DENA LAND NEWS
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER BY LINDA LANE-WHITE—KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY SERVING MY HOMETOWN OF ALTADENA/PASADENA AND OUTLYING AREAS
December 2008
Looking Forward To The Most Festive Days Of The Year
Linda Lane-White “Singing” Realtor ® CA Lic #01091347 Notary Public
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As I write this, the festive mood of the holidays is just beginning. We don’t yet see the many homes lighted up or the Christmas trees in windows. But it will come soon enough and I hope that this year will be as joyous for your family as years past. We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Gas prices seem to be down (but maybe I shouldn’t write that since, as sure as I do, prices will rise by the time you get this!) And, just a guess, but I think everyone is mostly thankful that the election is over, no matter who you supported.
Then, believe it or not, there are signs that the economy is picking up...maybe not in the stock market, but the real estate market has picked up. Especially for buyers. Whether it’s real estate or stocks, always buy low and sell high! Lots of good things happening. As a matter of fact, a better economy is good and bad for homebuyers. If you are considering buying a home, you might call me soon. As the economy strengthens, prices will go up. Don’t miss out on a bargain! Linda Lane-White (626) 786-1231
Christmas Can Be A Great Time To Show Your Home
amily, cheer, warmth these are some of the memories and feelings the holidays conjure up and they are, not coincidentally, the best possible feelings to create when showing your home. Holidays offer the seller so many options for making a home perfect for the buyer: Special lights, holiday smells, cozy fireplaces, and festive decorations. Remember, though, the motto for sellers is 'stay simple.' • Use modest lighting and decorations inside and out. • If you have a Christmas tree, consider buying one size smaller than you usually buy. Arrange a few simple gifts with matching wrapping paper under the tree. Make sure there is no extravagant display of gifts or toys under the tree. Store furniture that is displaced by the tree.
• For all decorations, smaller and simpler is better. • Favor natural materials such as real pine branches and pine cones for wreaths and other decorations, and shun plastics or bright, big decorations. Avoid blowup decorations outside. • Decorate your home with fragrance. Bake bread or cookies. If this is impossible, try light holiday fragrances such as vanilla or cinnamon. Avoid heavy pine smells. • Clean thoroughly your fireplace and make sure a small, crackling fire is going during walk-throughs. But pay special attention to the temperature of your home. Make sure the home is lightly warm, not so toasty that potential buyers can't stand to wear their coats. • Make sure all your window blinds and curtains are open for day showings. This means the windows themselves must be perfectly clean.
Tax Break For The Widowed A little-publicized tax break for widowed homeowners is part of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, which was passed in December 2007. After the death of a spouse, homeowners now have two years to sell their home and keep up to $500,000 in profits tax free. The provision allows recently widowed homeowners more time to plan their future instead of rushing a home sale to avoid paying more
taxes. Previously, a home had to be sold the same year as a spouse's death to qualify for the $500,000 exclusion. Those who waited up to two years were only eligible for $250,000. Any longer, they wouldn't be eligible for any tax exclusion.
Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com
Ask an Expert
Q
I'm applying for a mortgage and now my neighbor tells me I should not buy the car I've been considering. Is that true?
A
As a general rule, it is a good idea to avoid all major purchases before you close on a loan. Don't buy cars, appliances, furniture, or any big ticket item. Don't lease a car. This is generally because a lender will pull your credit report before they make the loan. Any major, new financial burden you incur can change your debt to income ratio. If this happens you may no longer qualify for a home loan or the loan package will have to be changed to accommodate the new circumstances. By the way, be sure to make absolutely sure all your bills are paid on time before you close. Unpaid bills can also change your profile with a lender since you become less credit worthy. Do you need an answer to a burning question you may have? Feel free to give me a call. - Linda 626-786-1231
Christmas Tree Across
Down
1. Break bread 4. Type of asst. 9. "___ Got a Secret" 10. 100 equal 1 drachma in Greece 11. Shad delicacy 12. Seating sections 13. Hardened 15. Pa's mate 16. Heathen 18. Beaver St. 20. Wheaties or Cheerios 23. Sensational 25. Country singer Joe 26. Utopian 27. Cozy room 28. Strangely 29. Craving
1. Dublin's home 2. Shakespeare, the Bard of ___ 3. Get ready to drive 4. Presumably 5. Himalayan cedar 6. Automobile sticker fig. 7. Big-ticket ___ 8. Astronaut's insignia 14. Relating to or characteristic of a group of people 17. Destitute 18. Hodgepodge 19. Labor PM of Australia 21. Sheltered, at sea 22. Boston suburb 24. Sunburned
Want Answers? Email me if you want answers to this month’s trivia: lindalanewhite@kw.com
Christmas Trivia 1.
2.
3.
Easy Holiday Fudge
The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal.
Why are Christmas songs called carols? a-The word carol is an Old English word meaning "to sing outside," b-It comes from the French word "caroller," meaning to dance around in circles, c-They were written by Carol King. At the start of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, how big was the Grinch's heart? a-Two sizes too small, b-Three sizes too small, c-So small it was barely there at all. Jimmy Stewart is shown a vision of this small town going to seed in It's a Wonderful Life? a-Springfield, bMayville, c-Bedford Falls.
This recipe is perfect for the holiday season. It's simple, fast, and delicious. No need to heat up the stove, it can all be done using the microwave. Follow the simple steps below and you will be serving fudge in no time. Ingredients: 1 cube margarine or butter 1/4 cup nonfat milk 1 lb powdered sugar 1/2 cup cocoa 1 cup walnuts, chopped 1 tsp vanilla Directions: 1. In a large glass bowl, melt margarine or butter in microwave. 2. Stir in powdered sugar, milk, and cocoa and mix well. 3. Cook in microwave on high for two minutes. 4. Add walnuts and vanilla and stir to thicken, beating well. 5. Pour into a 9x9 square pan. Cool completely and have at it!
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Depression: Heart Breaking Doctors screening for heart problems check for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and other factors, but few will ask about depression. Many studies around the world show that depression is a factor in heart disease. Otherwise healthy patients with symptoms of depression have been shown to have as much as a 70 percent higher risk of having a heart attack. More evidence about the link recently came from the Women's Health Initiative. Of the 93,000 women in the study, those who were depressed had a 50 percent greater risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease than women who had no signs of depression. Everyone should take depression seriously. Talk to the doctor about depression just as you would discuss other health issues. Many treatments are available. Though they rarely ask about it, doctors know simple questions that can easily screen for symptoms of depression. Symptoms include a persistent sad, anxious or empty mood, loss of interest in hobbies, sex, and insomnia.
Happy Holidays From Linda, Chris, Charlie & Spike
No Increase in Medicare Bill Elderly and disabled people participating in Medicare will see no increase in their $96.40 per month bill in 2009. Costs of the program did rise, but the reserve gained $9.3 billion after officials discovered money was inadvertently being drawn from Part B to cover hospice benefits. About 5% of participants will see an increase, including individuals earning more than $85,000 and couples earning more than $170,000. Are you an Active Senior wanting to Hike, Bike and Ski? Go to www.overthehillganglosangeles.org Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com
Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com
When Buying or Refinancing... Call Peter First
Peter Cosfol Augusta Financial Senior Loan Officer
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It’s a GREAT time to Refinance! (661) 260-2970 Office · (661) 291-2234 Direct · (818) 281-1466 Cell
Date Sold 11/19/08 11/17/08 11/24/08 11/19/08 11/19/08 11/25/08 11/20/08 11/17/08 11/21/08 11/18/08 11/12/08 11/13/08 11/15/08 11/26/08 11/20/08 11/19/08 11/21/08 11/18/08 11/26/08
Days On Market Sale Price 275 425,000 149 1,099,000 65 257,000 7 300,000 70 570,000 26 382,500 34 551,000 79 250,000 28 270,000 98 380,000 161 957,500 6 445,000 145 489,000 326 515,000 11 1,220,000 65 380,000 267 765,000 10 965,000 262 489,000
Recent Area Sales Address 2454 Santa Anita Ave 835 E Woodbury Rd 921 E Galatea St 506 N Orange Ave 15022 Avenida Del Rio 633 S Washington Ave 4233 Wiley Ln 24266 Broad Oak St 23741 Cadenza Dr 355 S Madison Ave #303 1073 Linda Vista Way 1735 Beverly Dr 670 E Howard St 925 Worcester Ave 1195 La Loma Rd 1000 Cordova ST #306 3780 E California Blvd 2032 Pine St 10551 Samoa Ave
(Derived from PFAR MLS)
City
Bed/Bath S.F.Home S.F.Land Altadena 3/2 1347 10028 Altadena 6/4 3624 27480 Azusa 4/2 1444 6060 Azusa 4/3 1808 8400 Chino Hills 4/3 2459 7280 Glendora 3/2 1095 5798 La Crescenta/Glen-Mo 3/2 1488 8525 Murrieta-West 5/3 3547 7405 Murrieta-West 5/3 2850 7840 Pasadena (SW) 2/2 939 45828 Pasadena (NW) 3/3 2804 6652 Pasadena (NW) 2/1 954 7000 Pasadena (NE) 3/3 1834 8220 Pasadena (NE) 4/2 1948 7079 Pasadena (SW) 4/4 2500 14370 Pasadena (SE) 2/2 1330 845 Pasadena (SE) 3/4 3190 13158 South Pasadena 4/3 2846 9266 Sunland/Tujunga 4/4 2800 7200
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. This publication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All information was obtained from sources deemed reliable, and while I do not doubt its accuracy, I cannot guarantee it. Some items provided by CAR Client Direct and Fidelity National Home Warranty. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.
Hanukkah Project For Kids Here’s a quick and easy craft project for kids at Hanukkah: Create your own Miracle Menorah. Have kids cut nine stars out of modeling clay for use as candle holders. You can use cookie cutters or do the job freehand. Make sure each star has at least one flat front surface. Once the clay is modeled, write the word ‘miracle’ by putting one letter on each star candle holder. You will have two left over which you can use on both ends of the homemade Menorah. You can add a pretty decoration on each end star candle holder. Arrange your Menorah on a table, add decorations or paint your stars blue.
Stay Positive During the Holidays Holidays are for celebrating what is truly important to you, your family, and friends. Make it the holiday you want it to be and chances are you will keep a positive attitude. 1. Avoid over scheduling yourself. 2. Use an agenda to keep track of your holiday commitments. 3. Give yourself plenty of time between events. 4. Schedule some downtime for yourself everyday. 5. Lower your expectations. 6. Don’t strive for perfection, good enough is okay. 7. Don’t expect your family to be
A Kiss Under The Mistletoe
B
eing kissed under the mistletoe has been a Christmas tradition for more than a thousand years. But mistletoe is not only associated with a gentle kiss, it has a lore all its own. To the ancient Scandinavians, mistletoe symbolized peace. Enemies meeting under the mistletoe declared a truce until the following day. On a more domestic note, disgruntled spouses kissed and made up under the greenery. The Druids believed mistletoe possessed magical powers. Their priests cut the plant with golden sickles and gathered the trimmings on white cloth so the plant would never touch the earth and lose its enchantment. The French didn't like it. They said mistletoe was cursed because it grew on the wood from which the cross of Christ was made and that it was doomed to be a rootless parasite forever.
8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
perfect during the holidays. Make a budget and stick to it. The price of the gift is not equal to how much you love them. Focus on the people that you care about instead of the stuff that really doesn’t matter. Beware of the joy-to stuff ratio: more stuff does not equal more joy. Spread out your socializing in the months after the holidays. Don’t try to pack a year’s worth of socializing into a few weeks. Get as much sleep as you can. Schedule one or two pajama days for yourself or for the whole family to stay home and rest. Enjoy some downtime together without rushing about.
Tax Change For Sale of Vacation Homes
If you want to avoid prorating the capital gains tax on the sale of your vacation house, In the Middle Ages, mistletoe was hung better make it your home address before from ceilings in Europe to ward off evil, or January 1, 2009. After that, you may not get the full capiit was dangled over doors to prevent the tal-gains tax exclusion of up to $500,000 per entrance of witches. If mistletoe was suscouple ($250,000 for singles) that applies to pended over a crib, the child was said to be primary homes. safe from kidnapping. Under new rules passed recently, the Viking lore describes the goddess of exclusion will be prorated by the amount of love, Frigga, who time you actually used the home as a primade each plant and animal promise not to mary residence. If you owned the home for 10 years, but lived in it only the last two, kill her son Baldur. She forgot the mistle- you would be able to exclude only 20 percent of the profit from the sale of the home. toe plant and Baldur January 1, 2009 is the starting date for was killed by a spear the calculation, so longtime homeowners made from it. The won't have to worry about the years before white berries on the that date. mistletoe are said to If you bought a beach house in 2000 and have been created moved into it on January 1, 2011, then sell it from her tears. in 2013 you will get to exclude about half of When her son the capital gain. The home will have been returned to life, Frigga your primary residence for half of the years proclaimed the mistletoe to be sacred. She when the measure was effective. kissed everyone who passed under it and If you move to your second home before decreed the plant should henceforth bring love. This is said to be the origin of kissing January 1, assuming you lived in your primary residence for two years before that, under the mistletoe. you will have three years to sell that home So go ahead. Kiss under the mistletoe, have fun doing it, and give a nod to Frigga and use the full exemption. for starting a very enjoyable custom.
Not using your smile? You’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook...Les Giblin Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com
Pasadena Market Center 445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105 Cell: (626) 786-1231 Office: (626) 204-3436 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
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Search the MLS on my web site! December Happenings in Dena Land Dec 7 1-5pm Castle Green Tour. 99 S. Raymond, Pasadena. $20 or free for 12 and under. 626-577-6765 or www.castlegreen.com Dec 12 7:30—11pm Robert Kyle to perform at Red White & Bluezz on Green and Raymond in Pasadena Dec 13 8am Rose Bowl Half Marathon. 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena. Information 714-978-1528 or www.pacificsportsllc.com Dec 13 11am. 3rd Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party at Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E Colorado. $19. Call 626-449-5320 Dec 13 5:00pm 88th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting. If you haven’t heard Linda Lane-White sing, yet, now’s your chance to be a critic. The John Muir High Alumni Drum Corp will perform, too! 88th Annual join your neighbors for a fun and eventful evening Christmas Tree Lane Come Dec 14 1pm—4pm Pasadena History Museum Holiday Open House 470 W Walnut, Pasadena. Free 626Lighting Ceremony 577-1660 www.pasadenahistory.org Dec. 19 7pm Caroling at Hastings Ranch with Max and Daniel. You will be provided with the music and Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 lyrics. Vroman’s Bookstore 3729 E Foothill, Pasadena Free. 449-5320 Dec 21 10am—6pm Warehouse Denim Sale. Pasadena Convention Center 300 E Green. 5:00 Boutique Opens 6:00 Ceremony Begins www.thewarehousesale.com Dec 25 10am Christmas Dinner in the Park. Help make this holiday season special by volunteering or donating food or toys. Central Park 219 S Fair Oaks, Pasadena. Free 626-240-4550 ext 542 or Location: Altadena Liwww.unionstationfoundation.org brary—Corner of Mariposa Various Christmas Events will also occur at: Descanso Gardens : 818-949-7980 ww.descansogardens.org and Santa Rosa Ave and the L.A. Arboretum: 626-821-3222 www.arboretum.org HEADS UP FOR JANUARY: Clayton Lane (aka Nicky Grant) performs at the Ice House on Jan. 4 @7:30pm
Come out for free entertainment, pics with Santa and to mingle with your neighbors!
Call (626) 403-1123 for more information. www.christmastreelane.net
Five Ways to Make Holiday Wishes Come True Help make holiday wishes come true. Bring joy and hope to children and families who have faced overwhelming challenges. 1. Purchase a gift for a child or a cottage 2. Host a holiday “Wish Tree” at you place of work, worship, or service club/organization 3. Brighten an entire family’s holiday season through our Adopt-A-Family program 4. Host a food drive at your place of work, worship, or service club/organization 5. Host a “Wish Tree” to benefit the women and children of Grace Center
Bring your unwrapped gifts on or before Dec 22, 2008 to Five Acres at 760 W. Mountain View, Altadena
For more details, call Margaret at 626-798-6793 ext. 2244 or mmorici@5acres.org Also see the Events Page of www.5acres.org