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
Five Ways to Save Valuable Time
October 2008
Linda Lane-White “Singing” Realtor ® CA Lic #01091347 Notary Public 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 www.lindalanewhite.com
Home Office: 519 Alameda, Altadena, CA
Inside this issue: 5 Ways to Save Time
1
Ceedub Construction
2
Recipe of the Month
2
Tame the Clutter Tiger
2
Active Adults Corner
3
Ask An Expert
3
Victor Wright
4
October Home Decorating
4
Augusta Financial
5
Recent Area Sales
5
Professional Organizer
5
October in Dena Land
6
Finding yourself running out of time every day? Feeling stressed and disorganized? You are not alone! Lacking enough hours in a day is something all of us face from time to time. Here are a few strategies for freeing up some time (and regaining some sanity): Planning Your Day “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” said the wise Mr. Unknown to whom so many insightful adages are attributed. This adage holds true for both big tasks and small ones - such as planning your day. A hectic, stressful day, where little gets accomplished is often the result of a no clear plan as to what needs to be done. Spending just a few minutes the night before to write down a list of things you need to accomplish tomorrow will go a long way towards having more productive and less stressful days. Time management gurus recommend setting one toppriority item that must be done even if you don’t do anything else. Then prioritize the rest of the items, leaving at the bottom of the list stuff that can even spill over to the next day. Keep the list realistic though; you want to feel good at the end of the day that you’ve accomplished what you set out to do. The Extra 15 Minutes How much can a person accomplish in 15 minutes? A lot in fact, if we are talking about getting up 15 minutes earlier every morning. Hitting the snooze button for
just a little more sleep often translates into a more hectic morning because then you are forced to rush when you finally get up. But what if you get up 15 minutes earlier instead? More time to get ready, less rushing and less stress will translate into a better day altogether. Try it. Fight Procrastination Procrastination saps both your productivity and free time, and therefore it is something we should try
hard to eliminate. First, here is a simple 2-minute rule: if you are faced with a task that will take less than two minutes to complete, don’t put it off for later—do it right away. The next simple rule is called OHIO— Only Handle It Once. Do you normally go through your mail quickly picking an item or two that interests you, then leaving the rest of the mail to go through for later, only to come back to sort through it again looking for something else? Well, that’s a waste of time. Only handle it once—pick up an item and decide right away: pay, keep or trash. No point in sorting and resorting items ad nauseum. This applies to your inbox,
too. When you take something out of your inbox, don’t put it back—take care of it while it’s still in your hand. Prioritizing is another way to fight procrastination. Have multiple tasks of the same priority on your plate? Do the easy stuff first. This gets you in the working mood, which often means tackling the hard task will become easier. Checklists and More Checklists A great time-waster: forgetting things. A great way to avoid this: write things down. Checklists are the secret of success of many superorganized people, and they often keep more than one checklist. For example, one checklist for work-related tasks, another for the family obligations. A running grocery list on the fridge is yet another kind of checklist that can save you time. “Bulk” Tasks Just like shopping in bulk can save you money, doing things “in bulk” can save you time. Preparing meals is one example. Consider cooking once a week for the whole week, and freezing the food in mealsized portions for convenience. Another example is grouping different tasks together. Instead of going to the store, coming back home, then the next day going to the dry cleaners, try grouping your errands together. Saves time and gas! And those are my five quick tips for this month. Implement them all or only one, and watch your time get magically freed up!
Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
This is a great time to remodel, add on or re-build. CEEDUB CONSTRUCTION
INGREDIENTS: 5 tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon course salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger A pinch of cayenne pepper or to taste 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil
Bake seeds at 250º until dry, stirring occasionally, (usually about 15 to 30 minutes or until they start to turn a very light gold). Heat peanut oil in a large non-stick skillet over high heat. Add pumpkin seeds (after baking) and 2 tablespoons sugar. Cook until sugar melts and the pumpkin seeds begin to caramelize, about 45 to 60 seconds.
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DIRECTIONS: To roast your pumpkin seeds, do not Transfer to bowl with spices and stir wash them first! Washing removes all well to coat. Let cool. the natural flavor. Instead remove the seeds from the strings and place a single layer on parchment paper a cookie sheet. Try to make an even layer. The less they lie on each other, the better they will bake. In a medium bowl combine 3 tablespoons of the sugar and the salt, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne.
How to Tame the Clutter Tiger Is the clutter tiger running rampant in your home? Let’s tame it! It’s best to start with the clutter area that bugs you the most. Prepare three boxes: one for the stuff to keep, one for the stuff to donate, and one for the junk to throw away. As you go through the clutter ask yourself about each item: Have I used this in the past year? Do I have more than one? Will I actually ever use it? Can someone else benefit from it more? Then place in the appropriate box. Once each box gets full, act on it right away? Throw away the junk, and place the “To Donate” box in your trunk to drop it off next time you leave the house. Then take the “To Keep” box with you around the house, and find a permanent “home” for each item in it. For your closets, professional space organizers (yes, there is such a profession) recommend that you store your clothes by category (shirts, pants, dresses) and group them by color. Frequently worn clothes could be kept close at hand and seldomworn stuff stored away. And keep in mind that clothes do not improve with age—if you haven’t worn something in a while, and it doesn’t seem like Page 2
you will soon, consider donating it — someone else may get a lot more use out of it. To help keep the kitchen tidy, ask yourself how many plates and glasses are used on a daily basis? Keep what you use often on the easyto-reach shelves, and put away the rest on higher shelves or deeper in the cupboards. Same goes for pots and pans. It is also helpful to organize stuff by categories: canned food, spices, and non-food items should all have their own separate areas. For the kids’ room, use plastic seethrough boxes of different sizes to store toys. Make sure to place them where the child can easily reach them, and have the child create labels (hopefully this will encourage the use of the boxes!). Just like you do with seasonal clothes, store away seasonal toys; beach and soccer gear
can be stored during winter; ice skates and hockey gear put away during the summer. To keep the toys from invading the entire house, consider making a three-at-a-time rule. Just like in kindergarten some teachers have a one-toy-at-a-time rule, you can encourage your child to use only up to three toys at a time. If he or she wants to take out another toy from the box, one of the three has to get stored away. In general, professional space organizers recommend starting small so that you don’t get overwhelmed. You don’t have to get everything done in one day (the clutter, after all, did not build up in one day either) but, instead, spread and work over a number of days and do it in 20 or 30 minute sessions. Set a time limit, and don’t get too carried away so that you don’t get burned out quickly. And after a work well done, don’t forget to reward yourself! Dena Land News
Active Adults Corner—The Scoop on Reverse Mortgages Surviving on a fixed income is often feared by those getting close to retirement age. With the high cost of living only continuing to rise, and retired people living much longer than ever before, it is no surprise that the mortgage industry has creatively begun to address this issue. The solution is called the reverse mortgage and obtaining such a mortgage can help a retired couple remain in their home without the pressure of high mortgage payments. In a reverse mortgage, you have choices to make regarding the way you want to borrow the money. The first type of reverse mortgage is to obtain a lump sum. This type of mortgage allows the homeowner to take out a lump sum of cash for a percentage of the value of their home. Realistically speaking, a home that is worth $300,000 will net the homeowner about $190,000. Mortgage lenders take into consideration how old the borrowers are, where the home is located and if the home needs any upgrades or significant repairs when calculating a reverse mortgage payout. You can even pay down your credit cards through the loan. A lump sum payment has the highest interest rate for all types of reverse mortgages and unless you need a large sum of money, this type of mortgage may not meet your needs as other reverse mort-
gages can. The second type of reverse mortgage is technically considered a line of credit. If your current mortgage is not completely paid off, you will need to qualify for a cash payment in order to pay off the mortgage. Once your mortgage is taken care of, you can apply for a reverse mortgage in the form of a line of credit. A third type of reverse mortgage involves receiving monthly payments from a lender, ensuring that you have extra money every month to meet your needs while on a fixed income. A home worth $300,000 will roughly net the homeowner $1200 a month in cash payments. The mortgage lender calculates the payment amount based on where the home is located, what the home is currently worth and how old the borrowers are. The final type of reverse mortgage is a combination of the three that are currently available. You can opt to get a small cash lump sum to pay off your current mortgage, get small monthly payments and keep a line of credit open that you can access easily. To obtain a reverse mortgage, you must be at least 62 years old. It does not matter what your current income is, only that you own your home or you are able to qualify for a cash payment to pay off the current mortgage. People that own mo-
bile homes will not be able to obtain a reverse mortgage for that property. Borrowers that want to obtain a reverse mortgage are required to meet with a financial adviser that has been approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is to make sure that the borrower understands exactly what they are getting into and what they can expect from a reverse mortgage. It is important to understand that when you obtain a reverse mortgage, the loan is not paid back until you die, sell the home, or move to a new location. The loan is paid back once your home is sold from the proceeds of the sale. If you have money left over after the loan is paid back, you or your heirs keep the money. If once your house sells, there is not enough money left to pay back the lender, that was the chance the lender took and the loss is theirs. Your estate does not pay off the balance. A reverse mortgage can help you stay in your home that you have loved for so long and that you are still able to enjoy. There is no reason that just because you are retired you should have to worry about moving because you can no longer meet basic expenses. Enjoy your home and your retirement. A reverse mortgage may be just the answer for you to be able to continue to live your life as you have been accustomed. There are fees included...so consult your qualified lender.
Q: A friend who sold her home recently had the property inspection performed before even putting it on the market. Is this common? A. A property inspection is usually thought of as something that the buyer needs and pays for, so why would a seller want the house inspected before it is even listed? Most sellers don’t go through this extra expense, but a seller’s inspection is certainly not a bad idea. For starters, it offers the seller a chance to find out about any potential problems ahead of time. Since the home is not under contract yet, there are no looming deadlines, and the seller can get the necessary repairs done at a more leisurely pace. The seller also gets more time to obtain estimates and avoid overpaying for those repairs. Sometimes when a problem is discovered buyers can get spooked and back out of the deal. A seller’s inspection solves this, too. The only drawback is the cost. A property inspection can cost between $300 and $500, depending on the size and age of the house, but it may be worth it in order to avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Ask an Expert
Have a tough real estate question? Call me or drop me an e-mail. Linda Lane-White (626) 786-1231 or lindalanewhite@sbcglobal.net
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 CAR Client Direct and Fidelity National Home Warranty. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.
October 2008
Page 3
Victor Needs Your Help! A message to my readers.
In 1976, while I was attending John Muir High School in Pasadena a classmate of mine, Victor Wright, was participating in a football game against St. Francis High. Victor was known to us as “Bullet” because he was so fast! During the game, he was in a tackle situation and fell backward where he received a traumatic spinal injury. He became a quadriplegic and in order to breathe and speak, he’s been on a respirator ever since. Doctors only gave him about 10 years to survive, but, in spite of his condition, he has beaten the odds for over 30 years! In 1989, Victor went on to earn an associate’s degree from Los Angeles Community College. He then went on to be a co-founder of a non-profit organization called Family of Friends International where they mentor troubled youth in schools. He encourages the young people to stay in school and not quit. He tells them “I wasn’t always hurt. When I went to Edison Elementary and Eliot Jr High I was healthy and then I got hurt. I had dreams of playing in the Rose bowl. Instead, I graduated in the Rose Bowl, which is just as good.” He continues to be a guest speaker at many local schools.
Victor has attended all of our high school reunions and John Muir High had a tribute for him last year. He was also inducted into the John Muir Hall of Fame for his contributions in community service. This year, Rebuilding Together Pasadena and some volunteers (like me and my husband) went to Victor’s house to assist with some much needed renovations. His home still needs a bit more help—like new flooring and finishing his exterior ramp. Our 30 year High School reunion will be taking place next year and we would like to hold a donation drive in the mean time to help raise funds to assist in Victor being more comfortable at home and in his surroundings. His needs are: A) Flooring for his home; B) New Wheel Chair; and C) Able bodies to help finish the renovations at his home. Victor’s faith and friends keep him strong. He remains an inspiration to all of us. You can help by making a donation to: Victor Wright, 3379 Glenrose Ave., Altadena, CA 91001 or give me a call with any questions or concerns you may have about how you can help !
Victor Wright in 1976
1999—20 year Reunion
Victor and his Mom, Dorothy, in 2008
October Home Decorating Tips
Hollow out apples or mini pumpkins and use as votive candle holders. These are inexpensive and look really great. You can even carve or paint faces in them! Create creepy autumn centerpieces by filling vases with dried flowers, brown leaves, and empty branches. Tie a black ribbon bow around each centerPage 4
pieced for more flair. Serve fresh veggies using a hollowed out pumpkin as a bowl. Cut off the top and clean out, leaving the top in a jagged edge design! Use mini pumpkins to hold dips! Ask your Halloween party guest to bring a carved pumpkin to the party. Set up a special table to display them on. Dena Land News
When Buying or Refinancing... Call Peter First
Peter Cosfol Augusta Financial Senior Loan Officer
&
Get Pre-Approved
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! NO MONEY DOWN - NO MONEY FOR DEPOSITS - NO PROBLEM!
Excellent customer service! (661) 260-2970 Office · (661) 291-2234 Direct · (818) 281-1466 Cell My client’s Countrywide loan fell apart in the middle of escrow. Peter rescued it and funded in 9 short days! Thank you, Peter…..LLW
Recent Area Sales Days on Market 317 152 71 28 17 6 6 211 204 237 153 87 95 133 29 90 30 102 40
Date Sold 09/18/08 09/26/08 09/17/08 09/19/08 09/24/08 09/26/08 09/24/08 09/19/08 09/16/08 09/25/08 09/25/08 09/17/08 09/30/08 09/16/08 09/25/08 09/22/08 09/19/08 09/22/08 09/29/08
October 2008
Sale Price Address 450,000 224 W Terrace ST 450,000 42 Marathon Rd 629,000 2542 Tanoble Dr 1,495,000 2391 Santa Rosa Ave 245,000 6220 N Galanto AV 250,000 337 W Hermitage Ln 284,900 18550 E Petunia ST 258,000 15243 Mariposa AV 440,000 528 Sycamore AV 558,000 701 E Virginia AV 1,300,000 1270 Inverness Dr 151,000 24909 Madison AV #1714 252,500 23944 Corinth DR 775,000 722 N Michigan Ave 500,000 1103 Del Rey Ave 445,000 326 E Juanita AV 2,580,000 20 Mill Canyon Rd. 824,500 5018 Vista Del Vegas 429,000 9607 Alene DR
Bed/ S.F. S.F. City Bath House Lot Altadena 4/2 2190 8500 Altadena 4/2 2061 9768 Altadena 2/1 1231 8385 Altadena 4/4 3373 26860 Azusa 4/2 1484 6000 Azusa 3/2 1168 Condo Azusa 4/2 1184 6262 Chino Hills 3/2 1208 4200 Glendora 3/2 1693 9380 Glendora 3/2 1537 9525 La Canada 4/3 2773 19900 Murrieta 3/2 1232 1232 Murrieta 4/3 2300 6969 Pasadena 4/3 2785 8095 Pasadena 4/2 1484 7047 San Dimas 3/2 1446 8000 San Marino 5/5 4246 19600 Torrance 3/3 1468 8700 Tujunga 3/2 1512 6970
Need a Professional Organizer for your cleaning chores or to ready your home for sale? A good friend of mine from church, Sherry Cavallo, works in the San Gabriel area. She’s also very active with the Altadena Heritage organization. You can contact her at 626-3725948 or email her at smc.organizer@gmail. com She’s ready to help YOU!! Page 5
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
In Tune With Your Needs
www.lindalanewhite.com
Search the MLS on my web site! October Happenings in Dena Land
John Muir High School Alumni Association Fundraiser at The Pasadena Jazz Institute Paseo Colorado 260 E Colorado Blvd. #206 (2nd level, West side) Featuring
Vocalist, Linda Lane-White Accompanied by the
JMHS Jazz Ensemble Tuesday, October 21, 2008 8:00pm $20 at the door www.pasjazz.org/www.jmhsaa.org
(626) 786-1231
October 18, 19th and every Saturday & Sunday through December 7th - 9am12pm. Help save Christmas Tree Lane by participating in “Lights Up”. Calling all volunteers and Service Groups. This year will be the last lighting of Christmas Tree Lane unless the community can come together and get involved with putting lights up or serving on the board. Call me for details at 626-786-1231. Oct. 5 12-5pm. Garfield Heights Tour. Obtain tickets at 11:45 on the 5th at 1247 N. Garfield in Pasadena. $15. 626-388-2174 or www.garfieldheights.org for more info. Oct. 6 The 21st Annual Five Acres Invitational Golf Classic. San Gabriel Country Club. Win a 2009 Audi A4 or a 2009 Jaguar XF from Rusnak Auto Group. Raffle tickets are $50. the event includes 18 holes of golf followed by an exquisite dinner and live jazz by Peter Smith Trio. Tee time is 11:30am. Golfer fee is $495. Dinner is $100. Call Susan Silverman at 626/798-6793 ext 2279. www.5acres.org Oct. 11 8am.Wiggle Waggle Walk for the Animals. Enjoy a 3 or 1 mile loop around the Rose Bowl. Sponsored by the Pasadena Humane Society. Free registration. 626/7927151 ext. 167. www.phsspca.org Oct. 17 (Friday)7am—2:30pm Community Women’s Educational Health Conference and Expo. Free. Pasadena Hilton 168 S. Los Robles. Call 626/796-1083 for more info. Oct. 18 1pm. UCLA vs. Stanford. Rose Bowl. 310/UCLA-WIN Oct. 25 9:30am. 14th Annual Kidspace Pumpkin Festival. Kidspace Museum 480 N. Arroyo, Pasadena 626/449-9144 Oct. 25 10am. Halloween Party. Ghost and monster stories at Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E Colorado, Pasadena. Free. 626/449-5320. Oct. 31 12:00pm. Vroman’s Bookstore presents Ray Bradbury. 695 E Colorado, Pasadena. Free. 626/449-5320. Oct. 31 4:00pm Trick or Treat at One Colorado. Go store-to-store for Halloween treats. Free. 626/564-1066. www.onecolorado.com Oct. Altadena Sheriff Department’s Haunted Jail. 780 E Altadena Drive. Details not available at time of printing. Call 626/798-1131 for more information. Nov. 2—Fall back one hour. Daylight Savings Time Ends.