La Canada Real Estate

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%2Fp1BlHa2i1ar2Q72bKnII9%2F4E%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

For printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 3.14.10.xlsx

La Canada Market Activity This Week

There are 68 active listings as the spring market in La Canada hums along...5 of them are new:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1GLCi9RcytTbLcnc2OqPxyU%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

759 Starlight Heights last sold in 2004 for $642,500. The prices of the town homes on the hill are coming down! 4612 Alveo seems reasonably priced for the location and square footage. The square footage matches the assessor's data so without research I would assume the house is all permitted. 5210 Jessen is on a knoll overlooking Jessen. Nice but small. I have not seen 5834 Briartree but I would check the mud flow maps to make sure it won't be affected in the next downpour. 4904 Alta Canyada looks nice but have not seen it yet. I'm curious about the proximity to the Edison easement.

It has been a brisk week for sales with 9 homes going into escrow in La Canada:

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4926 Crown, the gutted foreclosure undoubtedly went in at close to the $306 per square foot (buyers can't resist a deal). 4536 La Granada...in escrow in February but fell out. Hmmmm...I hate this house and can assign no value to it so curse the bank that loaned on it originally. Curious to see where it closes. 4075 Chevy Chase finally sold with multiple offers. 227 Starlane is in escrow after nearly 2 months. Very difficult to show...2140 Patagonia, in the beleaguered Sagebrush. The mudslides and GUSD cut backs have hurt the area. 294 Saint Katherine is in escrow after one reduction and 190 days on the market. 4380 Beulah is a charming character Spanish in a great location so no surprise it sold quickly. 433 richmond is a wonderful house with a splash of freeway noise thrown in for free. It sold with multiple offers. 3647 Hampstead was listed a year ago for $2,491,000. It has worked its way down and finally found a buyer.

3 homes closed escrow this week in La Canada:

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903 Coral Way was a bank-owned property on a cul-de-sac that abutted the freeway. 370 San Juan way sold for $785,000 in September in probate. The new buyer fixed it up and then found out her children could stay in LCUSD on permit from Pasadena so she sold it for quite a bit more this month. 5037 Oakwood came on in August for $1,695,000. it sold for a bit less.

The market is really moving as sellers and buyers are working to meet in the middle. Inventory is holding sales volume down and prices steady. Check back next week for more information...

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%2Fp1PwhnKkuS3eHr7COmJy0KiQ%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria

For printable versionn click below:

Download Open Houses 3.07.10.xlsx

La Canada Market Activity This Week

Spring has sprung!!!! We have 74 active listings in La Canada. 9 of them are new:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1Gs0ep5G%2BISutMwj%2FkHPS%2F4%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

2345 Conle way was listed in 2008 for $1,179,000 but did not sell. It is in Sagebrush (La Canada address with Glendale schools). 5256 La Canada Blvd. has been leased for years. It is just above El Vago in a nice area but needs work. 5026 Hook Tree has charm and an amazing lot. You either like Hook Tree or you don't...I like it because it ends in a cul-de-sac and there is little traffic on the street. The house has character and if you ripped the back 2 rooms off you would have an amazing back yard. 5200 Diamond Point is very nice with an amazing pool area and views. Price per square foot is a bit high...I haven't seen 4700 Hillard but the word on the street is that it is priced high. 4380 Beulah is a 1930 Spanish loaded with charm. Great location and lot. 426 Somerset was on in 2008 but sustained some water damage so it was taken off. The damage was (hopefully) mitigated. 433 Richmond is a wonderful house with the sweet sounds of the freeway as an added bonus. 5424 Palm sold in 2003 for $1,550,000 and then again in 2005 for $2,100,000. It is a nice home high above Palm Crest.

3 homes went into escrow this week in La Canada:

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4462 Saint Francis Place, benefiting from the price range (ie: no competition) went into escrow quickly. It is bank-owned and freeway close. 300 Baptiste sold with multiple offers within 10 days. 5467 Burning Tree last sold in 2005 for $1,650,000.

One home closed escrow this week:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1JHvcxAs673uMpf%2F2vXTXE4%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

4946 Palm Drive was a short sale (barely). It sold in 2004 for $799,000 and then listed in 2009 for $919,000. It reduced over the next several months. The home was in excellent condition with a guest house.

Watch for more listings...buyers are out in droves and we are seeing multiple offers. That does not necessarily translate into above-value offers, but the competition in La Canada is stiffening.

Sunday should be a bit slow because of weather and the Academy Awards. I will be home with the heater on, watching the red carpet and drinking champagne. Enjoy!

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%2Fp1AV%2BscyoDdRsFNzUdR6baU8%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

For printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 2.28.10.xlsx

710 Freeway

This is what I consider a very important issue for La Canada and something we need learn more about. While it is possibly decades away, if it becomes a reality it will adversely impact the city, our schools (LCE is almost on top of the freeway) and our real estate values. Tomorrow night (Friday, February 26) the City of South Pasadena is holding a City Council meeting to discuss the proposed 710 tunnel (thank you Carol Liu!). Our mayor Laura Olasso will be there with Anthony Portantino as well as Ara Najarian, a Metro Board Chair from Glendale and an outspoken opponent of the tunnel (ie: friend to La Canada). Registration starts at 6:30 and the meeting at 7:00. It will be held at South Pas High, 1401 Fremont. If you attend, please post information on the blog.

Home of the Week

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1NEOhEi9h3YVP5HWss6oYrU%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

Before I begin, I have to admit that my husband designed and built this house and this is where we lived when both of our kids were born so I am extremely sentimental and biased when it comes to this house. Without hesitation, this is my favorite house on the market in La Canada today. It is filled with custom details...built-ins, granite, tile, etc. and has a wonderful floor plan for entertaining (we had loads of parties there). I love the neighborhood and the fact that you can walk to everything or do the LA Story drive several houses up the street to your friend's house. With Henry's market coming to the old Sport Chalet building on Foothill, what more could you ask for? Please join us on Sunday from 1:00-4:00. We'll be cooking up treats in the kitchen and having lots of fun!

La Canada Market Activity This Week

We have 73 active listings in La Canada. 5 of them are new:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1Pth3TLSYGZuGJB3qK6%2Bs4c%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

4926 Crown Ave. is a foreclosure. It was last listed in 2008 for $1,399,000 but did not sell. At $306 per foot it seems like a real deal until you read the fine print. Apparently the former owner was a bit disgruntled and ripped out the appliances and did enough damage to the property that the lender is looking for cash offers only. Securing a loan against this damaged property may be impossible. 4816 Indianola...great location but I have a beef with the way it has been marketed. First of all, it was held open both Saturday and Sunday before it went into the MLS while the owners were moving out and it was simultaneously being staged. It went into the MLS on Monday and then just in time for Tuesday caravan all of the carpeting was ripped out and a new hardwood floor was stacked for the master bedroom. It is a disaster. Haven't they ever heard of the saying "you only have one chance to make a first impression?" That being said, it does have a lovely backyard and tons of potential. 1018 Olive sits on a fantastic lot and has a beautiful kitchen. 4342 Oakwood...nothing to say about the house (tear-down) but gorgeous piece of land in a fabulous location. 4362 Beulah is my home of the week.

3 homes went into escrow this week:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1IuXGdioWT6bV8s4f3zlmUw%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

1500 Descanso sold in 2006 for $1,329,000 and again (as a short sale) in 2008 for $1,150,000. It is a nice house, though underdeveloped for the lot. The last 2 buyers purchased it with an eye on building a larger home on the lot, but construction loans no longer exist. 834 Berkshire sold in 2003 for $1,660,000 and was rented while the new owners drew plans. They changed their mind and sold in 2007 for $3,125,000. Those buyers had very fancy plans drawn and then found another house so they put it back on the market. Curious to see where it closes. 4245 Mesa Vista trumpets the return of the high end market in La Canada this spring. On for less than a month, it had more than one offer.

3 homes closed this week:

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5207 Starlight Mesa sold in one week for full price. 3971 Robin Hill sold over asking. 535 Berkshire came on in June for $2,305,000 and had 3 big reductions before selling as a short sale. It took months to get through the process but the buyer ended up with a very good deal.

I think that sellers (I'm generalizing here) are getting more realistic, hence the multiple offers and sales at asking or above. Inventory is still relatively low so sales of well-priced homes should be brisk this spring.

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%2Fp1BnDwlt4mhq%2B2GgwqfS7n40%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

For printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 2.21.10.xlsx

La Canada Market Activity This Week

We have 68 active listings in La Canada. 3 of them are new:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1L7uufXXzb6VhUtbAMOyT5E%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

4319 La Granada Way is a short sale with a panoramic view of the 210 and 2 freeways. It sold as new in 1999 for $610,000 and again in 2006 for $1,100,000 (back when things like location did not matter). It was off and on in 2007 and 2009. $1,035,000 is owed. 300 Baptiste Way is cute with a lot of living area. 902 Flintridge last sold in 1996 for $1,600,000. The current owners have updated the bathrooms. The master suite is jaw-dropping with his and hers baths. The other 2 bedrooms are small but the great room is gorgeous. It is a must see if you like architect Cliff May.

3 homes went into escrow this week:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1Dm0NbNtEbMXGHsjEMMM5eM%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

1617 Orange Tree sold in 2008 for $590,000. Curious to see where this closes as it is the same house now that it was then. 4714 Hayman sold with multiple offers (7!) over asking. The kitchen and family room were stunning and pushed the emotional price up. Really nothing else like it on the market. 2340 Conle Way sold after only 3 weeks.

And that, my friends is all I have to report today. No closings, not too many listings. Low inventory is creating multiple offers and frustrated buyers. Where are all of our spring listings?