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Transcript of 2008-02 Dena Land News
Dena Land News
February 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
Pros and Cons 1
Active Adults Corner 2
Recipe of the Month 2
Energy Facts 2
Ceedub Construction 2
For Sale 3
Ask An Expert 3
For Lease 4
Valentine’s Day Gifts 4
Recent Area Sales 4
Bill Lane 5
February 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
done by previous owners.
These sorts of costs can mount
up so that you end up with far
more invested in the property
than it’s worth on the market.
Try to avoid buying a home
that has an incurable defect.
This is something that you
can’t change, like a location
next to a freeway. These
homes don’t hold their value
well when the housing market
softens.
A risk of buying in a slow
market is that the value of
what you buy might drop be-
fore it rises. Or, prices could
stay flat for some
time, which means
that you won’t build
equity unless you pay
down principal on
your mortgage. If you
should have to move
during a time when
prices are soft, you
might not be able to
sell for the amount
you paid. To decrease
this risk factor, don’t
buy for the short term.
Give careful consideration
to how you finance your pur-
chase. Stay away from mort-
gages that have short due
dates and balloon payments.
If the market in your area
stays soft for longer than an-
ticipated, you don’t want to be
caught having to refinance at
a time when your home might
not appraise for the price you
need to complete the transac-
tion.
THE CLOSING: A benefit of
buying in a soft market is that
you have the opportunity to
buy at a reasonable price,
without having to compete
with other buyers. But, it
makes no sense if you put
yourself at financial risk.
When the housing mar-
ket slows down, buyers
often wait on the sidelines
for a clear sign that the
market has recovered.
The only problem with
this strategy is that you
can only know for sure
that a market has turned
through hindsight. In
other words, you can’t
time the market.
A slow market is per-
ceived as an opportunity
by some buyers, as it
takes longer for listings to
sell. The inventory of un-
sold listings tends
to grow, giving
b u y e r s m o r e
choice than is the
case in a hot
seller’s market
when listings sell
quickly.
In a high-
inventory market,
there are usually
fewer multiple of-
fers so buyers can
cut a better deal
with the seller. However,
it pays to be careful about
what you buy and how
you finance the purchase.
HOUSE HUNTING TIP:
The least expensive home
in an area may not be the
best investment. Unless
you are a contractor with
years of experience fixing
up properties, you should
hire the best inspectors
you can find to look care-
fully at the condition of a
property before you buy.
Many home buyers,
particularly first-timers,
don’t give enough atten-
tion to the cost of main-
taining a home. Home
maintenance is a neces-
sary part of home owner-
ship. It can be expensive,
particularly if you need to
hire others to do the work.
Some homes require
more maintenance than
others. A good inspector
should be able to give you
a good indication about
how much work a home
needs now and how much it
will need on an ongoing
basis. Buying a well-
maintained home that will
also have relatively low
ongoing maintenance is
one way to keep your over-
all housing costs down.
Inexperienced home
buyers should resist buying
a fixer-upper just because
it’s offered at a cheap price
for the neighborhood. It’s
difficult to get a firm grasp
on renovation costs during
the inspection contingency
period, particularly if it’s a
big job.
Remodeling projects can
run over budget because of
unanticipated problems
like faulty electrical or
plumbing, or an old furnace
that goes bad. Or the city
inspector could require that
you do additional work to
c o r r e c t n o n - c o d e -
complying improvements
PROS & CONS OF BUYING IN TODAY’S MARKET
Home Office: 519 Alameda, Altadena, CA
Page 2 Dena Land News
Crock Pot White Chicken Chili 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 and
Light Commercial
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/4 lbs. boneless skinless chicken
2, 15 oz. cans great northern beans or
navy beans
1, 15 oz. can hominy or white corn
1, 4-1/2 oz. can of chopped green chiles
1, 10-3/4 oz. can condensed cream of
chicken soup
1, 14 oz. can chicken broth
1/2 cup sour cream
Chopped green onions (optional)
Monterey jack cheese (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Place chicken in a 4 quart slow cooker.
Top with beans and corn. In a medium
bowl, combine taco seasoning, chiles,
condensed soup, and chicken broth. Pour
over top of ingredients in the crock pot.
Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
Before serving, stir gently to break up
chicken, then stir in the sour cream. Serve
topped with green onions and jack
cheese, if desired.
“When my life is over,
I’m curious if I will feel
that I’ve lived it or just
got through it.” - Elise
No-brainers To Save Energy Now
and Stay Warm!
Instead of turning up the
heat, put on a sweater. A light
long-sleeved sweater equals
almost 2ºin added warmth,
while a heavy, long-sleeved
sweater adds about 4º.
Take advantage of free
heat from the sun. Open
curtains and drapes on the
sunny side of your home
during the day. But be sure
to close the curtains and
drapes when the sun sets.
To stay warm at night put
extra blankets on your bed,
and use warmer fabrics
such as flannel sheets.
To warm up your insides,
make a big batch of soup.
Eat some and freeze some
for later.
If every U. S. household
replaced just one incandes-
cent bulb with an ENERGY
STAR® qualified fluores-
cent bulb, it would save
enough energy to light 7
million homes and save
$600 million in utility bills.
A programmable thermo-stat could save up to $100
per year on utility bills.
An ENERGY STAR® quali-fied furnace, when prop-
erly sized and installed,
along with sealed ducts and
a programmable thermo-
stat, can save up to 20% on
heating bills.
Energy Facts
Transition From Analog to Digital TV
Active Adults Corner Over 50? Get out of the house! http://overthehillganglosangeles.org
If you get TV reception through an an-
tenna, as roughly 42 million homes do,
things will change for you on February 17,
2009. Next year American television sta-
tions will end all analog broadcasts and begin broadcasting exclusively in a digital
format, as mandated by the Deficit Reduc-
tion Act of 2005.
Digital TV is a more efficient and flexi-
ble use of the airwaves, provides crystal
clear pictures and sound and allows sta-
tions to broadcast multiple programs si-
multaneously instead fo broadcasting only
one channel at a time.
Many seniors on fixed income are not
able to afford to buy a new television, nor
are they able to afford cable T.V. or satel-lite T.V. service.
3 ways to transition to digital:
1. Subscribe to a cable, satellite or tele-
phone company television service
provider, in which case, analog sets
will continue to function. 2. Purchase a new TV set with a built-in
digital tuner.
3. Purchase a DTV converter box that
will convert the new digital signal for
an existing analog television set.
Congress has appropriated $1.5 billion to
fund a digital-to-analog converter box cou-
pon program, which is administered by
the government. You can request up to 2
coupons valued at $40 each, to go toward
the purchase of a converter box. Boxes are
expected to cost between $50 and $70. Coupons will be sent through the mail and
consumers will have approximately 3
months to redeem them.
Applications for these LIMITED SUP-
PLY coupons will be accepted from Janu-
ary 1, 2008 until March 31, 2009. Call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009)
TTY: 1-877-530-2634
Online: www.DTV2009.gov
Mail: P O Box 2000, Portland Or 97208
Fax: 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)
With the coupon(s) you will also receive
instructions, a list of eligible certified TV
converter boxes, a list of retailers, and fre-
quently asked questions about using the
coupon.
Short Sale!
February 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.
Q: A few weeks ago, my mother-in-law passed away. My husband and I are now trying
hard to move my father-in-law closer to us. He is currently about 2 hours away. If he were
to sell their home of 17 years, would he be entitled to the $250,000 or $500,000 principal
residence sales tax exemption?
A. Your father-in-law can claim up to $500,000 tax-free profits on the sale of his principal resi-
dence if it is sold in the same tax year as your mother-in-law’s death. That’s presuming they
both occupied the home at least 2 of the 5 years before the sale to qualify for the Internal Reve-
nue Code 121 exemption. If he waits until the following year to sell the principal residence, then he can claim
up to a $250,000 tax exemption. However, presuming he inherited the half of the house owned by your late
mother-in-law, he gets a new stepped-up basis on either 50% or 100% of the home's market value on the date
of death. The exact stepped-up valuation depends on how they held title and in which state the house is lo-
cated. He should consult his personal tax advisor to be certain he maximizes his principal residence sales tax
exemption. Have a real estate question? Feel free to contact me.
Linda Lane-White
Ask an Expert
Unbelievable Price!
728 Colman Street, Altadena, CA 91001
Only $749,000 (only $305/sf)
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
Pool with child proof security fence
Spa with multi colored lights
New 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
COME FOR REFRESHMENTS ON SUNDAY, FEB. 17TH 1-4PM
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
72 01/31/08 500,000 2791 Santa Rosa Altadena 3/2 1339 7370
124 01/24/08 412,700 3294 Dabney Ave Altadena 3/2 1210 6450
104 01/31/08 490,000 611 Stonehurst Dr Altadena 3/2 1172 6912
14 01/18/08 750,000 301 E Norman Ave Arcadia 3/2 1502 9928
324 01/30/08 520,000 726 Ridgefield Claremont 3/2 1360 10600
213 02/01/08 460,000 402 Larkspur Glendora 3/2 1248 6800
98 01/29/08 520,000 513 Comstock Glendora 3/2 1857 8453
196 01/25/08 1,955,000 2040 Tondolea Ln La Canada 4/4 4351 11271
26 01/21/08 625,000 622 Vaquero Monrovia 3/2 1809 8820
40 01/28/08 468,000 1116 N Catalina Ave Pasadena 4/3 1548 10080
35 01/30/08 850,000 1625 Sierra Bonita Ln Pasadena 3/2 1782 10829
107 02/01/08 750,000 1118 Las Riendas Way Pasadena 3/3 2131 condo
78 02/01/08 1,180,000 1885 Robin Rd San Marino 5/3 2892 16970
143 01/18/08 760,000 66 Ross Sierra Madre 3/2 1679 8773
271 01/28/08 404,312 1257 14th Upland 4/3 2203 10125
3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Fireplace
2 car detached garage
Spacious front & rear yards
Washer & Dryer included
Central Air/Heat
Alarm system
Pets OK with deposit
Water, trash, gardener included
I’m still looking for a new
neighbor!
This corner lot home is located just down
the block from my home. It’s a great
neighborhood near Christmas Tree Lane,
the Rose Bowl, and JPL (3 blocks west of
Lake Ave.)
444 Alameda Street, Altadena
For Lease
Only $2,600 per month
Call (626) 786-1231
1. 24k Gold Roses. Real roses preserved in 24k gold.
www.romanceher.com
2. Personalized Romance Novel www.yournovel.com
3. Her Own Star. Name a star after your sweetheart!
www.starregistry.com 4. Personalized Love Poem www.agiftofpoetry.com
5. Photo Memory Book. A gift that documents your ro-
mance www.snapfish.com/regcampaign (timeless gift)
6. More Meaningful Flowers. Send her a gorgeous bouquet
of paper roses, customized with your romantic message
www.justpaperroses.com
7. Gourmet Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
www.costco.com
8. Message in a Bottle. Letters are placed in a bottle and
delivered in gorgeous packaging www.timelessmessage.com
9. Custom Canvas. Take your photos and transform them
into beautiful canvas prints www.canvasondemand.com
10. Customized Box of Chocolate. Create your own custom-
ized box of gourmet chocolates www.danschocolates.com
Top 10 Unique Romantic Gifts Dare To Be Different This Year!
February 2008 Page 5
February is Black History Month
In Loving Memory of Bill Lane
As February is Black History Month,
I thought it only fitting to let you
know a bit about my father, Bill
Lane. His biography will be listed in
the Afro American National Biogra-phy at the DuBois Institute at Har-
vard University by the end of this
year.
Born William Clay Lane in Rose-
dale, Mississippi January 27, 1922.
Wrote for Woman’s Magazine,
Coronet, Esquire, Pageant, Down-
beat, the Negro Digest, and the
Michigan Chronicle. interviewing
100’s of entertainers, politicians,
and civil rights leaders including
Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Scripter for “Eyes on Tomorrow”
for WXYZ radio in Detroit, Michi-
gan.
Was one of the first writers for
Ebony and Jet Magazines.
Due to the low salaries paid by black newspapers, he became the
1st black “licensed” Public Insur-
ance Adjustor in the state of Michi-
gan and later the 2nd in California.
Became the 1st salaried black disc
jockey on a national white radio
station, WJR, in Detroit, Michigan
in 1952.
Discovered such entertainers as
LaVerne Baker, Johnny Ray and
Della Reese, et al.
Became the 1st Public Relations
Director for Motown Records
On June 21, 1961, he moved the
family (7 kids) to Los Angeles
where he became Entertainment
Editor at the Los Angeles Sentinel.
Worked as DJ for the Hollywood
beat for XPRS and KJLH
Worked with Maggie Hathaway
and Bob Jones in creating the Hol-lywood/Beverly Hills Chapter of
the NAACP, where in 1967 all
three co-founded the NAACP Im-
age Awards.
As President of the NAACP in
1971, he worked with entertain-
ment industry leaders to open stu-
dio doors and make it possible for
minorities to gain fair employment
in all facets of the industry and to
be allowed into the unions. This
sparked rights efforts that led to a
Government forced “consent de-cree” which still governs the hiring
and promotions of blacks in the
industry today. During this time he
fought to get the Image Awards
televised. This materialized in
1973.
He died on June 21, 1995. He
stood for equality and justice for
all people regardless of race, creed
or color.
Dad, We Miss You!
February Happenings in Dena Land
Don’t forget to check out the (almost) nightly entertainment offered at the Coffee Gallery at 2029 N. Lake in Altadena for
information call 626/318-7917 or go to www.coffeegallery.com
Every Wednesday, 8-11pm. The Robert Kyle Brazilian Trio at the Pasadena Arts Institute. Paseo Pasadena, 260 E Colorado
Blvd. (Suite 206 on 2nd level in the Western Sector). www.robertkyle.com $10
Now through Feb 17 Orson’s Shadow. Pasadena Playhouse 39 S. El Molino, Pasadena 626/356-7529 or 626/792-8672
www.pasadenaplayhouse.org $25 to $65 Every Sat/Sun beginning Feb 16th. 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 hearty lunch at noon. 626/403-1123
Feb 9, 8am. John Muir High School Alumni Softball Game. Girl’s Field. $25 donation helps the boys and girls baseball pro-
gram. Contact Coach Mike Bendy at 626/625-8018 or send donations to P O Box 93367, Pasadena, CA 91109 c/o the Baseball
Program. Feb 9, 11am. Ronald McDonald House 4th Anniversary Party & Family Reunion. Everyone is welcome. Come for McDonalds
Quarter Pounders on the grill, desserts, games, activities for kids, moon bounce, boutique, tours of the Houses, magic show, etc.
763 S. Pasadena Avenue. 626/585-1588. FREE Feb 12, 2pm. Reflecting On A Life In Art. California African American Museum’s Executive Director, Charmaine Jefferson, inter-
views Artis Lane. CAAM, 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles. 213/744-7432 FREE! CLARIFICATION FROM LAST
MONTH—Some of you were confused! Artis is NOT my sister, she’s my half sister’s Mother. Artis was my father’s first wife.
Feb 13, 7pm. Movie Screening: “Cabin in the Sky” Huntington Library 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino. Advance reservations re-
quired. Call to register 626/405-2128 www.huntington.org FREE Feb 14, 5pm. Shrine Auditorium. 39th Annual NAACP Image Awards. Special awards for Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin.
See it on (tape delay) on Fox Television at 8pm. Feb 23, 9am. Pasadena Dance Festival. All day event offering dance classes, workshops for all dance levels. Classes are 9am to
5pm and last 45 min to 1 hour. Special evening performance at 7pm. Pasadena Civic Auditorium. 300 E Green Street. 626/399-
3676 or www.lineagedance.org $30 all day. $15 performance only. Feb 23, 10:30am. Grand Opening of The Huntington’s Chinese Garden. 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino. 626/405-2100
www.huntington.org Feb. 29 Leap for Joy. Leap Year is Here! That means that each of us has an extra 24 hours or 1440 minutes this month. How do
you plan to spend your bonus time? I’m sure I’ll be celebrating my sister, Philippa’s birthday. She only has a REAL birthday
every 4 years. Happy Birthday, Philippa! Mar. 1, 12:00. John Muir High Class of 1979 Reunion Committee Meeting. Call Linda at 626/786-1231 for more information.
Pasadena Market Center
445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105
Cell: (626) 786-1231
Office: (626) 204-3436
Fax: (626) 296-1979
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!