Altadena, CA

961 Shelly St Altadena CA 91001 coming soon!! http://tinyurl.com/yzvzogc

Checking the MLS today, Altadena market showed:

• 70 Active Listings
• 18 Pendings as of 9/1/2009
• 35 Closed Sale as of 9/1/2009
• Lowest Price Active $249,900 (597 Crosby Street)
• Highest Price Active $3,500,000 (2212 Crescent Drive)
• Lowest Price Sold $205,000 (335 Crosby Street)
• Highest Price Sold $1,500,000 (1533 E. Altadena Drive)

Pasadena, Altadena and San Gabriel Mountain foothill Homebuyers may have trouble getting their loans due to the Station Fire in the Angeles Forest

The station fire is about 50% contained as of today. The fire has destroyed nearly 155,000 acres, including 76 homes, 2 commercial structures and 86 out buildings. The station fire ranks at the largest ever in Los Angeles Count y and full containment is not expected until Sept 15.

Here's a photo of the smoke that I snapped while shopping in Pasadena

If you are in escrow to purchase property in Altadena, Glendale, Pasadena, La Crescenta, La Canada or surrounding neighborhoods, please make sure you contact your insurance carrier to confirm that they are currently providing coverage. One of my clients is in escrow on an Altadena duplex (she understands the value of buying income property), and though the duplexis not in an evacuation area, she is unable secure insurance at this time. Most insurance companies are simply refusing to ensure specific zip codes. When the fire is closer to containment, these zip code restrictions should be lifted but be aware that you cannot get a home loan without insurance so your escrow may not be able to close on time. This can also affect your interest rate depending on when you locked it and for how long so touching base with your lender is also a good idea.

My home is not in any danger from the station fire, but having such devastation nearby reminds me of how important it is to have adequate hazard insurance. I'll be reviewing my own coverage this week, which is something we should all do at least annually. It may not be my favorite way to spend an afternoon but should disaster strike, I'm sure I'll be glad to have done it!

For more information on Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park and surrounding areas like Pasadena, Altadena, and South Pasadena contact me directly at 213-215-4758 or check out LApropertySolutions.com

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Los Angeles is on fire!

No, not all of the Los Angeles but from the amount of soot and smoke in the air is certainly feels that way. I am particularly affected by the quickly spreading Station Fire that started just north of La Canada on Angelus Crest Highway. 3:30 pm Wed., Aug 26. I can see the flames in the foothills from my Pasadena backyard and this morning the smoke was so thick I could barely make out the shape of the hills themselves.

On August 28, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County, and firefighters continued to battle this out-of-control brush fire which has already burned 42,500 acres as I write this post. Local firefighters don't expect to have the fire contained until September 8. More than 1000 people have been evacuated from the homes in La Canada, Glendale and Altadena and many others are packing the valuables in anticipation of the call to leave the area.

Photo from the Mt Wilson Webcam Aug 30, 2009

The historic Mt Wilson Observatory and television and radio towers at Mt Wilson are in danger of being overtaken by the fire. Those of us on cable and satellite TV will continue to receive coverage but antenna signals will certainly be lost and many FM radio stations and hundreds of public safety radio repeaters could also be wiped out by the fire. Firefighters are continuing to battle the blaze at Mt Wilson overnight to keep safeguard the area as much as possible.

Thanks to the more than 1400 firefighters who are working so diligently to protect our communities, very few homes have been lost to the blaze. I, for one, will never take their work for granted.

Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Los Feliz
213-215-4758
http://www.LApropertySolutions.com

Here are NEW LISTINGS in Altadena (as of 7.27.09). There are some pretty stunning looking homes in the $1,000,000 range.

*Information from Itech MLS, can change w/o notice.