental Investment Market: DSCR & STR Numbers (July 2026)
Where Big Bear Lake stands for short-term-rental investors: nightly rates, occupancy, yield, and the financing math behind its #15 STR rank.
Short-Term Rental Numbers
ADR
$289
avg daily rate
Occupancy
48%
RevPAR
$139
rev / available night
Median Price
$610,000
Gross Yield
8.3%
annual gross / price
Regulation Risk
HIGH
STR score 43/100 · #15 of 15
Does It Pencil?
The median Big Bear Lake deal, run through DSCR math
- Purchase price (median)
- $610,000
- Down payment (20%)
- −$122,000
- Loan amount
- $488,000
- P&I @ 7.82% / 30yr
- $3,520/mo
- Property taxes (1.00%/yr, assumed)
- $508/mo
- Insurance (~0.5%/yr of price)
- $254/mo
- PITIA (full payment)
- $4,282/mo
- Est. STR gross (ADR × occ.)
- $4,219/mo
Illustrative DSCR
0.99
Below 1.0 — the median deal doesn't fully cover its payment at these assumptions.
Illustrative only, not a quote or pre-qualification. Uses the median price and ADR × occupancy revenue estimate from our July 2026 dataset, an indicative rate of 7.82% (10-year Treasury + a typical STR spread — see the live data dashboard), estimated insurance, and an assumed national-average tax rate. Actual rents, taxes, insurance, and pricing vary by property and borrower.
The Read
What the numbers say about investing in Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake, CA earns its spot on revenue per night, not cheap entry: a $289 ADR at 48% occupancy produces about $4,219 a month gross, but against a $610,000 median price the gross yield is 8.3% — the kind of market where furnishing quality, photos, and pricing strategy decide whether the deal actually carries itself.
On financing: STR-friendly DSCR lenders will qualify a Big Bear Lake purchase on projected short-term-rental income (typically via an AirDNA-style projection or 12 months of actuals) rather than lease rent. Using the market's RevPAR of $139 and an indicative STR loan rate, the median deal pencils to roughly a 0.99 DSCR at 20% down — short of full coverage, so plan on more equity or stronger-than-median revenue. Remember most lenders haircut projected STR income, so your underwritten number will be lower than the gross.
The serious caveat: Big Bear Lake carries a high regulation-risk grade — permit caps, moratoriums, or active enforcement that directly threaten STR revenue. High-risk markets can still work for experienced operators with permitted properties, but underwrite the downside: if the permit goes away, can the property carry its debt on long-term rent? If the answer is no, the deal depends on a city council's mood. Financing is also tighter — some STR lenders decline or haircut high-risk jurisdictions.
Data as of July 2026 — refreshed monthly. Metro-level estimates for screening, not underwriting.
Next Step
Get a quote from a DSCR expert who lends in California
Real pricing on your actual deal — no hard credit pull to see numbers, and the property's income does the qualifying, not your W2.
Big Bear Lake investor FAQ
Is Big Bear Lake good for DSCR loans?
Big Bear Lake, CA is primarily a short-term-rental market on our boards (STR score 43/100). DSCR loans work here through STR-friendly programs that qualify on projected short-term-rental income — a $289 ADR at 48% occupancy, roughly $4,219/month gross, as of July 2026 data.
What is the average rent in Big Bear Lake?
We track Big Bear Lake, CA as a short-term-rental market rather than a lease market: a typical STR there runs a $289 average daily rate at 48% occupancy — roughly $4,219 per month in gross revenue (July 2026 estimate).
Can I get an STR loan in Big Bear Lake?
Yes — STR-friendly DSCR lenders finance short-term rentals in Big Bear Lake, CA, qualifying on projected or actual Airbnb/VRBO income instead of lease rent. Regulation risk grades high — expect extra lender scrutiny and verify permitting first. Market gross yield is 8.3% with $139 RevPAR (July 2026 data).
Run the numbers yourself
Calculator
STR calculator — pre-filled for Big Bear Lake
ADR, occupancy, and price loaded. Adjust to your deal.
Live Data
Market data dashboard
10Y Treasury, indicative rate ranges, and both full leaderboards.
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