Mammoth Lakes isn't just a ski town. It’s a maze of zoning laws, transient occupancy taxes, and "snow loads" that could crush a house if you don't know what you're doing. Seriously. When people search for arlene bunch broker mammoth lakes, they aren't usually looking for a corporate biography. They want to know if this is the person who can navigate the high-altitude headache of Eastern Sierra real estate.
Buying a condo at Canyon Lodge is a lot different than buying a suburban home in Orange County. You’ve got to think about the "Blue Line"—the elevation where the weather turns from rain to heavy, wet snow. You’ve got to worry about whether the HOA is going to hit you with a $20,000 assessment for roof clearing next winter.
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Who Exactly is Arlene Bunch?
Honestly, the real estate world in Mammoth is smaller than you’d think. Most of the long-term players know every nook and cranny from Old Mammoth to the Knolls. Arlene Bunch is a licensed real estate broker based right in the heart of town. Specifically, records place her at 100 Ski Trail, Space 44.
That’s a specific spot.
In a town where many "agents" are just weekend warriors or folks who moved up for a season and stayed, having a dedicated broker license matters. Why? Because a broker has a higher level of training and legal responsibility than a standard salesperson. It means they’ve logged the hours and passed the rigorous California state exams to run their own show.
The Mammoth Market in 2026: It’s... Different
If you’re looking at the market right now, you’ve probably noticed things have cooled off from the 2021-2022 frenzy. Thank goodness. Back then, people were buying sight-unseen and regretting it two months later when they realized their "dream view" was actually a view of the neighbor’s trash enclosure.
As of early 2026, the median sale price in Mammoth Lakes is hovering around $787,000 to $825,000, depending on which data set you trust. But here is the kicker:
- Condos are still the engine of the town.
- Inventory is tight (usually under 100 active units).
- Days on Market have stretched out to nearly 110 days for some properties.
This is where a broker like Arlene Bunch comes in. You need someone who isn't just trying to "close a deal." You need someone to tell you, "Hey, this unit is priced at $550,000, but it’s in a complex that hasn't updated its plumbing since the Ford administration."
The STR Trap (Short-Term Rentals)
Most people looking for arlene bunch broker mammoth lakes are thinking about investment property. The dream: buy a condo, ski when you want, and let VRBO or Airbnb pay the mortgage.
Careful.
Mammoth Lakes has some of the strictest Short-Term Rental (STR) regulations in the state. If you buy in a zone that doesn't allow for transient rentals, your investment strategy just evaporated. Brokers in this area have to be part-time lawyers and part-time mountain guides. They have to know which specific complexes—like Village 1 or The Westin—are "condo-hotels" and which ones are strictly residential.
Why Experience Matters (The "Local" Factor)
Living at 8,000 feet is hard on buildings. It's hard on people.
When you’re looking at properties with a broker, you should be asking about things that sound boring but are actually vital. Ask about the "thermal envelope" of the building. Ask about the orientation of the driveway—if it faces north, you’ll be chipping ice until July.
Arlene Bunch has been part of the Mammoth landscape long enough to see the cycles. She’s seen the drought years when the town feels like a ghost village and the "Snowpocalypse" years when the resort is open until August.
What You Should Do Next
If you are serious about entering the Mammoth market, don't just click "contact agent" on a random portal. That usually just sends your info to whoever paid for the lead.
- Check the DRE: Always verify a broker’s license on the California Department of Real Estate website. Arlene Bunch is a legitimate broker, which gives you an extra layer of consumer protection.
- Walk the Neighborhoods: Don't just look at the Village. Walk around Crowley Lake or June Lake. Sometimes the best value is 15 minutes away from the gondola.
- Interview Your Broker: Ask them how many winters they’ve actually lived through in town. It sounds funny, but a broker who hasn't shoveled a roof doesn't know the risks of the properties they are selling.
The market in 2026 is a "thinking person's" market. Prices aren't skyrocketing anymore, which means you have the luxury of time. Use that time to find a broker who actually knows the dirt—and the snow—beneath the floorboards.
Actionable Insight: Before signing any paperwork, request a copy of the last three years of HOA meeting minutes for any condo you're considering. It’s the only way to see if there’s a massive special assessment looming that the seller "forgot" to mention.