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%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

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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:

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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:

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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?

Open Houses this Sunday

For MLS version click below:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1B%2FiTjAyjIW8RIYGe3HdaSo%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria= 

For printable version click below:

Download Open Houses 2.14.10.xlsx

La Canada Market Activity This Week

We have 71 active listings this week in La Canada. 5 of them are new:

http://itech.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Itech&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=HFDsIaPvYtvwH3EvXf%2Fp1BIA733PFBLzhDQlJZhqRlI%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=on

726 Starlight Heights looks very nice and seems well priced. 1104 Descanso just popped on. Great location but no photos at this time. Check back, they may be loaded later. 4714 Hayman has a gorgeous kitchen and family room. 5205 Redwillow has gorgeous views but the price per square foot seems high (ie: ridiculous) for the amenity. 545 Paulette last sold in 2002 for $1,325,000.

6 homes went into escrow as the market is picking up post-Super Bowl:

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4536 La Granada Way...no comment on how I feel about this house but it last sold in 2005 for $1,099,000. It is bank owned. 4450 Belair sold in 2003 for $678,000 and in 2006 for $1,175,000. It is now scheduled for auction on the 25th. Depending on what it is in escrow for, it may become a short sale. 745 Lynnhaven, a hot-bed of activity, sold with 7 offers. 535 Berkshire is a short sale finally approved by the lender. 348 Blythe, a personal favorite, went into escrow over asking with 3 offers. 1517 Olive received a very good offer after being on (this time around) for only a week.

5 homes closed escrow this week:

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4609 Rockland last sold in 2007 for $845,000. It was bank-owned. 2226 Fairhurst closed just after the mud-flow inundated a house above it on Rock Castle. 1139 Flintridge finally has a new owner after being on the market since 2005. It started at $1,950,000. Ouch! But it was gross...5236 Bubbling Well sold relatively quickly. 4411 Woodleigh last sold in 2006 for $4,000,000 so it sounds like a steal at $3,040,000.

As the spring market blooms, I have just finished my 12th session at Bikram here in La Canada. I go with a friend to the 8:00 class. I have to say, in spite of the instructor barking out positions like the Pavanamuktasanu and explaining that it massages the ascending and descending colon (when exercising, I prefer not to think about my colon, especially when the translation for the pose is "wind removing pose"), I am starting to like it...

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...