La Canada Real Estate

Open Houses in La Canada this Superbowl Sunday

For MLS version click below:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1O1y0bUzVyDS4UIHAegGRAM%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

For printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 2.7.10.xlsx

Home of the Week

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1PXFm6JKsHRh%2F20gttT84VI%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

348 Blythe Road is a beautiful 1923 Spanish Hacienda rumored to have been designed by Myron Hunt. All one level, it has a fabulous floor plan with 3 bedrooms (including the master) in one wing, a small bedroom in the kitchen wing and a nice guest house. The living room, master bedroom and music room have beautiful vaulted wood-beam ceilings. The lot is flat and has gardens and a separate pool area. While the Meadowgrove area is affected by freeway noise, this property is on the south end of Blythe so it is not as noticeable. We recently watched "It's Complicated" and just as she glorified the Cape Cod style in "Something's Got to Give," Nancy Myers highlights the Spanish Hacienda. This home is a great example of that architecture with its thick walls and floor-to-ceiling windows. I think the price in incredible...

La Canada Market Activity This Week

We have 72 active listings in La Canada. 9 of them are new or recycled:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1ErcqHhmDcoP%2F6IieX78%2BDU%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

5117 Castle is in Sagebrush (Glendale schools). It sold in 2008 for $1,089,000. 5289 Haskell Street sold in 2008 for $1,300,000 and again in June 2009 for $1,150,000. 2340 Conle Way, also in Sagebrush was last listed in 2002 for $649,000. It did not sell then but is now on the market again 8 years later for almost twice the price. 5467 Burning Tree last sold in 2005 for $1,650,000. It was listed last year for $1,590,000 but took a break for the holidays. It is now back on for a slightly lower price. 4709 Oakwood (no photos at time of posting...surely the agent could dig up a digital camera!) last sold in 2007 for $1,515,000. Now on for more....with no photos. 925 Chehalem last sold in 2007 for $2,195,000. I think 2007 was the true height of the La Canada market. 348 Blythe is my home of the week (love it!). 1517 Olive was on last year for $3,448,000. It did not sell and is now back on the market. 4245 Mesa Vista is tucked away on a private drive. I've driven by it countless times (my sister lives up the street) and had no idea it was so big. The house shows very well and is immaculate. It features a pool, tennis court and koi ponds. The koi are gorgeous and have apparently been there since before the house was built.

1 house went into escrow this week in La Canada:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1JRyb88sulUm%2BY9%2BdlVuY%2Bc%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

1226 Olive, the charming Ranch on that big lot. It last sold in 2003 for $905,000. The current owner replaced the roof and upgraded electrical and HVAC. There were multiple offers.

2 homes closed escrow this week in La Canada:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1KGSeIpyX5IQYOqfBDQI7So%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

5025 Alta Canyada last sold in 2006 for $1,580,000. Since then the house went through a major face lift and was done to perfection, hence the higher sale price this time around. 5645 Bramblewood last sold in 2003 for $830,000 and then was expanded. It was on the market for 3 months before selling.

Have a safe and happy Super Bowl weekend!

Open Houses in La Canada this Sunday

For MLS Version click below:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1CP9un0o%2BgRDZvXrGFMO328%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

For Printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 1.31.10.xlsx

Important dates

Kindergarten enrollment packets will be available at the elementary school sites beginning Monday. Sibling enrollment will begin on Feb. 4. On Feb. 8 new families can begin enrollment. If you are unfamiliar with the schools and want to know more, there will be tours at all 3 elementary sites at 9:00 February 19. Enjoy!

La Canada Market Activity This Week

We have 67 listings in La Canada. 4 of them are new:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1DEI1xD%2FtVFIm9DezbFCOBw%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

241 Starlane came on today. It last sold in 2004 for $835,000. Most homes in La Canada are not back to 2004 prices so this does not look out of the realm of possibility. 2340 Conle way is in Sagebrush in that small development to the west of Ocean View. No photos at the time of posting, but I am guessing it has a 70's or 80's vibe. 4075 Chevy Chase sold in 2002 for $750,000 and again in 2003 for $899,000. The buyer's children lived there and are apparently moving on. It is very cute and sits above the street. A bit hobbled by its actual square footage of 1884...it would be a tough appraisal at 1.2. 2208 Cross, also in Sagebrush on the corner of Castle Road, sold in 2002 for $699,950 and again in 2007 for $1,250,000...back when we were all drinking the Koolaid.

5 homes went into escrow this week as spring flirted with the market:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1K19rw%2FQ%2FD4JgGpdvuqQ6QY%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

2145 La Canada Crest #3 came on in October for $509,000 and had one reduction before selling. 370 San Juan way sold as a probate in September for $785,000. The buyer renovated and painted. Hardly a profitable flipper once sales costs are paid, but she really did improve the property. 1960 Lombardy came on the market with an already accepted offer. It is a short sale with no notice of default filed yet. It last sold in 2005 for $1,290,000. 3971 Robin Hill is a cool Mid-Mod with awesome views so no surprise that it sold (great location). 4159 Hampstead, again no surprise...I loved that house.

2 homes closed escrow in La Canada:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1KM%2BnLv0c2%2F08aG52QJr8JI%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

5164 Redwillow came on in May for $879,000 and the seller waited over 7 months for the buyers...but they finally came. 339 Santa Inez is a major fixer but has a great lot.

So, nothing out of the ordinary or beyond expectation. Look for more listings after Super Bowl Sunday (Feb 7)...

Open Houses this Sunday

For MLS version click below:

 http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1EHvpJDFqXrWkdlWVlaLVxY%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria= 

For Printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 1.24.10.xlsx

La Canada Market Activity This Week

There are 68 active listings in La Canada. 9 of them are new or back on the market after a holiday hiatus:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1B0hMJf04IU8eCiHq8dtuYE%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

5401 Palm is north of the school on a fantastic lot. It has sort of a cool 50's feel with a nice living room overlooking the property. The master bedroom is on the top (living) level and another bedroom and lounge-like room with an empty spa are on the lower level with a decidedly Greg Brady-vibe. 1500 Descanso last sold in 2006 for $1,329,000 when it was listedfor $1,175,000. It sold again in 2008 for $1,150,000. Both buyers were planning to develop the property but were unable to, perhaps because construction loans were drying up. It is nice inside (small, just under 1700) and has a gorgeous backyard that borders Descanso Gardens. 227 Starlane last sold in 2003 for $725,500. It was listed in 2005 for $1,350,000 but did not sell. 1226 Olive last sold in 2003 for $905,000. It has loads of charm, a gorgeous lot and a new roof, HVAC and electrical panel. 4397 El Camino Corto sold in 2004 for $1,070,000 (listed for $999,000) and then again a year later for $1,320,000. While I know we should only look forward, it is hard to look at returns like that and not get a little teary about the boom years. 4882 Commonwealth last sold in 2006 for $2,400,000. It is on a little cul-de-sac north of the freeway. 4735 Vineta shows well but there is a bit of freeway noise. I haven't seen 792 Starlight Heights, a town home near the Country Club. And then there is 4337 Beulah...most recently on at the end of 2009 as a short sale for $899,000. I called the agent to ask if this new number is an approved short sale, but she hasn't called me back. I must admit to being a bit of a skeptic, but I really examined the history of this property and here is what I've come up with: in 2005 it sold as a tear-down for $986,000 to buyer #1. In 2006 it sold as a short sale to buyer #2 (looks like the Notice of Default was filed in January that year, it sold in July). Later in July 2006, title transfered back to buyer #1. In 2007 buyer #2 obtained a $1,600,000 construction loan against the property. In 2009, the Notice of Default was filed against buyer #2. I assume at some point buyer #1 quit-claimed back to buyer #2. Confused? I hate to use the F-word here (fraud). You decide.

2 homes went into escrow this week:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1EMr56rH%2BguKUPciRgs5jGM%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

1728 La Barranca was previously leased, then came on the market last year for $799,000 but did not sell. $700,000 is owed and it is now in escrow as a short sale. 4642 Alveo came on in October for $1,249,000 then reduced in November. It is a nice home, but all it is ever going to be. Curious to see where it closes.

3 homes closed escrow this week in La Canada:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1DlFqtDyctxgo7GW%2BFBHjZQ%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

1622 Leycross last sold in 2005 for $940,000 and has basically been on the market since then at a myriad of different prices. This time, it listed for $924,000 in January 2009 and a year later it is closed. 5138 Redwillow last sold in 2006 for $880,000, proof that the 20-25% decline does not apply to all homes. 274 Baptiste listed in September for $1,149,000 and reduced in November. It last sold in 2002 for $780,000.

Be safe and drive slowly in this rain!

La Canada Evacuation Address List

http://dpw.lacounty.gov/care/files/La%20Canada-Flintridge.pdf

The evactuation site is at La Canada High School. The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is there to assist with your pets or you can bring them directly to the shelter at 361 S. Raymond Ave., between Del Mar and California. Be safe...

Open Houses this Sunday

For MLS Version click below:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1CYY6gL9ms0ZJgsKQpdcPlg%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

 For Printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 1.17.10.xlsx