Sunday, August 22, 2010

Alotta Green For A Little Green In Arcadia

Mid-Century Home in the Upper Rancho Neighborhood of Arcadia
This is probably my favorite home on the Arcadia market at the moment. Maybe im just an optimist, but theres something about the lime green decor of this house that is just awesome to me..
This home is listed at $1.8 million (down from $1.9) I honestly think this place is a great deal, and I'll tell you why. The home next door, which was a turnkey, updated ,mid-century modern home on a similar sized lot, with similar square footage just sold for $2.4 million . Right now this place is listed at $1.8 million. Lets say it sells for $1,750,000, you would be able to put a quarter of a million dollars into updating this home (which would bring the total amonut spent to $2 million), list it at 2.4 (using its almost identical neighboor as a comparable) sell it for 2.3 ( I just estimated the actual sale price), and make a $300,000 dollar profit. Im a pretty logical person, maybe I dont have all of my details straight, but to me this home makes perfect sense as an investment (you dont flip Upper Rancho homes, you invest in them).

To make some mad cash contact the listing agent:

Paula Walker
Sotheby's International Realty 

Mobile: (626) 825-5550
Office: (626) 229-0909

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Bradbury Estate, Comes With a Past.

Mickey Thompson's Former Bradbury Estate For Sale
Listing Price: $1,400,000

This is the former home of racing legend Mickey Thompson.
If you are unaware, this is the home where Mickey Thompson and his wife Trudy were murdered..
On March 16, 1988 Mickey and his wife Trudy were killed by two gunmen waiting outside of the gates of their home. Mickey's former business partner Michael Goodwin was eventually charged and convicted for the murder.

 The home sits behind iron gates and a long driveway, but is not actually located behind the "Woodlyn Lane" community gates.

Theres room for at least 20 cars with multiple garages (Notice the "MT" in the picture above).
I'm normally very positive when it comes to commenting on homes, but this place was built in 1978, and has had the same owner since 1988, so its pretty outdated..
It last sold for $450,000, about 8 months after Mickey and Trudy's death.
There is a 2 acre minimum for lots located within the Woodlyn Lane community and this one is no exception, so if I were to purchase this home I would buy it for the land value.
Less than a year ago a beatiful mid-century home(sited on 2 acres, without a murder history) located behind the actual gates of this community sold for $1,280,000, so I cant imagine this place getting its asking price ($1,400,000), but it is a "unique" property so theres always the possibilty that it may.

To buy room for your 20+ cars contact the listing agent:

Irene Yamagata
RE/MAX Premier Properties
Cell: 626.705.8007



Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Exploring in Whittier

I was exploring the Whittier hills today and I came across this cool contemporary home. I snapped some pictures so enjoy!
(click smaller images for a larger view)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

In Pasadena and probably the best.

Seriously this mid-century home located high in the north San Rafael hills has probably one of the best views in Pasadena, at least that I have seen so far. Step out onto the wrap around deck and you have the entire San Gabriel Valley basin in front of you. The views go on forever. You can even see the Downtown LA skyline, which is so close that at night you can make out the colors on top of the US Bank building. Mountain view? Check. Valley view? Check. City lights? check.
(click smaller images for a larger view)
The rest of the house is great as well with all of its original mid-century character intact.
Listing price is $1,149,000, and for that price you get 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and around 2,000 SF of living space. To make this view yours contact the listing agent:

Thomas LaRoche
Sotheby's International Realty
Mobile: (323) 312-9259
Office: (323) 665-1700

*OPEN HOUSE* this home will be open 8/15/10 from 2-5pm. Check it out:
1480 Glen Oaks Boulevard, Pasadena, CA

North Pasadena Mid-Century Charmer

                       I headed out to some open houses last sunday and this is what I saw:
  
Mid-century modern home in the North Pasadena area. Built in 1950 with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and  about 1,830 SF of living space.This house seems perfect for a young couple or a small family, It's listed at    $519,000 which makes it the most affordable "mid-century" property on the Pasadena market.
This house was definitely "cute" from the outside, but it was the inside which suprised me. The entire interior of the home has been redone and actually looks pretty slick, at least in my opinion.
The ebony hardwood floors were awesome and the porcelain tile looked just as great.
No need to worry about a cold living room, you have a fireplace and a wall heater! =)
Retreat/bonus room (w. its own bathroom) off the master bedroom.
Do you like it? Good, you should buy it. To do so contact the listing agent:

Patrick Martin 
Sotheby's International Realty
(323) 353-7200