On Adaptability    On Adaptability  I assume we can each appreciate the importance of adaptability in our lives.  A quick look at the Internet shows us this definition from Oxford Dictionaries that adaptability is the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions.  Easier defined perhaps than is actually practiced in real life.   Let's leave the definition as the goal I guess. As is often my way of discovering and exploring things around me I look to quotes by others for some insight.  Today, I share three quotes from people of diverse backgrounds.    All fixed set patterns are incapable of adaptability or pliability.  The truth is outside all fixed patterns.                                                                                                          Bruce Lee  Adaptab... 05/16/2019

 Something Like Mondegreen    Something Like Mondegreen   I don't know how it happened.  I mean I can't point to the exact moment or the specifics of the most recent example.  Mondegreen is the word(as defined by Merriam-Webster online) used to describe the mishearing or misinterpreting of words.  For me this is typically evident with music but it can occur when writing or speaking too.  I mean this happens all the time mind you.  But enough to be annoying.  And funny too.    I explored this self-diagnosed malady in an ActiveRain post in 2014 -  "Last Night I Dreamt of Some Bagels" .   I still "suffer" from it. Those around me - when not giggling or raucously laughing - are still witnessing it too.  Suffering I imagine in their own way.    These days mondegreen occurs for me while ponde... 05/14/2019

Kickback Friday: we were visiting Vroman’s and look what we saw at the door…. Most of you who read my blog post know that Diane just got back from Boston, MA. We had some errands to take care of and after it we decided to go to Vroman’s  our favorite book store in Pasadena. At the same time, we thought it would be a good time to introduce Holly or dog  to Vroman’s as well.Much to our surprise, we were greeted with a Sign at the entrance door. Well, check it out! Diane and I  were very excited.Now keep in mind our favorite pastime is books and wine. Not that we need an excuse to go to Vroman’s, instead it is just one more reason to visit.Keep in mind the Los Angeles Times Festival of  Books was not that long ago i.e.: five weeks ago, and here we are feeding our addictions, more books to ... 05/03/2019

  Click Here For The Answer    Click Here For The Answer   Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer.  Let us not to seek to fix blame for the past.  Let us accept the responsibility for the future.                                                                                                                                       John Fitzgerald Kennedy   It may be too easy to ask questions when a little research and perhaps more importantly some soul searching can lead us to the right outcome.  Maybe it's more complicated than that.  Or maybe it's just that simple.  Straight forward.  Putting all the positives and the negatives on the virtual white board and determine some possible answers.  Brainstorming.    This is not a political post.  It... 04/16/2019

In April of 2019, PFAR.org reported that an average list price for a home and a condo was $1,803,807 in March of 2019 dropped 6.1% or from $1,920,908 in March of 2018; While, median listing price for a home and a condo was $1,200,000 in March of 2019, down 0.4% from $1,250,000 March of 2018 in Pasadena, California.There were 513 active listing of homes and condos in March of 2019 gained 23.3% or from 416 in March of 2018; While there were 4.8 months available inventory of homes and condos in March of 2019, increased 31.5% or 3.7 months of available inventory from March of 2018 in Pasadena, California.An average sales price for a home and a condo was $1,303,796 in March of 2019 gained 13.4% or from $1,149,245 in March of 2018; While, median sales price for a home and a condo was $1,042,5... 04/09/2019

As I mentioned in my previous Post, this Investor client wanted to know what the demographics were in Pasadena before she was ready to buy some Investment Property. Now with that said, I did some research and at the same time felt this would be a great Blog Post to share for others as well.Looking at the Average Sales Price, looks like the Single Family Market is pretty strong in Pasadena when it comes to price increases. Hence it would be a good investment even if you only look at the year over year price increases.Inventory has increase slightly but not enough for all the ney sayers to say that the market is going to change from a Seller's to a Buyer's Market. I just do not see that as a trend in the near term.When people ask me how is the Real Estate Market the first place I look at ... 04/06/2019

I have been working with an out of area Investor and she was focused on Los Angeles, but then decided to investigate other pockets. Now with that said, she wanted to know the following question:  What are the community statistics near Pasadena City College? Needless to say I thought hard before I addressed the question, but when I did I thought this would be a great Blog Post for others who might be interested in the same question. So with that said let's look at some of the answers: I was amazed to see that the age group within a mile from the City College is not mostly in the late teens and early twenties. Does that mean more College Students are commuting from other locations? Clearly an intersting question is raised. Now this inspired me to look at what the demographics look like ne... 04/06/2019

 And Then He Cried Out "I Lost On Jeopardy!"     And Then He Cried Out "I Lost On Jeopardy!"   It has all the elements of high drama some might say. Who would have thunk this would happen when Endre Barath, Jr. announced this ActiveRain Chalenge for March - Book Smart?   So many posts(many quite clever)have been shared about the painting Endre showed us in his challenge annoucement post. Some mysteries and insights have been revealed(there's been more intrigue for this challenge than we typically see on AR quite frankly).  And now on March 30, 2019 this interpretarion of the painting by Paul Julien Freed can finally be told. Well, at least it's my interpretation and that qualifies as one of the rules of this challenge. It's a true character study and the subject is quite the character. ... 03/30/2019

Pasadena Ca Real Estate, 44 homes were sold in February, this city market is thriving, the demand is very strong and home listing prices keep rising. One of the sales had notice of default.                    03/30/2019

In March of 2019, PFAR.org reported that an average list price for a home and a condo was $1,804,780 in February of 2019 declined 2.3% or from $1,847,276 in February of 2018; While, median listing price for a home and a condo was $1,120,000 in February of 2019, lower 3.9% or from $1,165,000 February of 2018 in Pasadena, California.There were 509 active listing of homes and condos in February of 2019 jumped 25.7% or from 405 in February of 2018; While there were 5.2 months available inventory of homes and condos in February of 2019, rose 23.1% or 4.3 months of available inventory from February of 2018 in Pasadena, California.An average sales price for a home and a condo was $1,229,041 in February of 2019 up 6.3% or from $1,156,652 in February of 2018; While, median sales price for a home... 03/15/2019

 Yes But Which Half?   Yes But Which Half?  Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half                                                                                                            John Wanamaker   You may know of John Wanamaker as the Philadelphia merchant(1838 - 1922) or perhaps of the department store that once bore his name.  His quote on advertising is a long time favorite of mine.  It's as apropos for retail as it could be for real estate or any business.    The reason to advertise is as varied as those who own a business.  In any chosen field. To generate traffic and sales.  Attract new customers while retaining existing ones.  To introduce a new product.  You could add others as the reasons are plentiful.  We learn.  We m... 03/14/2019

 On The Sunny Side Of The Street    On The Sunny Side Of The Street  Grab Your Coat, Get Your Hat  Leave Your Worries On The Doorstep  Life Can Be So Sweet On The Sunny Side Of The Street   Dating back to the 1930s, this song composed by Jimmy McHugh with lyrics by Dorothy Fields may not be familiar to a lot of people but the song title came to me with the arrival of this morning's rain. It has a simple enough message.  It seems appropriate that on this rainy day my pondering leads to sunnier times.  An attitude can change that quickly.  From overcast to sunny.  At least in attitude.  A thought.  A suggestion or a note to oneself.   A different path.  Another direction.  The destination can remain the same.  But the attitude changes.  As simple as a change in location.  Try it.   See wh... 03/06/2019

  Pondering The Best Is Yet To Come   Pondering The Best Is Yet To Come It's March 1, 2019. The first day of the third month of the year.  Two months are history now, ten months to go until we welcome a new year.  And just like that 2020 will arrive.   And although it's difficult for some to think of today as being 2019, talk of the next year is already being discussed.  It happens each year it seems.  Without fail.  It seems like being present, living in "today" has given way to a yearning for different times.  For better days.  Of the past and even the future.  Is the unknown better than the status quo?   This pondering wasn't intended to be a post of a political nature.  Not at all.  And as I ponder, my mind does tend to wander and wonder  Thirty-one days this month.  Many days to ce... 03/01/2019

In Febuary of 2019, PFAR.org reported that an average list price for a home and a condo was $1,800,283 in January of 2019 higher 3.3% or from $1,742,725 in January of 2018; While, median listing price for a home and a condo was $1,100,000 in January of 2019, up 4.8% or from $1,050,000 January of 2018 in Pasadena, California.There were 495 active listing of homes and condos in January of 2019 jumped 43.5% or from 345 in January of 2018; While there were 3.2 months available inventory of homes and condos in January of 2019, rose 35.3% or 2.3 months of available inventory from January of 2018 in Pasadena, California.An average sales price for a home and a condo was $1,083,960 in January of 2019 declined 2.8% or from $1,114,993 in January of 2018; While, median sales price for a home and a ... 02/19/2019

 The Difference A Single Person Can Make   The Difference A Single Person Can Make     It seems that the issue between big versus small exists throughout life.  And in many industries.  Not just real estate. Regardless of the size of the organization, we understand the importance a particular person can often make.  A little, very little, personal background:  Prior to real estate I was in department store retailing.  I started out on the sales floor moving onto various positions over time.  It was a local store but with quite a large reach and a big presence.  Later when I entered real estate I worked  with a large but locally owned broker.  They were subsequently accquired by a nationally known firm which I had coincidentally joined about two years into my career.  I have never been a... 02/16/2019

  Raindrops Keep Falling  On My Head   Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head    It's another rainy day. Or it is scheduled to be.  Perhaps that was  yesterday. Maybe tomorrow.   It's all kind of running together for many it seems.  It's not like this hasn't happened before.  I remember previous rainy seasons.  It's rare but it's certainly not unknown.  I digress. Our most recent drought shortened quite a few memories it seems but we have experienced rain in the past.  Despite the cries of "Storm Watch" in the media, the predicted yet seldom truly anticipated slower-than-usual traffic along with the related stuff associated with anything less than our postcard-perfect sunny weather we manage as only Californians know how to comply.  This is evidenced by lots of complaining combined with ince... 02/13/2019

    That Memorable Moment  That Memorable Moment  I have been pondering.  Maybe more than usual.  And perhaps just as much as I typically ponder.   I don't keep track of such things.  No need for a "to do" list.   Things just happen as I ponder.  It's not like I relinquish taking charge of my thoughts or actions.  It's actually something more than that.  Not exacrly lost in thought but maybe that sums it up.   But it's kinda like that if I had to explain it.  Remember pondering in my view does not require explanation. It  is truly a "do anywhere, do anytime" type of activity.   I am not sure if it is something I can put into words but since this is a post with words I guess it is necessary.  Or maybe that's not true. You see I ponder.  To allow myself to think and reflect and ask myself... 02/11/2019

  Getting To The Finish Line      Getting To The Finish Line  That important moment.  But it's more than just a moment, isn't it?  The accumulation of many moments.  Leading to one magic moment.   Life Is A Journey. Not A Destination                                               Often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson If I'd had some set idea of a finish line,don't you think I would have crossed it years ago?          Bill Gates While the first quote may have originated in someone else's mind it is still appropriate today. As far as the second quote. I will leave it to more pondering which brought me to this point originally.  This photo of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA was taken by Michael Jacobs.   02/10/2019

  The Workaround    The Workaround.  We all know it. It's a common enough experience.  In Real Estate and in Real Life.   Even occasionally on this forum ActiveRain.  So many examples come to mind.  But there's a solution.  No need for cursing - though maybe that will help in some way. Take a step back and you may find an appropriate or an  even a better-than-imagined means of addressing this or any situation.  Some time away from the subject at hand has been known to help too.  Improvise if and as appropriate.  Change the recipe when it makes sense.  I have heard this works better for the more creative side of cooking rather than the more scientific baking.   Measure twice, cut once.  But I digress.  Ponder when you can.  And remember pondering is a do anytime and do anywhere kind of a... 02/05/2019

 Searching For Snake Oil  At Whole Foods Market   Searching For Snake Oil at Whole Foods.  A recent post by Nina Hollander informed us of the impact of ground hogs and its apparent influence on real estate trends.  Even the casual observer likely knows  there is no relation between the two--but go to and read Nina's post for more information on this timely subject.   Somehow in the course of commenting snake oil was mentioned by me along with the realiry of such product and its availability.  Hence I am searching for snake oil and since it is both elusive and likely exclusive--why not check Whole Foods Market?   I mean why not?  Elusive?  Exclusive?   Let me ponder.  This time along the aisles of Whole Foods Market.  I mean where else might I find snake oil?     The photo in this post w... 02/04/2019