real estate: Last Night I Dreamt of Some Bagels - 03/03/14 03:53 PM
Last Night I Dreamt Of Some Bagels

I admit it.  
 
When it comes to song lyrics, I can arrive at some interesting interpretations.
 
So a few weeks ago when I heard the Madonna song
 
La Isla Bonita
 
I was once again reminded of one of my many mistaken song lyrics
 
The song begins to everyone(but me)
 
Last night I dreamt of San Pedro
 
but
 
I heard and believe me, I still think
 
Last Night I Dreamt of Some Bagels
 
Yes, yes I know...it makes no sense….
 
Even … (66 comments)

real estate: In Real Estate - When The "Sure Thing" Isn't - 04/10/13 07:08 AM
In Real Estate - When The “Sure Thing” Isn’t
 
 

 
 
 
Ahh, the sure thing in real estate -- whether it be the relocating prospective buyer who has just three days to purchase a home or the homeowner with the quickly expecting and expanding family.   Maybe we’ll drop everything to devote the time, the energy and the focus to assist them.   Then -- nothing happens -- the emails stop, phone calls are not returned -- what happened?
 
Stuff happens -- always has, always will.
 
It happens more to some than to others - is it … (34 comments)

real estate: What Does $900,000 Buy You In Pasadena CA - 04/07/12 09:50 AM
What Does $900,000 Buy You In Pasadena CA
 
Every so often, I read or hear about an entire town for sale.   This past week the town of Buford, Wyoming(population: 1) was offered for sale in an internet auction that attracted worldwide attention and sold for $900,000.   An entire town for $900,000!
Well, what does $900,000 buy homebuyers looking in Pasadena, CA where I sell real estate?   Here are some examples of homes currently on the market, in escrow or recently sold in Pasadena:
 

Chapman Woods Single Story Traditional
Three Bedrooms, 2 Baths, approximately 2055 square … (9 comments)

real estate: How Do You Define Luxury? - 02/20/12 12:23 PM
 
How Do You Define Luxury?
 

The Lexington along the South Orange Grove corridor in Pasadena
This six unit condominium complex would be one of my definitions of "luxury" in Pasadena

About a week ago I was showing properties to a first time homebuyer and our last stop of the day was a brand new development of townhomes.   There in the model home/sales office was the brochure describing the homes and the complex as "luxurious".    
Luxury - an interesting word, don't you think?   A quick trip to an online dictionary tells us luxury can … (17 comments)

real estate: South Pasadena - September 2011 Sales Recap & Market Update (Single Family Homes) - 10/21/11 05:36 AM
 
South Pasadena - September 2011 Sales Recap & Market Update (Single Family Homes)
The city of South Pasadena, a separate city within the San Gabriel Valley, is sometimes known as "Tree City".   You will find tree-lined streets with character homes many dating back from the early days of the twentieth century.    In the the Altos de Monterey or Old Altos areas there are homes with spectacular views and a more contemporary flair.   Along Mission Street you will find  Mission Station for the Gold Line Light Rail system as well as the site of the weekly(Thursday late afternoon … (6 comments)

real estate: Does Dave Ramsey Hurt Real Estate Business? - 10/19/11 03:39 AM
Does Dave Ramsey Hurt Real Estate Business?
Dave Ramsey is an author and speaker who hosts a nationwide radio show largely based on achieving financial freedom.  He speaks of eliminating debt through living on a realistic budget without the use of credit cards or debt.   His show is one of the pre-sets on my radio as I am in and out of the car.  I've read his books and while I may not be in complete agreement with him, I believe him to have some great ideas on living a better financial life.   When one of his callers asks … (18 comments)

real estate: San Marino CA - August 2011 Sales Recap & Market Update - 09/09/11 03:02 PM
San Marino CA - August 2011 Sales Recap & Market Update
Since its founding, in 1913, San Marino has been home to some of the most beautiful estate properties in the state of California. It is home to the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, the former estate of Henry Huntington.   The 30 acre Lacy Park acts as a community gathering place as does the Crowell Public Library that opened in January 2008.  The San Marino School District has two elementary school, one middle school and high school with a reputation for excellence.  San Marino has single family homes … (5 comments)

real estate: Free Lunch? This is Not Why I Got Into Real Estate - 07/29/11 03:34 AM
Free Lunch?   This is Not Why I Got Into Real Estate
There is a contest on the Active Rain website that asks members why they entered real estate as well as their previous careers.  I have read some of these stories and they have been enlightening plus some really cute baby pics(part of the contest). This is not one of those posts
Free Lunch?   This is Not Why I Got Into Real Estate
Yesterday, was a broker caravan day for me.  Thursday highlights new properties that have come on the market in the Pasadena-Foothills areas.  The day's selections were … (12 comments)

real estate: Oh My, Was That My Active Rain Comment You Saw? - 02/25/11 04:56 AM
Oh My, Was That My Active Rain Comment You Saw?
As I was driving yesterday, I heard my cell phone ring --- don't you hate when that happens?   In California unless you are using a handsfree device, it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving.  I have never gotten used to the handsfree.
The voicemail message stated it was a reporter who had read what he described as an interesting exchange on Active Rain.  He read my comments on a post which was a bit different from other comments left that day and asked if I would call him to discuss.  I … (19 comments)

real estate: Important - Be Careful Before We Lose It - 12/01/10 11:47 AM
I am sure we in California are not alone - we have a very strong state association and received formal notification and a call to action to call(not just an email campaign) to fight against the elimination or any change to the mortgage interest deduction(commonly known as MID).  
Most of understand there is a need to reduce the size of the federal budget deficit but any change to the mortgage interest deduction(especially now)is not the answer.  As Realtors don't we use the MID as one of the important benefits of home ownership?
Aren't we in a precarious situation as the housing market tries to recover from our current horrible … (4 comments)

real estate: Is the Sky Falling or are you growing? - 12/01/10 11:15 AM
This is a very inspirational message - not just for this holiday season but throughout the year.   Bob Hashbarger from Springfield, Missouri --- regardless of our circumstances we can accept the bad or pursue the good and move on to greatness.   Read on and be inspired by Bob's post:

I'm a big believer in Self Willed Prophecy.
Whenever I see someone dragging their chin and blaming their circumstances on others I shake my head.  When I see someone who has decided to succeed I see them moving toward success because we move toward what we're thinking.
A wise old woman once told … (8 comments)

real estate: It's Here - The Recession is Over! Now What . . . - 11/25/10 07:00 AM
Brian Summerfield, Online Editor, REALTOR® Magazine writes that there are some that say the recession is over or in his words ovuh.   In his latest article(see link) he notes this is not a new trend but quotes one of most bearish commentators and coins a new(to me) term - zombie bears - who stake their reputation on the continuing downturn.  Ah, yes, good news doesn't sell newspapers or get televison ratings.
So what does this mean to us?  How often do we hear this question or related queries by sellers and buyers alike?  When will the housing market hit bottom?  If I … (7 comments)

 
Michael Jacobs, Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Pasadena, CA

More about me…

Address: P. O. Box 587, Pasadena, CA, 91102

Mobile: (818) 516-4393

Office: (818) 516-4393

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.


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