For Burbank parents re Jefferson Elementary

Here's from friend and former client Barbara Wise: "Jefferson Elementary has a new principal with great ideas. She worked with our computer specialist to put a long-awaited Amazon.com link on the school website - if you use the link, a portion of your purchase is donated to the school Booster Association. I love the school and am excited to see how things will evolve with new leadership. Great selling point for this area."

If you already shop at Amazon.com, a portion of your purchases will automatically go to Jefferson Elementary Booster Association if you simply paste this link into your browser and access www.amazon.com through this link:

http://www.amazon.com/?tag=jeffersonburbank-20

Thanks, Barbara! Barbara has twins in second grade at Jefferson and had an older son there as well.

Need a 4+3 in Burbank? 947 Cambridge is for sale

Although it's not on the multiple listing service yet, 947 Cambridge in Burbank is for sale.  This is a 4+3, about 2600 square feet (tax records say 3 beds, 2250 sf) in a divine neighborhood -- on the corner of Sunset Canyon, as a matter of fact.  I haven't been inside, but neighbors say it's very nice and has an added multi-generational advantage of having a handicapped bath downstairs.  I'm not sure what the price is yet, but I expect it will be in the high $700's to low $800's.  And did I mention Jefferson Elementary? And wonderful neighbors (not me)? And fireworks overhead on July 4?  I'll have more news as there is some, but if you know anybody looking for a decent-sized home in a great neighborhood with terrific schools, this might be it.

2845 N. Lincoln has closed over asking; maybe 30 times is the charm

My listing at 2845 N. Lincoln in Burbank closed yesterday. This modest 3+1 was marketed as a light fixer and is in the excellent Jefferson elementary school district. Yes, it closed over full price -- it listed at $489,000 and sold for $520,000!

We listed it at $489,000 not because we wanted a bidding war but because that is what the comparable sales indicated the home would likely sell for. The sellers and I were very surprised to receive six offers immediately, with all but 2 offering over full price. Three of the four offers were for conventional loans with 20% down, too.

Were we worried about the appraisal? Oh yes -- but the appraisal came in at $520,000. Was I worried because Bank of America was doing the loan? Yes, but they actually managed to fund it more or less on time without too many screw ups.

And it was an incredibly smooth escrow, thanks to the sellers, buyers, buyers' agent, and our escrow officer. The buyers had made offers on 30 other houses before they got this accepted! I bet they have something to teach us about patience.