What To Do In Pasadena California | Pasadena City Hall  is full of wonderful “photo ops” and a great place to start your journey before heading off Old Town Pasadena or Paseo Colorado Pasadena for Lunch. This California Mediterranean style City Hall of ours (designed by San Francisco architectural firm of Bakewell and Brown) was originally completed in December 1927 and is in the Register of National Historic Places. It was closed for restoration and retrofit in 2004, reopening in 2007 quickly becoming a “favorite historic building in Pasadena” by locals in the city of Pasadena and tourist alike. The ornamentation, fountains, rose gardens and the general ambiance have inspired many couples to host their wedding photos inside and around Pasadena City Hall. And it’s no wonder considering... 06/25/2010

Pasadena FHA Loan & FHA Jumbo Loan info - VanDyk Mortgage - California FHA Lender. VanDyk Mortgage is your source for FHA Loans in Pasadena. We have been making FHA loans since 1987. VanDyk Mortgage is a Direct Lender. We offer FHA & FHA Jumbo loan programs for Pasadena Homebuyers and Pasadena Homeowners to Purchase and refinance homes. FHA loans up to $417,000 FHA Jumbo Loans - up to $729,750 FHA Jumbo are also called FHA High Balance loans Pasadena FHA Loans are available up to $729,750 with just 3.5% down payment. The FHA 2011 Loan Limit for Pasadena is $729,750. Pasadena FHA Loans that are over $417K up to $729,750 are called FHA Jumbo or FHA High Balance loans. Here are some links to local Pasadena information: Pasadena City Website Pasadena Crime Maps Pasadena Statistics, Demograp... 06/23/2010

  House Vs.Condo:Which one is better? This is a very common question buyers are faced with now (especially first time buyers in Los Angeles with smaller budgets). Often because there seems to be a lot more "bang for the buck" in square footage and property condition when you compare a House Vs. Condo. One of the toughest pills for buyers to swallow is the HOA Dues (Home owner associations dues). These fees over the maintenance of the building/grounds, insurance and most of the time trash and water. On the other hand, if your strongly considering buying a house in Los Angeles, there are also Home owner dues, HOAs but their not called "HOA Dues" Their called "maintenance costs"! And they don't come in a nice neat monthly package. They come in the form of: New roof $20K, Gardner $100 per m... 06/21/2010

Los Angeles Bank Owned Properties-Guidelines for buyers are plentiful right now but they sure can be a challenge to purchase. By following some simple guidlines and having a generous amount of patients, you can snap up one of these better priced properties. But because the banks are required to disclose very little about the properties condition (remember, MR or MRS Bank Never lived in that property, all they know about it is they want it sold!), it is up to you and your agent to do your homework!  Here are some very useful guidlines to bear in mind if you are considering purchasing  LA Reo Properties (Real Estate Owned, same as bank owned).  Property Condition: Many of the Bank Owned homes Los Angeles host aren't left in the best of condition. While cosmetic issues can be resolved rath... 06/17/2010

How Do I Know If I Can Afford My First Home? First time #homebuyer may be wondering, how do I know if I can afford my first #home? Please read the article .. enclosed is a link .. and hopefully you will contact me later .. :-) http://tinyurl.com/27jh5ek,    http://www.johnvostenak.com/       John Vostenak, real estate broker http://www.johnvostenak.com Contact: Agency: Century 21 Ludecke Realty 20 E. Foothill Blvd. #105 , Arcadia, CA 91006 Name: John Vostenak Phone: 1-626-408-2266 Lic.No. 00871958 web: www.johnvostenak.com   06/16/2010

Market Alert - Great rates on Conforming Jumbo Purchase and Conforming Jumbo  Refinance Loans -Opportunity Alert!  Rates for Conforming Jumbo Purchase and Conforming Jumbo Refinance Loans  (aka Conforming High Balance Loans or Fannie Mae High Balance Loans) Continue to remain at all -time lows today.    The volatility in the Euro Money markets over the past few weeks, plus the Korean Crisis, and new doubts about the economic recovery in the US have driven down US Mortgage rates, especially Conforming High Balance Loans.    If your current Interest Rate is too high (5.375% or higher),  please give us a call to get started and lock in your low rate.    These rates will not last, the markets are very volatile.   Call 760-752-4480 and we can give you a quote to see if you would benefit.  We... 06/04/2010

Yesterday we staged the second Affordable Housing condo for a real estate investment group. We destaged the first condo we staged in this development (because it had sold) and moved everything into this unit. Read: Even Small, Inexpensive Homes Benefit From Home Staging - Pasadena Home Staging Info The first unit we staged sold within the first month of staging after having been on the market for almost 3 years! The unit we staged yesterday in this Pasadena condo complex is a mirror image of the first unit. I changed out some of the artwork & accessories, just to freshen the look. Like the last unit, this condo is 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom in 600 sq. ft. These condos were staged very cost effectively and are part of our home staging program for investors, auction real estate and staging for... 05/14/2010

Today, my friend Mary Gray who owns the garden accessory store Pot-ted in Los Feliz, and I went on a tour of some beautiful and historic Pasadena gardens. The tour was part of the Garden Conservancy Open Days program. According to their brochure "The Garden Conservancy is the only national nonprofit organization founded to preserve exceptional American gardens for the education and enjoyment of the public." Six Pasadena homeowners generously opened their private gardens to Garden Conservancy guests this year. I love to look at local gardens. I always walk away with lots of curb appeal ideas for my Pasadena and Arcadia home staging clients. We saw many gorgeous gardens, but Mary and I both liked the last garden we toured, the Bixby garden, the best. It wasn't a formal garden, like some o... 04/25/2010

As a home stager in Pasadena, CA, I'm often asked where I get my inspiration from. For curb appeal, one of my favorite places is Arlington Garden, at the corner of Arlington and Pasadena Avenue in Pasadena. I'm fortunate to live nearby, and I have the pleasure of walking through the Garden several times per week when I'm walking the dogs. Here's what's happening this week (in pictures) in Arlington Garden: Purple iris in a flow of Candytuft California Poppies: With all the rain we've gotten this year, we should have a huge poppy bloom Artichokes make a very striking landscape plant (yes, these are edible) The Garden is maintained by a very intrepid group of local residents, for which I am eternally grateful. There are many lovely garden "living rooms" where one can sit down, relax & enj... 04/21/2010

A few weeks ago, my Pasadena home staging company, Moving Mountains Design, I was hired to provide home staging services for a very small (600 sq. ft.!!) 1 bedroom, 1 bath Pasadena condo. I was hired by a real estate investment company that does condo conversions and also purchases foreclosure properties including new construction condo projects that have gone belly up. Every unit in this project has sold except for this one. The unit is very affordably priced at $225,000, which is cheap by Los Angeles real estate standards. The real estate investment company is hoping that once staged, this unit will sell quickly. To see more photos of this cozy Pasadena home staging project visit my Los Angeles home staging website and read Home Staging in Pasadena For a Small Affordable Housing Condo... 04/18/2010

It's definitely starting to be the time when buying Real Estate Leads in the Pasadena area is the correct thing to do. We have seen a large increase in people moving to the area, which will only increase through the spring and into summer months. We are witnessing a huge increase in the amount of prospective home buyers that have contacted us just in the last few months. These people are contacting us requesting information on relocating to the area, or want more information in a possible home purchase. We do need a Realtor to assist these prospective home buyers. Most of these families and individuals are out-of-state buyers, and do need help! Kindly call us at (800) 900-2807 to learn how we can bring you 10 - 25 potential home buyers every month for the Pasadena, California area. Or ... 04/15/2010

A few weeks ago I was interviewed by a reporter for the Pasadena Star News for an article about home staging. They sent out a photographer when we were staging this Altadena home. Originally the article was supposed to be published on March 13th, but they held it for 2 weeks so it could be published in all of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group's sister publications, I think 7 in all. I think the article gives a very well balanced look at how much home staging costs (in the Los Angeles-Pasadena real estate market) and what to expect from a home staging consultation. The article also mentions the Real Estate Staging Association home staging statistics and recommends checking the Real Estate Staging Association list of local members when looking to hire a home stager. Click here to rea... 03/27/2010

http://www.juliusshulmanfilm.com/trailer-gallery/ Hello all, I wanted to share this wonderful film with you.  I was able to watch it last night at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena CA.  Any fan of the midcentury will absolutely love this profile of Julius and the architects and architecture that was so inspiring.   03/01/2010

  Teri Barton         01364182     ;     626.695.9179         teri@compassrealestateteam.com     121 W State Street Pasadena, CA 91105 http://www.121StateStreet.com   Offered At: $650,000 Great Value Has a granny suite Property Status: Active Date of Listing: 2/5/2010 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Lot Size: 5767 Interior Size: 1227 sq. ft.    This charming home is much more than meets the eye, Walk past the fruit trees and front garden to a home that has had many upgrades and love. The main home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bath, wood floors throughout. Updated kitchen, copper plumbing and updated electrical. French doors bring you out to a lovely patio area with a terraced garden and spa. There is a granny suite with a fabulous new Bathroom and endless possibilities, great place for an office, stu... 02/27/2010

Pasadena Architectural Legacy Tour Feb 17th 1pm-3pm   Cost $30 per person    This tour highlights the history and wide Variety of architectural styles found in Pasadena, from the Victorian through the Modern era. Highlights include Pasadena's Civic Center, Old Pasadena, the historic Arroyo Terrace Neighborhood and its wonderful collection of Green and Green-designed residences and the Arroyo Seco, Pasadena's great natural wonder and Public Park with its landmark stadium. We will also visit other historic residential neighborhoods, some of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. There is limited seating so Register today for this event. Invite your friends, Fellow agents or clients that may want to learn more about the Rich architectural Gems that we have in our community!... 02/09/2010

No wonder I love putting real estate transactions together without ever having to deal with a bank . . . Jeremy Brandt is the CEO of companies like 1800CashOffer, HomeFlux.com and FastHomeOffer.com . . . all companies that bring lots of distressed sellers, investors and short sale agents together. Check out this recording and transcript! Over the past several months he’s been receiving all kinds of questions and complaints from his short sale agents about trouble with second lien holders.  Read the full article, written by CNBC Real Estate Reporter, Diana Olick. Brandt has apparently documented at least 200 agents that have had trouble with Citi Mortgage, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and other large banks, and a friend of mine recently told me the same thing. She works tirelessly to... 01/25/2010

A note in Alaska, consultation on seller carry backs in Wisconsin and Dallas . . . this is all fabulous, but I really enjoy the opportunity to network with local sellers and real estate professionals when I get the chance. There’s a real estate broker in Whittier that runs a traditional sales business who recently stumbled onto my website and we’ve been chatting ever since. Because he thinks outside the box, he’s going to be taking a listing that most agents wouldn’t be able to.  He has more ways to help his client meet his objectives, and can articulate them with confidence.  Here’s an email he sent his client recently: “I thought that I would send you a link to the listing around the corner.  They started off at $525k and now they are down to $509k.  It’s been a month+ and no offers.... 01/12/2010

PASADENA CITY FLEA MARKET FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH! - GREAT SALES & BARGAINS!        Held the first Sunday of every month at Pasadena City College is the Pasadena City Flea Market. A three story parking garage full of antiques, clothing and...let's just say EVERYTHING you could imagine. It's a great place to hang out with the family, search for collectables and grab a bite to eat. Lots of people bring their dogs to run around with them while they browse. If you collect records the whole top floor of the garage is full of vinyl records. You must check this out if you live in the area. Free admission - parking structure $2. Google Map directions.       The campus is just beautiful   Thai Chicken $2 - YUMMY     It's a swap meet setting, very casual and relaxed, with booths spread out al... 01/03/2010

Real Estate Market Report West San Gabriel Valley                                      November, 2009 Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, and San Marino Looking at the last few 12 months it appears that the area peaked in June and has been on a slow decline back to where we were in May. The Market Activity Index dropped 8 points, the a fairly significant decrease, returning the area to it's trendline.   Some other areas have spiked UP due to buyers taking advantage of the First Time Home Buyer Income Tax Credit, however this area has not. The good news for buyers is that the downward shift in the Market Activity Index is resulting in lower prices.   Market Index   - 0.43, down 8 points   The Market Index fell 8 points to 0.43, down from last month's 0.51.  Last year the index was 0.21. ... 12/28/2009

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator who designed more than 1,000 projects, which resulted in more than 500 completed works. Wright promoted organic architecture and was a leader of the Prairie School movement of architecture. He also developed the concept of the Usonian home, exemplified by the Millard House (also called La Miniatura) which is currently listed for sale in Pasadena, California. La Miniatura contains block patterns inspired by pre-Columbian motifs, and sand from the site was added to cement to create a building that is well-integrated with its natural surrounds. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is 4,230 square feet and contains four bedrooms. The home is situated on nearly one ... 12/18/2009