Pasadena Pied-a-terre Remodeled Condo in So Lake Shopping District

330 S Mentor Ave, Pasadena  $349,000

Our newest listing is in a fabulous location in Pasadena and is the perfect pied-a-terre.    2bed/2 bath with office and remodeled beautifully by the owners.  See more pictures at our visual tour link below.

We'll be there this Sunday 1-4 so stop by and say hi and take a look around.  We don't bite, I promise.

http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?T=2038753

 

Pool & Spa 

Home sales rise 9.4 percent in September - Article for you all to check out

Here's an interesting update on the current housing market.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33448199/ns/business-real_estate/from/ET

Mid Century Modern above the Annandale Golf Course for Rent - Fantastic View

Great Mid-Century Modern with Amazing Views

240 Patrician Way - $3850/month

Mid-century modern house with fantastic views. Built by architect Al Robertshaw and located in the Annandale area of Pasadena. Large master suite with sunken tub/shower, full bath upstairs along with two more bedrooms. One bedroom upstairs is convertible into two. Laundry room and powder downstairs. Great room/kitchen area with fireplace and fireplace in living room as well. Pool and spa with expansive views of downtown Pasadena and beyond. There is a large bonus room off of the pool area with two workshop/storage rooms as well. Large house above Annandale Golf Course area with quick access to the 134 freeway.

At corner of La Mirada and Patrician Way. Shared driveway with house behind it.

Please contact me if you are interested in seeing this groovy property.

Smoky San Rafael Hills

I've been walking my dogs through my neighborhood in the San Rafael hills during the fires, which I know I'm not supposed to do, but what is one to do with two wound up dogs who are itching to go outside? We're walking through the thick ashy air and trying to pretend it's our usual fun stroll in our fantastic neighborhood. For this update I'm sharing some photos of my neighborhood, smoky as it may be.

I love the little shopping area on Colorado Blvd. Vintage-feeling restaurant Stoney Point with it's piano player and neon sign, The Little Flower Candy Company - sooooo delicious and the nicest owners on earth (have lunch there - you will thank me), the cool Spanish building with Cornerstone Chiropractic in it, the Kitchen for Exploring Foods (a great place to pick up diner to go).

At the Western end are some groovy mid-century office buildings. Maybe I'm the only person who likes these office buildings, but I'm a sucker for mid-century moderns and these are kinda low slung post and beam and cool. The park at Melrose and Colorado is great place for dogs and kids alike.




If you want some serious hikes without the nature aspect - try walking the San Rafael Hills. If you wander in and up in the hills you can see if you can find all the pedestrian staircases linking the streets.

Our street in the San Rafael Hills is the Westernmost part of Pasadena. In fact both ends of the street are actually in LA. We've got a name for this bit of the hills of Pasadena so close to Eagle Rock where we live - "Eaglerockadena". You heard it here first.

Enjoy the photos and next time you drive by have lunch at The Little Flower or dinner at "The Point".

Here are some links to places on Colorado:

http://www.littleflowercandyco.com/

http://stoneypointrestaurant.com/

http://www.thekitchen.net/

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

I know this isn't any great place to see or something exciting to do in Pasadena, but this is very important info for the buyers out there who are thinking of purchasing. This program ends November 30, 2009 so if you are thinking of buying and qualify for this program now's the time to take advantage of it. Read on for more information....

Purchase a home now and take advantage of the new tax credit of up to $8,000.* A benefit that makes your new home more affordable.

A tax credit is available for first-time home buyers under the American Recover and Reinvestment Act of 2009. If you buy a home between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009, you may be eligible to receive a tax credit for 10% of the purchase price of your home - up to $8,000. Program highlights include:

• Any individual (and if married, their spouse) who has had no ownership interest in a home during the last three years is eligible



• Full credit for single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 ($150,000 on a joint return); partial credit for incomes up to $95,000 ($170,000 joint return)



• Applies to the purchase of a single-family home (including condos, town homes, etc.) that will be used as a principal residence



• Home buyers can reduce (or even eliminate) their income tax liability for the year of purchase by claiming the credit on their tax return*



• If the home is sold before 3 years, the first-time home buyer (who is now the seller) must pay the IRS the entire amount of the credit at closing

*certain eligibility criteria must be met. Home buyers should consult their tax advisor for further details.

I hope this helps some of you who are trying to determine the right time to buy - it's now! Rates are low, prices are good and combined with this tax credit - go shopping!

Theodore Payne Garden Tour

Theodore Payne Garden Tour 2009

My friend and I went on a fabulous garden tour this weekend put on by the Theodore Payne Foundation which supports native California plants. The highlights were the absolutely stunningly beautiful garden at Walworth. I don't say that just because they are friends - they have put so much thought and love into their garden and it shows. Not to mention the adorable potting shed and guest house. Two green thumbs up! The other highlights of the day were in La Canada. was a great adobe house planted with native gardens front and back. The backyard has a great pool and cabana. Loved it. My absolute favorite house was the Lloyd Wright Jr. house in La Canada. Great lines to the house and looking out over a nice pool and grounds planted with native flowers and plants. Sigh.

For info on the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants go to www.theodorepayne.org or call their wildflower hotline at 818-768-3533. They have classes, a nursery, seed store, tours and lectures.

Happy Hours around the Area

We all need entertainment and a social life, but being recession-minded and watching the wallet these days led me to put together a list of great Happy Hour spots close to Pasadena. A great way to snack and have a cocktail for less. Less is more after all. Or is it more for less?

If you know of good ones around please let me know and I'll keep adding to the list.

Bodega Wine Bar

• 260 E Colorado Blvd
• Pasadena, CA 91101
• Phone: 626.793.4300

1/2 off appetizer menu. Everything was excellent. Discounted wine and beer and a couple of soju cocktails. Wonderful atmosphere. Fills ups fast.

Sushi Roku

• 33 Miller Alley
• Pasadena, CA 91103
• Phone: 626.683.3000

Named after the exclusive in-house Red Sun Beer served at the restaurant, the "Red Sun" happy hour takes place nightly in the lounge at Sushi Roku in Old Town Pasadena.

Guests who order one happy hour drink, or other alcoholic beverage, in the lounge are offered a selection of appetizers for $3. A special list of cocktails are also $3.

Magnolia

• 492 S Lake Ave
• Pasadena, CA 91101
• Phone: 626.584.1126

Happy Hours

• Monday-Friday: 5:00pm-7:00pm

Ruth's Chris

369 East Colorado Blvd,
Pasadena, CA 91101 Phone: 626-583-8122

Happy Hours

• Sunday-Friday: 5-7 pm
• Some appetizers are $3.50 and wine and well cocktails from $5-$7
  

Hamburger Hamlet
214 S Lake Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
626-449-8520

Happy Hours:

• 7 Days a week
• 1/2 price drinks - 3-7 pm
• 1/2 price appetizers - 3-6 pm

Margarita Jones

541 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA-91105 Happy Hours:

• Appetizer Specials, Drink Specials, Half-Price
• 7 Days a week 4-7 pm - Late night Wed-Sat 9pm -12 dj performance

Dona Rosa

577 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 626-449-2999

Happy Hours:

• Taco Tuesday's - Tacos are $1.25 all day, Margaritas & domestic beer are $1.50 all day
• Now starting Taco Friday's as well (March 2009) They also have Mariachis on Friday evenings

The Yardhouse

330 E Colorado Blvd Ste 230 Pasadena, CA 91101

• Monday-Friday: 3:00pm-6:00pm

McCormick & Schmick's

111 N Los Robles Ave Pasadena, CA 91101

• Monday-Friday: 3:30pm-6:30pm, 9:30pm-11:00pm

Gordon Biersch

41 Hugus Aly Pasadena, CA 91103

• Every Day: 4:00pm-7:00pm, 10:00pm-Close

Gyu-Kaku

70 W Green St Pasadena, CA 91105

• Monday-Thursday: 5:00pm-6:30pm, 9:00pm-10:00pm
• Friday: 5:00pm-6:30pm

Twin Palms

101 W Green St Pasadena, CA 91105

• Monday-Thursday: 4:00pm-7:00pm
• Friday: 4:00pm-6:00pm

La Grande Orange Station Cafe
260 S. Raymond

Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 356-4444

Happy Hours:

• Mon-Fri 3-7 pm
• 1/2 off beer, wines by the glass, well drinks and an appetizer menu

Vertical Wine Bistro
70 N Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 795-3999

Happy Hours:

• Sat & Sun 4-7
• Tues-Fri 5-7
• $5.50 wine & well cocktails

Pop Champagne & Dessert Bar

33 E Union St
Pasadena, CA 91103

(626) 795-1295

Happy Hours:

• Wed-Sun 5-7 pm
• $4 Mimosas, Bellinis and draft beer
• $3 Miller Hi-Life
• 20% off appetizers

Red White & Bluezz
70 S Raymond Ave
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 792-4441

Happy Hours:

• 11-7 pm
• $5 well drinks, beer & wine
• Discounted food menu
  

El Cholo Pasadena
El Cholo Cafe
958 South Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105

Happy Hours:

• Mon-Fri 4-7 pm
• $2 beers, $2.50 Margaritas
• $2 tacos on the patio

Mijares
145 Palmetto Drive
Pasadena, CA
626-792-2763

Happy Hours:

• Mon-Thurs 4-6 pm
• $5 Margaritas, $3-$3.50 Beers
• Hors d'oeuvres served
  

DISH

734 Foothill Blvd,
La Canada, CA 91001
(818) 790-5355

Happy Hours

• Mon-Fri 3-6 pm
• 1/2 off wine, beer, well drinks and appetizers
  

Edison Depression Soup Kitchen

Fridays 5-7 at Edison: 108 W 2nd St, Downtown; 213.613.0000

This 1920s-style speakeasy's offering a timely Depression-era deal: cheekily named 35c drinks (the ginny 401k and the bourbon-laced Bail Out), plus free grilled cheese and tomato soup. 25% of proceeds go to food banks and charities for people whose credit sucked before subprime.

The website's at EdisonDowntown.com

Fabulous Architecture

Hi Folks,

Our first ever blog! We are new to the blogging world so be kind to us as we add this to our Real Estate repertoire. My business partner, Richard von Ernst, and I want to bring you the latest and greatest in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. Great houses on the market, new sites to check out, real estate news and information and anything else that tickles our fancy. We hope you like our blog and are always keen for feedback and updates on the places, people and events you find fabulous.

Thanks!

Jennifer
Sotheby's International Realty - Pasadena


“Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours" Swedish Proverb