2008-03 dena land news
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Dena Land News
March 2008
A M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R B Y L I N D A L A N E - W H I T E – K E L L E R W I L L I A M S R E A L T Y
S E R V I N G M Y H O M E T O W N O F A L T A D E N A / P A S A D E N A A N D O U T L Y I N G A R E A S
Low Ball Offer 1
Active Adults Corner 2
Recipe of the Month 2
25 Tax Tips 2
Ceedub Construction 3
For Sale 3
Ask An Expert 3
For Sale or Lease 4
March Is... 4
Recent Area Sales 4
Augusta Financial (sponsor) 5
Christmas Tree Lane 5
March In Dena Land 6
Inside this issue:
445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone: 626-786-1231
Fax: 626-296-1979
www.lindalanewhite.com
In Tune With Your Needs
Linda Lane-White
“Singing” Realtor ®
CA Lic #01091347
Notary Public
Average Area Prices
Report for more than 40 zip code
areas are now available via
E-mail or direct mail. (i.e.
Altadena average is $416/
sf—a decrease of –10.7%
since January 2007.) Give
me a shout and I’ll get the
report to you!
When sellers receive a
low ball offer, it seems to
cause greater offense
than if the buyer poked
them in the eye. The com-
mon reaction is to feel
insulted., and angrily re-
ject the offer right off
hand. But, low ball offers
are a fact of life when it
comes to real estate, es-
pecially now with the
market being the way it
is. No need to feel in-
sulted, no need to get
angry—here is what to do
if you get one.
First of all, getting an
offer—any offer—is a
good thing. It means
someone liked your
house enough to want to
live in it. There are sev-
eral possible reasons for
the low ball offer, so don’t
assume anything about
the buyer’s motivation
right away. Instead, try to
find out more about their
reasoning for the price
offered and then write
them a counter-offer.
Did their agent do a
Comparative Market
Analysis (CMA) for them?
Ask to see it. Are the
homes they are using for
comparison really compa-
rable to yours? Your
agent will be of great
help here! They don’t
have a CMA? Then how
did they come up with
their price?
Or is their reason for
the low ball offer some-
thing they didn’t like
about your house that you
can correct (like new
paint, carpet, other re-
pairs you may have
missed)? Is there any-
thing else the buyer needs
that you can offer, such as a
faster move-in date or an-
other incentive? Try to find
out about the buyers’ situa-
tion as much as possible as
this will make negotiations
easier.
Thank them for the offer?
Tell them you appreciate it,
and then give them your
counter-proposal. Provide
them with the proof that
your price is reasonable
(the CMA your agent did
for you, list of recent up-
grades, etc). Don’t immedi-
ately counter with the low-
est price you are willing to
accept, as the buyer may
expect a few rounds of
back-and-forth. Be upbeat
and be friendly—let them
know that you want to work
with them. If the back-and-
forth continues, keep the
process alive by encourag-
ing the buyer not to give
up. Of course, you don’t
want to stretch the negotia-
tions on indefinitely—the
buyer may eventually walk
away and pursue another
HOW TO DEAL WITH A LOW BALL OFFER
Home Office: 519 Alameda, Altadena, CA
property if they think they
can’t work with you.
Now there is another thing
to consider—the possibility
that what you thought was a
low ball offer is actually not
that bad. I know that it can be
hard to swallow, but if your
house has been on the market
for a while, its value may have
gone down. So, double-check
your numbers. Ask your agent
for the most current Compara-
tive Market Analysis—what
does it say? If it looks like the
market has taken a dive, don’t
despair right away. How much
do you need to net in order to
meet your goals? Is that still
doable even with the lower
price? Keep in mind that if you
are selling your home for less
than what you hoped for, you
will also be buying your next
house for less than you
thought. The market is the
same for everyone.
Throughout the process try
to be flexible and patient. It’s
just as stressful for the buyer,
so try not to get upset with
them. If an agreement is pos-
sible, and all parties work to-
gether in good faith, then an
agreement will be reached.
Page 2 Dena Land News
Cabbage and Bacon Soup
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pound bacon, diced
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 cup chicken stock, or as needed
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups thinly sliced dark green cabbage leaves
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place bacon in a large, deep stockpot or
saucepan.
2. Cook over medium high heat until evenly
brown. Drain off any excess fat.
3. Stir in potatoes, tomatoes, and enough
chicken stock to cover.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer
for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in cabbage and allow the soup to simmer for
a few minutes longer before serving. Serves 4.
288 Cals, 9.4g Fat, 6.4g Fiber, 11.1g Protein
25 MOST Overlooked Tax Deductions
April 15th is just around the corner. If
you haven’t filed your tax return yet, let’s
take a moment and review some of the
most common deductions people miss.
1. Accounting Fees for tax preparation
services & IRS audits.
2. Amortization of premium on taxable
bonds.
3. Appraisal fees for charitable dona-
tions or casualty losses.
4. Appreciation on property donated to
charity.
5. Cellular telephones.
6. Cleaning and laundering services
when traveling.
7. Commissions and closing costs on
sale of property.
8. Contact lenses, eye glasses and
hearing devices.
9. Depreciation on home computers.
10. Employee’s moving expenses.
11. Federal estate tax on income with
respect to a descendant.
12. Fees for a safe deposit box to hold
investments.
13. Improvements to your home.
14. Investment advisory fees.
15. Lead paint removal.
16. Legal fees incurred in connection
with obtaining or collecting or col-
lecting alimony.
17. Margin account interest expense.
18. Mortgage prepayment penalties and
late fees.
19. Real estate taxes associated with the
purchase or sale of property.
20. 50% of self-employment tax.
21. Seller-paid points on the purchase of
a home.
22. State personal property taxes on
cars and boats.
23. Subscriptions to professional jour-
nals.
24. Worthless stock or securities.
25. Mileage for volunteering or charita-
ble events.
Oh, and if you were a victim of theft or
vandalism, or flood or fire, had a car ac-
cident that wasn’t your fault—you could
get a tax break.
As always, check
with your tax advisor.
Proposition 60/90—Tax Relief for Seniors
Active Adults Corner Over 50? Get out of the house! http://overthehillganglosangeles.org
Are you 55 or older? If so, you
can save thousands of dollars each
year on your home property taxes.
How? Proposition 60/90! What is it? How does it work?
This proposition was passed to pro-vide tax relief to senior citizens
who sell their existing home and pur-chase 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 look-
ing to buy a home for about $600,000.
Normally, your real estate taxes will
be calculated based on the purchase
price of $600,000. Real estate prop-
erty taxes run about 1.125% of the sales price in Los Angeles county.
This would mean that your taxes
would now be about $7,200. OUCH!!
This proposition allows you to carry
over your existing tax base of $2,500. Saving you almost $5,000 each
year!
There is certain criteria that you
must meet:
A) The replacement home must be
of EQUAL or LESSER value than the
home sold, AND
B) The replacement home must be
either in the same county or another
participating county.
That is all!!!!
The following counties participate
in this program: Alameda, Los Ange-
les, Orange, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Ventura.
This is as simple as filling out a
form. BUT, it has to be done within a
certain window of time.
Please do not hesitate to contact
me for further information on this
proposition or with any real estate
related question.
Please take advantage of this won-
derful opportunity! DO NOT throw
your money away!
Short Sale!
March 2008 Page 3
This pub l icat ion is for in fo rm at ion a l pu rpo se s on ly an d does not con st it ute le ga l or fin an cia l a dvice.
All information was obtained from sources deemed reliable, and while I do not doubt its accuracy, I cannot guarantee it. Some items provided by CAR Client
Direct and Fidelity National Home Warranty. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.
Who do you know right now who’s looking to buy, sell
or invest in real estate?
Q: Can I borrow money for the down payment?
A. Generally, the answer is no, although there are some ex-
ceptions. You may borrow money from your 401(k) or from cer-
tain types of life insurance policies. If you already own a home
and wish to buy a second home, you may take out a home eq-
uity loan and use it as a down payment. If you are a first-time
home buyer, there are special government and non-government pro-
grams that provide assistance with down payments (if you qualify). A gift
from a family member can also be used for a down payment. It must be a
real gift, though, (not a loan) and it must be from a blood-relative.
There are other acceptable sources of down payment money, but the space
here is too limited to list them all here. Have a real estate question? Feel free to contact me. Linda Lane-White
Ask an Expert
Remodeling?
Adding On?
Need a New Home Built?
CEEDUB CONSTRUCTION
(626) 786-1229
CA Lic #883002
Chris White, Owner
(30+ years of experience)
519 Alameda, Altadena
FREE ESTIMATE
Residential/Light Commercial
Unbelievable Price!
728 Colman Street, Altadena, CA
Only $749,000 (only $305/sf)
Appraised in 2006 at $986,000
4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath House
2,456 sf home on a 6,840 sf lot
Private Oasis on a Quiet Cul-de-sac
Completely rebuilt in 2006
Short Sale!
2 master suites, 1 with a fireplace, walk in closets
2 master baths with dual sinks, Jacuzzi© Tubs,
separate standing glass showers, & Toto low flow
toilets
Stainless steel Dacor stove, Jenn-Air refrigerator,
Insta-Hot dispenser
2 Rannei gas “tankless” water heaters
2 HVAC units
2 bedrooms downstairs, 2 master suites upstairs
Huge family room upstairs
Wrap around balcony
Large yard
Pool with child proof security fence
Spa with multi colored lights
Built In BBQ with sink located on covered porch
New copper plumbing throughout
New electrical wiring throughout
New roof
More Info? Call Linda Lane-White (626) 786-1231
www.728Colman.com
lindalanewhite@kw.com
Recent Area Sales
Page 4 Dena Land News
Days on
Market
Sold
Date
Sale
Price Address City
Bed/
Bath
S.F.
Home
S.F.
Land
142 02/22/08 $ 500,000 1741 Vistillas Altadena 3/1 1212 7500
201 02/25/08 $ 550,000 1709 N Altadena Dr Altadena 3/2 1492 7697
130 02/11/08 $ 815,000 1530 BraeBurn Rd Altadena 3/2 1692 9375
215 02/19/08 $ 554,000 2004 N Allen Ave Altadena 3/2 1582 12827
80 02/15/08 $ 385,000 114 W Mariposa St Altadena 3/2 1042 5400
243 02/27/08 $ 970,900 969 Kent St Altadena 2/4 2750 20099
95 03/03/08 $ 682,000 828 Golden West Arcadia 3/3 2028 Condo
225 02/15/08 $ 617,000 2113 Forbes Claremont 3/3 2216 2216
66 02/12/08 $ 499,999 2148 Duell Glendora 3/2 1421 7960
154 02/21/08 $ 975,000 4646 Palm Dr La Canada 3/2 1958 16550
147 03/03/08 $ 1,090,000 4127 Lanterman Ln La Canada 3/3 2218 10800
32 02/12/08 $ 1,295,000 1439 Lida St Pasadena 2/2 1634 8990
35 02/22/08 $ 728,500 1590 La Loma Rd Pasadena 3/2 1862 6220
3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Large kitchen
Wood burning fireplace
Hardwood floors throughout
2 car detached garage
Spacious front & rear yards
Plenty of room for expansion
Central Air/Heat
Alarm system
This beautiful corner lot home is
located just down the block from
my home. It’s a great neighbor-
hood near Christmas Tree Lane,
the Rose Bowl, and JPL (3 blocks
west of Lake Ave.)
1,332 sf home on a 9,900 sf lot
444 Alameda Street, Altadena
For SALE or Lease $549,000 or $2,600/month
Call (626) 786-1231
www.444Alameda.com
Optimism Month: Research proves optimists achieve
more health, prosperity and happiness than pessimists.
Use this month long celebration to turn optimism into a
delightful, permanent habit. Red Cross Month: Being prepared for emergencies is
crucial at home, school, work and in
your community. The best way to make
you and your family safer is to be pre-pared BEFORE disaster strikes, so get a
kit, make a plan and be informed. For
m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n g o t o
www.redcross.org
Spring Forward on March 9, 2008! Daylight Saving
Time (DST) begins at 2a.m. on March 9, so move clocks
AHEAD one hour. DST ends at 2am on November 2, 2008.
Don’t forget to change the time on your clocks, watches,
microwaves, VCRs, etc. Also, change the batteries in
your smoke detectors and while you’re
at it, change some of your light bulbs to
energy efficient bulbs. This can save you lots of money on your electricity bill and
will help the environment. Sring Starts on March 20th
March is:
March 2008 Page 5
When Buying or Refinancing...
Call Peter First Peter Cosfol
& Augusta Financial
Get Pre-Approved Senior Loan Officer
Augusta Financial is a service oriented mortgage company that specializes in residential financing.
We have many loan programs to help our clients with all of their mortgage needs.
Peter offers the best pricing with the lowest fees!
Peter will personally address all of your questions and concerns regarding the loan process!
Augusta Financial makes the loan process seem easy!
Augusta is both Broker and Mortgage Banker!
We offer In-house processing and funding!
NO MONEY DOWN - NO MONEY FOR DEPOSITS - NO PROBLEM!
Excellent customer service!
(661) 260-2970 Office · (661) 291-2234 Direct · (818) 281-1466 Cell
Christmas Tree Lane is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as Cali-
fornia Historical Landmark No. 990. After 87 years of tree lighting, Christmas Tree Lane is in danger
of becoming extinct. The lack of volunteers and non-interest from the community has brought this
question to the table of the current board members.
At the last board meeting, there weren’t even enough members to get a general vote on a particu-
lar item. Doesn’t anyone care?
Though there are over 500 members who donate money during the years, physical help is needed
throughout the year to put up, take down and test lights and help plan the lighting ceremony. No, the
County does not help with this at all. It’s all done through the efforts of volunteers—like you and me!
How YOU can help NOW:
1) In March and April, every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 12pm help is needed to take down
the lights. Free donuts and coffee in the morning and a free hearty lunch is served at 12:00 at a home
down the street. JUST SHOW UP!!!!! Bring the whole family!
2) High School service clubs, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc. are all perfect organizations that can help.
3) On the 2nd Tuesday of every month, the Christmas Tree Lane Association holds a meeting at the
Altadena Library—all are welcome to attend. New board members are needed!
4) Visit www.christmastreelane.net or call (626) 403-1123. You can even call me on my cell at
(626) 786-1231 and I’ll be more than happy to assist you with your questions or concerns.
Will Christmas Tree Lane Go Dark?
Call for Community Service
Assistance
Your Help is NEEDED!
March Happenings in Dena Land
Every Sat/Sun 9am-12pm. Christmas Tree Lane needs volunteers to assist in taking down the lights on the lane. FREE Coffee
and donuts in the morning and a free hearty lunch at noon. 626/403-1123
Now through Mar 23. All female production of ―Othello‖. Theatre @ Boston Court. Boston Court Performing Arts Center. 70 N. Men-
tor Ave., Pasadena. 626-683-6883 or www.bostoncourt.com $27.00—$32.00
Now through Mar 16 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Theatre 360. 75 N Marengo ave., Pasadena 626-577-5922 or
www.theatre360.org $11.00 to $20.00 Mar 9. 12:30pm Athletic Garage’s 6th Annual World of Dance Showcase. 121 Waverly Dr., Pasadena. 626-229-9769 www.athletic-
garage.com $10 cash only. Bleacher seating (first come, first served) Mar. 9. 2:00pm. The Great Pasadena Purse Swap. Take in a purse, bag or tote and exchange it for somebody else’s. Pasadena Mu-
seum of History 470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena. 626-577-1660 or www.pasadenahistory.org $5 or $8 Mar 10. ALL DAY. Linda Lane-White’s Birthday. The greatest gift I could receive is a referral to a friend or family member. Who
do you know right now who’s looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate? Mar. 14. 8-11pm. Mambo Combo (featuring Martin Beijer) performs at Holly Street Bar and Grill 175 E Holly St., Pasadena 626-440-
1421 or www.hollystreetbarandgrill.com Mar 15. 7am Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Rose Bowl. 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena. 626-535-2424 or www.komenlacounty.org
Mar 15/16 8am. Pasadena 10k/5k Walk. Walk by ―Old Town‖, the Wrigley Mansion, the Rose Bowl & City Hall. Strollers and dogs on
leash are ok. Starts at Brookside Park 360 N. Arroyo, Pasadena. 818-981-3060 Merle Dvorak merlewalkntalk@yahoo.com Mar. 15. 10:30am St. Patrick’s Day Party at Vroman’s Bookstore. 695 E Colorado 626-449-5320 www.vromansbookstore.com
Mar. 15. & 29 8pm Saturday Night Swing Dance. Live swing band . Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association 997 E Walnut, Pasadena.
626-799-5689 or www.pasadenaballroomdance.com FREE class from 7:30 to 8pm then $15 Mar. 22 8am. Spring Rummage/Book Sale & Chili Party. Pasadena Senior Center 85 E Holly St., Pasadena. 626-685-6754 M.M. Rozell
or www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org $15, $20, $25 Mar. 22. 8:30am. Reggae Rhythm of Life 5k/10k Run & Walk. Supports the Verdugo Mental Health’s programs. Area H. next to the
Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena 818-542-6945 or www.vmhc.org $25 or $30 for late registrants. Easter Events—Descanso Gardens: 818-949-4200 or www.descansogardens.org, L.A. Arboretum 626-821-3233 or
www.arboretum.org, City of South Pasadena 626-403-7380, Loma Alta Park 626-794-8811, Farnsworth Park 626-798-6335 Mar 28/29. 9-midnight. Robert Kyle and his Brazilian Trio perform at Red, White & Bluezz. 70 S. Raymond., Pasadena 626-792-4441.
www.robertkyle.com Mar 29. 6:30pm John Muir High Alumni Association Casino Night. Proceeds go to support students at activities at John Muir High
School. BBQ dinner, games and prizes. Shakespeare Club 171 S Grand 626-208-1351 www.johnmuiralumni.org $50
Pasadena Market Center
445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
Cell: (626) 786-1231
Office: (626) 204-3436
Fax: (626) 296-1979
lindalanewhite@kw.com Home Office: 519 Alameda, Altadena
In Tune Wit h Your Needs
www.lindalanewhite.com
If You Would Like To Receive This
Newsletter on a Regular Basis for
Guaranteed Delivery (Snail or E-Mail)
Call me or send me an E-Mail...LLW
Linda Lane-White “Singing” Realtor® CA Lic #01091347 (since 1990)
Notary Public (since 1987)
Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated
Search the MLS on my web site!
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