Bungalow Heaven In Pasadena CA

While the American Planning Association’s list of “Great Places”, doesn’t quite have the prestige of Money Magazines Best Places to Live it is a very desirable accolade nonetheless. Just drive down the tree lined streets and you quickly realize what a special place it is. The other interesting fact about Bungalow Heaven is that it is a microcosm of the Pasadena real estate market. Home values here run very closely with what Pasadena as a city reports on a monthly basis.

Home Prices in Bungalow Heaven

With the average size home running from 1400 to 1600 square feet along with the homogeneity of the neighborhood, there has not been a lot of fluctuations on home prices as noticed in some other areas of Pasadena. According to the Bungalow Heaven neighborhood web site, the area comprises about 800 homes. Based on an annual turnover rate of only 2.5 to 3%, home prices have held up pretty well. This year look for home sales to hit about 30 units, higher than last years total of 22, but still below the high reached in 2006 of 36 homes. In addition, home prices have sold close to their asking prices indicating desirability over discounting and this trend has been constant over the last four years.

4 Year Home Prices for Bungalow Heaven

Home sales this year have ranged from a 2 bed, 1 bath with a little over 1000 square feet for $225,000 to a 3 bed, 2 bath with 1879 sq ft for $785,000. Just as the rest of the Pasadena housing market has experienced, the market for homes under $500,000 has re-emerged this year with 7 homes selling year to date. Finding a home in BH under $500,000 in ’06 & ’07 was almost impossible.

If you are in the market to buy a home and you want to check out the availability in Bungalow Heaven, there are 6 homes on the market ranging from $499,000 to $975,000. Take a drive through the neighborhood and discover what the residents know….it’s a great place!

As Kevin Costner asked in his hit movieThe Field of Dreams “Is this heaven”?, Yes, its Bungalow Heaven.

Want to know more about Pasadena Craftsman Homes? Craftsman Weekend is scheduled from October 16-18.

The Pasadena Eco House Project is for sale. This has been in planning for 24 months and has full approval to start building now.  The project includes: lot, plans and permits.

This home, designed to be the first Platinum LEED Certified home in Pasadena, offers many energy saving advantages. It ‘s construction utilizes insulated concrete panels that are far superior to standard wood construction. It is resistant to natural hazards such as earthquake, fire and wind. All systems and materials planned for the home are state-of -the -art and environmentally friendly. Solar panels keep you off the grid. Ductless heating and air-conditioning is efficient. Floor to ceiling Anderson windows offer beautiful views. Attention to detail has been key to making this an exquisite home in style as well as function. This is your opportunity to own a home that is destine to become a Pasadena architectural landmark.

The address is 1614 Pleasant Way, Pasadena, CA 91105. The lot is listed in the MLS #22122779. If you have ever thought about building a custom green home in a wonderful neighborhood … This is your chance to be GREEN before next spring.

Madison Heights Home Sales

The mix of residential home sales are about 60% to 40% of condominium/townhome to single family units. Many of the condo/townhome units were constructed in the 80′s and there have also been some new housing units recently built along Marengo. Pricing adjustments are being made to these new units in an attempt to attract home buyers. Falling listing prices are also representative of more agressive pricing that is being made to most houses listed for sale in this slower market.

According to the web site about 1400 residents make up the area known as Madison Heights. These residents also can be very proud of their community as home prices have increased for the period of Janunary through August 2008, compared to the same period in 2007. The median price rose to $645,000 from $616,500 last year, however home sales did decline to 46 units from 52 units in 2007. Much of the single family inventory listed for sale in Madison Heights was constructed in the early 1900′s and also are designated by the City as having Landmark status.

The market for homes priced over one million dollars remains strong, whereas some weakness has been detected in Pasadena in this price segment overall. Thirteen sales have been recorded over $1MM this year, compared to eleven in 2007. Unlike other areas in Pasadena, foreclosure activity has been minimal here, which has helped to maintain property values. With the median price of a single family home in excess of $1MM, and its beautifully maintained streets, Madison Heights remains one of Pasadena’s highly demanded areas. If a single family home is outside of your budget, a condo/townhome can be found in the median price range of the high $400′s.

Sierra Madre has a “small town” feel with a friendly downtown area that includes all the necessities– bank, post office, dry cleaners and the pleasing ammenities like the coffee bars, boutiques and restaurants encouraging you to linger and enjoy.  In addition, the downtown quad provides the perfect host setting for many family-friendly community events.  There’s the annual Wistaria Festival, July 4th parade along Sierra Madre Boulevard, Halloween and Christmas Festivals and the 8.6 mile Mt. Wilson Trail Race for those who want a good run!

As a parent of elementary aged children, Sierra Madre provides a plethora of activities for them.  The city has a very active organized sports program — little league and swim program and other youth program providing many opportunities for them to participate in.  The local library has been an incredible resource that has helped us immensely as we muddled through the mountains of book reports, history and science fair projects that hit us throughout the school year. 

Living in Sierra Madre has truly been an unexpected gift to us.  We enjoy all of the different aspects of the city and appreciate all that it offers.  

You have probably heard the phrase “I live on the upper east side”? I bet you did not know that it referred to Upper Hastiings Ranch, which is Pasadena’s northeasterly neighborhood. Most of the homes in this area were constructed between 1950 to 1955 and just like its neighbor to the south Lower Hastings, most of the architectural styles exhibited are California ranch, dominated by 3 bed / 2 bath homes with front or side entry garages. The area offers hilly terrain and close up views of the San Gabriel Valley Mountians.

Prices for single family homes in Upper Hastings are fairly consistent with the median price of home’s in Pasadena. There are currently eight houses under contract, and while the median price is in the range of $780,000, ocassionally a house will appear for sale in the mid to high $600.0′s. Lot sizes are fairly standard and in the range of 7500 square feet.

Make note and mark you calendar’s for the upcoming Holiday Season. When darkness sets in, Upper Hastings puts on a spectacular display, as many of the houses celebrate with lights and unique decorations. It is very entertaining for young and old alike.

If you are looking for a neighborhood to call home, check out Upper Hastings. Pasadena’s answer to the “upper east side”.

If you have been looking for homes throughout Pasadena and have decided that a hundred year old home is not for you, then welcome to Lower Hastings Ranch. Any frustration you have experienced with the Pasadena housing market, just might end here. Most of the homes in this area were constructed between 1949 and 1953, considered new by Pasadena standards. Architectural styles are typically California Ranch (do you think this may have had something to do with the name Hastings Ranch?) and single level.

The neighborhood is dominated by single family homes, however there is one small townhome complex with approximately 31 units and prices ranging in the low to mid $500′s.

Lower Hastings is characterized by larger than normal lot sizes in the range of 10,000 to
12,000 square feet and also larger homes with a median square footage of approximately 2300. One of the great things about Lower Hastings is that many of the garages are located in the rear of the house, which helps to eliminate street parking, making the streets seem much more spacious. Most homes also enjoy great mountain views from either the front or back yards.

Residents also have access to a Whole Foods Market , a couple of drug stores and a Starbucks. This location offers easy access to the 210 frwy or if you are looking for a quick change of pace, Sierra Madre is only minutes away.