Market Index A market index of above 1.20 is a seller’s market, between 0.80 to 1.20 is a balanced market, and below 0.80 is a buyer’s market. The index increased to 0.29, mirroring neighboring La Crescenta.  A year ago the index was at 0.27, so we are definitely in the recovery phase.   New Listings – Thirty-eight new listings, up from seventeen in August, compared to last year there were twenty six.   Pending Ratio 0.24, the third month it dropped.   The good news was last year, at the beginning of the mortgage meltdown it was 0.15.   Listing Inventory – Total new listings stand at  86, equaling last September’s 86.    Sold Listings – Sixteen homes sold last month, the third month in a row.  Last year 19 homes sold.   Average Sales Price $1,216,071 which is 32.7% below last September... 10/06/2008

So we just found out today the air date for our feature on Realtor Confidential a show on Fine Living TV. You can catch our 30 minute episode August 2nd at 5pm (pst). We are so excited we worked really hard to get this taping done on time. A little information about what the show is about: Real Estate Confidential Episode FLREC-201L AIR TIMES: • August 02, 2008 8:00 PM EST Alfonso Milanese: Friends as ClientsAlfonso and Ann Marie Milanese, a husband-and-wife real estate team, introduce us to the world of luxury real estate. The duo owns and operates Show4you Realty, a firm that is dedicated to going the extra mile for its clients. Some clients, however, are more difficult than others, and the couple is in a tough spot when they agree to sell a close friend's home. Guests: Alfonso Milane... 07/14/2008

The key to understanding the market is looking at the market trends.  We use a Market Index to put the market into a number that we can compare and track trends.  Above 1.20 is a seller's market, between 1.20 and 0.80 is a neutral market, and below 0.80 is a buyer's market.  La Canada does have some very different market numbers compared to its neighbors, La Crescenta and Pasadena.From August (prior to the mortgage industry shift), and December, we see a curious trend.  From 0.56 in August (second only to San Marino) , then 0.44 for September , October 0.23, and November 0.18, December 0.12.. Now, December, 2006 had a market index of 0.46.  La  Canada seems to be headed for a soft landing.  Will it go up next month?  What will spring market do?  In December of 2006 there were 6 new list... 01/26/2008

Something is ALWAYS broken at my home! Seems as if something is always breaking at my home and my husband George is NOT handy. The list: closet doors off in one daughter's bedroom, bathroom door removed from hinges (don't ask how), another two doors are falling off the hinges - I try to keep a list and call the handyman with a tally (he charges by the hour) - all done - let's see how long it lasts until something else breaks... and I didn't even discuss what happened when the toilet tank overflowed. 09/10/2007

It's HOTTER in La Canada Flintridge Than Most Markets!I talk with quite a few REALTORS and am always amused when they talk about "the market".  My experience is that they usually use words such as "soft", "slow", and "shifting", but rarely do they have any facts to support their opinions.  Or they say "because of the great schools here the market is always good".  Really?  Let's look at the FACTS:La Canada is a small market (in terms of the number of homes/residents) however it is VERY active.  At the end of the peak selling season in June 32 new listings came on the market.  The peak for La Canada was actually 38 new listings in May.Of the listings on the market, May was also the peak month for Pending Sales, a whopping 29, or a ratio of 0.76.  That is a lot of listings to go into escr... 07/09/2007

Currently there are 80 homes available in La Canada (91011 zip code) ranging in price from $647,000 - $6,195,000; averaging 58 days on the market. 9 homes are available under $1,000,000. Homes in move in condition and those "staged for sale" continue to sell within a week and often in multiple counter offer situations. SELLERS TIPS: Stage your home for sale, Phyllis Harb offers the complimentary services of a professional home stager to assist you in preparing your home for sale. BUYERS TIPS: Flexibility: escrow period, possible rent backs, etc. Your flexibility often is as important to the seller as the offered price. Of course homebuyers should be pre-qualified and the prequalification letter as well as evidence of your down payment should be submitted with your offer.Cosmetic fixers ... 10/10/2006