DENA LAND NEWS A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER BY LINDA LANE-WHITE—KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY SERVING MY HOMETOWN OF ALTADENA/PASADENA AND OUTLYING AREAS
March 2009
Linda Lane-White “Singing” Realtor ® CA Lic #01091347 Notary Public
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Spring is the time for renewal So finally on March 20, Spring arrives with the promise of birds, gardens, green grass, and probably a bit more rain. Most people love Spring and the sense of renewal it brings with it. No wonder Spring is the best time to sell a home and (of course) the most popular time to buy one. This year is no different. We are seeing the usual influx of Spring buyers and sellers. This
year promises to be a Super Spring for both buyers and sellers. Although there is still a generous supply of homes on the market and some great values out there, we expect to see a slight tightening of the market and, with it, rising home prices later in the year. Loan rates are so low right now, it’s not surprising. If you are ready to buy, don’t delay! Linda Lane-White (626) 786-1231 www.lindalanewhite.com
Spring Is The Best Time To Sell Your Home!
ew jobs, retirement, and maybe just a taste for change, these are some of the life circumstances that make you want to sell your home. Here's the good news: There are buyers out there, and if you want to snag one, you have to start with the beginner steps and move on to the advanced ones. Traditional selling tips still apply: Start now. Spring is usually the best time to sell, but there will be no other timing advantages. Fix up and clean up. Don't do expensive renovations, but paint it and make it completely clean. Declutter. All of it. Keep only enough furniture to make the house livable and put the rest in storage. That includes knickknacks, family photos, and more. Clean out your drawers and closets. You want your closets and cabinets to be spacious. More advanced steps include: * Set a realistic price. The housing market changes naturally over time. A good price involves many factors including knowing recent sales prices in the neighborhood and understanding
what features of your home increase its value. A good Realtor® can set the price and make it attractive enough to attract serious buyers to your property. * Promote your property. The Realtor® pays the usual marketing costs, such as newspaper want ads. Mailings can get to be pretty pricey, but if there’s enough commission built in to the Listing Agreement, your Agent shouldn’t scrimp. Your Realtor® should also post your home in blogs like Active Rain, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, etc. * Your Realtor® should also make sure that your house is shown on real estate Web sites such as Trulia, Zillow, and Cyberhomes, Eppraisal and Realtor.com are some of the best ones. * Accept a reasonable offer. A house is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
Save Hundreds at the (Toilet) Tank Water conservation is becoming a household necesthese valves “lock” the refilling of a tank without dissity due to more states declaring drought emergencies abling the toilet. each year. Homeowners are made aware of the leak because Plus, not only does water conservation help the they have to push the lever twice to flush the toilet. environment, but it also puts less strain on the pocketOther signs that a toilet is leaking include the sound of book. Repairing a leaky toilet can save up to 200 galrunning water and the toilet turning on and off without lons of water a day or more than $365 a year on your being flushed. You may need to replace the flapper, the water bill, depending on the varying cost of water in handle, or adjust the water level in the tank to make your area and the severity of the leak. sure water isn’t being wasted in your toilet. One way to identify a leaky toilet is to add a few For additional tips on toilet repairs, water conservadrops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the toilet is not tion and information on products that save water, money and running and the coloring seeps into the toilet bowl, it signals a make an environmental difference, go to www. leak at the flapper. Another simple way to recognize toilet fluidmaster.com/waterconservation. leaks is to install a Fluidmaster Leak Sentry Fill Valve or Leak Guard Fill Valve on your toilet. After detecting a leak,
Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com
Ask an Expert My husband Q and I have been casually looking for houses for sometime. Now we are very serious about buying. How can we narrow down our choices?
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There are so many wonderful properties on the market right now, I am glad you are thinking in this direction. The fact is you just have to create a mental filter. First, decide what features of the house you must have. This is sometimes different than deciding on location or neighborhood. What features of the house itself do you require? To take an obvious example if you have two children and you need three bedrooms, it really doesn't matter how much you like the neighborhood if the house isn't right. On the other hand if you would like a spa bathroom, but you find a three bedroom house in the right neighborhood at the right price, will the lack of a spa be a deal killer? If so, then a spa bathroom
Ground beef Across 1. "___ do you do?" 4. 007, for one 7. Commuter line 9. Ad headline 10. Jerk 11. Support, with "up" 12. Read the riot act to 14. Dental bit 15. Venus __ 19. "How ___!" 20. Arch type 22. Frau's partner 23. "This is fun!" 24. Cry in cartoons 25. Mar. follower Down 1. "48___"
2. Diamond Head locale 3. Chicken 4. Delhi wrap 5. Trudge 6. "Sure" 8. Congressional persuader 9. Songbird 13. Same old, same old 15. At liberty 16. Lie in ambush 17. Turkish title 18. Chick's sound 19. Cafe alternative
The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal. Birthday Wishes This Month Go Out To:
Ibarionex Perello—5th Bonnie Anderson—5th David Lane—6th Linda Lane-White—10th Ann Albert-Braun—25th Gilda Jordan—25th
is something you require. That brings us to the next filter. What would you like to have in a house but could live without? These items can constitute a tie breaker. For example, if you want a 2-acre lot and you would like to have a large fenced area for your dog, then if you are deciding between two acceptable houses, the one with the fence might cinch the deal. Finally, you come to a list of 'absolutely nots.' This is the most important list to the real estate agent, who will then have an idea of where not to look. Be sure your list of absolute negatives are accurate. If you build your mental filter before you begin to look, then you probably won't have to look too long at too many houses. But if, after searching, you still haven't found something, you might take time to reexamine your priori-
ties. When you do find a house that meets your priorities and makes you heart beat fast, take it! Don't wait to see if there is another dream house around the corner. When you see your dream, snag it, or someone else will!
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Irish Lamb Stew INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1-pound leg of lamb, cut into ¾inch cubes 3 cups beef broth 2 cloves garlic, minced (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder) 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or marjoram leaves ¼ teaspoon pepper 2 cups peeled potatoes, cut into ½-inch cubes 1½ cups carrots, cut into ½-inch slices 1½ cups celery, cut into ½-inch slices ½ cup chopped onion
DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Add lamb and cook until brown, about 5 minutes. 3. Add beef broth, garlic, rosemary or marjoram, and pepper. 4. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 20 minutes or until meat is tender. 5. Stir in potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion. 6. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Makes about seven (1¼ cup) servings
Crustless Pizza INGREDIENTS: 4 green bell peppers (or red for a sweeter taste and festive color) 1 4-ounce package pepperoni slices 1 medium tomato, diced 4 medium button mushrooms sliced 1/2 cup of diced yellow onions 1/2 cup diced black olives 8-ounce package of Mozzarella cheese 2 teaspoons of olive or canola oil 1 teaspoon of pizza spice DIRECTIONS: Cut the top off of
each pepper and remove the seeds and white interior ribs. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix all other ingredients, with the exception of the oil. Stuff the mixture into the peppers and drizzle 1/2 teaspoon oil over the top of each. A small portion of cheese may also be saved to sprinkle on the top of the pepper. Bake at 350 degrees in a pre-heated oven until the cheese is melted and the outsides of the peppers start to wrinkle. Serves four.
Active Adults Corner Trust Linda Lane-White as your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Pasadena Senior Center St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Monday, March 17 at noon . Rummage, Craft & Bake Sale Saturday, March 21 Pasadena Golf Classic Monday, March 23 For information about the events above, contact Cynthia at (626) 685-6724, or cynthiar@pasadenaseniorcenter.org
Altadena Senior Center 560 E Mariposa, Altadena Every Thursday in March at 9am there is Free Income Tax Service March 18 9:30-11:30 Free Health Counseling For more info: (626) 798-0505
New Therapy Slows Progression of Alzheimer's Using the drug memantine plus cholinesterase inhibitor drugs, doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital found their Alzheimer's patients had a significantly lower rate of cognitive impairment than other patients in their study. In 10 to 15 percent of patients, symptoms were reversed or partially reversed. In others, development of symptoms was slowed. Patients in the study were tracked for two-and-a-half years. Then, using computer projections, they were able to predict what their progress would be four years after beginning the study. Diets That Lower Cholesterol Researchers reporting in the New England Journal of Medicine were surprised to find that a low-carbohydrate diet improves the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL (good) cholesterol more than a low-fat diet. Low-fat diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, recommend no more than 30 percent of calories from fat. They restrict calories and promote whole grains, vegetables and fruit. Low-carb diets include the Atkins diet, which helps people lose weight, but also improves cholesterol ratios. As always, eat your oatmeal and try eliminating saturated fats and greasy foods from your diet.
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 &
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 to Refinance! (661) 260-2970 Office · (661) 291-2234 Direct · (818) 281-1466 Cell Recent Area Sales Days On Market
Sale Date
15 28 20 7 106 283 262 23 186 88 44 23 123 19 49 73 180 19 7 144
02/05/09 03/02/09 02/11/09 02/26/09 02/27/09 02/12/09 02/09/09 02/02/09 02/02/09 02/17/09 02/06/09 02/02/09 02/20/09 02/02/09 02/19/09 02/12/09 02/24/09 02/02/09 02/20/09 02/04/09
List Price
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
319,777 384,900 438,500 453,900 599,900 1,375,000 2,749,000 425,000 849,000 584,900 1,075,000 699,000 1,399,000 639,500 725,000 630,000 265,000 630,000 1,199,000 729,900
(Derived from PFAR MLS)
Sold Price
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
325,000 440,000 450,000 477,000 611,000 1,500,000 2,300,000 417,000 840,000 605,000 910,000 660,000 1,300,000 602,000 715,000 630,000 259,000 595,000 1,225,000 657,000
Address
***Linda was buyer’s agent! City/Area
2785 Fair Oaks Ave Altadena 1272 E Loma Alta Dr Altadena 1747 Roosevelt Ave Altadena 939 Parkman St Altadena 3000 Santa Rosa Ave Altadena 1375 E Mendocino St Altadena 9000 Meredith Pl Beverly Hills 2437 E Curtis Ct Glendora 234 Inverness Pl Glendora 2942 Stevens St La Crescenta 203 N Arden Hancock Park 2421 Walgrove Ave Palms - Mar Vista 745 Oak Knoll Cir Pasadena (SE) 1766 Old Grove Rd Pasadena (NE) 1275 Hastings Ranch Dr Pasadena (NE) 420 Esplanade #10 Redondo Bch 11212 Michelin Dr*** Riverside 2002 Via Esperanza San Dimas 821 Rollin St South Pasadena 7255 Tranquil Pl Sunland/Tujunga
Bed/ Bath
Home S.F
Lot S.F
3/1 3/2 2/1 3/2 3/2 5/3 5/6 2/3 4/3 3/3 4/2 3/2 3/3 2/2 3/3 2/3 4/3 4/3 3/2 4/5
1208 1780 1287 1606 1785 3601 4140 1727 2238 1884 2433 1544 2699 1470 1800 1762 2016 2223 2308 3415
8205 7994 7432 6966 14440 35375 25260 Condo 11840 5955 7450 5850 10398 5345 7564 1916 8276 23722 23889 33977
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. 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.
Four Reasons Why You Should Stop Renting! If you have not bought a house for three years, the United States government is about to hand you $8,000. There is one catch. You have to invest in the American Dream and buy a house. Luckily, if that is what you want to do anyway, you appear to have hit a miniature jackpot. Last year's Housing and Economic Recovery Act offered new homeowners a $7,500 tax credit if they bought a home before June 30. According to that plan the $7,500 tax credit would be repaid over 15 years with annual payments of $500 added from the borrower's income tax bill. But, thanks to Congress and President Barack Obama, this past month that amount changed to $8,000 AND it doesn’t have to be paid back if you stay in your home for 3 years. For first time homeowners, this promises to be a one-time bonanza during the best time in history to buy a home. Call me for more information on this credit. Here are just some of the reasons why the cost of housing will probably never be more economical. 1) Inventory of new homes is tightening. That means there are fewer new homes for buyers to buy. It's basic economics: When the supply goes down, the price goes up. 2) Congress is moving to close off the dribble of foreclosures on pre-owned homes. Again, with fewer houses going on the market via foreclosure, the supply of homes will go down and price increases will soon follow. 3) Interest rates are fantastic right now. The best borrowers can now get 30 -year mortgages at rates under 5 percent. 4) Obama's promised new stimulus packages will likely extend and sweeten deals for homeowner. The fact is that now might be the best time in your life to buy a home.
Credit Score 700: 8 Steps To A High Credit Score and New Home First-time home buyers, especially young people, may have never seen their credit score or even considered their credit worthiness, but when they want to buy a home, that changes. These days, a credit score of 700 is usually considered a good starting point for a home loan. However, FHA loans may be more lenient. But the most important thing is to start immediately to establish, build or improve your credit. Here is our One-Year plan for better credit that works for everyone, not just first-time homebuyers: 1. Go to annualcreditreport.com and look over your free annual report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. Look for errors. Then immediately take steps to correct them. 2. Pay your bills on time. You must never be late even once. One of the most common comments bill collectors hear from young borrowers is: I have the money, I just forgot to pay the bill. Stop forgetting. You must establish an ironclad history of paying your bills on time. 3. Work on getting your credit balances below 50 percent of your maximum credit limit. That raises your score. If you balances are below 30 percent, it raises your score again. 4. If you don't have a credit card, look into establishing a secured card.
With a secured card, you send the card company a deposit and then they send you a credit card. You can only use the card for the amount on deposit. But when you get the card, you should use it. Buy something, and then make your payments perfectly. 5, Don't apply for a store account every time the clerk says you can save 10 percent. Each time you fill out an application, the company hits your credit report. Inquiries like these count against your credit. Don't make applications for credit unless you actually need it. 6. If you have unused credit accounts, don't close them if you are planning to apply for a mortgage. That can actually make your score drop. 7. During your credit improvement year, don't buy a car. Lenders don't want to see buyers committed to several large credit accounts. Never finance a car before you try to take a mortgage. 8. Plan to open three new credit accounts during your credit improvement year, even if they are secured accounts. Be sure to space your new accounts by three months. Use each account and pay each off COMPLETELY every month. This is the kind of credit management that improves your credit score AND teaches you how to manage credit.
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 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
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Search the MLS on my web site! March Happenings in Dena Land Every Thursday in March 2pm or 3pm or 4pm Guided Tours of the Wrigley Mansion (Tournament of Roses House). 391 S. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. 626/449-4100 or www.tournamentofroses.com FREE Every Saturday and Sunday in March 9am to 12pm Help take down Christmas Lights on Christmas Tree Lane. Bring the whole family. School service groups are welcome and can obtain credit. Donuts and coffee in the morning. Lunch at noon for the weary! Call Linda for more information 626/786-1231. Mar 5 3pm You’re In the Enterprise Zone—Now What? Join Enterprise Zone Manager, Melissa Alva, Dan Lien of Community Bank and others in a workshop that will explain what benefits are available and how you can access tax credits for employees, purchases and more. Melody Soul Food Café 755 E Washington, Pasadena. 626/795-3355 www.pasadena-chamber.org FREE (Linda LaneWhite benefited from being in the Enterprise Zone—ask me how)! Mar 8 and 15 7:30-10:30pm Robert Kyle and his Brazilian Trio will be performing at the Pasadena Jazz Institute at Paseo Colorado. 260 E Colorado Blvd #206, Pasadena. 626/398-3344 or www.pasjazz.org Mar 7 12pm John Muir High School Class of ‘79 30 year Reunion Planning Meeting. Muir Library. Call Linda for info 626-798-2382. Mar 8 Daylight Savings Time. Move clocks ahead 1 hour. Don’t forget to change your smoke detector batteries. Mar 9 8pm Stephen W. Hawking: Why We Should Go Into Space. Insights into the birth of the universe, black holes and the future of human race. Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E Green, Pasadena 626-395-3834 www.events.caltech.edu $10.00 Mar 10 All Day—Linda Lane-White’s Birthday! Mar 13 3:30pm View Madagascar Escape 2 Africa at the Altadena Library 600 E Mariposa. 626-792-3148 FREE Mar 14 8am 3rd Annual Whole Foods Market Pasadena Triathlon. Open to all—experienced or not. Rose Bowl Aquatics Center 310/821-7898 www.pasadenatriathlon.com $75 Mar 17 12pm St. Paddy’s Celebration. Enjoy corned beef and cabbage and performance of Irish songs. Pasadena Senior Center 85 E Raymond Ave., Pasadena 626/795-4331 www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org Mar 19 5pm Pasadena Chamber Mixer at La Grande Orange. 260 S. Raymond, Pasadena 626/795-3355 www.pasadena-chamber.org Mar 21 8:30am Musical Circus: Fiddler in the Room. Classes in ceili dancing for children. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E Green. 626/793-7172 or www.pasadenasymphony.org FREE Mar 21 (through May 10) 9am Jurassic Journey for Kids. Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr, La Canada 818/949-4200 www.descansogardens.org Free with admission. Mar 21 1:00pm Imagine: The Beatles Tribute Band kicks off Descanso Garden’s Spring Show on the lawn. Bring blankets and picnics for this event ONLY. 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada 818/949-4200 www.descansogardens.org Free with Garden Admission. Mar 22 6am Join Team 5 Acres for the Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon. There’s also a half marathon, a 5K, a 3.1 mile run/ walk and a Bike Tour. Go to http://www.team5acrespasadena.blogspot.com/ for more info or call Susan Silverman at 626-798-6793 x2279 or ssilverman@5acres.org Mar 29 9am California Style: Johnson, Kaufmann & Coate: Drive-Yourself House Tour. 651 S. St John Ave., Pasadena 626/441-6333 or www.pasadenaheritage.org $32 in advance for members or $36 for general public. $40 on the day of the event.