Pasadena & South Pasadena Homes for Sale | San Gabriel Valley Real Estate

The Price to Value Relationship

We Need to Communiate the Value We Provide

How is value explained? Is it best defined as a monetary measure, or is it possibly related to a service that one provides. Is it tangible or intangible? The word "value" may best be described in an analogy that was used by Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart when he attempted to explain obscenity.."I know it when I see it". If you have been in the market to buy a home recently you are well versed in the examples of value. Look at 7-10 homes in one day and you begin very quickly to understand value. Features and amenities such as size, condition, upgrades, curb appeal and price offer a quick … [Continue reading...]

Lunch at Papa Don’s Deli in South Pasadena

Papa Don's Deli, 303 Pasadena Ave., South Pasadena

Need a new place for lunch in South Pas? You should try Papa Don's Deli. It is a great alternative to the same old burger & fries or even that other place that serves sub sandwiches. While it's not on Fair Oaks Blvd or Mission Street (Restaurant Row), it's not far around the corner. Go west on either Mission Street or Monterey Rd. and you will find Papa's located at 303 Pasadena Avenue. What is the foundation of any good sandwich? It is the bread and at Papa Don's its always very fresh. You could actually sit and savor it with some olive oil and a glass of Chianti, but since that isn't … [Continue reading...]

California’s Foreclosure Economy

With California's budget deficit in the billions of dollars, is California's Foreclosure Economy a plan designed to profit from distressed homeowners? Does the Golden State have an economic interest in prolonging the foreclosure process? Absurd? Outrageous? Well, possibly until you begin to dissect the reasons behind the State's continuing intervention and delays that seem to inevitably prolong any recovery in housing. Case in point, Kamala Harris, the Attorney General for California refuses to sign on to an agreement which would allow the big banks to pony up an estimated $25 billion … [Continue reading...]

An Appraisal, A Lender or a Short Sale be

After the contracts have been signed an appraisal is one more step in the process of buying a house. If issues arise it typically involves the house appraising for less than the purchase price. If this occurs, there may be some additional negotiation or sometimes the deal may fall apart. But what happens if the reverse occurs and the appraisal comes in at such an inflated value there is no interest in the property? The word appraise is defined as "to assess the value or quality". This can be much different than "market value" which defines what a buyer is willing to pay. In most instances … [Continue reading...]

To The City of Pasadena, Thank You

Wednesday nights wind storm was described as a hurricane without the rain. Growing up in Texas, we know wind. Here in Pasadena it's not uncommon for a breeze, but we very seldom have wind. Wind that produces the destructive force of a hurricane. Speaking with many of our neighbors, a lot of us experienced a near sleepless night. The wind would howl, then almost slow to a whisper before it would rev back up again and blow open the windows of our house. Luckily, we were spared the hostility of mother nature. Unfortunately, many others were not. The morning after looked like many of the … [Continue reading...]

iPad in Real Estate, iGetit

How many times have you rushed out, bought the latest electronic gadget, come home and set it up, only to find out it is not working the way it was advertised? Technology can be the greatest thing, that is when it works like it is supposed to. If it can actually save space, save time and save paper, then it becomes a real advantage. A real estate transaction file can easily be 3" thick, so cutting down on the use of paper is a wonderful benefit, increasing your productivity is a welcomed bonus. The iPad has become a great tool for real estate agents. Now in addition to using it at open … [Continue reading...]