This bear is walking up the driveway to my Pasadena listing. Fortunately for us all, the house sold 3 months ago.

 

A neighbor snapped this recent shot of this guy (or gal, sorry) going up the driveway at 1585 Knollwood Terrace, in Pasadena.  Could it be Glen Bearian, the Glendale bear?? I had hoped the house would sell to a celebrity! (Actually, it sold to a very nice human for cash.)  And this bear certainly has wonderful taste in homes (pic of house is above) and locations (Linda Vista area).  But, I have to wonder: is this bear a lookie-loo or serious buyer?

3 closings this week and how they went

The first property that closed this week was 1585 Knollwood Terrace in Pasadena (pictured above).  It had been listed at $1,049,000 and closed for $1,010,000 -- all cash (what recession?).  I loved this house and absolutely love the Linda Vista neighborhood that it's in -- old growth trees, nice architecture, open spaces, etc.  The house originally went into escrow right after being listed, but those buyers backed out -- it felt too remote to them.  The new buyer had seen it the first week it was listed and made the offer about a month ago. Cash? Sure!!!  Everything went well, although Pasadena requires a pain-in-the-ass city inspection and the interior chimney was shot. [An aside about chimneys: they are more trouble -- and way more expensive -- than they're worth for the 10 fires per year that we all build in them.]

The next house is 2112 Hilton in Burbank and I represented the buyers here.  The house is a "baby" Ben-Mar and closed at $549,000.  It was a flip, and the buyers had an FHA loan.  That means that the appraiser, in addition to the property inspector, goes over the property with a fine-tooth comb.  This house turned out to look good, but to have several structural issues, including asbestos, that the seller needed to correct before the loan funded.  It turned out to be a tooth-pull, but my clients were patient and the listing agent was a trooper.  The house backs up to a hill and has about a bajillion fruit trees.  This is great for Mr. Buyer as he studies horticulture.  Thanks to stalwart Dana Dukelow, our lender on this, for getting this done.

The final closing was at 10417 Chandler in North Hollywood/Toluca Woods.  You can spit to Burbank from this house.  It's a 2+1 that sold for $376k to my buyers and yes, it is that cute.  Everything when fine except the lender and the listing agent had several fights (I am always so glad when it's not me doing the fighting).  And, at the last minute, Mr. Buyer was called out of town on business.  Anybody who has purchased a home knows that the loan documents are voluminous and it's always good to be present with the lender or escrow officer so you know what you're signing.  But to make the closing deadline -- this was part of a three-property-chain deal -- all the documents had to be overnighted to Georgia and a notary had to be found there.  Mr. Buyer was a real trooper about this as was Mrs. Buyer.

The other great thing about these closings? I loved working with all three client sets.  Yes, that's unusual and yes, I'm really lucky, although I'm also really exhausted. 

Great article on ranch home design genius Cliff May

Today's L.A. Times has a great article about ranch home design giant Cliff May.  Title should link; if not, click here. Among other elements, May and his contemporaries popularized our indoor-outdoor home design.  If you'd like to see a home that represents this kind of style, please visit me today, April 1, from 2 to 5 pm, at my open house at 1585 Knollwood Terrace in Pasadena.

Fifteen minutes from Dodger Stadium. Walking distance from the Rose Bowl. And open this Sunday.

Just in time for baseball season’s opening day, 1585 Knollwood Terrace in the Linda Vista area of Pasadena will be open for prospective buyers this Sunday, April 1, from 2 to 5.  This gorgeous 4+3 with pool features a view and a secluded location that’s just minutes from all that the L.A. area has to offer. Check it out on line by Googling 1585 Knollwood Terrace or visit my website at JudyGraff.com for more pictures.

Open Sunday: turnkey home in a private Linda Vista location

Ever wanted to live in a verdant setting but not be too far from civilization? 1585 Knollwood Terrace in Pasadena will fit the bill.  This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath beauty is in a hillside cul-de-sac with open space right behind it and features a pool, a view, big kitchen, 2 fireplaces, gorgeous hardwood floors, big French doors -- and it's 10 minutes from downtown Pasadena.  You can walk to the Rose Bowl or Art Center.  So close and yet so far...and nobody but the local wildlife will know that you're home.  The property is listed for $1,049,000 and I'll be holding it open on Sunday from 2 to 5. Famous dj Steve will be there spinning his tunes, too.  If this sounds like your next home, come enjoy the beautiful spring day and the view this weekend.

1585 Knollwood Terrace in Pasadena is back on the market, but probably not for long

Alas, the buyers of this gorgeous Linda Vista home had a change of heart, and backed out.  Apparently, Mrs. felt that it was too isolated.  They didn't even get to enjoy the deer that visit the backyard (that's Mrs. Deer, above). Their loss will be somebody else's gain -- we have several second showings tomorrow.

News of the week and house of the week in Valley Village

Whew! Coming up for air here, and bringing you news of the week.

First, the house of the week: 5501 Morella, Valley Village, $499,994, 3+1.5, 1334 sf, pictured above.  I showed this last night and it's in a cool little pocket.  The house needs decorating, but it's clean and has been expertly maintained by the sellers.  I wish my carpet looked as good, and I wish my kitchen was as spacious.  If you are looking for a decorating project, this would be a great buy.

What did I tell you about L.A.'s "eastside"? You'll see my take on Highland Park, et al, below -- I toured the area recently and was really impressed.  Now, Alejandro Lazo of the L.A. Times has a front page article entitled Investors flip over Highland Park.  That's just what I saw when I was there a few weeks back.

And now for the really big news: I have two listings coming up in Burbank. One is a (rare) architectural home designed by a noted architect, and the other is close to the Chandler bike path.  More news soon!

Finally, 1585 Knollwood, Pasadena is in escrow, after less than a week on the market.  We're still showing for backups. I'll miss going to this house; the setting is just so serene.

1585 Knollwood Terrace has listed!

My new Pasadena listing at 1585 Knollwood Terrace is now on the mls -- and we've already had three showings.  That's one of the neighbors, directly above.  I have a picture of this deer's wife on the mls, too.  I can't promise that you'll meet them at the open house on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00, but husband Steve will be there spinning tunes, if that's any consolation.

I'm excited about my new Pasadena listing at 1585 Knollwood Terrace!

On March 1, my new Pasadena listing will launch in the multiple listing service and be available for showing.  Isn't it pretty? You can see more pics on my website at JudyGraff.com and even more pics can be found on all the public sites once it lists.

The home is located in the Linda Vista area of Pasadena, on the hill to the west of the Rose Bowl.  The area features much old-growth greenery, stately homes, tranquility, wildlife (see pictures of deer on the mls listing) and yet quick access to freeways, downtown LA and Pasadena, and La Canada.  I would rather live in the Linda Vista area than at the beach.  Really.

The house itself is a mid-century ranch (built in 1955) with pool (as you can see).  It's 2235 square feet and is located on a 24,000 sf lot (most of which is hillside).  It is up a long driveway which makes it extra private.  Huge windows fill the home with light and also enable you to enjoy a view from just about every room.  The house has four bedrooms, one of which is being used as an office and has its own fireplace (there's another fireplace in the living room).  All three baths have been remodeled. The pool and spa are solar-heated.  The kitchen has lots of upgrades and cabinets, the hardwood floors gleam and...I guess I'm gushing, but it's a fabulous property in a fabulous location.  List price is $1,049,000 and the first open house will be from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday.  Come see!