My sister, Robin Neudorfer, is an artist and frequently paints or draws in the Pasadena and Altadena areas.  She posted something she did today on her blog and I am just blown away by how good it is.  I'd like to share it with the world and this seems the best, if unusual, way.  Check out her blog and her website.  If you aren't familiar with Pasadena and Altadena her work will give you a feel for how beautiful our foothill area can be.  06/30/2007

 You have probably heard the phrase "I live on the upper east side"? I bet you did not know that it referred to Upper Hastiings Ranch, which is Pasadena's northeasterly neighborhood. Most of the homes in this area were constructed between 1950 to 1955 and just like its neighbor to the south Lower Hastings, most of the architectural styles exhibited are California ranch, dominated by 3 bed / 2 bath homes with front or side entry garages. The area offers hilly terrain and close up views of the San Gabriel Valley Mountians.Prices for single family homes in Upper Hastings are fairly consistent with the median price of home's in Pasadena. There are currently eight houses under contract, and while the median price is in the range of $780,000, ocassionally a house will appear for sale in the m... 06/27/2007

You've seen them, there all over town, typically on Saturday and Sunday afternoons signs are on every street corner. Some have balloons, some have flags. Some even have a picture. There "Open House" signs and they are a viable component in helping to sell a house. Many prospective home buyers drive through the neighborhoods they want to live in, expecting to see the signs that will guide them through twists and turns, eventually to the house that is for sale. A quick survey of "open House" attendees indicates that many more people see the sign as opposed to the newspaper ad announcing the event.First a big "Thank You", to our elected officials here in Pasadena. We do not have a sign ordinance. I guess our City Housing Inspection Report makes up for it, but nonetheless, no sign ordinance... 06/25/2007

If you have been looking for homes throughout Pasadena and have decided that a hundred year old home is not for you, then welcome to Lower Hastings Ranch. Any frustration you have experienced with the Pasadena housing market, just might end here. Most of the homes in this area were constructed between 1949 and 1953, considered new by Pasadena standards. Architectural styles are typically California Ranch (do you think this may have had something to do with the name Hasatings Ranch?) and single level. The neighborhood is dominated by single family homes, however there is one small townhome complex with approximately 31 units and prices ranging in the low to mid $500's.Lower Hastings is characterized by larger than normal lot sizes in the range of 10,000 to12,000 square feet and also larg... 06/19/2007

                        As you exit the 110 freeway, Arroyo Parkway serves as the gateway into beautiful Pasadena. This summer, Arroyo Parkway is in for quite the landscaping facelift! What we know so far...The project (known as The Arroyo Parkway Enhancement Project) will be supervised by the Public Works Department and will commence this summer between Colorado & California Boulevards; we can already see some of the renovations taking place as you drive up and down Arroyo Parkway close to Colorado Boulevard. Completion of the overall project is set for the Fall. Imagine driving off the 110 freeway to the sights of this!                                                         This is one amongst a set of eight public works projects scheduled. Come to a Community Meeting to learn more a... 06/18/2007

Are you 55 or older?If so, you can save thousands of dollars each year in your home property taxes.  How?  Proposition 60/90!What is it?  How does it work?This proposition was passed to provide tax relief to senior citizens who sell their existing home and purchase a replacement residence worth the same or less than the original.In essence, if you are ready to sell your home and would like to down size into something smaller, maybe a condo or just a less expensive house, this proposition will carry over your current assessed real estate tax value.For example,      Your existing home is worth $750,000.       You bought it for $200,000.      You are probably paying somewhere around $2,500 a year in Real Estate Taxes.NOW, you are ready to downsize and are looking to buy a home for about $6... 06/18/2007

What: The Pasadena Chalk FestivalWhere: Paseo Colorado                                                                                                           280 E. Colorado Blvd.           Pasadena, CA 91101           (Between Marengo & Los Robles)            Murals on Garfield Promenade & Upper Fountain CourtWhen: Saturday 6/16/07 & 6/17/07           10 A.M. to 7 P.M. What is it? It's the world's largets street painting festival! Various artists from all across Southern California will be there to draw spectacular murlas using sticks of pastel chalk. And their canvas? Pavement covering two city blocks! This event is now in it's 15th year and is open to the public free-of-charge!For more information you can visit: www.pasadenachalkfestival.com Here some samples of great art produced... 06/16/2007

The Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park85 E. Holly St., Pasadena(626) 683-3230    www.levittpavilionpasadena.org7:00-8:00 pm Wednesday - Sunday   - FreeJune 22 - September 2Wed.       - Children's Night 7:00 pmThurs.      - World Rhythms 7:00 pmFri.          - R & B 8:00 pmSat.         - Musica Latina 8:00 pmsun.        - Jazz Night 7:00 pm  Visit the web for details. Garfield Parkon Mission St., east of Fair Oaks, So. Pasadena(626) 285-2171   www.ci.south-pasadena.ca.us7:00-9:00 pm Wednesdays - FreeJune 24:      SwingsationsJuly 15:       The Answer - Classic RockJuly 22:       Louie Cruz Beltran - Latin JazzAug 5:         The Gratefull Dads - Rock & RollAug 12:       The Silverados - CountryAdditional concerts in the area:Pasadena, CA - Garfield Park & The Levitt PavillionLa Canada, CA -... 06/14/2007

According to the Real Estate Publication Real Trends the amount of money you pay to sell your home is on the rise. Due to the slowing market, real estate agents claim they have to market homes more aggressively in order to get them sold. A quick read between the lines interprets this to mean they have to spend more of their own money. What should you expect to pay when you list your home for sale?A quick recap of the 115 homes sold in Pasadena for the month of May indicates that Buyers Agents (an agent who represented the Buyer in the transaction) were paid the following amounts:In order to interpret the chart, we need to make some assumptions. Typically a listing agent (representing the seller) will offer as compensation, 50% of the fee to the Buyer's Agent. A commission of 2.5% probab... 06/14/2007

Time to get out the crystal ball or the Ouija Board and make some sense of what is happening in the Pasadena Housing Market. Sales results for May indicate that fewer homes are being sold this year versus last, and down considerably when compared to May 2004. It is also taking longer to sell a home today than it did just 12 months ago.One thing I learned early in my career is that you can spin data in any number of ways to get a desired effect. When you look at fewer homes being sold and the ones that are being sold are taking longer to sell, I have a hard time supporting the theory that prices are still going up. The other justification is that in May ‘07 houses sold for 98.6% of their asking price as compared to May ‘06, when they sold slightly over asking price at 100.45%.To understa... 06/07/2007

Looking to pick up a bargain? This could be your weekend. There will be an auction this Saturday, May 19 in Los Angeles by a company known as Real Estate Disposition Corporation. They just held an auction in San Diego this past Saturday and will also have one on Sunday, May 20th in Riverside. Click the link for all of the details and property information. A quick glance at the list identified three properties in Pasadena. 05/14/2007

Last week, I reported on the April sales numbers along with the inactivity we were seeing in certain area's and price ranges. These numbers appear to confirm my suspicions. The activity in the lower price points, namely $500,000 to $599,000 was very weak. There are more houses available for sale than there are buyers willing to purchase."It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"The worst of times is an over dramatization, but it is illustrative of what is happening on the other side of the coin. If you have a house valued in excess of $1,000,000, then the market is fairly active. No sub-prime lending woes here.What does this all mean? Well, I suppose you could theorize that the move up market could eventually be impacted if houses aren't selling at the lower levels. It seems ... 05/07/2007

Sales results for the month of April indicate that residential units were down about 23% vs. April 2006. There were 99 units sold for April 2007 compared to 128 units sold for the same period last year.However, a closer look at sales by area indicates that Pasadena Real Estate is still doing quite well. Pasadena is broken down into four geographical area's as follows:Of the four areas, the "Southeast" seems to be doing the best with sales up 10% over last year. Two other regions, the "Northeast and Southwest" are showing smaller declines. The area bearing the brunt of a slow down is the "Northwest" with year to date sales -35%.This area is predominantly lower priced homes, many in the range of $500,000 to $600,000. Homes are staying on the market longer and home sellers have been reluct... 05/03/2007

Restaurant Row is located in Old Pasadena on Raymond Avenue (between Union & Holly)  just off of Colorado Boulevard.  It's steps from the new Metro Gold Line station, Pasadena's Senior Center, Norton Simon Museum and Memorial Park. Restaurant Row offers an eclectic mix of dining venues ranging from neighborhood cafes to some of the highest Zagat-rated gourmet restaurants in Southern California. Nearby movie theaters, bookstores and trendy designer shops make sthis an easy walking destination with plenty to occupy an after noon or evening visit. There's plenty of parking - both valet and public - making it a convenient stop. Restaurants: 54 Holly Street Cafe known for it's hearty portions of homestyle cooking such as pancakes, omelets and burgers.  Open daily.  Cash only.  54 E. Holly St... 05/01/2007

It's a New Year. Your at home with a blanket watching the Rose Bowl Parade on TV, and then it hits you. Why am I here? The winters are too cold and grey. Look at those people in California, enjoying the sunshine and the outdoors 52 weeks of the year. So before you pack your bags, here are some things you should know.Housing is Expensive - the median priced home is LA County is in excess of $500,000. In Pasadena, its even more expensive. In March, the approximate median price of a home in Pasadena was $670,000, then add property taxes in the neighborhood of 1.25% annually or $8375Beautiful Landscape-from the beach to the mountains its all here. A wonderful array of the earth's beauty is found within a 2 hour drive. On a clear day the sights are unbelievable. Remember I said "on a clear ... 04/27/2007

Lycee International de Los Angeles's Pasadena campus is now accepting enrollment for the school year 2007/2008.  If you have a child aged 2 (have to be potty trained) to 5th grade, now is the time to contact the school to get more information.This wonderful school will be having a Fair on Saturday, May12th from 11 am to 5 pm on their campus at:30 North Madison Avenue just across Pasadena City College (PCC) on ColoradoThey will have an auction with great items like a week in South of France, electric scooter, art pieces, classes, wine and more!Additional Open House dates are scheduled for April 25th and May 9th from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.Please call the school at 626.793.0943 for additional information.There are additional locations of this school in Los Feliz, Orange and West Valley.For in... 04/18/2007

“My father would drive around town and point at various houses. He’d say ‘You know, I could have bought that house for $2800 in 1940.’ Why didn’t you? I would ask. His answer: ‘Because it cost too much.’”  -Actor Tim Matheson, Money Magazine. I think about that quote a lot when I'm driving around town, largely, I think, because everybody knows that guy.  I know that guy.  That guy, in my life, is my father-in-law Keith Miller.  He can drive all over Pasadena and point out houses that went for like twenty dollars a mere thirty years ago.  He knows the exact sales price of just about every house in town, at various points in history, whether they were fixers or turnkey, Craftsman or postmodern.  The one thing all those houses had in common was that he couldn't afford them at the time. Kei... 04/16/2007

Yes... it's heaven in Pasadena!This April, get ready for the 18th Annual Architectural Tour of Bungalow Heaven in Pasadena, California.  This beautiful neighborhood consists of over 800 craftsman and bungalow style homes and is rich in history.  It's hard to believe that some of these absolutely gorgeous homes were selling for as little as $2,500 during the bungalow boom.  The architecture, attention to detail, the use of wood and built-ins throughout make these homes so very special.  If you are new to our community or have lived here your whole life, I know that you will enjoy a self guided home tour or a guided neighborhood tour this April.  The information is listed below or can be found on my website.ENJOY! Self-Guided Home Tour:Advance Home Tour Ticket Day of Home Tour Ticket $15.... 03/21/2007

Need information on Pasadena, CA area? Please visit my website for additional and surrounding cities and to search Pasadena homes and condos for sale as their added to the Multiple Listing Service. Please click on the topic that interests you.  Please call me should you need additional information at 626.629-8439 or help with your home search process.  Enjoy!   City of Pasadena WebsiteCity of Pasadena DepartmentsCity of Pasadena Government OfficesCity Services Pasadena HeritagePasadena History Bungallow Heaven Pasadena Rose BowlPasadena Playhouse Pasadena Public LibraryPasadena Kid's KlubPasadena Tournament of RosesLocal RestaurantsLocal Public Schools Pasadena City College California School of Culinary Arts California Institute of Technology You and thousands of other residents, neigh... 02/03/2007

The opportunity for great real estate deals has not been better in years! After years of record high prices & meager inventory, we are NOW in a market where prices have been tamed, interest rates are at a 7-months LOW &the inventory offers the extraordinary luxury of choice.According to the national association of realtors, 2006 is shaping up to be the 3rd best year in history and the alignment of LOWER prices, LOWER interest rates & fabulous inventory offer INCREDIBLE buyer & investor opportunities in the coming months.Savvy buyers have already gotten the message. This is the market condition they've dreamed about. join them & "SEIZE THE DAY" and the chance to make your lifestyle dreams come true. The brokers & agents of the BZPros Real Estate Team are ready to assist you with knowledg... 01/04/2007