In Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley with our very active real estate market and limited inventory, one of the many questions I ask of home buyers: what are you willing to give up in order to purchase your first(or next) home?
Real estate is comprised of negotiation and lot of compromise.
Whether the purchase is your first condo or the ultimate in estate living -- compromise always comes into play. So what are you willing to give up and what will you absolutely not? (25 comments)
The 85th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2013 in Hollywood at The Dolby Theatre(previously The Kodak). The nominees are prepping. There’s a new host - Seth MacFarlane. So where will you be? On the red carpet or in your own screening room watching Hollywood’s big salute to itself?
The nominees http://oscar.go.com/nominees
So if you haven’t seen all of the nominated performances and movies --- here’s a chance to see some of them in Pasadena before Sunday’s big show (5:30PM Pacific/8:30PM East Coast) on ABC. In Pasadena, catch the nominees, those not (23 comments)
Located in a convenient Pasadena California neighborhood, the Knowleton Square condominiums were built in 1981. This 22 home complex features secured gated access and an incredible courtyard with lush landscaping and waterscape features including a reflective pond and waterfalls. There is also an association spa for residents. There is elevator service to each of the three floors as well as to the gated subterranean parking garage with two parking spaces for each unit.
The location at 230 South Madison Avenue is just west of Lake Avenue between Cordova Street and Del Mar Boulevard (6 comments)
The Washington Square Landmark District is the second historic district established within the city of Pasadena. Formed in 2003, the district is comprised of approximately 250 homes. Built primarily between 1910 and 1940, there are a variety of architectural styles represented on its tree-lined streets.
The district's borders are Mountain Avenue to the south, El Molino(east side of street only) to the west, Hudson on the east and just south of Washington Boulevard to the north. Since Washington Square has been established as a historic Pasadena district, qualifying homes (24 comments)
Here are some of the events taking place on Saturday, February 16 and continuing for the next seven days in honor of Black History Month in Altadena and Pasadena CA.
Saturday, February 16, 2013 The 31st Annual Black History Parade and Festival will be held beginning at 10AM at Charles White Park in Altadena(77 Mountain View Street). The parade will continue from Charles White Park and then head south on Fair Oaks Avenue ending at Robinson Park(1081 North Fair Oaks in Pasadena). After the parade(12noon until 4PM) the Black History Festival will be (2 comments)
Arroyo Gardens is a complex of 18 townhomes with Craftsman-inspired architecture. Built in 1991, the two and three bedroom multi-level residences are sited on beautiful tree-dotted grounds with green lawns and mature landscaping. The exteriors boast numerous elements reminiscent of the Craftsman period of architecture which is so prevalent in Pasadena including colors chosen, wood and stonework.
The interiors of the Arroyo Gardens homes feature spacious floor plans with up to over 2000 square feet. Features include fireplaces, tall ceilings and vaulted ceilings, clerestory windows, French doors, private patios, bonus rooms (19 comments)
The South Orange Grove Boulevard corridor is home to some of the most luxurious condo and townhome complexes in Pasadena and throughout the San Gabriel Valley. The area also known as “Millionaires Row” for the grand mansions that once lined the wide boulevard offers convenient access to the best in shopping, dining, entertainment and culture as well as multiple freeways and Gold Line light rail stations.
There are currently nine properties available for sale along South Orange Grove as well as the area (6 comments)
According to the city of Pasadena Department of Transportation, 13 upgraded electric charging stations are now in place in public parking facilities in Old Pasadena and the Playhouse District. This upgrade is to the new SAE J1772 standard. This upgrade allows owners of the current generation of electric vehicles to charge while owners park at the following places: Old Pasadena
Holly Street Garage, 150 E Holly Street Schoolhouse Garage, 33 E Green Street De Lacey Garage, 34 S De Lacey Avenue Playhouse (11 comments)
This month’s First Friday Free Museum Night at the Norton Simon Museum comes with an added opportunity for art lovers especially fans of Vincent Van Gogh. This Friday, February 1, 2013 will see the return of the museum’s “Portrait of a Peasant(Patience Escalier)” from its four month loan to The Frick Collection in New York. It will be displayed along with Vincent Van Gogh’s “Self Portrait” from 1889. “Self Portrait” is on loan from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, (12 comments)
There are more than 100 bungalow courts in Pasadena CA according to a study completed in 2011.
Many are modest rentals with no amenities where off-street parking is rare. There are some that have been upgraded and converted to individual ownership with common area updates including parking. Of those that are individual ownership you will find a variety of architectural styles. In a typical bungalow court you will find smaller individual homes in a courtyard like setting with common garden areas. If you like (20 comments)
Looking for a condominium with style, drama and sophistication? 484 East California Boulevard in Pasadena CA might be your next address. Large and abundant windows, high ceilings, skylights and open free-flowing single to multi-level floor plans are hallmarks of this architect-designed condo complex at the southwest corner of Los Robles and California. Due to the expanse and interesting use of glass elements in the units - there are views of the treetops and mountains afforded by many units in the complex. Residences range from just under (11 comments)
pasadena: Pasadena CA - Looking for a Home That is Anything But Ordinary?
- 01/29/13 11:05 PM
Pasadena CA - Looking for A Home That is Anything But Ordinary? We are fortunate there is an amazing variety of architecture found in the homes in Pasadena, California. From Spanish & Mediterranean to Craftsman and Modern with everything in between. Large tract developments, for the most part, are rare(sure there is Hastings Ranch built in the 1950s) but Pasadena with its many tree-lined streets and beautiful neighborhoods is a an architectural wonderland for many visitor to the city.
Located in the southwest portion of the city and originally built in approximately 1891, it has been reported (21 comments)
Located at 1000 Cordova Street in Pasadena, Whispering Waters is a mid-century modern condominium complex. Built in 1960, Whispering Waters consists of 30 single level units comprised of one bedroom/one bath up to three bedroom/two bath residences with expansive floor plans many with pretty mountain views from the abundant windows and walls of glass. Parking for Whispering Waters is subterranean and there is a common area laundry. There is a very cool glass elevator serving each of the four floors of living. I remember when there were fountains along the front (13 comments)
Two of Pasadena CA many museums will offer free admission on Sunday, January 27, 2013. This is a wonderful opportunity to discover or rediscover two wonderful museums(why not visit both?). The Pacific Asia Museum is located at 46 North Los Robles Avenue just north of Colorado Boulevard. Founded in 1971, the museum is one of the few in the United States dedicated to arts and cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The collection is housed in a historic Chinese Imperial-style building and contains over 15,000 significant (19 comments)
Are you looking for a home with a view in Pasadena? There are choices all over the city. Choose from these locations and more:
San Rafael Annandale Linda Vista Prospect Park South Arroyo North Arroyo Rose Bowl Eaton Canyon Hastings Ranch Kinneloa Ranch Old Pasadena Langham Huntington Hotel California Institute of Technology Choose city lights or hillside or mountain or canyon or even views looking towards Downtown Los Angeles. Maybe overlooking or towards a golf course or a park view is one that calls to you. (15 comments)
Pasadena Woods, a ten unit townhome complex, is located at the southeast corner of Sierra Madre and Sierra Madre Villa boulevards. Built in 1979, the multi-level units are quite spacious with attached garages(although not direct access), three bedrooms and two-and-one-half baths with approximately 1839 square feet. Interior amenities include: fireplaces, wet bars, laundry connections and access to private patio or lawn areas.
The complex which has undergone extensive exterior renovations over the last few years including paint, window upgrades and shingle replacement. There is an association pool and spa. The location is just north (9 comments)
Located in a prime and desirable Pasadena, California neighborhood is the El Molino Arms condo complex. Built in 1972 as apartments and later converted to condominiums, there are 32 single level residences with either two or three bedrooms, each with two baths in the three story building. Parking is in the subterranean security-gated garage. Laundry facilities are common and located on the first level of the complex. There is a large central courtyard at El Molino Arms.
The location is certainly the biggest attraction for residents in (15 comments)
Located just north of the Rose Parade route, the Oak Terrace condominium complex is a collection of six newly constructed(completed 2012) with only one unit remaining for sale. The modern architecture and central courtyard is certainly eye-catching. Inside, each multiple level design features three bedrooms, three baths and a private rooftop terrace. Parking is in a gated subterranean parking garage.
The location is just west of the newly re-developed Vons grocery store at Sierra Madre and Colorado boulevards. Everything Pasadena is quite convenient with the Foothill Freeway(210) and the Gold Line (11 comments)
Located at 137 North Oak Knoll Avenue, the Oak Knoll Village Townhome complex consists of 28 mutli-level residences just north of Colorado Boulevard in a prime close-in Pasadena CA neighborhood. Oak Knoll Village consists of one and two bedroom units with attached garages, in-unit laundry connections, vaulted ceilings, skylights and fireplaces with an open almost loft-like feel. Built in 1985, the complex is professionally managed.
While the homes are small -- less than 800 square feet of living per tax assessor records, the location is highly desirable. Close to South (11 comments)
This is an update of the $1,000,000 and more real estate market in Pasadena CA. The report covers sales for 2012 and compares it to 2011 for the entire city and by zip code. I am also including a summary of the properties(both single family, condos, lofts and townhomes) currently on the market for sale and in escrow. According to our local multiple listing service(MLS) there were 189 sales in excess of $1,000,000 in 2012 with an average sales price of $1,843,958. The closed transactions (12 comments)
Your source for real estate information in the San Gabriel Valley and northeast communities of the city of Los Angeles including: Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Temple City, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Bradbury, Azusa, Glendora, Claremont, Glendale and La Canada Flintridge as well as Highland Park, Monterey Hills, Eagle Rock, Mt Washington, Montecito Heights, Glassell Park and Sagamore Park.