DENA LAND NEWS A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER BY LINDA LANE-WHITE—KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY SERVING MY HOMETOWN OF ALTADENA/PASADENA AND OUTLYING AREAS June 2009
Father’s Day is June 21st! Thanks, Dad
T
Linda Lane-White “Singing” Realtor ® CA Lic #01091347 Notary Public (626)786-1231
here's more to being a dad than earning a living and being an advisor to their children. According to researchers in the Fatherhood Project at the Families & Work Institute, interacting with Dad is crucial for child development. Researchers now know that even interactions with your infant or toddler influence how your kids will relate to other people later in their lives and how they will view the world at large. Other studies show that children whose fathers played with them at age 2 tended to form closer, more trusting relationships with others at ages 10 and 16. Dads often tell the family stories to children,
giving them an anchor to their family as they grow and experience life’s challenges. For all the Dads and Moms out there who are looking for the perfect place to anchor their families, I hope you’ll call me. I can help you find the home of your dreams. In Memory of my Father, Bill Lane who passed away on 6-21-95. You were so full of wisdom and had so many stories to tell. I love and miss you! xoxoxoxoxoxo
Mortgage Interest Is Lowest Since 1990
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ow interest rates have set off a race among homeowners to refinance, and the low interest rates are increasingly nudging undecided buyers finalize their purchase of a home. In the week ending March 20, loan terms for 30-year, fixed rate mortgages fell to an average of 4.63 percent, the mortgage Bankers Association reports. Up to that point, it was the lowest rate in the history of the survey, which began in 1990. Mortgage applications were up 20 percent in that week over their year ago level. In addition to mortgage deals, attractive prices on homes and foreclosed homes are drawing new buyers into the marketplace. Up to 45 percent of existing home sales were distressed properties in this same week. Individuals looking for a safer place to invest are making real estate deals, which also increased the number of
mortgage applications. Refinancing Refinancing of present mortgage loans accounted for 78.5 percent of all mortgage applications in that particular week. Real estate agents, mortgage brokers and lenders are busy. Some lenders are sweetening the deals in order to move properties with such offers as a "no points" closing. Government loan modification plans are also causing homeowners to refinance. In most cases, they should have the aid of a professional to assist them in deciding which program would be best for them.
“Green” Solutions: 1) Plant mint to keep mice from invading your garden; 2) Return unused or expired prescription medications to your pharmacy for proper disposal; 3) Pick up dog waste with biodegradable scoop bags; 4) Remove the screensaver from your computer, use sleep mode instead and save 90 watts of power; 5)Use ice to sharpen the blades in your garbage disposal; 6) Set air conditioner thermostat to 78 degrees throughout the summer; 7) Put a cover on your pool so less water can evaporate; 8) Wash your car at a commercial car wash (i.e. Fair Oaks Car Wash) 9) Read magazines at the library instead of buying them; 10) Invite friends to summer gatherings electronically via “e-vite.com” or “sendomatic.com”
Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com
Ask an Expert
Veteran Refinancing I'm a military Q veteran and having a difficult time making my high mortgage payments. Is there any special help available for me?
A
Indeed there is. Veterans of Iraq and other military service can take advantage of recent changes that make the VA's loan guarantee program more flexible for borrowers. The VA Streamline Refinance program allows loans of up to 100 percent of the value of a home. Maximum loan amounts vary from one part of the country to another. Before these increased maximums, VA loans were capped at $144,000. The changes are specifically designed to assist veterans with subprime mortgages so they can refinance into a safer, more affordable VA loan. During wartime, an active-duty member of the military needs only 90 days of service to qualify for the program. The requirement for a reservist or National
High Finance Crossword Across 1. "Welcome" site 4. ___ Today 7. "___ la la!" 8. Heirloom location 10. Bruin legend Bobby 11. Bridget Fonda, to Jane 12. Colossus 14. Highest points 17. A pen for livestock in southern Africa 18. Norse goddess of love 21. Kind of feeling 23. Billiards bounce 24. "Fantasy Island" prop 25. Number cruncher, for short 26. Feminine suffix Down 1. Jersey call 2. Blood carrier 3. Thunderflies 4. Colorado Indian 5. As written
6. Trick taker, often 8. Type of word play 9. Skin problem 13. ___ Rose 15. American symbol 16. Veers
Happy Birthday
18. TV monitor? 19. Bad-mouth 20. Baseball stat 22. "___ the season ..." The title is a clue to the shaded diagonal word.
Happy Anniversary
Coreen & Peter Larson—1st Kathryn Melton—4th Kitty & Kyle Nickerson—12th Adam Odisho—4th Joe & Sherry Cavallo—14th Shanti Molina—8th Paul & Juanita DeVaugn—15th Craig Peery—10th Eric & Alice Blackwood—22nd John Welton—13th Henry & SunYoung Moon—23rd Ramona Rodriguez—14th Chris White—16th (Happy 50th) Robert & Connie DeVaughn-27th Chet & Jackie Kelsey—29th Shelly Parker—18th Chris Williams—20th Rebecca Mitilineos—22nd Kitty Nickerson—24th Fred Shotlow—29th
Guard member is six years, unless the member is called to active duty, in which case the 90-day requirement applies. Jim Brown, CEO of Veteran Mortgage in Everett, Washington, says many reservists don't know that they qualify. The VA charges an upfront funding fee, but the fee is waived for veterans who have a 10 percent disability or more. Borrowers must have a stable income and reasonable credit history, though guidelines are generous and flexible, according to Brown. Experts at Bankrate.com point out one advantage over FHA and other loans. The VA does not require
mortgage insurance on loans that exceed 80 percent of the home's value. Not all mortgage brokers and lenders can offer Veterans Affairs loans, but many do.
Want to know what has sold recently in YOUR area. Send me an e-mail or give me a call and I’ll custom tailor a list just for you! Linda Lane-White (626) 786-1231 or lindalanewhite@sbcglobal.net
Blueberry Coffee Cake Ingredients: 1 cup lemon low-fat yogurt 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 egg whites 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup flour 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (be sure that any frozen fruit you decide to use be thawed and drained before adding to recipe)
Directions: Heat oven to 375º F. Spray a 9x9x2" square pan with nonfat cooking spray. Beat yogurt, oil, egg whites and sugar in a large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients except blueberries. Carefully stir in blueberries and spread all ingredients in pan. Bake about 45 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool 10 minutes.
Active Adults Corner Trust Linda Lane-White as your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Pasadena Senior Center 85 E Holly Street, Pasadena 626-795-4331 Senior Olympics - June 6-28 Contact Cynthia Rosedale at 626-685-6754 or cynthiar@pasadenaseniorcenter.org www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org, www.californiaseniorgames.com Friday Movie Matinee - 1:30 6/5 Frost/Nixon, 6/12Sunset Boulevard, 6/19 Curious Case of Benjamin Button Dementia & Memory Loss —12pm is time for the lecture. Make reservation by calling 626/795-4331 Billiards Tournament—6/13 10am Call George Heusenstamm at 818/248-0537 or email gandmheuss@earthlink.net Maintenance & Prevention of Diabetes—6/18 10:30am Putting Your Life Story Down and Getting it Published—6/19 10am FREE Seminar. More info call Raul 626/685-6706 Class Tasting—6-22&23 9am to 12pm Test drive different classes at the center.
Altadena Senior Center 560 E. Mariposa St., Altadena 626-798-0505 Friday Movie Matinee 12:30 Films vary Exercise 9am Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Bingo 12:30 Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month Sign up now for the July 9th trip to Rubel Castle in Glendora
The Altadena Summer Beach Bus Starts June 23rd (other areas see http://ladpw.org/PDD/beach_bus/index.cfm) All Children and Adults ................... $3.00 Sr. Citizens (60+) ............ $1.50 (bring ID) Persons with Disabilities..................$1.50 Trips are Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Labor Day Pickups are from 9:15 to 9:50am throughout Altadena. Arrive at the beach at 11am. Then the bus leaves Santa Monica Beach at 3:30 to return to Altadena. Call 888-769-1122 for more info
When Buying or Refinancing... Call Peter First &
Get Pre-Approved
Peter Cosfol Augusta Financial Senior Loan Officer
Augusta Financial is a service oriented mortgage company that specializes in residential financing. We have many loan programs to help our clients with all of their mortgage needs. Peter offers the best pricing with the lowest fees! Peter will personally address all of your questions and concerns regarding the loan process! Augusta Financial makes the loan process seem easy! Augusta is both Broker and Mortgage Banker! We offer In-house processing and funding!
It’s a GREAT time Buy or Refinance! (661) 260-2970 Office · (661) 291-2234 Direct · (818) 281-1466 Cell
Level 1-Commercial 560 sf Level 2- 1 BR/1BA 560 sf 2 Car Garage 400 sf Laundry Room 64 sf 2,997 sf lot Separate HVAC Units Separate Electric Meters Dual pane laminate glass Alarm System Security Gates (10% down financing is available for owner/user)
1564-66 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA Open House Every Saturday from 2 to 5pm Bring me a buyer for $599,000—Free LCD TV! Completely renovated, vacant, free-standing building, great street frontage Call (626) 786-1231 for more information
www.1564NFairOaks.com (Construction by Ceedub Construction)
Highlights Mixed Use Live/Work Owner/User Investment Enterprise Zone Tax Credits Hiring Credits
Zoned FGSP-CL-1B Use Code: Retail/ Residential
Who do you know right now who’s looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate? Give me a call or send me an E-mail. I’m never too busy for your referrals to friends or family. Linda Lane-White (lindalanewhite@kw.com or 626-786-1231) Disclaimers: All real estate information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change, or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor this company shall be responsible for typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. If your property is currently listed with another real estate broker, this is not a solicitation of that listing.
Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com
Seller Financing Can Be An Option For Some Buyers/Sellers
W
hen the home you want does not have a mortgage or has one the seller is willing to carry, seller financing can be a great deal for a person buying a home. Usually, the seller will want 10% down, but not always. The interest rate charged could be a point above the lowest bank rate. But one big advantage: The seller usually doesn’t require mortgage insurance, meaning the monthly payment will be lower in any case. The loan can be constructed on a 30-year basis. Most sellerfinance deals, however, last for 5 to 7 years, then are settled with a balloon payment for the balance. Sometimes, a buyer who opts for seller financing will be in a better position 5 or 7 years down the road and will then be able to qualify for a 30-year conventional mortgage. When buying a seller-financed property, be sure to get a current appraisal. Get title insurance for a few hundred dollars. It will show any tax liens and any other claims that could affect a property transfer. And, of course, consult your local Realtor—me!! - Linda Lane-White
Investing in real estate: The time has come
P
eople just like you are scooping up bargain-priced properties. They could be getting the bargain of a lifetime. It is a great time to invest. First timers: If you haven't owned a home in the last three years, it's an even better time to buy. According to the government mortgage assistance program, you are considered a firsttime buyer and are eligible for the first time homebuyer tax credit. Under that program, singles with income of up to $75,000 and couples earning up to $150,000 can claim a tax credit of up to CEEDUB $8,000, ($4,000 for singles) CONSTRUCTION which does not have to be paid RESIDENTIAL & LIGHT COMMERCIAL back. The home must be purchased between Jan. 1 and Dec. With over 30 years of experience, we work with you to achieve your dream. 1 (not December 31) of 2009. This is an "above the Call Today For A Free Estimate (Licensed/Bonded/Insured) line" tax credit, which means you don't have to itemize taxes (626) 786-1229 to get it. CHRIS WHITE, OWNER Investing wisely: Even if Ca Lic #883002 you aren't eligible for that program, prices of many homes are lower than they have been in a www.ceedubconstruction.com long time. Today's super-low
interest rates, five percent of less, make investing in real estate a smart move. I can guide you through your search for the right property, one that will bring you a profit right now. Though many home prices have fallen, most rents have not, and rents are still rising in many areas. A well-established real estate agent knows the neighborhoods, is familiar with the properties involved, can help to secure a favorable financing deal and troubleshoot the whole procedure. Foreclosures and auctions: Sometimes a buyer can work directly with the bank or lender that is foreclosing on a property or one that is putting it up for auction. Unfortunately, the buyer could make a cat-in-a-bag deal, acquiring a property on which there is little history available. The property may not come with an appraisal from a reputable company. Generally, this buyer is on his own without a real estate agent to negotiate for him or defend him.
Pasadena Market Center 445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105 Cell: (626) 786-1231 Home Office: (626) 798-2382 Fax: (626) 296-1979 lindalanewhite@sbcglobal.net
Home Office: 519 Alameda, Altadena Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated
Linda Lane-White “Singing” Realtor® CA Lic #01091347 (since 1990) Notary Public (since 1987)
If You Would Like To Receive This Newsletter on a Regular Basis for Guaranteed Delivery (Snail or E-Mail) Call me or send me an E-Mail...LLW
In Tune With Your Needs
www.lindalanewhite.com
Search the MLS on my web site! Dena Land News June 2009 Happenings
ATTENTION FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS GET YOUR $8,000 HUD TAX CREDIT NOW TO USE WITH YOUR DOWN PAYMENT! Effective as of May 29, 2009, HUD tweaked the stimulus tax incentive so first time home buyers can get INSTANT assistance with down payment and closing costs. With FHA financing, a 3.5% down payment including the $8,000 Tax Credit, you can now get into your new home sooner rather than later. Call me for details: Linda Lane-White Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231
Every Sunday 6pm to 8pm Concerts in the Park, Memorial Park 1301 Foothill Blvd La Canada Various Dates Support our local Coffee Gallery in Altadena (Ian Whitcomb, I’m so sorry I missed you on May 31st!) Various acts perform at 2029 N Lake Call 626-398-7917 or www.coffeegallery.com Jun 5 7:15 to 11pm Robert Kyle performs at Red White & Bluezz www.robertkyle.com Jun 6/7 American Cancer Society’s Altadena Relay for Life Starts at 9am on Saturday and goes for 24 hours at Farnsworth Park. Free live music event...pack a picnic and go! Jun 6 8am to 12pm Christmas Tree Lane Bulb Testing. Come for refreshments and lunch and sit down and test bulbs while meeting your neighbors. 2062 Santa Rosa, Altadena 626-926-5045 Jun 6 11-4 Mountain View Mausoleum Open House 2300 N Marengo, Altadena 626-797-8016 $15 Jun 6 12pm John Muir Class of 1979 Reunion Committee Meeting. JMHS Library 626-786-1231 Jun 6 11-7 & Jun 7 10-7 On The Trail of: A Half Mile of Al Fresco Installations, Sculptures and Performances. Hahamonga Watershed Park 626-398-9278 www.newtownarts.org FREE Jun 7 1pm Castle Green Tour 99 S Raymond, Pasadena www.castlegreen.com626-577-6765$20 Jun 7 10-4 L.A. Concours de Elegance. Rose Bowl. www.laconcours.com Jun 7 Pasadena POPS—Free Concert Under the Stars Pasadena City Hall 100 N Garfield. 5:30 preconcert fun ...7:30 concert begins Jun 7 6-10pm 6th Annual Swingin’on a Star 5 Acres Benefit Gala-1 Colorado,Pasadena 626-798-6793. Jun 13 & 20 8am to 12pm Christmas Tree Lane undergrowth clearing. Santa Rosa/Woodbury Jun 13 8am California Friendly Landscaping Class Salvation Army 960 E Walnut, Pasadena www.pwpweb.com Jun 14 Flag Day—Fly your flag proudly!! Give ―Old Glory‖ its due. Jun 14 7pm Elliott Caine Jazz Trumpeter Farnsworth Park Summer Concert—Top of Lake in Altadena Jun 20 10amPasadena Chalk Street Painting Festival.Paseo Coloradoww.pasadenachaulkfestival.com Jun 21 11am-8pm PUSD All School Reunion Classes of the 70s BBQ-Picnicpalooza. Farnsworth Park – Top of Lake Ave in Altadena. Food 12-6. Call Mark DuCre at 702-762-5190 for more info Jun 21,24,25,26,27,28 Levitt Pavilion Events & Concerts in the Park www.levittpavilionpasadena.org Jun 21 Leigh Adams exhibit at the Howeeduzzit Gallery 821 S Raymond #27, Alhambra 626-458-8811 Jun 27/28 10am-6pm Riviera Village Summer Festival Redondo www.rivieravillage.org/events Jun 27 11-6 1st Go Mustangs Celebration at John Muir626-798-7881 www.gomustangs.ning.com Jun 27 7-11pm L.A. Chinatown 71st Anniversary 943-951 N Broadway, L.A. www.chinatownla.com Jun 28 7pm Downbeat Express,Altadena’s Big Band. Farnsworth Park—Top of Lake in Altadena Heads up! July 4 12pm Americafest 4th of July Celebration Pasadena Rose Bowl 626-577-3100 www.rosebowlstadium.com $13