November Sales Data for Pasadena

Sales data for Pasadena single family homes remains unbelievably strong.  In fact, sales data is showing that we are closer to the height of the market than we have ever been on this climb to recovery.  All the more reason to seriously consider selling your home if you have been waiting on the side lines for a "good time" to sell.  That "good time" is here!

We are only 10% away from the 2006 sq ft price.  With 70% LESS inventory coupled with the fact that we are currently only 2% away from 2006 median sales price, sellers are beginning to realize that the market has shifted.

Three opportunities exist right now:

1.  Move up/scale down buyer/seller - You will be VERY happy with the outcome of the sale of your home.  There is very little inventory and buyers are confident.  You will still need to prepare your home for sale, price it competitively, and market it property, but the result will be well worth it.  You will also have an opprotunity to possibly negotiate a rent back, so there will be extra time for your new home search.  And, don't forget, with the low interest rates you will have a larger buyer pool for your home, AND you will get an excellent rate for your new loan.  By the way, not finding a home seems to be the greatest worry for the move-up buyer, but rest assured, we have NEVER had a family without a home for an extended period of time.  It always works out! 

2.  First time buyer - Although inventory is tight, the interest rates can not be passed up.  We expect rates to begin going up  in 2015, and when this happens, buyer affordability will decrease, thus lowering the price point of your new home.  Even with all of the competition, finding and securing your first home can be a reality.  You just have to stay focused on your goal and never give up!

3.  Non-equity seller - For sellers with little to no equity, now is the time to sell.  As we mentioned, pricing isn't far off prices at the height of the market, so the possibility of getting out of a large and cumbersome mortgage, without bringing money to the table to do so, could be a reality.  Low interest rates and little inventory means that you will have a larger pool of buyers who want your home and willing to pay for it.  You, in the end, will benefit!

If you would like an analysis of the value of your home and the details of our 3 Steps to a Successful Sale, drop us a line.  626-818-2577 or ccohn@deasypenner.com.

Pasadena Business Network 1st Quarter Mixer

On Wednesday, January 29, 2014 from 5pm-7pm at Trattoria Neapolis, the Pasadena Business Network with be Networking for a Cause.  This event with be co-hosted with Andrea Vining & Tom Murray at Morgan Stanley, and Trattoria Neapolis has graciously agreed to provide complimentary appetizers.

We will be networking for Bloom Again Foundation, a local non-profit that supports women at or near the poverty level who are currently enduring personal medical emergencies.  Any charitable donations received will go directly toward the ancillary medical and living essential  needs of these women.

Together, let's make a difference in our Pasadena community by supporting this worthy organization.

7 Tips to a Stress Free Holiday

Christmas is a week away, so here are a few tips from our friend John Sovec, Therapy and Counseling that will help you to have the most stress free holiday ever!  Merry Christmas!

 

7 Tips to a Stress Free Holiday

 

From John Sovec, Therapy and Counseling

Every year we promise ourselves it's going to be different.  This year I will have a fun holiday filled with peace and happy moments. And then the holiday rat race begins: filled with parties, shopping, feasting, high expectations and anticipation of how the holidays should be. And when those expectations aren't met, we stress out!

So this year, it’s time to do things a little differently. These seven tips will help you to have a stress free holiday filled with joy and laughter

1. One thing at a time. This is the simplest and best way to start reducing your stress, and you can start today. Right now. Focus as much as possible on doing one thing at a time.  Do only that. Remove distractions. This takes practice, and you’ll get urges to do other things. Just keep practicing and you’ll get better at it.

2. Simplify your schedule. A hectic holiday schedule is a major cause of high stress. Simplify by reducing the number of commitments in your life to just the essential ones. Learn to say no to the rest. Leave room for down time and fun.

3. Get moving. Do something each day to be active — walk, hike, play a sport, go for a run, do yoga. It doesn’t have to be grueling to reduce stress. Just move. Have fun doing it.

4. Do something calming. What do you enjoy that calms you down? Reading a book? Meditating? Having a cup of tea? Find your calming activity and try to do it each day. If possible stay away from TV as your calming time since it actually places the body under stress.

5. Have a blast! Have fun each day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Whatever you choose, be sure to laugh. A little laughter every day helps make things less overwhelming and also releases calming chemicals into your body.

6. Be early. It’s hard to be early when you have many holiday commitments, but being late can be very stressful. Try to leave earlier by getting ready earlier, or by scheduling more space between events. During the holidays things always take longer than normal, so schedule some buffer time: extra time to get ready, to commute, to shop, and to cook. If you get somewhere early, take that time to do you calming activity.

7. Eat and drink sensibly, and get plenty of exercise and sleep. For most people, the holidays go hand in hand with too much fat, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, and not nearly enough sleep and exercise. One of the easiest and most straightforward ways to combat holiday stress is to pay better attention to your body’s need for healthy food, exercise, and sleep during this intense time of year.

Using these simple tips you can make for a stress free holiday and enjoy all the season has to offer.

To learn more about  releasing stress and anxiety all year long visit www.JohnSovec.com

Cynthia installed as 2014-2015 Board Director for the Pasadena-Foothills Assocation of Realtors (PFAR)

On Friday, December 6th,  I was installed as a 2014-2015 Board Director for the Pasadena-Foothills Association of Realtors (PFAR).  It is an honor to serve our association for a second term!
 

Founded in 1907, the Pasadena-Foothills Association of Realtors has built an industry-wide reputation of being one of the strongest real estate associations in the nation. Serving the communities of Pasadena, San Marino, South Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta and Sunland-Tujunga, we provide our members with education and resources that enable them to conduct their business successfully and profitably with integrity and competency; promoting and enforcing ethical standards; and advocating private property rights, homeownership and community service.

For more information, visit www.pfar.org.

 

Mark & Cynthia Host Appreciation Party

 

This holiday season we took a moment to reflect on our gratitude for the friendship and support we have received from our clients and friends over the past year.  On November 26th, we invited our friends and clients to stop by our home in Pasadena, join us in a glass of wine and pick up a gift - a delicious Thanksgiving pie.

We run our business primarily by referral and by doing so, we are able to put our time and resources back into the people we care most about.  That's why we were thrilled to share this holiday season with our clients and friends and to take a moment to celebrate and thank them.

It is a good life!

Mark & Cynthia