Spring Electrical Safety Tips

Spring’s warm weather is a great time for yard work, swimming and many other outdoor activities. At work or at play, it’s important to keep electrical safety in mind. Here are some tips to help you stay safe around electricity when you’re outdoors.

-Look up and look out for overhead power lines. Be mindful of any nearby lines before you climb a ladder or extend the handle of a pool-cleaning tool.

-Keep materials, tools and all parts of your body at least 15 feet away from any overhead power lines at all times. If you plan to get any closer, state law requires you to make arrangements with TEP that will allow your work to proceed safely. Keep this in mind when installing or repairing an antenna or satellite dish or preparing your evaporative cooler for summer use.

-Before you trim tree limbs and shrubs, watch out for power lines that could be hidden by foliage.

-Inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers for frayed power cords, broken plugs and weathered or damaged housings before every use. Don’t use damaged equipment until it has been repaired properly. Keep tools unplugged and stored in dry areas when they are not in use. And always use an insulated extension cord designed for outdoor use with the correct power rating for that equipment.

-Always keep power cords and electrical equipment away from water, wet grass or other wet areas. Keep this in mind when using electric-powered mowers or other lawn equipment.

-Never fly kites or model airplanes near power lines. If a kite does get tangled with overhead lines, don’t try to get it down yourself, as a kite string can conduct electricity.

-Keep vegetation and permanent structures away from the large, green ground-level boxes that house components of underground electrical systems.

-Treat all electric lines with caution and respect. Even low-voltage electric lines and cords can be hazardous if damaged or improperly handled. And if you Ever see a downed power line, call 911 immediately; don’t get near it.

For Buying and/or Selling Real Estate, contact me:

Ramiro Rivas – Pasadena Realtor
626-497-4606
Ramiro@RivasEstates.com

Pasadena Homes for Sale, Bungalow Heaven

Pasadena Homes for Sale
Their are many great California Bungalows and Craftsman Bungalows for Sale in a Pasadena. Visit the link above to view available homes for sale in Pasadena.

NEW PASADENA REAL ESTATE WEBSITE

Pasadena Real Estate

A new Pasadena Real Estate and Community website has recently launched 1 week ago. This site is sponsored by Ramiro Rivas & Associates with Keller Williams Realty in Pasadena. The power of this hybrid website utilizes the latest internet technology with a blog format.

At http://www.pasadenahomesandlifestyle.com/ you can search over 50,000 active homes and condos for sale. Find all Pasadena Homes for Sale. There is also a foreclosure page featuring foreclosures throughout Southern California as well as Pasadena Foreclosures and short sale listings.

PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM PASADENA

Located east of Old Town on Los Robles in Pasadena, the Pacific Asia Museum has a permanent collection of over 15,000 objects. Since it’s opening in 1971, the museum houses its collections and temporary exhibits in a historic building that was constructed in 1924.

Aside from the collections of rare art, the Pacific Asia Museum has a varying schedule of lectures, performances, and classes, which include different types of art instruction, yoga, meditation, and haiku study groups. Pacific Asia Museum calendar of events.

Admission
Tickets to Pacific Asia Museum may be purchased upon entrance.
Discounts are available for students and seniors.
•$9 for General Admission
•$7 for Students and Seniors
Free for Children Ages 11 and Under
Admission to Pacific Asia Museum is free to all visitors on the fourth Friday of each month

Parking
Free parking is available in the Pacific Asia Museum parking lot on the corner of Los Robles Avenue and Union Street, directly north of the museum.

Pacific Asia Museum
46 North Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 449-2742

www.PacificAsiaMuseum.org

Photos and article:
ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES


818-257-1054
ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

T. BOYLE'S TAVERN, PASADENA

If you are fond of beer and pretzels, pool and darts, than you will be right at home at Pasadena’s newest bar, T. Boyle’s Tavern. Stepping down from the alley, into the semi-subterranean, brick walled bar, you feel as if you are at an old pub in Boston, maybe even on the set of Cheers. It’s seems to be a place where everyone knows each other’s name. It would be easy to become a regular. The selection of beer is extensive and well priced, which is all they currently serve. They are working on getting an additional wine and full-bar license with the city. There is plenty of entertainment between the dart boards, shuffle board, free pool tables, the wall to wall flatscreens, and the large stage from which bands play.

The owner, Troy Boyle, has successfully turned this back into the true tavern that it originally was from an underground Latin club. I’ve been told that the location served as a Speakeasy during the prohibition in the 1920’s. The mounted moose and deer heads that hang over the original, dark Mahogany wood bar make it hard to imagine that it was ever anything but a cozy, local tavern.

T. Boyle’s Tavern
35 N. Catalina Ave
Pasadena, Ca 91106
(626) 578-0957



ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES


818-257-1054
ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

PASADENA REAL ESTATE: 2009 HOME VALUES

Pasadena Real Estate: Market Update
2009 Home Prices on For Sale vs. Sold

Having pulled the median prices, month-by-month, of the Pasadena Homes that sold and the Pasadena Homes for sale that were active, it shows a slight increase in the home prices through 2009. Luxury listings tend to stay on the Pasadena real estate market longer which is why the average median price of Pasadena Homes for sale on the market is considerably higher than the median price of the homes that sold each month.

Search for: Pasadena Homes for Sale and Pasadena Condos for Sale

RAMIRO@SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM
626-497-4606

KELLER WILLIAMS PASADENA
445 S. FAIR OAKS AVENUE
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91105

REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE; JANUARY 2010

January 2010 Real Estate Market Update

Visit our website to get more info on Pasadena Homes for Sale for sale and Pasadena Foreclosures

RAMIRO@SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM
626-497-4606

KELLER WILLIAMS PASADENA
445 S. FAIR OAKS AVENUE
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91105

A LOS ANGELES DAY TRIP: THE PASADENA GOLD LINE

The light rail Metro Gold Line spans 13.7 miles linking Pasadena, starting at Sierra Madre Villa in the east to the Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, which from there will continue through Little Toyko and ending at the Atlantic station in East Los Angeles.

Aside from using the Gold Line as a form of transportation to and from work, it is a great way to explore the cultures of the communities around Pasadena. If you feel the need to “get away” on a day off you can depart on the gold line from any of Pasadena’s six stations. The Pasadena Gold Line will take you to Highland Park where you can visit the Southwest Museum, to Chinatown where there are many restaurants and great art galleries, or the Union Station to visit the historic Olvera Street for a colorful taste of Mexican culture.

It’s much more relaxing to explore the culture’s of Los Angeles when you don’t have to worry about the stresses of freeway traffic and parking.

The Southwest Museum of the American Indian is an ideal destination to learn about the history of the native people that once solely inhabited Los Angeles. The Southwest Museum’s collection representing the Native American is second largest, next to the Smithsonian Institute. The Gold Line’s Southwest Museum Station is located at the base of Mt. Washington, just below the museum.
www.autrynationalcenter.org

Chinatown is home to an eclectic community of shops that sell a wide array of bargain priced items. There is also a diversity of restaurants rants that are consistently featured in the food and dining section of the Los Angeles Times. In addition to shopping and dining, there is a surprising amount of art galleries that will build an understanding and appreciation for the Chinese art culture, especially in visiting the Chinese-American museum.

Chinatown Los Angeles is a great place to experience the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Chinatown will be hosting a series of events on February 20th and 21st to welcome the New Year of the Ox.

www.ChinatownLA.com

Olvera Street is also known as the El Pueblo Historic Monument and is thought by many to be the birthplace of the city Los Angeles. In walking through the traditional Mexican style plaza area that features 27 stores, you feel like you are in a quaint town in Mexico. You can shop for many handcrafted items or dine at one of the restaurants serving authentic cuisine and feel like you are away. On weekends there is outdoor entertainment featuring Mariachis, Bollero Musicans and performances by Aztec Indians and folkloric dancing. Olvera Street is just outside of the Union Station, at 845 N. Alameda Street.

ElPuebloDeLosAngeles.com
www.Metro.net

ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES


818-257-1054
ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

Pasadena Foreclosures; Shadow Inventory

The Pasadena Real Estate Market has been holding steady with home sales going up. What most people don't know is that Pasadena, like many other other cities, is flooded with what is called shadow inventory. What is Shadow Inventory? Shadow Inventory are foreclosure properties not on the MLS (multiple listing service). These properties are comprised of:

• Preforeclosures, homes that have a NOD (Notice of Default) filed
• Auction Scheduled NTS homes
• REO, bank owned homes not on the MLS

Many say that preforeclosed and NTS homes cannot be considered as shadow inventory, because they have not been been foreclosed on. The reality is that most people behind on their mortgage are typically behind due to financial distress. Most banks will not forgive a large debt and most loan modifications are not approved. Hiring a short sale specialist may be helpful to avoid foreclosure, but the chances on a short sale approval is slim.

As a Pasadena resident, I see this Shadow Inventory everywhere. A great way to spot these foreclosed homes is by looking for the following:

• Boarded up windows
• over grown landscaping
• notice of "Do not trespass" typically on the front window(s)

Visit our website to get more info on Pasadena Real Estate for sale and Pasadena Foreclosures

RAMIRO@SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM
626-497-4606

KELLER WILLIAMS PASADENA
445 S. FAIR OAKS AVENUE
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91105

PASADENA DANCE STUDIO: FRED ASTAIRE

Fred Astaire dance studio in Pasadena offers classes for people of all ages that want to learn many forms of dance. Fred Astaire is a ballroom studio that teaches ballroom, rhythm, Latin, including popular dances such as Foxtrot, Waltz, Quickstep, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, American Tango, Argentine Tango, Samba, Rumba, Salsa, Cha-Cha, Bolero, Country, and many others.

In consideration towards dance studios in Pasadena, Fred Astaire seems to provide a larger studio space in comparison to other dance studios in the area. They also have social events, including "Club Social", where all dancers come to practice the dances they've been working on to get a chance to break out all you've worked so hard to learn and have fun with your friends. Food and Beverages are included with a $10 cover.

From beginner, to advanced, to professional levels, whatever you want from dancing, they seem to offer it, including:

•learning how to dance as a beginner
•social dancing for fun
•becoming a better salsa dancer for night clubs
•becoming a better dancer at public ballroom dances
•working on a dance for a wedding
•sending your kids to learn ballroom dance
•taking your existing dance skills to a higher level
•joining a team to work on a show or event- dance sport competitions locally and across the USA.

Dance Center of Pasadena
1368 North Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 797-4700
www.pasadenadance.com

ERICA SWANSON

RIVAS & ASSOCIATES

818-257-1054

ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

Mission District Loft in South Pasadena, CA, Offered at $699,000

For Sale: Studio/1BA Loft in South Pasadena, CA, $699,000

For more information on this listing: 812 Fremont Avenue #103, South Pasadena

ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES

ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM
818-257-1054


WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

PASADENA HOME SALES: FOR SALE VS. SOLD

PASADENA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE
Residential Single Family Homes
With data that we pulled from the Multiple Listing Service, we researched the amount of Pasadena real estate, month-by-month, that have sold and are up for sale in Pasadena from September 2008-November 2009. The statistics show that over the past year the number of homes that actually sell is slowly increasing, meanwhile the amount of inventory that sits on the market has slowly been decreasing. Also increasing is the amount of houses each month that are pending in escrow.

ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES

ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM
818-257-1054


WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOME BUYER'S FAIR: MARCH 13TH AND 14TH

With interest rates at historic lows, home prices at affordable levels, and a wide range of homes from which to choose, now is an ideal time to buy a home. Chances are you have many questions, ranging from how to find and qualify for a mortgage loan, to what steps are required to get from finding a home to closing escrow and moving in.

The answers to these and many other crucial questions about the home-buying process will be the subject of more than 60 educational seminars presented in English and Spanish by a wide variety of real estate experts at the Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair on Saturday and Sunday, March 13 and 14, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles.

The Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair is being co-sponsored by the California Association of Realtors® and the Los Angeles Times. This free, two-day trade show and educational forum was expressly created to give you all of the information you need to successfully navigate the road to homeownership -- whether you’re a first-time buyer, investor, or existing homeowner looking for the most up-to-date information about today’s real estate market.

The Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair also will feature more than 70 exhibit booths where visitors can obtain information from industry experts about a vast range of programs pertaining to homeownership and the home-buying process.

For more information about the Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair or any other real estate questions/needs: Home Buying Information

LOCATION: The Los Angeles Convention Center, Concourse Hall, in downtown Los Angeles; 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015.

DATE & TIME: Saturday, March 13, 2010, from 10 am to 5 pm.
Sunday, March 14, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COST: Seminars and exhibit hall entrance are free to the public.

EVENTS: More than 50 educational "how-to" seminars designed to help home buyers navigate today's real estate market with confidence and peace of mind.

EXHIBITORS: The Southern California Home Buyer's Fair also will feature more than 65 exhibit booths where visitors can obtain information from industry experts about a range of programs pertaining to homeownership and the home-buying process.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS: The first 200 attendees will receive a free movie ticket (one ticket per person).

Fast Fixes for Common Gutter Problems

Mesh covers keep debris from clogging gutters, but they can sometimes be more expensive than the gutters themselves.

Gutters are designed to do one thing—channel water away from the foundation—and they’re critical to protecting the structural integrity of your house. But in order for gutters to do their job properly, they have to be kept in shape and free of clogs, holes, and sags.

Luckily, most common gutter problems are easy for homeowners to fix themselves. And it’s worth the effort. “Gutters are one of those things where routine maintenance and inspecting them can really prevent bigger problems down the road,” says Jason Stutzman, director of home maintenance and repair for Brothers Redevelopment in Denver.

Here are the gutter problems that the pros see most often, and the recommended solutions.

Clogged gutters
This is the most common problem of all. Left untended, gutters and downspouts get so clogged with debris that they’re rendered useless. The excess weight of leaves, twigs, and standing water can also make them sag and pull away from the fascia.

Clean them at least once a year, and twice a year if you have a lot of trees nearby. Gary Mindlin, managing partner of New York City-based Top Hat Home Services, schedules gutter maintenance four times a year, with additional checks after big storms.

You can clean your own gutters if you’re comfortable on a ladder, don’t mind getting wet and dirty, and don’t have an extremely tall house. After you’ve cleared the muck, flush them with a garden hose to make sure they’re flowing properly. If you’d prefer, you can hire someone to do the job for you for between $50 and $250, depending on the size of your house.

Another option for dealing with chronically clogged gutters is to outfit them with gutter covers. These include mesh screens, clip-on grates, and porous foam. They still need regular maintenance, though, and the cost can be more than the gutters themselves.

Sagging gutters and gutters pulling away from the house
This is usually a problem with the hangers, the hardware that secures the gutters to the fascia. They might have deteriorated over time, the fasteners may have backed out of the wood, or they’re spaced too far apart to support the weight of full gutters. The cost to fix it yourself is cheap; hangers generally cost $10 or less apiece, and the fasteners run about $1 each.

Leaks and holes
Leaky gutter joints can be sealed by caulking the joint from the inside with gutter sealant, says John Eggenberger, vice president of training and corporate development for the Mr. Handyman franchise of home repair companies. A tube costs about $5. Very small holes can be filled with gutter sealant. Larger holes will require a patch. If you can’t find a gutter patching kit at the hardware store, you can make a patch from metal flashing.

Improperly pitched gutters
Gutters need to be pitched toward the downspouts for the water to flow properly. You want at least a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet. Get on a ladder after a rainstorm and look in the gutter; if there’s standing water, it’s not pitched properly.

To correct this yourself, you’ll need to measure from the peak to the downspout. Snap a chalk line between the two and find the spots where the gutter is out of alignment. You might be able to push it up into place by bending the hanger. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you might need to take a section down and rehang it. If you have seamless gutters, call the company that installed them to correct the problem.

Downspouts draining too close to the foundation
Downspouts need to extend several feet from the house, or they’ll dump right into the basement. Gutter extensions attached to the bottom of the downspout will discharge water well beyond the foundation. They’re inexpensive and easy to install. “I like the downspout material extended four or five feet and screwed on,” says Reggie Marston, president of Residential Equity Management Home Inspections in Springfield, Va. Cost: less than $20 per downspout.

Missing gutters
If your house has no gutters at all, consider investing in a system. The cost depends on the material. Most residential gutters are aluminum, which is lightweight and durable. “Unless an aluminum gutter is damaged by something, it will last forever,” says Scott McCurdy, vice president of Jacksonville, Fla.,-based disaster repair contractor Coastal Reconstruction. Vinyl, galvanized steel, and copper also are available options.

Aluminum gutters range from about $4.50 to $8.50 per linear foot installed. On a 2,000-square-foot house with about 180 linear feet of gutters, that’s roughly $800 to $1,500.

Written by: Pat Curry
Serial remodeler Pat Curry is a former senior editor at BUILDER, the official magazine of the National Association of Home Builders, and a frequent contributor to real estate and home-building publications.

Search for: Pasadena Homes for Sale and Pasadena Condos for Sale

RAMIRO@SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM
626-497-4606

KELLER WILLIAMS PASADENA
445 S. FAIR OAKS AVENUE
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91105

THE PASADENA TOURNAMENT OF ROSES

"A CUT ABOVE THE REST": THE 121st PASADENA ROSE PARADE

The Tournament of Roses was started in 1890 as a way to advertise Southern California’s sunny, year-round weather. Pasadena began booming at the turn into the 20th century. The idea of having a flower festival in the middle of winter shows outsiders that Pasadena offers such a temperate climate.

The first Tournament of Roses was attended by 2,000 people. Estimates conducted by The Tournament of Roses and the Pasadena Police Department showed an attendance of 700,000, with 1 million visitors to Pasadena during the week of the parade, for 2009.

The 121st Tournament of Roses will take place on Friday, January 1st. This years Rose Queen is Natalie Innocenzi from Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. Following the Pasadena Rose Parade will be the 96th Rose Bowl game; a match-up of the two top college football teams in the nation. Starting at 8am at Orange Grove Blvd, the 23 groups of assembled bands, horse units, and floats will take approximately 2.5 hrs to pass across the 5 1/2 route.

ERICA SWANSON
RIVAS & ASSOCIATES

ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM
818-257-1054


WWW.RIVASESTATES.COM - WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM