Altadena New Listing June 1 - June 14, 2008

Here are list of New Listing in Altadena, CA from June 1 through June 14.

782 Neldome St.          3bd, 1ba       $395,000

487 Alberta St.            2bd, 1ba       $430,000

428 W. Pentagon         4bd, 2ba        $439,000

2846 Casistas Ave.      3bd, 2 ba       $489,000

3269 Olive Ave.           3bd, 2ba        $539,000

373 E. Las Flores Dr.    2bd, 1ba        $558,000

498 Concha St.             2bd, 2ba       $568,000

253 W. Palm St.           3bd, 1ba       $599,900

1780 La Paz Rd.           3bd, 2bd        $745,000

980 Alta Vista Dr.         3bd, 3ba       $745,000

835 E. Woodbury Rd     6bd, 4ba        $1,199,000

*information from ITECH MLS

Altadena Charming Cottages - Two New Listings This Week

On the broker's open house/caravan today, I looked at number of homes in Altadena, CA.  I came across two charming, character home.  One is a great Historic Janes Cottage on Palm Street, Altadena.  The other home is a 1927 cottage with many charming features.

253 West Palm, Altadena, CA is located in the heart of Historic Janes Village.  This home is superb move-in condition.  It has been restored and updated nicely keeping its original features.  There are plaster arches, great fireplace, coved ceiling.  Front yard is professionally landscaped with koi pond and waterfall.  This home has three bedrooms.

373 East Las Flores, Altadena, CA is located near the San Gabriel Mountains high in the foothills.  It has a remodeld kitchen, french doors, quaint patio area, and rose garden.  The garage has been converted into a spacious entertainment area. It can be used for an office, playroom, great room.  This home has 3 bedrooms.

Too Many Emails – Simple Steps to Manage Them

I get a lot of e-mails, but not as much as my husband who deals with over 1300 e-mails on a regular basis.  For those that need managing, here are few simple steps I learned from the Realtor Magazine.

Filter

Stop Spam.  Most programs have a built in filter to send junk e-mail or spam to a special folder.  You can trash it completely too.  Other filers are available so look for them.

Train Your Filter.  Bulk e-mail find its way around to your filter so you need to train the filter to recognize junk e-mail.  If junk gets into your e-mail, tag it as a spam and the filter will learn and start separating them.

Manage

Channel.  Multiple email accounts can be channeled into one program so you can check all the accounts from one location.  Save time with this.

Clients only.  Have special e-mail accounts for clients only. This will make it easier to respond during the search, sales and escrow process.

Separate.  Keep home and work account apart.  Don't overload your work account with personal messages.

Prioritize

Use Folders. Sort e-mails into folders that can organize and prioritize.  Have folder for each clients.  Keep a max of 20 messaged in your Inbox.

Use Flags.  Put flag on e-mail message for follow up reminder.

Cell Mail.  Use e-mail filters to send urgent messages to your cell phone as e-mail or text depending you your phone.  Your message will get to your phone quicker than getting back to your computer.

Tips:  Use a fax to e-mail.  Set up a free account and see if it works for you.  Learn more about your e-mail program.  Free email programs (yahoo, google) have enhanced e-mail management features.   

Altadena Best Kept Secret - Little Red Hen Coffee Shop

THE LITTLE RED HEN COFFEE SHOP

This coffee shop is a landmark in Altadena, located on Fair Oaks Avenue. 

Altadena has a lot of new and old, and this old is worth checking out.

Currently owned and operated by Mr. Lonzia Shay, the coffee shop fills up with both young and old to get a taste of Mr. Shay's original and specialty plates.

According to Mr. Shay, the restaurant was purchased by Mr. Shay some 25 years ago, and he has been the prominent figure in continuing to cook up his daily specials.

When you walk into the coffee shop, you are taken years back of the image of local diner, with stools and counter.  Décor is definitely homey with menu specials on the walls.  The bright red table cloth covering the tables adds a definite charm, comfort and warmth.  This place is downright "wholesome." Isn't this where the local residents want to eat and chat, catch up with what is happening in wonderful "Beautiful Altadena?"

The Little RED HEN Coffee Shop

2697 Fair Oaks Avenue, Altadena, CA  91001   Tel: (626) 791-1614

 Mr. Shay with his RED apron ready to cook up a meal.

 Diana has been working at the coffess shop for 7 years.

Charming and Cozy.

One Reason To Buy A Home Today - Mortgage Rate

You can not time the bottom.  Well, we wish we could.  Resist the urge to hang in and wait. Why...

Mortgage Rates are Low - And may not be for next year.  According to economists and industry executives, rates are expected to rise from current 6% to 6.50% by December and around 7% in mid 2009.

Here is a an example of what the bottom line can look like you if buy today vs next year with 5% drop in value.

Buy Today             VS                Buy in 1 Yr

Price  $600,000                        $570,000

Loan  $480,000                         $456,000

Rate    6.00%                            7.00%

Payment  $2,878                       $3,034

You could realize a saving of $156.00 per month.

There are large amount of homes for sale.  Inventory is high and you have choices now where in the past, you did not have the chance to even think and make decisions when a house came up for sale.  Sellers are much more willing to negotiate now. Once the market turns, seller will be less open to giving incentives.  SO MAKE THE MOVE!

*Info courtesy of Metro Arroyo Mortgage.

June is National Adopt A Cat Month

I love cats.  I have cat pictures, coffee cup, t-shirt, handbag, make up case - you name it, I have it.

The other day, I received a June Calendar from one of the title rep and learned that June is National Adopt A Cat Month.  Well, you all know, we have so many pets at our shelters waiting to be adopted.  And it has been proved that having a pet, especially a kittie cat helps you to be more healthy and happy.

I have a 14 year old short hair cat name Percy.  We adopted Percy from Pet Co. when they were doing an adoption day.  I could not take the cat home that day, as the adoption agency (for the cat) had to make sure my husband and I was a qualified parent. 

We got Percy to our house after 1 week or so after the initial meeting.  We then adopted another cat, Kansai; he passes away last October.  Percy and Kansai were great buddies, and watching them together was a treat.  It made me happy.

So, if you are a pet owner, cherish them and if you ever thought about owning a pet, go out to the local humane society and check it out. 

HERE IS PERCY AND HIS TOYS.

Los Angeles County - Property tax savings due to decline in value

Your property tax may go down due to the value review of Los Angeles County Homes.

Los Angeles Country Assessor Rick Auerbach announced that a decline in value review of homes in LA County was completed.  Because of the decline in the real estate market, review was done to assure properly accessed home values.

Auerbach noted that a review of homes and condos bought between July 1, 2004 and from June 30, 2007 were made based on the market trends in LA County.  According to the news release from the assessor office, the review included 318,000 homes and condos, and lower assessment on 128,000 homes and condos will reflect on tax bill for October.

The average reduction in assessed value is about $73,000 providing an average property tax saving of $750.  Auerbach said that the review would eliminate many taxpayers to make formal appeal process.  If owners still disagree with the value, they can file an appeal.  The deadline for appeal is November 30. 

Owners who made home purchase outside of the time period for the review (July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2007) and believe their home value is assessed above the actual value as of January 1, 2008, can file a one page Decline-in Value application, which can be downloaded at http://assessor.lacounty.gov.

Homeowners should be aware that there are private companies that are offering service to check reduction in property taxes.  Companies of this nature can charge hundreds of dollars.  Auerbach say that solicitation may not be illegal.  Owners should be aware that a review of their home may have already been done and value reduced.  Plus, according to Auerbach, the Decline-In-Value form is easy to complete.

This information was provided from press news release (for immediate release), dated May 27, 2008, Rick Auerbach LA County Assessor.  Contact: Robert Knowles (213) 974-3101

Pasadena is now blooming with Jacaranda

Jacarada is everywhere in City of Pasadena.

Driving down streets of Pasadena, like Del Mar Blvd., and navigating through the residential neighborhood, you cannot take your eyes off the beautiful Jacaranda.

I want to share the great photgraphs of this tree with beautiful blue/purple flowers; a sub-tropical tree native to South America.

Homes below $350,000 in Pasadena and Altadena

I am seeing several homes under/at $350,000 in Pasadena and Altadena.

Pasadena - There are 11 condo/townhomes

Lowest price - $225,000  736 N. Garfield #104 (2bd, 2ba)

Highest price - $349,000  592 N. Mar Vista #2  (2bd, 2ba)

Pasadena - There are 27 single family homes

Lowest price - $275,000  168 Grandview St.  (2bd, 2ba)

Highest price - $350,000  329 Stanton Ave.   (3bd, 1ba)

Altadena - There are 2 condo/townhomes

$ 284,900  2104 Raymond #10 (2bd, 2ba)

$295,000   840 E. Mendocino #A6   (2bd,2ba)

Altadena - There are 11 single family homes

Lowest price - $284,900  617 Devirian Place  (2bd, 1ba) *worth checking out, large lot

Highest price - $349,900 2350 Olive Ave.  (3bd, 2ba)

Banked owned or short sales are some of the lower priced homes coming up in the market.

*information provided from Itech MLS/ PFAR

Pasadena 1922 Bungalow - Price Under $500,000

What a cute bungalow in Pasadena! 

Where? What Street?

Broker Open House, May 22 - I came across a great entry level home in Pasadena, CA.

65 N. San Marino Avenue, Pasadena, CA.

This is a charming bungalow home built in 1922.  It has two bedrooms, one bathroom (full), living with fireplace, a bright kitchen.  Hardwood floors, crown molding, built-in cabinetry are few of the period details adding value to this home.  San Marino Avenue is a wonderful tree-lined street. Nice size fence backyard with matured trees. Priced at $475,000.

Property Information: 915 sq. ft. home, 5980 sq. ft. lot (this is from assessor record)

Are you ready to move to Pasadena?

Listed by Coldwell Banker South Lake Office