JUST LISTED: TWO-STORY LOFT AT THE MISSION DISTRICT LOFTS, SOUTH PASADENA

812 FREMONT AVENUE #206, SOUTH PASADENA

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This functional yet stylish two-story loft is centrally located in the highly sought after Mission District where you will enjoy modern living in one of the best communities in Southern California.

HOUSING MARKET FORECAST FOR 2010

"California’s housing market continued its strong sales rebound this year, resulting from the continued pace of distressed properties coming to market,” said C.A.R. President James Liptak. Amongst the real estate industry, particularly the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.), we expect sales to moderate, which we have already started to see happening. Since October of 2008 there has been an increase, month-by-month, with the amount of properties selling.

For the month of August, home sales posted the largest monthly increase in at least ten years, partially due to the first-time homebuyers tax credit that is available until November 30th of this year. We are still waiting to hear if that date is going to be extended. Repeatedly we have been hearing from direct lenders with major institutional banks that they still have an incredibly overhelmling list of foreclosure properties that have yet to release onto the market, which may suppress the housing prices. Irregardless we predict median home prices to slightly increase in 2010.


RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM
ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM
818-257-1054



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

SOUTH PASADENA REAL ESTATE, AT THE MISSION DISTRICT LOFTS

SOUTH PASADENA REAL ESTATE

1,510 sqft, 2 Full Baths

For Sale at $670,000

Get ready to own South Pasadena’s premiere two-story penthouse loft. Centrally located in the highly sought after Mission District, you will enjoy modern living in one of the best communities in Southern California.

As you enter, you will be captivated by the high ceilings, large industrial windows, and wood floors that run throughout. Endless possibilities are waiting with its open floor plan, making this perfect for entertaining.

Bring out your chef’s hat in the spacious kitchen that features granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of cupboard space in the maple cabinetry.

Enter your private sanctuary in the upstairs master bedroom. Large and spacious, this master bedroom features a full bath with slate flooring and breathtaking views of the San Gabriel Mountains. Aside from this priceless view, enjoy outdoor relaxation in the expansive rooftop balcony.

Additional features include two side-by-side parking spaces, commercial grade double insulated windows, in unit washer/dryer hookups, and two storage units in parking area. All close to the Metro Gold Line Mission/Meridian Station, dining, shopping and entertainment.

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For more information contact:

Ramiro Rivas, Realtor

626-497-4606

ramiro@rivasestates.com

LAKE AT WALNUT: NEW PASADENA CONDOS AND LIVE/WORK FLATS

Located at the Northeast corner of Lake and Walnut, Lake at Walnut is a new condominium complex that offers contemporary flats and town homes located above ground level retail. Lake at Walnut is located at a premium urban location close to Pasadena restaurants, shopping, and a Metro Gold Line station.

The idea behind the Pasadena Real Estate development of Lake @ Walnut was to provide sophisticated and chic city living that mixes urban and contemporary architectural design. The complex has a diverse selection of 9 floorplans, each with designer-selected granite and tile schemes in kitchens and baths, stainless steel appliances, beautiful flooring selections throughout, as well as multimedia outlets in most rooms. Lake @ Walnut building amenities includes a courtyard with lush landscaping, BBQ, fountain and a fireplace. Additional amenities include lobby, clubroom and premier fitness center.

Plan 1 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom: 945-1,045 Sq. Ft.
Plan 2 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathrooms: 1,126-1,245 Sq. Ft.
Plan 3 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms: 1,523-1,767 Sq. Ft.
Plan 4 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathrooms: 1,146-1,248 Sq. Ft.
Plan 5 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms: 1,483 Sq. Ft.
Plan 6 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms: 1,465-1,542 Sq. Ft.
Plan 8 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms: 1,450 Sq. Ft.
Plan 9 1 Bedroom, 2 Bathrooms: 1,340 Sq. Ft.
Live/Work 1 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathrooms: 2,133 Sq. Ft.
Live/Work 2 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathrooms: 3,346 Sq. Ft.
*Some floorplans are no longer available.

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RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM
ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM
818-257-1054 DIRECT



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

LA CANADA HISTORY

Photo of San Gabriel Mountains from the new town center.

Having been born and raised as a second generation La Canada resident, I felt the need to get to know the history of the quaint town that I grew up in. I vividly remember the summers when my brother and I had the opportunity to ride our bikes up to the dirt trails in the foothills and "run wild" and in the same day meet up with friends at the retail stores and fast food restaurants on the boulevard and just be kids. It was, and still is, a place that we could be active outdoors without my mother worrying if we would be safe. It's a reason that I now as an adult greatly appreciate the childhood I had.

La Canada Flintridge is located within Los Angeles county where one can be removed from the congestion of the city but close enough to experience the cultures that Los Angeles has to offer. I credit much of the history I provide in this article to the educational, and entertaining, documentory movie Rancho La Canada.


EARLY HISTORY OF LA CANADA

The first inhabitants to occupy the areas covering what is today known as the Crescenta-Canada Valley were the Tongva Indians. It was the later years of the 18th century when missionaries were sent from Spain to convert the native occupants throughout California to Catholicism. The natives who did not go to the California missions to live and work were either collected by soldiers, fled to the hills and canyons, or gave way to diseases that were brought by the new settlers.

It was Don Jose Maria Verdugo who first claimed ownership over the area, which was granted to him after asking the governor of California for a piece of land for him to retire at and to raise cattle after having served the King of Spain. Ignacio Coronel, who was granted a portion of the Verdugo family’s land in 1843, named La Canada, meaning “a glen between the mountains”. The section of Verdugo’s land that Coronel was granted extended from Tujunga all the way across from the northern tip of Glendale to the Arroyo Seco and it was this entire area that made up what was Rancho La Canada. It was in 1871 that the first U.S. citizen, by the name of Colonel Theodore Pickens, moved into the Crescenta-Canada Valley area, who built a small residence at what is now known as Pickens Canyon, an area that lies along the La Crescenta-La Canada city border line. He built a small, humble residence up against the foothills close to one of the valley’s only water sources.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF LA CANADA

The three key players in the planning and development of what was Rancho La Canada were Dr. Benjamin Briggs, Dr. Jacob Lanterman, and Frank P. Flint.

Suffering from tuberculosis, a man by the name of Colonel Adolphus Williams moved to California as a healthseeker from Lansing, Michigan in 1874 for its warm, dry climate. He settled in at one of the many health resorts that were open at the time in La Canada. As word of the area’s healthful air quality began to spread, the valley became a tourist attraction. Hotels and sanitariums sprang up. At one time there were as many as 25 health sanitariums in operation. Williams, almost immediately recovering from his tuberculosis, wrote to a friend from his hometown in Michigan, Dr. Jacob Lanterman, who was suffering from bronchitis, and strongly urged him to move to California, insisting that it’s climate will cure any illness. Lanterman made the trip, joing up with Williams at the Dunks Hotel, which was located roughly where today Green intersects with Angeles Crest Highway.

Because both Williams and Lanterman praised the valley’s air quality they made the decision to collectively purchase what was the entire Rancho La Canada land Grant from the Verdugo family for $10,000, which was a low price even for that time. Water was hard to come by in the valley which made the land in the area unappealing for settlers and developers.

Upon purchasing the 5830 acres of land, Lanterman and Williams immediately took up a search for a water source in the area, which was not an easy task. Gravity water and run off was all there was to suffice. It wasn’t until Frank P. Flint, one of La Canada’s other developers, came into the area that this problem became solved.

In the process of subdividing off the land for resale, Lanterman and Williams began to develop the main road that ran across La Canada, naming it Michigan Avenue after their hometown state, which in later years was renamed Foothill Boulevard. Michigan Ave was initially a dirt road that ran along the foothills of the land grant and was hard to travel across because of the ditches and ravines in the valley that it dipped up and down into. Eventually over the years these ditches and ravines were filled in, and Michigan Avenue became a well traveled road.

In working at subdividing and selling off parcels of Rancho La Canada, Lanterman and Williams fell into a law suit with eachother, with Lanterman accusing Williams of falsely surveying and dividing the parcels. During this time Benjamin Briggs, an accomplished man who originally moved west from the east coast for the gold rush, purchased the western half of Rancho La Canada from Lanterman and Williams.

Briggs had arrived to the West Coast in his early 20’s in 1881 with his two brothers, and eventually settled into Rancho La Canada after he and his brothers had succeeded in pioneering California’s fruit growing industry. Briggs felt that the Crescenta-Canada valley offered the best climate in terms of aiding ones health, which he felt to be important in a time that he was morning the death of his young bride, Abby Briggs, who had died of tuberculosis.

After purchasing his portion of land from Lanterman and Williams, he began surveying and subdividing 10 acre lots to be sold as ranches, which included what eventually became Montrose as well as the land that he named La Crescenta, named after the crescent shapes that the mountains formed along the foothills. Briggs built his home near where Theodore Pickens had lived, in Pickens Canyon. It was the road that led up to his home that eventually became named Briggs Avenue, a road that exists today running north and south, close to the La Canada, La Crescenta border.

Briggs is remembered for having started the first school in the valley, as well as forming the first church, which he initially started in his own home, the first public park, and the first full-time medical practice in the area.

La Canada Flintridge is named in part after Frank P. Flint due to his part in being one of the main players in the development of La Canada. As Senator of California, Flint played a great part in making the Mission style the official architecture of government buildings in Southern California and played a major political role in bringing Owens Valley water to metropolitan Los Angeles. In addition to his title as a United States Senator, Flint was also a judge, a banker, a deputy Marshall, a lawyer, and a real estate developer.

After many political endeavors, in 1912 Frank Flint gained an interest in developing a wealthy suburb adjacent to Pasadena, which at that point had been already fully developed for some time and was one of the wealthiest addresses in the nation. He purchased 1700 acres of Rancho La Canada that lied south of Michigan Ave (now Foothill) and named it Flintridge.

Along with the Flintridge Equestrian Center and the Flintridge Country Club, Frank Flint built the Flintridge Hotel at the top of the southern end of the San Rafael mountains, all within his 1700 acres of land. Designed by the renowned architect, Myron Hunt, the hotel opened in 1927 but because it was remotley located and the rooms were expensive the hotel failed and was forced to sell it to the Biltmore Hotel chain, who not long after sold it to the Catholic church. Shortly after the onset of the great depression it was founded by Dominican Sisters and since 1931 it has been an all girls Catholic high school, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.

Even though the 210 freeway, which was built in the 1970’s, cut through what was the Golf Course that Flint had built, the Flintridge Country Club became what is now St. Franics High School, and his hotel became Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, Frank Flint’s name is still reflected in the name of La Canada-Flintridge, as well as the cities clubs, schools, and businesses.

POST WWII

It was after the second World War when most of our country was settling and starting families after the war that La Canada changed from a ranching community to the residential family community that it is today. In 1950 Frank Lanterman, as resident of La Canada and relative to one of La Canada’s founding member, was elected to the California State Assembly and succeeded in gaining Colorado River water for La Canada in 1955. This was a pivotal event in La Canada, allowing further development of residential communities in the town. Many post war defense industry workers saw La Canada as an appealing place to settle, increasing the demand to built in the valley and with a new water source the area began to boom.

Many of the homes in La Canada that exist today are mid-century California Ranch style homes that were built during this time, and serve as homes for families to raise new generations of La Canada residents with the interest to have their children attend the cities blue ribbon schools.

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE TODAY

In 2003 La Canada property values rose by 23.4%, an astronomical increase that placed the city at the top of the charts for the entire nation. Although now, five years later, the market has shifted, the community of La Canada, as well as many surrounding areas, have held its own in comparison to the nationwide drop in house prices. La Canada has not dropped anywhere near a number that would compensate for the rise in property values that have occurred like that 23.4% increase in 2003. Profiled as having one of the lowest crime rates in the country has been one of the contributing factors for the desirability to live in La Canada.

Search Homes in La Canada

ERICA SWANSON

818-257-1054 Direct

RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
ERICA@RIVASESTATES.COM

La Canada Fire

August 28, 2009

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County as the fire in the foothills of La Canada threatens the nearby residents. The fire, which started Thursday, has currently blazed through over 1200 acres surrounding Angeles Crest Highway and the northernmost sections of La Canada. As of Friday afternoon the fire has spread east bound towards Altadena, and is also spreading South towards the La Canada homes and that lie below.

So far evacuations have been only made voluntary to more than 870 homes by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The homes being threatened by the fire lie north and east of Vista Del Valle Road and the streets surrounding the La Canada Flintridge Country Club.

After removing items from my father's La Canada home, which lies in the path of the fire, I took these amateur photos with my camera phone. If my lungs are hurting after just removing a few valuables from the inside of a house, I can imagine how the 800 firefighters that are currently working on putting this one out are feeling.

ERICA SWANSON

RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

818-257-1054

Erica@RivasEstates.com

Pasadena 300 Bowling Lanes

Pasadena's Ultra-Hip Bowling Lanes

300 Pasadena

Going down to Hollywood to bowl at Lucky Strikes is plenty of fun, except you have to see the endless movie star wannabe's that fill the entire establishment. Pasadena now has the "300", and I am not talking about those half-naked Spartan warriors. The Pasadena 300 Bowling Lanes is an ultra-hip bowling alley with more than just bowling on the menu.

Your first step invites you to a large and open area that feels like you just entered a Las Vegas Lounge. This open area features plenty of tables for mingling with friends or meeting new ones around the huge bar. Have kids? Don't worry, the 300 Bowling Lanes is kid friendly. Let the little ones join you for some bowling action, they can play on the pool tables or just let them run wild!

VIP Lanes

That's right, you can go VIP status in the private 300 VIP Lounge. This exclusive area has plently of lanes for a private party and you can hang loose with your entourage. Aside from lanes, the VIP Lounge features a pool table, plenty of couches, and it's own bar. Throughout the establishment you will see endless flat screens playing music videos or funky movie clips. One final note.... The food is EXCELLENT!

The Dalton Pasadena: New Construction Modern Condos Going to Auction

Just completed at the start of this year, The Dalton is a new construction development of Pasadena Condos, featuring 55 modern lofts, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom units located across the street from a Pasadena Gold Line station on Arroyo Parkway. After having been placed on the market the developer has decided to sell all the units that have remained unsold at auction, taking place Sunday, August 15th with bids starting from $165,000.

The four story complex offers units that range from 654 to 1,721 square feet, which doesn’t include the square footage of the terraces that each unit offers. The Kitchens feature stainless steel appliances and Cesarstone countertops.

Contact us to learn more about The Dalton and/or to learn how to register for the auction.

Erica Swanson
Keller Williams Realty
445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91105

818-257-1054 Direct
Erica@RivasEstates.com

Pasadena Real Estate, Rivas & Associates Moves to Keller Williams

Ramiro Rivas and his team of associates have moved from Coldwell Banker to Pasadena Keller Williams Realty. Although we greatly enjoyed our continued success in selling real estate as Coldwell Banker agents, we are eager to flourish with Keller Williams Realty as our new home.

Pasadena Keller Williams Realty is at the leading-edge of technology solutions for the buying and selling of homes. Ramiro, being a pioneer on new internet marketing technologies, has anchored his web presence for residential real estate.

That being said, with Ramiro’s innovative technology and Keller Williams’ ongoing support to nuances of the internet, Rivas & Associates can now offer the best internet marketing for our buyers and sellers.

Pasadena Real Estate

FABULOUS PASADENA CONDO

SEE THE VIRTUAL TOUR

ASKING PRICE: $429,00

2 BEDROOMS/2 FULL BATHS

156 S OAK KNOLL AVENUE #201, PASADENA

Spectacular end unit condo located in the highly desired area known as the South Lake District. Beautifully renovated, it exhibits elements of sophisticated living at its finest. The open living and dining areas make this perfect for entertaining.


The adjacent kitchen features black galaxy granite countertops, breakfast bar and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy your private retreat in the master bedroom with a full bathroom, two spacious closets, and its large private balcony.

Additional features and amenities include hardwood floors, two large balconies, central air/heat, in unit washer/dryer, two parking spaces, and an internet based security system. All centrally located to South Lake shops and restaurants, Trader Joes, the Playhouse district, Paseo Colorado and entertainment. See more photos of this Fabulous Pasadena Condo for Sale.

PHOTO BLOG: LA ZOO PART 1

LOS ANGELES ZOO, PHOTO BLOG
The Los Angeles Zoo is sanctuary to many amazing animals from all around the world. This is Part 1 of a series of LA Zoo Photo Blogs. Photography by Ramiro Rivas.

MEERKAT
The meerkat or suricate Suricata suricatta is a small mammal and a member of the mongoose family. It inhabits all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats at a time, but some superfamilies have had 50 or more. Meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years.

KOALA
The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from near Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula. Populations also extend for considerable distances inland in regions with enough moisture to support suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were largely exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia

Nubian Ibex

The Nubian Ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) is a rocky desert dwelling goat antelope found in mountainous areas of Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt and Sudan. It is generally considered to be a subspecies of Alpine Ibex, but is sometimes considered specifically distinct (Capra nubiana). Nubian Ibex stand around 60 centimetres (24 in) tall at the shoulder and weigh around 50 kilograms (110 lb).

PASADENA FORECLOSURES: BANK OWNED LISTING OF THE WEEK

$728,000As one of the new Pasadena foreclosures on the market, this updated English style home features a new kitchen, updated bathrooms, hardwood floors, and crown moldings. This bank owned property is located in one of Pasadena's most prized neighborhoods.

2 Bed/2 Bath

Built in 1927

6273 square foot lot

1422 square foot structure

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RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES

PASADENA FORECLOSURE OF THE WEEK

Listed at $367,00010 Bedrooms/4 Baths

Yes, I said 10 bedrooms! Among this week of Pasadena foreclosures that have come onto the market, I had to highlight this one. It was built to serve as a boarding house, a purpose that it has served for years. The city of Pasadena has declared the property for residential use only and no longer can be used as a boarding house. This has given a first time homebuyer the opportunity to buy a boarding house sized "starter home" for only $367,000.

Lot size: 7179 sq. ft.

Structure: 2752 sq. ft.

Built in 1906

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RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

Erica@RivasEstates.com

PASADENA REAL ESTATE: FORECLOSURE OF THE WEEK

Asking Price: $349,900

This Pasadena foreclosure is one of the Spanish bungalows located on a small, quaint section of Woodbury. It's on a portion of East Woodbury that only extends from Holliston to N Sierra Bonita so the street doesn't have much through traffic. The cozy 986 sq foot bank owned home sits on a large 10,000 sq. foot lot.

• 2 Bed/ 1 Bath
• Built in 1925
• Hardwood floors

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RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES
WWW.SOLDBYRAMIRO.COM

Erica@RivasEstates.com

Crazy Little Kids! Parents Hide Your Keys!

This kid is crazy! What are your thoughts?

RAMIRO RIVAS & ASSOCIATES

http://www.soldbyramiro.com/

Ramiro@RivasEstates.com