La Canada Real Estate

Open Houses this Sunday

For MLS Version click below:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLSd2Gmvtgo2KQ4KrZhHsZRI%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

For Printable Version:

Download Open Houses 9.27.09.xlsx

Other local blogs and sites...

A friend turned me onto this blog:

http://lcfoodie.com/

Very funny and great information on local and semi-local places to eat. I like to get another mom's perspective on food, since all I serve these days is chicken nuggets from Trader Joes and all of my Barefoot Contessa books collect dust.

Sara Ingrassia has a new site:

http://www.saraingrassiainteriors.com/

She and her husband owned the Red House in Montrose for years. I would feed my redecorating monster within and buy coffee tables from her. She lives in La Canada and has her own interior design business in addition to designing movie sets (which sounds much more glamorous than real estate).

La Canada Market Activity This Week

We have 76 active listings in La Canada. 3 of them are new:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLXk5Ez41RUILJoAQI5ZpdVg%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

1925 Lamp Post Lane is a small house on a big lot. It is located on a private drive on the west side of La Canada. 1329 Flanders last sold in 2007 as a fixer for $950,000. It seems like it was on the market after it was remodeled but for some reason I cannot find a record of that in the MLS. Anyway, it is completely updated and walking distance to LCE. 1205 Homewood was on the market for 4 days in 2003 (listed for $1,295,000) but was withdrawn...reasons unknown. It needs updating.

2 homes went into escrow this week in La Canada:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLcpGnnxmpmOlOWWgcLDdiwA%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

4636 Grand was listed in September for $1,199,000 and has been on the wild ride down ever since. The square footage price is reasonable, but it is on a busy corner with an interesting floor plan. What I remember about that house is that for years there was a Christmas tree (full size) in the front window...year round.It was decorated seasonally (eggs and bunnies for Easter, etc.). But I digress...4376 Hayman was in almost shockingly bad condition. It is in a family trust and one wonders how the "family" let someone live like that. It was listed a month ago for $1,049,000 and was reduced. I do think that it is a sign of an improving market that it is in escrow. It is in a great location on a nice lot.

4 homes closed escrow this week:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLZzJ5a1yetahli5W%2F%2FIfwZU%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

5140 Redwillow was listed in March for $839,000. It had one price reduction before selling. 1102 Fairview was listed in June 2008 for $1,124,000. It was reduced down to $875,000 by March when it sold the first time around. After a long escrow, it fell out and came back on in July for $915,000 and sold. Sounds like an escalating market, but it could just mean that one buyer saw it and was willing to pay that price because there was nothing better on the market in July. 2000 Tondolea was beaten down after months on and off the market. The house last sold in 2007 for $1,785,000. It was listed early this year for $1,599,000. It seemed like a decent pound of flesh from the sellers but buyers wouldn't have it. It was pulled off the market, re-listed with another agent in July for $1,529,000, went into escrow, then fell out before finding its new owner for $17.5% less than the 2007 selling price. 4413 Shepherds Lane is another casualty of the 2007 market. While it sold in 2003 for $2,350,000 and those people sold it at a 40% mark-up in 2007 for $3,296,000, the market could not hold and the house's value deflated 17%. It really is a roller coaster ride...

SAVE THE DATE! LCE's Halloween Haunt is October 24th. Fun for the whole family! Stay tuned for more details...

Open Houses this Sunday

For MLS Version click below:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLbKHvPBpYE1qfXqHB18HBH8%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

For printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 9.20.09.xlsx

 

La Canada Market Activity This Week

I apologize for the late post! I've been very busy a work (a good thing) and hosted a Cabi party last night and was not in blog mode when everyone left. Onto the business at hand...

We have 78 active listings in La Canada. 5 of them are new:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLT8sFjBhRSl5Xs1hhxWIQIQ%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

4957 Revlon is a cute little 2 bedroom also available for lease at $3000 per month. It has an irregular lot so expansion would have to be well thought out. 4636 Grand is not exactly new. It came on in November for $1,199,000 and rode the market down until July when it was pulled off. Now it is back on at a more aggressive price, but is a tough location during drop off and pick up at LCE due to traffic. 5571 Stardust was listed in 2007 for $1,129,500 and did not sell. It is now on for a great price. The house has great views and is in good condition. 4128 Pembury was purchased in 2002 in the low 800's and has been expanded and updated. It is really beautiful and the location is great. 4175 Woodleigh suffered water damage from a leaky pipe when the owners were away on vacation. The moisture and any related fungus has been abated but the walls in the dining room and rooms below are still open. It is my understanding that the owner does not intend to use the money to fix the house because the buyer will want to renovate anyway. Only a hair over $4 million! Bring your paint brushes, drywall and tools!

A bonus this week: I've put my listing at 1330 El Vago back on the market. We took it off for what were supposed to be the slow months at the end of the summer. It really is a nice home with 4 bedrooms together on one level. I'll be there this Sunday from 2:00-4:00 with Kristen the cookie lady. Please stop by!

Another brisk week for sales with 9 homes going into escrow:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLdvwOnxQw5QYmLxD2lBJbLE%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

4531 Leata Lane last sold in 2004 for $549,000. 4393 Chevy Chase came on in June and has not been reduced. 4610 Commonwealth had multiple offers. 140 Inverness was listed in May for $1,395,00 and had 2 large reductions before going into escrow. 4815 Alta Canyada is a fixer on a nice lot on the corner of Torcida. It sold in a week with multiple offers. 1123 Inverness was priced for land value and found a buyer in less than 2 weeks. 4710 Viro sold as new construction in 2005 for $1,070,000. It was listed a year ago for $1,375,000. I think they had activity and offers then that the sellers were not happy with. 12 months later, I am curious to see where it is in escrow. 4938 Gould last sold in 2005 for $3 million. Now it is a short sale. 5337 Mountain Meadow last sold in 2004 for $2.1. It was listed in 2007 for $3,395,000 but of course did not sell. I believe this time around they had multiple offers.

6 houses closed escrow this week:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLfBrFlqStG52dsWEF7VQFJU%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

1926 Hilldale...who would of thought a house in LC would sell for $385,000? Granted, this one does hang over a hillside and is almost level with the 2 freeway near the movie theaters. 1122 Atlee was listed more than a year ago in the 900's as a short sale. They had offers but the bank held onto it and foreclosed. It was listed for $1,190,000 but finally settled on$980,000. 1117 Sheraton sold for $375 per square foot. Not a short sale but a trust sale...the trustees for 4376 Hayman should take note. even with the reduction, that house is still listed for $495 per foot and is not in livable condition. 2045 Tondolea has finally closed. It sold in 2004 for $1.6 and again in 2005 for $1,890,000. This time around it listed for $2,190,000 in August 2007 and has reduced and been off and on the market since. It sold as a short sale for a great price. 412 Meadowview last sold in 2006 for $1,575,000. 4257 Woodleigh last sold in 2005 for $2,250,000. It was listed in March for $3,095,000 and had one reduction.

All in all, another good week for La Canada real estate!

Open Houses this Sunday

For MLS Version click below:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLazbECyIyqncaotZ5toM%2BE8%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

For printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 9.13.09.xlsx

La Canada Market Activety This Week

We have 80 active listings in La Canada. 3 of them are new:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLZroE%2BD4YwwZ%2BsY7ES%2FMV%2Fk%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

359 Baptiste Way is a cute 3 bedroom cottage that has not been on the market in over 30 years. 4610 Commonwealth is my listing. My clients purchase it in 2002. At the time, it was a remodel/expansion project that needed to be finished. They have completed it over the years and it is now a beautiful home. Because of its location close to the freeway we have priced it aggressively at $383 per square foot. 4815 Alta Canyada is a fixer on a large lot. The house actually fronts Torcida, a good location. There are already multiple offers on this property.

5 homes went into escrow this week in La Canada:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLYHcQcbcw2FbZSda5CwCG1Y%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

277 Baptiste surprised everyone with 11 offers. It is in escrow well over the asking price. 1051 Vista Del Valle sits on a flag lot. There were 8 offers on this property and it sold over the asking price. 372 Mellow Lane is finally in escrow. I love this property. The house is loaded with potential, has great views and sits on a cul-de-sac. 1338 Verdugo is the foreclosure. There were multiple offers. 954 Flintridge is in escrow again...

5 homes closed escrow this week:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLRf4odBru13fqvozmTl2L2M%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

1238 Olive came on in March for $1,095,000 and had 2 reductions before selling. 510 Meadowview came on in May for $1,425,000 and was reduced a month later to $1,360,000. It just closed $100,000 under that price. Amazing that the escrow held together given the fires licking the side of the hills. While the low end seems to be stabilizing and moving, the high end continues to suffer...1905 Orchard last sold in 2006 for a whopping $3,100,000. It was listed this time around for $2,750,000 and needed 4 reductions before closing at $2,100,000. Down the street though not taking quite the bath that Orchard did is 4632 Palm. it is a custom home that came on the market in August 2008 for $2,995,000. A year and $395,000 later, it has a new owner. Bucking the trend is 4277 Chula Senda, closing at a whopping $1,072.50 per square foot. The charming Ranch sits on an amazing 65,521 square foot lot in the heart of Flintridge. The lot accounts for most or all of the value.

Not reported on my August 27th post was an off market sale at 5652 Stardust for $810,000. It was purchased by friends of mine who after much hand ringing on August 29 (as the fire roared up to Starlight Crest) are happy to be in LCF and got a very good deal on their house.

While prices overall are still down, we had an amazing summer of sales activity. Based on the sales volume of the last 30 days (30 solds), we have less than 3 months of inventory to blow through before Christmas. Good news for our local market!

If you are applying for insurance, do so at the beginning of the transaction. Some sales are being held up because insurance companies are not writing in La Canada due to the fire. I have had good luck with Farmers, Mercury and Liberty Mutual.

Open Houses this Sunday

For MLS Version click below:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?For APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLeAoZF7r3%2BkPPvdNR6hpM2Q%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=

For printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 9.06.09

La Canada Market Activity This Week

There are 82 active listings on the market in La Canada. One of them is a new listing:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLVjVKDh50%2BfZjn3p0EU67W8%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

294 St. Katherine looks like in has great views and shows well. It is a trust sale that does not require court confirmation. 954 Flintridge Avenue, while not a new listing was reported as in escrow a couple of weeks ago. It has fallen out of escrow and is back on the market.

4 homes went into escrow this week:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLRmvZDCqh4lKJa5Bb8BcL9c%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

4721 Orange Knoll last sold in 2005 for $887,000. It was listed in July 2008 for $1,195,000 and has had one agent change and several reductions. 640 Knight Way sold quickly with its historical house and large lot. 5534 Rock Castle sold in 2007 for $870,000 and was renovated. It listed in April for $1,350,000 and had several reductions before finding a buyer. 1633 orange Tree was listed in 2007 for $1,649,000 and like many homes in that era rode the market down for several months. The sellers ended up leasing the house. This time around, it was listed for $386 per square foot, an aggressive price for the amenity in the home.

5 homes closed escrow this week in La Canada:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=Tw6mXXfO5ihBou0J%2B9BhLeEjZfeolREOEeASF6cNn20%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

1741 La Barranca listed in August 2008 for $795,000. 4 reductions and a year later it has finally closed. 5363 Godbey, a town home up in the Country Club area last sold in 2004 for $670,500. It was updated and sold quickly this time around. The buyer must feel confident that the hills won't burn again any time soon. 271 Starlane was leased for years before coming on the market in January for $1,357,000. After months the seller reduced it more than $200,000 to $1,149,500 and it ended up selling higher than that with more than one offer. 1244 Flanders, the slightly unfinished home up the street from LCE sold with multiple offers. It was cute and just needed a little TLC. 4379 Chevy Chase was listed briefly in 2003 for $1,750,000. At that time, the sellers decided not to move. This time around the house was listed in March for $2,100,000. It was reduced twice before selling. I was surprised at the sale price...under $400 per foot in a good neighborhood. The kitchen needed a face lift but otherwise it was a great old house with a pool and guest house.

Now that the fire has moved on and school is back in session, we can expect more listings to come on over the next 2 months. Have a safe Labor Day Weekend!

School is Starting!

OK...we finally got the call. School starts tomorrow and I have never been more ready. I spent the afternoon at Jumpin' Jammin' with my dear friend Lori and our sweaty children. Had wine been served and a shuttle provided to take us home, it would have been a much more pleasant experience. In a nutshell, if they have to seal the doors shut in the classroom to prevent ash from coming in, I am ready for my son to start school. We are grating on each other's last nerves, and this is only kindergarten. What happens with puberty? Driving? Dating? As long as our hills do not burn for the next 60 years and we are not locked inside together for more than 24 hours, I think I can do this...