This weekend exemplifies what LCF is all about...fun for the whole family! Movies in the park, picnics and parades...schedule here:
La Canada Market Activity This Week
Spoiler...not much has changed in terms of the content and posts but we did just re-design the blog. The 3 column format started to look incredibly tired and I knew it was time for a change. For someone who almost annually reupholsters furniture and repaints walls, the green was getting obnoxiously old. As restricting as Typepad is, I am happy with the new look. There are also new features like "flea market finds." I have become obsessed with the treasures that are hidden at the Rose Bowl and Pasadena City College on Sunday morning...close to home and very accessable to those of us in LCF.
There are 53 active listings in La Canada (and they are flying off the shelf!). 14 of them are new:
4537 Rockland (in Sagebrush) last sold in 2003 for $430,000. It has been updated since. 4618 La Canada Blvd. is priced reasonably per square foot due to the proximity to the freeway and it is across from the LCE carline (I work car line and it can become viscous). 1400 El Vago last sold in 1997 for $495,000. It is a lovely home hobbled by the power lines. 172 Starlight Crest last sold for $650,000 in 2002. It is a nice home with views over JPL yet price per square foot is Starlight Crest? 436 Paulette last sold in 1999 for $628,000. It has good square footage and a nice yard yet needs some heavy fluffing. 1131 Sheraton last sold in the wild times of 2006 for $1,180,000. It is also listed for lease at $4100 oer month. Great location...house has issues. 1283 Journeys End last sold in 2010 for $1,075,00. At that point the market was bad yet had another 18 months of getting worse. If only we had all just held on! 125 Inverness last sold in 2005 for $1,130,000. It came on for $1,250,000 then immediately increased the price to $1,295,000. Not a good marketing strategy. 4836 Revlon sold off market in 2012 for $860,000 and was expanded.The additional square footage is not reflected on title. I would check permits if representing a buyer. As of today there were 5 offers on the house, reflecting the market's voracious appetite for "new" or "completely remodeled." 3720 Hampstead last sold in 2003 for $1,300,000. It looks very mod and has views. 4902 Alta Canyada is on the corner just north of Altapark and has a large lot. 975 Regent Park last sold in 2004 for $2,390,000. At the time it was new construction. It is a very nice home with loads of bedrooms and a large lot. It is in escrow after just 5 days on the market. 1247 Journeys End last sold in 2003 for $1,605,000. Since then the back yard has been improved into a nice entertaining area with outdoor fireplace. Interesting note...I was called out on this for a listing appointment. I arrived with samples of my brochures and advertising as well as my resume and bio. I highlighted all of my philanthropic work...mostly with the Pasadena Humane Society and other animal groups. When we walked into the guest house I was confronted by multiple heads (trophies) of game and livestock. Immediately I knew I would not get his listing! Since then the guest house has been cleared of game trophies and is now safe for animal neutral buyers. 1830 Earlmont is in the prime Deodar location near Palm Crest. It last sold in 2008 for $2,595,000. At the time it was a lovely family home. The current owners chose to gut and replace much of the interior finishes, yet no square footage was added.
20 homes have gone into escrow in the last 2 weeks in La Canada:
2059 Hilldale is a short sale in the armpit of La Canada. $864,000 is owed. 4602 Grand is centrally located yet across from the 210. Ditto for 1914 Glenhaven. 4733 Hampton came on and sold with multiple offers well over the asking price. 4715 Hayman is one of the last of the "short sales" that go into escrow immediatley. I pray that lenders start to recognize when an agent lists a short sale and it goes into escrow within minutes that something is rotten in Denmark. A:why in this market would you list a property so low and then not expose it to the entire market? Hmmm...me thinks you may be double ending it! It is as bad as it sounds as in that scenario today the agent makes out like a bandit and the seller, well...not so sure. 935 Big Briar sold within a week of coming on the market. 4642 Encinas last sold in 1998 for $399,000. It sold in the first week this time around. 4448 Oakwood, several doors above the freeway, sold after reducing the price $25,000. 300 Starlane last sold in 2008 for $907,000. 5136 La Canada Boulevard sold way over the asking price with 13 offers. 221 Starlance sold quickly. 4627 Lasheart is adorable! The bedrooms are small and the kitchen needs a facelift yet the house had all of the emotional strings that Martha or Ina could offer. Compared to Revlon (one less bedroom) I think this one should go way over the asking price due to emotion and quality of workmanship. 5653 Bramblewood is in escrow after 45 days on the market. 4619 Alta Canyada was on a year ago and went into escrow quickly. There were title issues that threw it out of escrow. A year later with title issues resolved, the listing agent pocket sells it to his own buyer. The issue of dual agency has come up frequently at CB. I do think that in the future this will be challenged in court and ultimtely disallowed by CAR. More will be revealed...5025 Alta Cnayada last sold in 2007 for $1,700,000. It sold within the first week of hitting the market. 4923 Hampton last sold in 2006 for $1,900,000. I remember thinking at the time that was a crazy price, yet today in 2013 I understand that buyers determine value by what they are willing to pay. Sale prices will quickly follow as the market escalates. I know I sound like a salesperson but at 12:30 am I only have energy to speak about my convictions! 839 Chehelem has been reduced. In this seller's market if you need to reduce only one thins is wrong...the listing price. 975 Regent Park last sold in 2004 for $2,390,000. This time it sold in the first week. 3941 Chevy Chase, with all of the delapidated cars and sad interiors is in escrow. 4309 Woodleigh is a lovely house to show next to the one Vincent Vaughn bought. It is in escrow now and appears that it will go through. 362 Meadow Grove surprised all and went into escrow after less than 2 weeks.
5322 Godbey last sold in 2007 for $915,000. Again, the town homes near the clubs are the last good deals in the city. 5458 Ocean View in Sagebrush sold quickly just under the asking price. 1024 Green last sold in 2004 for $1,260,000. This time around it was a short sale on the market for 24 hours and OF COURSE the listing agent (Jae Park Top Properties) sold it himself. Big surprise in a rapidly accelerating market that a short sale would close close to the asking price even though it is worth a few hundred more. Props to Ogi Mortgage Bankers and Pacific City Bank for approving this short sale! Don't your underwriters know that the market is sky-rocketing and you undersold this house? I guess not. 5218 Escalante in Sagebrush sold within a few weeks of hitting the market. 5246 Gould exceeded expectations. It last sold in 2010 for $1,010,000. The current owners did a major fluff and utilized fabulous wall paper before selling. 5231 Redwillow sold way, way over the asking price. It is a crazy time in La Canada real estate. Forget everything you know and the stains from the 2008 market. Don't loose a house ove r$25,000-$50,000 as by the time it closes the house will be worth that much more. I cannot pretent to have a crystal ball. It is hard to believe this market will sustain itself for the next 5 years. Yet this is exactly how I felt in 2002.
It's been a great 2 weeks in LCF! Our kids are graduating and going to incredible colleges, the Proper is open for cocktails after said kids get on the plane to wherever they are going....I looked at my 2 at LCE open house tonight and realize how close we are to our babies leaving the nest. This is a blessed time and while I sometimes have to hold my breath to take it all in, I realize how incredible and fleeting these moments are.
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LCUSD news
While this study was released in September, it was brought to my attention only yesterday. It speaks volumes about our district and encourages further support of our PTAs and the Educational Foundation. I feel blessed to be here with children in the district and know that the money we donate goes to programs that directly benefit Axel and Grace...not to mention our home values.
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La Canada Market Activity This Week
We have 54 active listings this week in La Canada. 10 of them are new:
4602 Grand is a small home across from the freeway adjacent to LCE. The agent stated that offers would be reviewed yesterday (Friday). While any house listed in the 600's is considered a steal, I have a hard time with this location. 4733 Hampton is cute with a nice back yard and pool. The garage space has been compromised by an interior hallway. It appears to be either part of the original structure or perhaps permitted many years ago? 4642 Encinas last sold in 1998 for $399,000 and has been recently leased for $3900 per month. This has a cool 50's vibe and I love the proximity to LCE. 4448 Oakwood has been completely remodeled. It backs up to LC Presbyterian Church. 1400 El Vago last sold in 1997 for $495,000. The price per square foot reflects proximity to the power lines. I will be holding this one open tomorrow from 2:00-4:00. 4519 Lone Pine last sold in 2006 for $998,000. It was listed in 2011 for $1069000 but did not sell. The entrance to the property is off of Foothill near the YMCA. 125 Inverness last sold in 2005 for $1,130,000. It has been off and on the market since 2008. 5125 Lasheart last sold in 2004 for $1,325,000. An NOD was filed in 2010 with 3 Notice of Trustee Sale dates since. The most recent was posted on 04/10/13. Only $1,491,887 is owed so the market sale should cover what is owed plus the sales costs. 1037 Lavender last sold in February for $1,425,000. It was a short sale with $1,800,000 owed. It has been sprinkled with glitter by the current owner who is flipping it. 5026 Castle is a gorgeous home in Sagebrush. It sold in 2001 for $1,023,000, in 2003 for $1,200,000 and again in 2007 for $1,810,000.
10 homes went into escrow this week in La Canada:
4451 Bel Aire came on the market for 5 minutes and then sold to a cash buyer. I hope it was over asking. While the house and property are small, it was worth more than the asking price. 1103 Atlee last sold in 2003 for $616,000. 819 Parkman sold quickly this time around. It last sold in 2010 for $665,000...a short sale. It has been fluffed and flipped. 1345 El Vago is in escrow. The buyer will be only the second owner of the home. 5420 La Forest is in escrow after 2 weeks on the market. 4421 Hobbs, our little flipper is in escrow after getting multiple offers. We purchased it in 2011 for $880,000. When the tenant moved out 10 months later we added 900 square feet and remodeled what was there. 1051 Oxford last sold in 2005 for $1,770,000. It was on the market in 2007-2008 for $1,999,000 but did not sell. This time around it took 6 months to find a buyer. 5000 Hook Tree last sold in 2000 for $1,025,000. Great street and a lovely back yard. 839 Chehalem is finally in escrow. 4884 Commonwealth is in escrow for the second time.
4 homes closed escrow this week in La Canada:
4747 Rosebank sold with multiple offers well over the $799,000 asking price. 300 Corona last sold in 2006 for $1,100,000. 4810 Viro is an example of the surge in the market. It was listed in 2010 for $1,029,000 but it did not sell. Listed again last year for a mere $998,000, it could not find a buyer and was leased. Fast forward to today and it sold with multiple offers $175,000 higher than it was listed last year. Hindsight! The bottom of the market was last year...931 Flanders was purchased in April 2012 for $775,000. It was rebuilt and expanded and sold with multiple offers. Beautiful home.
Please join me at 7:30 Thursday the 16th at Flintridge Bookstore and Coffee House for my mom's booksigning
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La Canada Market Activity This Week
We have 55 active listings in La Canada. 10 of them are new:
1914 Glenhaven seems like a bargain until you walk out the front door, look to your left and see the freeway about 30 yards away. 1103 Atlee last sold in 2003 for $616,000. I love this location. Yes, you have people parking in front of your house for weekend sporting events on the Cornishon track, yet it is in a great neighborhood a short walk to everything. And I like the idea of living behind the track. It is almost like having a huge yard without having to pay for maintenance. 5112 Redwillow last sold in 1997 for $410,000. It was listed in 2011 for the current price, yet did not sell. I have to say that the photograph makes this one look very grim....almost scary. 819 Parkman sold as a short sale in 2010 for $665,000. Cute neighborhood but close to the freeway. 1345 El Vago is on the market for the first time. It was built in 1960 and shows like a time capsule. 4627 Lasheart last sold in 1994 for $362,000. It has been completely renovated. I sure they will get dozens of offers. 5125 Lasheart last sold in 2004 for $1,325,000. It is located on the cul-de-sac above Green Lane. Great location! 4923 Hampton last sold in 2006 for $1,900,000. I have not seen it yet but from the photos it appears to be more updated than the last time it was on the market. 362 Meadow Grove was last listed in 2010 for $3,995,000. It did not sell. It is in a nice location on the "quiet" side of Meadow Grove. 1237 Descanso was remodeled in the 80's. Fantastic piece of property. Of the 55 active listings, 11 are over $4,000,000 and only 4 are under $1,000,000.
15 homes have gone into escrow in the last 2 weeks in La Canada:
Yes! Spring is officially here! 4630 La Canada Blvd. last sold in 1967 for $28,000. It is adorable but not for the faint of heart. It is mostly original except for the garage that has been converted to a Brady-esque lounge straight out of the '70's. 804 Houseman is in escrow for the second time. 5037 Angeles Crest is a short sale. The NOD was filed last August with $1,104,125 owed. 4603 El Camino Corto is a vintage La Canada home in original condition. It sold with multiple offers well over the asking price. Ditto for 4440 Chevy Chase. 5218 Escalante is in Sagebrush. It sold after being on the market more than a month. 4921 Angeles Crest last sold in1984 for $130,000. Great character home on a busy street. 5213 Diamond Point last sold in 1998 for $600,000. It sold quickly with multiple offers this time. 526 Paulette languished in 2011, finally selling for $1,399,000 after more than 7 months on the market. Fast forward to 2013. The current owners have added a pool. It is in escrow after 1 week with multiple offers well over the asking price. 645 Durwood last sold in 2007 for $1,545,000. The current owners did extensive remodeling. 1516 Sugar Loaf is in escrow after reducing from $2,100,000. 3883 Hampstead has found a buyer after a $1,000,000 reduction. 1322 Padres Trail had multiple offers. 871 Greenridge last sold in 1998 for $865,000. The house shows very well. It's been a good week for Greenridge with 895 also going into escrow. The house last sold in 2003 for $1,650,000.
13 homes have closed escrow in La Canada in the last 2 weeks:
4315 Alta Canyada sold a hair over asking in spite of the challenged location next to the freeway. 1862 Foothill last sold in 2004 for $675,000. It was foreclosed on in 2012 with $883,000 owed. 4637 Rockland is in Sagebrush. It was originally listed for $850,000 then reduced before selling. 5259 Gould is the poster child for our invigorated market. Listed for $799,000 early last year it sat with no offers for 10 weeks then leased. This year it flew off the shelf with multiple offers and sold way over the asking price. 1537 Descanso sold way short of the $2,163,000 owed. How that much was loaned against that house I will never know. 5233 Donna Maria last sold in 2001 for $745,000. It sold within a month of being listed. 1251 Fernside last sold for $610,000 in 1997. This time the price per square foot was lower than average due to the fact that it sits behind another home. 3684 Hampstead sold with 15 offers for $1,450,000. The sale price reflects a 410,000 credit in lieu of repairs. 1845 Fairmount was bank owned. It last sold in 2007 for $2,150,000. The NOD was filed in 2009. 833 Greenridge is in need of cosmetic updates and is close to the powerlines, thus the very low price per square foot. 5034 Gould is a beautiful newer home with a pool. It sold with multiple offers over the asking price. 603 Chatham last sold for $2,500,000 in 2005 when the market was escalating. The current sales price suggests our high end is inching towards recovery. 4319 Woodleigh last sold for $2,950,000 in 2003. This time it sold much higher with multiple offers (to a certain celebrity who has been seen walking up and down Foothill).
I am co-hosting a baby shower for my stepdaughter Holly tomorrow. She used to work for me and helped me set up this blog years ago. Time flies! I am attempting to make a large cake for the event but am clearly struggling:
That giant bubble is due to the fact that I misread the recipe and used 8 eggs instead of 8 egg yolks. It has the texture of a giant hard flan. I may end up at Cakery Bakery...
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Before and After (The Never Ending Project)
4421 Hobbs is finally finished!
August 2012
April 2013
Truth be told most of the grass is photoshopped in as we were not quite ready for the photographer. The remainder of the grass arrived yesterday so we will be ready for the open house Sunday.
The floor plan has changed quite a bit in that the kitchen was moved from the north side of the house to the south
The living room is largely the same, though we removed the opening to the right of the fireplace that led into what was the dining room (now part of the family room, powder bath and hallway), covered the beautiful stained cottage cheese ceiling and rebuilt the mantle:
It is kind of unfair to use an unstaged photo taken by me against a staged professional photo, but the room really does look a lot better.
The old front bedroom (with debris from the tenant) on the south side is now the new dining room:
I am a tried and true white paint devotee so it almost felt like I was cheating on my old standby with a new dark color. I fell in love with Benjamin Moore Hale Navy. In different lighting it can look black or a vivid rich dark blue. I've had the chandelier since last summer and designed the room around it. It is available to the trade from Ro Sham Beaux or through Serena and Lily.
The old family room was an enclosed porch. We pushed out the wall about 3 feet into the yard:
I found the fabulous ampersand at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Scott Coppersmith is there every month and makes lighting out of recycled building materials.
The backyard has also changed quite a bit. The poor fig tree had to be sacrificed along with a huge ash that would have been inches from the new family room foundation:
The old garage was rebuilt and is now the master bedroom with a new bath added. The new garage is at the SW corner of the yard. It seems like we started this project years ago. It has been a long haul yet feels a bit deflating to finish. I will be sad to see her go but incredibly relieved to loose a mortgage payment! On to the next house...hopefully ours as things are really looking shabby here.
4421 Hobbs is open Sunday from 2:00-5:00. Hope to see you there!
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I launched this blog to share information about our local real estate market and fabulous community. Along the way I have added design ideas and all things pertaining to making a house a home. Enjoy!
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4421 Hobbs Drive
- IN ESCROW! 4421 Hobbs Drive, La Canada
4021 Mesa Vista Drive, La Canada
- Gorgeous secluded Mediterranean Estate with breathtaking views Call 818 652 7304 for appointment $4,450,000
