2007-11 Dena Land News by Linda Lane

Dena Land News A

MO NTHLY NEW SLET TE R BY LINDA LANE -WHITE – KELLE R W ILLIAMS RE ALT Y SE RVING MY HOMETOW N O F ALT ADENA/P ASADE NA AND O UTLYING ARE AS

How Not To Choose An Agent

November 2007

How do you choose a good agent? Most people know the do’s: interview a few, make sure they are licensed, ask for references, ask for a written plan of action, etc. But how about some don’ts? Let’s look at those now. It’s generally a bad idea to choose an agent solely based on:

Linda Lane-White “Singing” Realtor ® CA Lic #01091347 Notary Public Altadena Resident

Friendship

I n T u ne W it h Yo u r N e e d s

445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105 Phone: 626-786-1231 Fax: 626-296-1979

Inside this issue: How Not To Choose Agent

Turkey Talk

Recipe of the Month

Active Adults Corner

Ceedub Construction

A Better Turkey

Recent Area Sales

Ask An Expert

November In Dena Land

Five Acres

I always thought that hiring someone you couldn’t fire was a bad idea. Think about it; if you were unhappy about the service you were receiving from a Realtor friend or family member, would you feel comfortable firing them and getting another agent? What would that do for your relationship? I understand that people want to give their friends and relatives their business, but your personal relationship with someone shouldn’t be the sole reason to hire that person. You must be confident that the agent you hire will be able to do the job to your satisfaction. Therefore, you should evaluate all agents the same way, regardless of whether you already know them or not. Have your friend or relative compete for your listing like anyone else. Have them give you a presentation and discuss the plan of action for selling your home. If they are real professionals, they will understand and accept this. I for one do not EXPECT my friends to use me, but,

I DO expect them to give bang for my buck.” What’s me an opportunity to pre- the difference? The differsent my marketing plan in ence is not how much you selling their home. pay your agent but what you get for your money. You can Suggested Price Here’s a simple way for hire someone who will offer an agent to sign up a lot of you a heavy discount, but sellers: tell people what make little effort to actually they want to hear. Sellers find you a buyer. Or handle like to hear that their problems that pop up. Or homes are worth a lot of return your calls. On the money, so some misguided other hand, you can hire agents will promise a big someone who charges a litselling price even though tle more than you’d like to they know the home isn’t pay, but will bend over worth it. A seller that takes backwards for you. And anthis bait will see his home swer your calls after hours languish on the market for when needed. And get you a many months until it finally better price due to having better negotiating skills. The old, overused, adage says “You get what you pay for.” It still holds true.

Presentation

sells at a lower price than it could have. You don’t want to be that seller. Any agents that offer you an estimate of your home’s value should be asked to backup their recommendation with market data. If you think it’s too low, feel free to have a spirited discussion with the agent. But if it’s suspiciously high, or if the agent readily agrees with whatever you say, be cautious.

Commission “I want to pay as little in commission as possible,” some sellers will say. Now, I would recommend a somewhat different philosophy: “I want get the biggest

Good agents should be able to give you a good presentation of their services. They will likely discuss how long they’ve been in the business, what track record they have, what marketing methods they use, and what plan of action they have in mind for selling your house. This is all good. But you still have to “click” with that person. Is this agent carefully listening to your questions? Answering your concerns? Is he or she genuinely interested in working with you? Will you like working with this person? Yes, listen to the presentation and ask a lot of questions. But use your intuition too. Your gut feeling can tell you a lot about someone, sometimes even more than graphs and charts.

TURKEY 101 Butterball Turkey Talk-Line® The home economists and experts at the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line are now available to answer all your Thanksgiving questions. Visit www.Butterball.com or call 1-800-BUTTERBALL for great regional recipes, tips, how-to videos and turkey calculators. No time to thaw? Try thawing more quickly by submerging the turkey in cold water and changing the water before the water is warm. Leave the bird in the wrapper, place it in a tub or sink of cole tap water, breast down and allow 30 minutes of thaw time for every pound of turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving

Turkey Trivia 

Understanding the Turkey Label You can tell the temperature at which a bird was held by reading “fresh,” “hard chilled”, or “frozen” on the label. (What has been labeled “fresh” might better fit your definition of “frozen”.) Fresh: This means the bird was never chilled below 26º F. Hard Chilled or Refrigerated or Deep Chilled, or Not Previously Frozen: If one of these terms is used it

means the temperature of the bird ranged between 0º F to 25º F. Frozen: The turkey has been maintained at or below 0º F. About the only way to take home a truly fresh turkey— above 32ºF (0ºC) - is to buy a f r e s h l y slaughtered one from a farm or live bird market.

Crab-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

The turkey industry grosses over $1 billion a year.  The average American consumes over 15 pounds of turkey per year.  Americans consume over 675 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Turkey, like poultry, is lower in cholesterol than beef and many other meats. The dark meat (thigh, legs) contains more fat and cholesterol than white meat. So, that’s why dark meat tastes so good!

“Age is not important, unless you are cheese.” -Helen Hayes

Dress up the table with something other than turkey this season. This Italian dish is big on taste and light on calories. Serves 4 4-4 inch Portobello mushrooms Does your home 2-6oz cans crab meat need help? 1/3 cup finely chopped green onions 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup olive oil Ceedub Construction 1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs (626) 786-1229 CA Lic #883002 1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese Chris White, Owner 1Tbsp. dry white wine Resident of Altadena 1/2 tsp. oregano salt and pepper to taste FREE ESTIMATE 1/2 cup chicken broth Rinse mushrooms, remove stems and pat dry. Chop stems and saute along with onions and garlic in olive oil. Add wine, bread crumbs, cheese, oregano, salt and pepper. Remove from heat and mix in crab meat. Brush mushroom caps with olive oil and place mushroom caps in a shallow oven pan. Fill with stuffing mixture and add broth to pan. Cook at 350º until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Garnish with cheese. When the market slows down that’s when it becomes especially important to have a skilled Realtor on your side. If you’re buying, a knowledgeable Realtor will know where to find good homes, even if there are fewer homes on the market. If you’re selling, a good agent will know how to attract qualified buyers, even if fewer people are looking. Thinking of buying or selling soon? Give me a call or send me an e-mail and let’s work together. I offer thorough knowledge of the local market, friendly service, and no sales pressure. Linda Lane-White

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Active Adults Corner Elder abuse and neglect is a sad reality. The National Center on Elder Abuse (www.elderabusecenter.org) estimates that up to two million elderly persons are victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment by someone, such as a caregiver, spouse, partner, or adult child of the elder, on whom they depend for care and protection. If you or someone you love are a victim of elder abuse, become a victor! 24 Hour Abuse Hotline: 877-477-3646 or 626-579-6905 Community and Senior Services: 3333 Wilshire Blvd., L.A, CA 90010 888-202-4248 Domestic Elder Abuse: 888-436-3600 Institutional Elder Abuse: 800-231-4024 www.elderabusecenter.org www.preventelderabuse.org www.helpguide.org Dena Land News

7 Tips For a Better Turkey 1. 2.

4. 5.

Selecting Size: About 1 pound of turkey per person should be enough if you don’t wish to have many leftovers. Defrosting: The safest way to defrost a turkey is to let it thaw in the refrigerator. It will take 2-3 days, so plan accordingly. Otherwise, thaw in cold water in the sink (see article on page 2). Stuffing: First rinse the bird with cold water and remove the innards. Then line the cavity with cheesecloth (this will make it easier to remove the stuffing later). The stuffing should be at room temperature. Fill the turkey lightly—this will help cook the entire bird more evenly. Prevent Burning: The easiest time to burn your bird is towards the end of the cooking time. To avoid this, cover the breast and drumsticks with aluminum foil when the turkey is about two-thirds done. Cooking Time: Rule of thumb—15 minutes per pound at 325ºF. However, a stuffed turkey will take about 30 minutes to an hour longer. A fresh turkey will take less time than a previously frozen one. And the accuracy of your oven’s thermometer will also affect the total cooking time. Checking for Doneness: Using a meat thermometer is the most precise way to check if the turkey is done. The thigh meat is fully cooked when it reaches 180ºF; the breast should be between 165º and 170º and the stuffing no less than 160º. Start checking about 45 minutes before the expected finish time, but don’t check too often— each time you open the oven you extend the cooking time and your turkey becomes a little drier. Carving: When the turkey is done, let it sit for 20 minutes so the juices have time to set. Then carve, serve and enjoy!

Recent Area Sales Address

1717 S Palm Ave 2801 Casitas Ave 1272 Sunny Oaks Cir 35 Ontare Rd 183 Fairwinds Ln 910 E Juanita Ave 630 N Pennsylvania 706 Main Street 623 Linwood Ave 1121 Palm Ter 100 Anita Dr 2386 E Del Mar #126 2805 Butter Creek Dr 3629 Thorndale Rd 1129 N Walnut Ave

City

Alhambra Altadena Altadena Arcadia Costa Mesa Glendora Glendora HuntingtonBch Monrovia Pasadena Pasadena Pasadena Pasadena Pasadena San Dimas

Q: How long does it take for a home to appreciate enough for me to make a profit on it when I sell? A. That mostly depends on the market. Some (lucky) folks bought their homes at the right time and were able to turn a profit in a year. For most people however, it takes several years. When calculating how much you would make if you sold your home today you have to consider two things. First, you have to consider the total amount you paid for the home, including the closing costs. For this information you can refer to your original closing statement. Then you have to consider what price you can expect to get today, minus the costs of the sale. For this information the easiest thing to do is to talk to a trusted Realtor. The added benefit of talking to an agent is that you can find out not only how much you can hope to net on your sale, but also which way the market seems to be headed. This can help you decide whether to sell now, or wait a little longer.

Ask an Expert

Have a real estate question? Feel free to contact me. Linda Lane-White (626) 786-1231

Sale Price

Bed/ Bath

S.F. Home

S.F. Land

Date Sold

$530,000 $510,000 $799,000 $980,000 $535,000 $550,000 $659,000 $850,000 $522,000 $639,000 $870,000 $428,000 $700,000 $650,000 $587,000

2/1 3/2 3/1 3/2 2/2 3/2 3/2 3/2 2/1 2/1 3/2 3/2 3/3 2/1 3/3

1408 1404 1323 2220 1583 2237 1771 1900 996 1163 2094 1501 1660 1195 1736

6600 11850 8107 14590 n/a 10140 11550 4000 8729 7000 8210 n/a 4208 7800 9750

11/01/07 11/05/07 10/31/07 10/30/07 11/02/07 10/30/07 10/31/07 11/05/07 10/30/07 10/30/07 11/05/07 10/30/07 10/30/07 11/02/07 11/01/07

Average Area Prices Report

for more than 40 zip code areas are now available via E-mail or direct mail. (i.e. Altadena average is $451/sf— an increase of 7.2% since September 2006.) Give me a shout and I’ll get the report to you!

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 f or i n f o r m a t i o na l p u r p o s es only and does n ot constitute legal or f i n a n ci a l 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 Resulti and Fidelity National Home Warranty. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

November 2007

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Pasadena Market Center 445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105 Cell: (626) 786-1231 Office: (626) 204-3436 Fax: (626) 296-1979 Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated

Linda Lane-White “Singing” Realtor® CA Lic #01091347 (since 1990) Notary Public (since 1987) Altadena Resident

(since 1963)

If You Would Like To Receive This Newsletter on a Regular Basis for Guaranteed Delivery... Call 626/786-1231

In Tune With Your Needs

www.lindalanewhite.com

Search the MLS on my web site! Five Acres Calls Out For Thanksgiving Food Donations For Children And Families In Need Community support is needed to provide traditional Thanksgiving and holiday experiences for hundreds of families and children. Donation ideas: Grocery store gift certificates, canned veggies, mixes for baked goods, stuffing, cranberry sauce, dried beans, rice, instant mashed potatoes and pasta. (Five Acres, located in Altadena, is the oldest non-sectarian child abuse agency in the San Gabriel Valley and has been caring for society’s most vulnerable children for 119 years.) Call (626) 798-6793 ext 2279 or go to www.5acres.org

November Happenings in Dena Land Every Saturday and Sunday through December 1st—9am to 12pm - Christmas Tree Lane needs volunteers to help screw in light bulbs on the lines and test the lines before stringing into the trees on Santa Rosa in Altadena between Woodbury and Altadena Drive. Free food. PLEASE HELP—bring the whole family! Call 626-786-1231 or 626-403-1123 All of November through December 9th. Ray Charles Live! A New Musical. Pasadena Playhouse. 39 S. El Molino, Pasadena. 626-356-7529 or www.pasadenaplayhouse.org Nov 10—10am to 4:30pm 2007 Home Tour. Altadena Heritage hosts Artists of Altadena: The First 100 years. Tickets are $15/$25. www.altadenaheritage.org or 626-797-0054 Nov 10—12m Holiday Tasting at Whole Foods Market. 465 S. Arroyo Pkwy. 626-204-2266 FREE Nov 11—10am—3pm Kidspace Flea Market. Children can shop, sell, or barter for treasures. 480 N Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-9144 www.kidspacemuseum.org Nov 11—3-5pm. Veteran’s Day. Congressman Adam Schiff honors the Tuskegee Airmen. Farnsworth Park (top of Lake Ave). Come and hear their amazing stories and Shiff’s efforts to support the issuance of a U.S. Postage stamp. Veterans are encouraged to attend. RSVP to 626-304-2727. Nov 17—8am. Rose Bowl. Pasadena Turkey Trot 5K/10K Run/Walk. To benefit the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House. $25 in advance. $30 day of race. Free parking in Lot F. $300 cash prize. 626-676-7397 or www.active.com Nov 17—11am. Elizabethan Festival at the Huntington. 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino 626-405-2100 Nov 22—9:30pm Thanksgiving in the Park. Central Park 219 S Fair Oaks, Pasadena. Bring holiday cheer to many who are homeless,senior citizens, limited income families and those who are alone at the holidays. Bring what you can. FREE 626-240-4550 ext.542 www.unionstationfoundation.org Nov 23—4pm. Winter Wonderland, Tree Lighting & Santa’s Arrival. Old Pasadena. Holly Street between Raymond & Fair Oaks.Real snow, live reindeer, tree-lighting, Rose Queen. 626-546-1066 Coming in December Dec 1 & 2—Kidspace Toy Fair. Dozens of new products will be available for play and viewing. 480 N Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-9144 www.kidspacemuseum.org Dec 6— 5:30-7:30pmFive Acres Holiday Open House &Toy Drive. 760 W.Mountain View,Altadena Dec 8—5:00pm—Christmas Tree Lane Boutique opens. Complimentary hot chocolate and coffee. 6:00pm the 87th Annual Lighting Ceremony will begin. If you haven’t heard Linda LaneWhite sing, yet, now’s your chance to be a critic. Come join your neighbors for a fun and eventful evening. Located between Altadena Dr. and Woodbury Rd in Altadena on Santa Rosa