Dena Land News

June/July 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

Timing The Market 1

Active Adults Corner 2

Recipe of the Month 2

8 Ways to Cut Vet Costs 2

For Sale and Sold 3

Ask An Expert 4

Ceedub Construction 4

Personal Message 4

Augusta Financial (sponsor) 5

Recent Area Sales 5

Professional Organizer 5

June/July 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

Buy low and sell high—

what a great concept and

a great formula for accu-

mulating wealth! The trou-

ble is, how do you know

when the high is high and

the low is low? How do

you know when is the

right time to jump in and

when to jump out? If you

are listening to the media

hype, now is a bad time to

sell, but good time to buy.

What if you need to sell

before you buy? Well,

trying to time the real es-

tate market is a difficult, if

not an impossible, propo-

sition. The only formula

that seems to truly work is

investing in homeowner-

ship for the long term.

According to the Na-

tional Association of Real-

tors®, in 1998 the national

median price of a single-

f am i l y h o m e w a s

$128,400. For this year the

estimate is that the

“national” median will be

$213,700. This is a good

reminder that while in a

short term prices may rise

and fall depending on

many factors, in the long

term they are almost cer-

tain to end up higher.

How can one be sure?

One of the main reasons

for this is the demand.

Mark Twain once said,

“they are always making

more people, but they

ain’t making any more

land.” And the U.S. Cen-

sus Bureau seems to

agree. According to their

c e n s u s P o p C l o c k

(www.census.gov/cgi-

bin/popclock) the popu-

lation of the U.S. increases

by one person every 11

seconds. They estimate that

our nation’s total population

should reach 400 million in

2050, compared to today’s

304 million. And all these

folks will need a place to

live, thus driving the hous-

ing demand (and prices)

higher.

I believe that trying to

time the market is a futile

endeavor, especially if you already own a home. If the

market is hot, and the

prices are high, you will

be selling your home for a

high price, but you will

be buying your next one

also during the same time

of high prices. If the mar-

ket is bad, and you are

selling your home at a

loss, you will likely buy

your next home during

the same bad market, so

you will pay less for it. In

either case, it evens out. But

in the long run you should

come out on top. And you

will benefit from home

ownership in more ways

than one.

One of the great financial

benefits of home ownership

is Uncle Sam’s favorable tax

treatment. By being able to

write off your mortgage

Is It Possible To Time The Market?

Home Office: 519 Alameda, Altadena, CA

interest payments on your tax

returns, you save hundreds of

dollars in taxes annually com-

pared to someone who rents.

Also, when you sell your

home, the profit (capital

gains) is tax-free in many in-

stances. Need I mention that

you also have more stable

housing costs than a renter?

Plus owning a home is a form

of forced savings - by making

monthly payments you are

able to build your equity over

time. A renter only builds his

landlord’s equity.

Still many people sit on the

fences, trying to recognize the

right moment, the perfect op-

portunity, to plunge in and

buy a home. They try to time

the market. Is it worth the

wait? In addition to the finan-

cial benefits, there are other

benefits of owning a home.

The freedom. The ability to

personalize your living space

to suit your needs. Having

more space. Not having to

deal with a landlord or share

walls with noisy neighbors.

Actually knowing your

neighbors as opposed to hav-

ing them change every few

months.

And the economy changes

over time. Since 1983 we had

two relatively long periods of

economic expansion, and only

short periods of recession in

between. That represents an

average up-and-down cycle of

ten years. Even if you could

predict the future, and the

economic peaks and valleys,

would you want to wait ten

years to buy a home? You

could miss out on many bene-

fits of home ownership by

waiting, and still end up pay-

ing a higher price in the end.

Page 2 Dena Land News

Garlic Marinated Steaks

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 TBL garlic, minced

2 TBL honey

2 TBL olive oil

2 Tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp Worchestershire sauce

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke

flavoring

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium bowl, combine

the vinegar, soy sauce, garlic,

honey, oil, ground black pep-

per, Worchestershire sauce,

onion powder, salt and liquid

smoke. Place steaks in a shal-

low, non-porous dish and

pour the marinade over the

steaks. Rub the liquid into the

meat for optimum flavor.

Cover and marinate in the

refrigerator for 24 to 48

hours. Preheat an outdoor

grill for medium high to high

heat and lightly oil grate.

Grill steaks for 7 to 8 minutes

per side, or until internal tem-

perature reaches at least

145ºF

8 Ways To Cut Veterinarian Bills

Active Adults Corner

Program available to assist seniors

with safety issues

If you live in Pasadena or Altadena, and you are

65 or older, you can receive a free fall-prevention

check-up through the Pasadena Senior Center Out-

reach Department.

A 15-minute home inspection will take place in

your home and specialists will provide information

on community resources for wheelchair ramps,

hand rails, grab bars and many other devices avail-able to seniors.

The service is available from 8:30am to noon

Monday through Thursday.

For more information, or to schedule an appoint-

ment, call (626) 685-6727.

It's really not necessary to spend a lot

of money to show love to your pet …

here are a few ways to cut down on pet

care costs. 1. Pick a vet before you need one.

Pet emergencies can cost a fortune

unless you've established a good rela-

tionship with your local vet, and un-derstand their emergency policies and

costs. I have 2 dogs. One of them,

Spike, is always in need of a lot of

medical attention so you can imagine

how much medical bills could be. I

take him and Charlie to Banfield the

Pet Hospital (inside of Petsmart). I pay

$31/month per dog and the cost cov-

ers annual shots, annual teeth clean-

ings, 2 comprehensive exams a year,

discounts on supplies and nail clip-

pings, and you have unlimited visits

for any questions or problems you may

have with your animal. Ask your friends and neighbors to recommend a

good veterinarian, or ask the animal

loving employees of your local pet

store.

2. Spay or neuter.

First, this is the right thing to do. Sec-

ondly, your pets will be better be-

haved so you will enjoy them more.

And thirdly, spayed or neutered ani-

mals are at a significantly lower risk of

many different types of cancer, so they

will live longer and require fewer trips

to the vet's office. 3. Don't overfeed your pet.

Overweight animals are prone to

heart disease, diabetes and other ail-

ments, and have shorter life spans than

their leaner cousins. Check the pack-age label for the proper amount of

food recommended, or ask your vet.

Also, don't overdo the treats. Not only

is it thrifty to feed your furry friends

properly, but it also helps them live

longer and healthier lives. 4. Pick the right food.

An animal dietitian I spoke to (yes,

there is such a thing) told me that high

quality foods seem to cost more, but

are often healthier for your pets.

Cheap generic brands can contain

many animal by-products that over

time can cause a variety of health problems, and unnecessary vet bills. 5. Don't overdo the shots

According to the American Veteri-

nary Medical 8 Ways to Cut Vet Bills

Association, annual shots are not al-

ways necessary. There are vaccines

that remain effective for two or three

years, so check online or talk to your

vet. 6. Perform basic pet care yourself.

Learn how to clip your

cat's or dog's nails and save money.

Giving your pooch a haircut is also not

very hard. A pair of clippers will cost

you about $20, and will pay for them-

selves many times over. My two dogs

get baths at least twice a month, I trim

their hair, clean their ears and have their nails trimmed at the vet. 7. Ask for discounts.

If you have several animals, take

them in for regular checkups together

as many vets give "group" discounts.

Was your pet once abandoned or a

stray? There are vets who offer dis-

counts to people who rescued their

animals. If you are a senior citizen, ask

for a senior citizen discount. And for

routine medical services try your local

humane society, pet store or animal

control office as they often sponsor

special events where routine veteri-nary care can be obtained at discount

rates. 8. Look for free stuff.

Science Diet and Iams offer free sam-

ples of their foods, as do other compa-

nies. Free advice is also abundant, on

the web and at your local pet store

(where friendly animal-loving employ-

ees are always happy to share their

knowledge).

Short Sale!

June/July 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? Give me a call or send me an E-mail. I’m never too busy for your referrals to friends or family.

444 Alameda Street, Altadena

This home, that was originally listed as a lease,

SOLD in only 4 days after being put on the

market for sale! Ask me how I did it!

Need to sell or buy a home?

Call me at (626) 786-1231

Unbelievable Price!

728 Colman Street, Altadena, CA

Reduced to Only $649,000

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

Make an Offer! Make an Offer!

Page 4 Dena Land News

Q: What happens if the appraisal for the home I’m buy-

ing comes in lower than the purchase price?

A. Hopefully, your agent has put in the contract a provision

that deals with this eventuality. Since you cannot get a loan

for more than the appraised value, and the seller will have a

difficult time finding another buyer who is willing to pay more

than the home is worth, it is in the interest of both parties to

try to work this situation out. Normally, you would try to get

the seller to agree to a lower price that would match the appraisal. If the

seller balks at this idea, and you absolutely love the house, you can consider

paying the difference between the purchase price and the appraised value in

cash, through a higher down payment. If you are not in a position to do this,

the only remaining option is to cancel the contract and look for another

home. But, again this must have been clearly spelled out in the contract in the

very beginning so that you don’t lose your earnest money deposit. Have a tough real estate question? Call me or drop me an e-mail.

Linda Lane-White (626) 786-1231 or lindalanewhite@sbcglobal.net

Ask an Expert

I’ve had a few people ask me if I missed sending them my Newsletter for the past 2 months. Don’t worry,

you didn’t miss them—because I never produced them. First of all, in April, the Tax Man had cometh and he

took all of my time away. Then May just crept up on me and before I knew it, the month was almost gone!

Yikes! Trying to help raise funds for fellow classmate, Victor Wright, participating in the Revlon Run Walk for

Women, Mother’s Day, birthdays, a funeral in New York, renovating a mixed use building in Pasadena and

meeting city requirements and, of course, assisting my clients—came first. This newsletter came secondary. I

know that many of you may think that someone else must put this newsletter together for me. Wrong! I do this

all by my lonesome! Microsoft Publisher really comes in handy! Thank you, thank you so much for your pa-

tience during this newsletter’s absence. And for those of you who called me wondering where the current

month’s newsletter was, I’m very flattered. I felt like something was missing the whole time—my contact with

you!

Hi! Did You Miss Me? A message to my readers.

Garth Kemp and I at the Revlon

Run/Walk for Women Chris White (Ceedub Construction)

volunteering at Victor Wright’s house Victor Wright & Dorothy Wright

Project Wildfire—John Muir High Alumni, Victor Wright, Class of 1979 —PLEASE HELP! In May, Rebuilding Pasadena

brought together some volunteers to assist in some renovations to Victor’s home. His home still needs a bit more help and you

can get involved. In my next issue of Dena Land News, I will go into further detail about how Victor has helped and inspired

hundreds of people. In the mean time, please give me a call at 626-786-1231 or go to http://taylordark.com/wright.html.

This is a great time to remodel,

add on or re-build.

CEEDUB

CONSTRUCTION RESIDENTIAL & LIGHT COMMERCIAL

With over 30 years of experience, we

work with you to achieve your dream.

Call Today For A Free Estimate

(626) 786-1229 CHRIS WHITE, OWNER

Ca Lic #883002

www.ceedubconstruction.com

June/July 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

Recent Area Sales (** Linda Lane-White represented the buyers)

Need a Professional

Organizer for your

spring/summer clean-

ing chores or to ready

your home for sale? A

good friend of mine

from church, Sherry

Cavallo, works in the

San Gabriel area.

She’s also very active

with the Altadena

Heritage organization.

You can contact her at

626-372-5948 or

e m a i l h e r a t

smc.organizer@gmail.

com She’s ready to

help YOU!!

Days on

Market

Date

Sold

Sale

Price Address City

Bed/

Bath

S.F.

Home

S.F.

Land

27 05/30/08 450,000 2534 Glenrose Ave Altadena 2/1 936 5575

6 05/28/08 990,000 1760 Alta Crest Dr Altadena 3/2 1895 12816

261 05/12/08 580,000 1678 Midwick Dr Altadena 3/1 1564 8400

215 05/14/08 585,000 3380 Florecita Dr Altadena 3/2 1599 8410

132 05/27/08 500,000 176 Principia CT Claremont 3/3 1674 condo

5 05/16/08 390,000 735 Cordelia AV Glendora 3/2 1157 5610

78 05/20/08 492,000 214 S Vermont AV Glendora 4/2 1451 6000

6 05/22/08 755,000 5140 Ocean View Blvd La Canada 2/2 1372 16073

0 05/30/08 580,000 **2746 Brookhill St La Crescenta 3/1 1064 6894

4 05/15/08 350,000 500 S Oak Knoll Ave #5 Pasadena 2/2 1158 condo

156 05/28/08 351,000 260 Barthe Dr Pasadena 3/2 1313 7000

88 05/23/08 470,000 1705 N Fair Oaks #108 Pasadena 3/3 1620 2542

8 05/08/08 359,900 1468 Atchison St Pasadena 2/1 696 10137

14 05/08/08 735,000 2441 Brigden Rd Pasadena 3/2 1682 8527

8 05/21/08 1,230,000 1134 N Holliston Ave Pasadena 3/3 2222 11883

331 05/16/08 689,000 1468 Brixton Rd Pasadena 3/2 1574 8240

7 05/21/08 325,000 973 E Villa St #6 Pasadena 2/2 1043 20787

332 05/16/08 675,000 2040 N Altadena Dr Pasadena 3/2 1720 8960

35 06/04/08 555,000 797 Iron Bark LN San Dimas 3/4 2367 24328

81 05/28/08 630,000 918 Calle Carrillo San Dimas 5/3 2662 10559

176 05/22/08 759,900 7346 Chantilly Ln Tujunga 4/3 3296 8000

49 05/22/08 305,000 6530 Tokay Rd Tujunga 3/1 1086 4390

June/July Happenings in Dena Land

June 20 - 7:30-11:30pm. Robert Kyle and his Brazilian Trio at Red, White & Bluezz in Pasadena at the corner of Raymond & Green.

June 21 - 10am—7pm. There’s music all around us in Altadena and Pasadena. Beginning at 10am, Make Music Pasadena will take

place at various venues throughout Pasadena. Call 626/793-8171 or see www.makemusicpasadena.org. Then beginning at 12:00pm,

Farnsworth Park will be hosting “Juneteenth” with jazz, zydeco, blues and gospel music throughout the day. I’ll be there in the late

afternoon manning the Christmas Tree Lane Association booth. Oh, and don’t forget the Jazz Fest at Levitt Pavillion beginning at 3pm.

Call 626/683-3230 or see www.levittpavillionpasadena.org Enjoy!!! June 21 and 22—11am. Long Beach Bayou Festival. Altadena’s own Robert Kyle plays with Linda Hopkins and her band at 3:30.

www.longbeachfestival.homestead.com Prices vary. June 22 - 12pm-7pm. Chubby Checker and Pat Boone at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. 120 Via Verde Dr., San Dimas. CA. FYI, Mike

Antonovich informed me that Chubby Checker will be performing at around 3pm and Pat Boone will be at around 4:30 or 5:00. Tick-

ets are $20 for reserved seating, $10 for sit anywhere, parking is $5 and kids under 12 receive free general admission. 909/599-8411. June 22 - 6pm. After you’ve gone to see the senior entertainers perform, head on over to Brookside Park for the Senior Olympics

Celebration BBQ. Sponsored by the Pasadena Senior Center. $10 for guests and free to Senior Olympic Athletes. 626/685-6754. June 24 to Aug 26 - 6-7pm every Tuesday. Memorial Park Bandshell at Raymond and Walnut. The Pasadena Senior Center sponsors

Concerts in the Park. Call 626/795-4331 or pasadenaseniorcenter.org FREE June 25 to Aug 13 - 7pm every Wednesday. Concerts in the Park. San Dimas Civic Center Park 245 E Bonita Ave. FREE

June 28, July 12,26 - Concerts in the Park at Farnsworth Park in Altadena. Top of Lake Ave. 626/798-6335

July 1 Hands free driving goes into effect. No phones held by your hands to the ears are allowed. While driving you can (but should-

n’t) dial. Speakerphone, Bluetooth and an earpiece over 1 ear only is allowed. July 4 - 82nd Annual AmericaFest at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. The Americafest Family Fun Zone will open mid-afternoon and will con-

tinue throughout the day and evening. There will be plenty of barbeque and other culinary treats, beverages, crafts, product exhib-

its, inflatable rides for the kids and more. General admission tickets priced at $13 each and children 7 and younger admitted free.

Parking is $15 per car. Information is available by calling (626) 577-3101. www.rosebowlstadium.com July 6 to Aug 24 - 6pm every Sunday. Concerts in the Park. Sierra Madre Memorial Park 222 W Sierra Madre Blvd. FREE

July 14, 2008 is the deadline for submission of a teacher candidate for the 2008 Freedom Fund Scholarship and Teachers’ Award

Luncheon “Saluting the Stars of Education” taking place on Sunday, Nov. 16 at the Castaway Restaurant in Burbank. The Altadena

NAACP is preparing for this and their goal is to salute the teachers who make a difference in the lives of their students and peers. For

information contact Tami Tucker-Thomas at naacpteacher@yahoo.com or call Judy Matthews at 626-827-1900.

Heads Up! August 3rd at 7:30, my brother, Clayton Lane aka Nicky Grant, will be performing at the Ice House in Pasadena.

Summer Day Camps in Altadena start up on June 23rd at Farnsworth and Loma Alta Parks and on July 7th at Charles White Park. And the

Loma Alta Park pool opens June 21st. Loma Alta: 626/797-8903, Farnsworth 626/798-6335, Charles White 626/794-3807.

Pasadena Market Center

445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91105

Cell: (626) 786-1231

Office: (626) 204-3436

Fax: (626) 296-1979

lindalanewhite@sbcglobal.net

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!

Please help save

CHRISTMAS TREE

LANE

Call me for details!

626/786-1231