THE BAR AT THE LANGHAM HOTEL IN PASADENA: DRINKS SERVED UP WITH CLASS

For those that seek a bar where drinks are served up with class without being pretentious, the sophisticated social environment of The Bar at the Langham Huntington Hotel, formerly the Ritz-Carlton, in Pasadena is what you need. Expect to go with a somewhat well padded pocketbook since The Bar offers an expensive wine list and full top shelf bar. Also offered is a selection of fine cigars for gentlemen…and ladies that would enjoy to have such on the expansive outdoor patio, which offers beautiful panoramic views of the hotel’s grounds and city lights of the San Gabriel Valley.

If you decide to make it to The Bar on the weekend try to go early for a seat since there is lively jazz and blues performances until midnight every Friday and Saturday, featuring bands that draw in quite a crowd.

Although many patrons are hotel guests and those that live at the Langham’s residential cottages, The Bar also attracts locals in the mood for a dim lit, relaxed location to enjoy drinks while socializing and networking on elegant, but comfortable furniture.

The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena
1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, Ca 91106

Estates Pasadena: Phase I of New Luxury Homes Completed

Estates Pasadena is a new development community in Northwest Pasadena at Sierra Madre Villa Avenue and Sierra Madre Boulevard. The French Provincial, English Tudor, and Cape Cod architecturally designed two story luxury homes range between 2,900-3,500 square feet, with either 4 or 5 bathrooms and up to 4.5 baths.

In previewing the model homes it appears that high quality materials were used with attention to detail. Each home features a formal foyer, pre-wired security systems, high-speed internet connections, cable television connections installed in all bedrooms and family rooms, as well as family room media areas that are pre-wired for built-in speaker systems. The back yard patio areas are being prepared with connection for barbeques, and indoors include custom cabinetry, high-energy efficient insulation, dual glazed windows, with many of the floor plans built with vaulted or two-story ceilings.

For those looking for a move in condition luxury home done in an old world style, but with all modern amenities, it would be a housing community definitely worth considering moving into.

Pasadena Luxury homes and estates for sale.

Erica Swanson
Ramiro Rivas & Associates
Coldwell Banker- Pasadena

www.RivasEstates.com

Pasadena Real Estate, Ranked in Top 5 Destinations

Pasadena Makes the top 5 LA County Destinations
With the real estate market going down in many areas, Pasadena Real Estate is remaining a top destination for many home buyer’s. The City of Roses has everything from entry level condos to multi-million dollar estates.

Diane Wedner from Los Angeles Times writes:
It would seem that still-high prices and hard-to-get loans would keep people away from Southern California's pricier areas. But they're still coming. According to a recent NorthStar Moving Corp. survey of their customers' moving requests from June '07 through May '08, nearly 2,000 of them transplanted to Los Angeles and Orange counties. And that's just one moving company.

The top L.A. County destinations:
1) Los Angeles (city of)
2) Pasadena
3) Santa Monica
4) Marina del Rey and Woodland Hills (tied)
5) Long Beach

Pasadena Homes For Sale.

Single Women Buyers, Making Moves!

WHAT WOMEN WANT
Breaking Records: Currently, single women buyers purchase 22 percent of new homes, compared to only 9 percent by single men. They purchased 1.5 million homes in 2005, which equates to one in five sales.

What they’re buying: Many single women harbor similar desires in homes. But others do go against the average.

Here is a list of the common trends in home buying for single women:

· Prefer 2 bedrooms or more
· More likely to choose resales
· Buy in city over suburban areas
· Will not compromise on location or quality of neighborhood
· Prefer condos or townhomes with well run homeowner associations
· Desire security and / or gated access. Want close proximity to stores, shopping and fitness centers.

We have assisted many women home buyers in the purchase of houses to condos. To see more info about this topic visit our Single Women Buyers page on our website. There you will also see various testimonials from our satisfied clients.

Pasadena Farmer's Market

Enjoy Fresh Local Fruits, Vegetables and Farm Products! If you have never been to Pasadena's Farmers' Market, you are in for a real treat. You'll love the experience of buying directly from the farmer that grows the food. What you'll love even more is the fresh, delicious taste of locally grown, nutritious fruits, vegetables and farm products.
Their certified vendors only sell what they grow--or, to say it another way, they won't sell you anything that they did not grow. You know where your food came from, and who grew it for you!

They also have other vendors offering jams, jellies, fish, and more, but we do not
permit craft vendors. There are usually about 40 vendors at Victory Park on Saturdays.
The market is cash only, and we accept EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer). We are open rain or shine Saturdays 8:30am - 12:30pm Victory Park, Sierra Madre Blvd.

Search Pasadena Luxury Homes for sale or find a Luxury Pasadena Real Estate Agent.

Pasadena Marathon, Get Running!

Pasadena Gears Up For The City's Inaugural Marathon

The city of Pasadena will be holding its first annual Pasadena Marathon on Sunday, the 16th of November, which will include a full 26.3 mile Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, Bike Tour, and a 3.1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. Because of the range of events, the city and its sponsors for the event will be expecting a wide variety of participants from amateur to leading competitors.

With all the sponsors lined up for the event and the route mapped out, the city is now calling for volunteers and has been accepting registrants since mid-summer. Those up for the run will be able to register until November 13th.

The starting line will take place at the Rose Bowl, which will take participants through trails of the Arroyo Seco as well as through many sections of Pasadena through the boulevards, eventually ending back at the Rose Bowl.

The Pasadena Marathon has been organized by Pasadena Forward, a non-profit organization, and has been presented by Kaiser Permanente which stands as one of the many sponsors for the event. Pasadena forward was founded in 2004 by it’s executive director, Israel Estrada, with a mission statement that claims, "to promote an enhanced quality of life for those living, working, or attending school in the Pasadena area". With the goals that Pasadena Forward has geared towards the city, organizing an event such as a Pasadena Marathon would seem ideal.

As a city that holds many various cultural and social events throughout the year, Pasadena has hopes that this inaugural Pasadena Marathon will be the first of many to come, as an annual event to add to their list of many proud achievements.

Pasadena For Sale By Owner's Beware!

FOR SALE BY OWNER AKA FSBO

With over 6 months of inventory on the market, selling your home has been as difficult as it was in the 90's. Many home owners are still trying to cut ends by putting their home "for sale by owner" aka FSBO.

FSBO's have always been known as being the best deals by buyer's because buyers feel that they are going to score a killer deal. To most people's surprise, FSBO's are actually way over priced! This is due to the fact that FSBO's think that they know the market and feel that they can get more for their home than listing with a Pasadena Real Estate Agent. Over 90% of FSBO's typically list with a professional listing agent. Now what does that tell you? Seller's are not seller's if they don't have the tools and resources that a real estate professional has.

BUYER'S OF FSBO'S BEWARE.....

Since FSBO's do not want a professional real estate agent involved, you have to trust that you are purchasing this home from an individual who has your best interest in mind. Have you ever seen a real estate purchase contract? California's contract is the most complex of any state in the US. Furthermore, your deposit can be at jeopardy if you default in the purchase. The answer is simple if buying a FSBO, hire a Pasadena real estate agent who knows the market. Most seller's will pay the buyer's agents commission. If they don't, be suspicious of what they are trying to hide since they don't want a professional involved in the purchase.

To get an idea of the process involved in selling a Pasadena Home, visit http://www.soldbyramiro.com/ and go to the seller section. Here you will find many of the steps involved in the process of selling a home.

Considering there is a rise in Pasadena Short Sales and Pasadena REO's, it is important to be competitive with the list price of the home. Homes that sell are ones that are comparable to homes currently on the market. Although appraiser's use value based from six months prior, we are in a declining market with inventory that is changing daily. Thankfully, Pasadena Real Estate has not been affected as it has in other markets. This is mainly attributed to the city of Pasadena's strength in preserving it's architecture, night life, fabulous dining, many shopping districts, and the list goes on....

Cantaloop, Pasadena Frozen Yogurt

Pasadena South Lake Hot spot!

I tried them all, and Cantaloop is the place to go for frozen yogurt. Not only is it delicious, but it only has few calories and fat free. Definitely the kind of treat worth replacing a meal with!

The interior has a cool/trendy vibe and there is plenty of room to hang with friends and family. Make sure to check out the cool artwork on the walls.

My personal choice is the banana flavored yogurt with Strawberries and Kiwi’s. By the way…. The colored sprinkles always make an easy topping selection. Before you go, get your frequent visitor card to get a free frozen yogurt because I guarantee you will be back for more!

Cantaloop is located at 524 South Lake Avenue in Pasadena, 626-796-7645. For more information on flavors, toppings, and nutritional values visit http://www.cantaloopyogurt.com/ .

Review by Ramiro Rivas, Pasadena Real Estate, Coldwell Banker.