Looking Forward To The Most Festive Days Of The Year

As I write this, the festive mood of the holidays

is just beginning. We don’t yet see the many

homes lighted up or the Christmas trees in win-

dows. But it will come soon enough and I hope

that this year will be as joyous for your family as

years past.

We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Gas

prices seem to be down (but maybe I shouldn’t

write that since, as sure as I do, prices will rise by

the time you get this!) And, just a guess, but I think

everyone is mostly thankful that the election is

over, no matter who you supported.

Then, believe it or not, there are signs that the

economy is picking up...maybe not in the stock mar-

ket, but the real estate market has picked up. Espe-

cially for buyers. Whether it’s real estate or stocks,

always buy low and sell high! Lots of good things

happening.

As a matter of fact, a better economy is good and

bad for homebuyers. If you are considering buying a

home, you might call me soon. As the economy

strengthens, prices will go up. Don’t miss out on a

bargain!

Linda Lane-White (626) 786-1231

Christmas Can Be A Great Time To Show Your Home

F amily, cheer, warmth these are

some of the memories and feel-

ings the holidays conjure up and

they are, not coincidentally, the

best possible feelings to create when

showing your home.

Holidays offer the seller so many op-

tions for making a home perfect for the

buyer: Special lights, holiday smells, cozy

fireplaces, and festive decorations.

Remember, though, the motto for sell-

ers is 'stay simple.'

• Use modest lighting and decorations

inside and out.

• If you have a Christmas tree, con-

sider buying one size smaller than you

usually buy. Arrange a few simple gifts

with matching wrapping paper under the

tree. Make sure there is no extravagant

display of gifts or toys under the tree. Store furniture that is

displaced by the tree.

• For all decorations, smaller and simpler

is better.

• Favor natural materials such as real

pine branches and pine cones for wreaths

and other decorations, and shun plastics or

bright, big decorations. Avoid blowup deco-

rations outside.

• Decorate your home with fragrance.

Bake bread or cookies. If this is impossible,

try light holiday fragrances such as vanilla

or cinnamon. Avoid heavy pine smells.

• Clean thoroughly your fireplace and

make sure a small, crackling fire is going

during walk-throughs. But pay special at-

tention to the temperature of your home.

Make sure the home is lightly warm, not so

toasty that potential buyers can't stand to

wear their coats.

• Make sure all your window blinds and

curtains are open for day showings. This means the windows

themselves must be perfectly clean.

A little-publicized tax break for widowed home-

owners is part of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Re-

lief Act, which was passed in December 2007.

After the death of a spouse, homeowners now have

two years to sell their home and keep up to $500,000

in profits tax free. The provision allows recently wid-

owed homeowners more time to plan their future in-

stead of rushing a home sale to avoid paying more

taxes.

Previously, a home had to be sold the same

year as a spouse's death to qualify for the

$500,000 exclusion. Those who waited up to

two years were only eligible for $250,000.

Any longer, they wouldn't be eligible for any

tax exclusion.

Tax Break For The Widowed

DENA LAND NEWSDENA LAND NEWSDENA LAND NEWS

Linda Lane-White

“Singing” Realtor ®

CA Lic #01091347

Notary Public

December 2008

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER BY LINDA LANE-WHITE—KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

SERVING MY HOMETOWN OF ALTADENA/PASADENA AND OUTLYING AREAS

Christmas Tree Across

1. Break bread

4. Type of asst.

9. "___ Got a Secret"

10. 100 equal 1

drachma in Greece

11. Shad delicacy

12. Seating sections

13. Hardened

15. Pa's mate

16. Heathen

18. Beaver St.

20. Wheaties or

Cheerios

23. Sensational

25. Country singer Joe

26. Utopian

27. Cozy room

28. Strangely

29. Craving

Down

1. Dublin's home

2. Shakespeare, the

Bard of ___

3. Get ready to drive

4. Presumably

5. Himalayan cedar

6. Automobile

sticker fig.

7. Big-ticket ___

8. Astronaut's insignia

14. Relating to or

characteristic of a

group of people

17. Destitute

18. Hodgepodge

19. Labor PM of

Australia

21. Sheltered, at sea

22. Boston suburb

24. Sunburned

The headline is a clue

to the answer in the diagonal.

Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com

Q I'm applying for a

mortgage and now

my neighbor tells me I

should not buy the car

I've been considering.

Is that true?

A As a general rule,

it is a good idea to

avoid all major pur-

chases before you close

on a loan. Don't buy

cars, appliances, furni-

ture, or any big ticket

item. Don't lease a car.

This is generally be-

cause a lender will pull

your credit report be-

fore they make the

loan. Any major, new

financial burden you

incur can change your

debt to income ratio. If

this happens you may

no longer qualify for a

home loan or the loan

package will have to be

changed to accommo-

date the new circum-

stances.

By the way, be sure

to make absolutely sure

all your bills are paid

on time before you

close. Unpaid bills can

also change your pro-

file with a lender since

you become less credit

worthy.

Do you need an answer

to a burning question

you may have? Feel

free to give me a call.

- Linda 626-786-1231

1. Why are Christmas songs called carols? a-The word carol

is an Old English word meaning "to sing outside," b-It

comes from the French word "caroller," meaning to

dance around in circles, c-They were written by Carol

King.

2. At the start of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christ-

mas, how big was the Grinch's heart? a-Two sizes too

small, b-Three sizes too small, c-So small it was barely

there at all.

3. Jimmy Stewart is shown a vision of this small town go-

ing to seed in It's a Wonderful Life? a-Springfield, b-

Mayville, c-Bedford Falls.

Want Answers? Email me if you want an-swers to this month’s trivia: lindalanewhite@kw.com Christmas Trivia

Ask an Expert

This recipe is perfect for the holiday season. It's simple, fast, and

delicious. No need to heat up the stove, it can all be done using the

microwave. Follow the simple steps below and you will be serving

fudge in no time.

Ingredients:

1 cube margarine or butter 1/4 cup nonfat milk

1 lb powdered sugar 1/2 cup cocoa

1 cup walnuts, chopped 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. In a large glass bowl, melt margarine or butter in microwave.

2. Stir in powdered sugar, milk, and cocoa and mix well.

3. Cook in microwave on high for two minutes.

4. Add walnuts and vanilla and stir to thicken, beating well.

5. Pour into a 9x9 square pan.

Cool completely and have at it!

Easy Holiday

Fudge

This is a great time to

remodel, add on or re-build.

CEEDUB

CONSTRUCTION RESIDENTIAL & LIGHT COMMERCIAL

With over 30 years of experience, we work

with you to achieve your dream.

Call Today For A Free Estimate

(Licensed/Bonded/Insured)

(626) 786-1229

CHRIS WHITE, OWNER

Ca Lic #883002

www.ceedubconstruction.com

519 Alameda Street

Altadena, CA 91001

No Increase in Medicare Bill Elderly and disabled people participating in Medicare will see no increase in their $96.40 per month bill in 2009.

Costs of the program did rise, but the reserve gained $9.3 billion after officials discovered money was inadvertently

being drawn from Part B to cover hospice benefits.

About 5% of participants will see an increase, including individuals earning more than $85,000 and couples earning

more than $170,000.

Are you an Active Senior wanting to Hike, Bike and Ski? Go to www.overthehillganglosangeles.org

Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com

Active Adults Corner Trust Linda Lane-White as your Seniors Real Estate Specialist®

Depression: Heart Breaking Doctors screening for heart problems check for high cholesterol, high blood

pressure, smoking, and other factors, but few will ask about depression.

Many studies around the world show that depression is a factor in heart dis-

ease. Otherwise healthy patients with symptoms of depression have been

shown to have as much as a 70 percent higher risk of having a heart attack.

More evidence about the link recently came from the Women's Health Initia-

tive. Of the 93,000 women in the study, those who were depressed had a 50

percent greater risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease than

women who had no signs of depression.

Everyone should take depression seriously. Talk to the doctor about depres-

sion just as you would discuss other health issues. Many treatments are avail-

able.

Though they rarely ask about it, doctors know simple questions that can eas-

ily screen for symptoms of depression. Symptoms include a persistent sad,

anxious or empty mood, loss of interest in hobbies, sex, and insomnia.

Happy Holidays

From

Linda, Chris,

Charlie & Spike

Recent Area Sales (Derived from PFAR MLS)

T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n i s f o r i n f o r m a t i o n a l p u r p o s e s o n l y a n d d o e s n o t c o n s t i t u t e l e g a l o r f i n a n c i a l a d v i c e .

All information was obtained from sources deemed reliable, and while I do not doubt its accuracy, I cannot guarantee it. Some items provided by CAR Client Direct

and Fidelity National Home Warranty. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

Who do you know right now who’s looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate? Give me a call or send me an E-mail. I’m never too busy for your referrals to friends or family.

Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com

When Buying or Refinancing...

Call Peter First Peter Cosfol

& Augusta Financial

Get Pre-Approved Senior Loan Officer

Augusta Financial is a service oriented mortgage company that specializes in residential financing. We

have many loan programs to help our clients with all of their mortgage needs.

Peter offers the best pricing with the lowest fees!

Peter will personally address all of your questions and concerns regarding the loan process!

Augusta Financial makes the loan process seem easy!

Augusta is both Broker and Mortgage Banker!

We offer In-house processing and funding!

It’s a GREAT time to Refinance!

(661) 260-2970 Office · (661) 291-2234 Direct · (818) 281-1466 Cell

Date Sold Days On Market Sale Price Address City Bed/Bath S.F.Home S.F.Land

11/19/08 275 425,000 2454 Santa Anita Ave Altadena 3/2 1347 10028

11/17/08 149 1,099,000 835 E Woodbury Rd Altadena 6/4 3624 27480

11/24/08 65 257,000 921 E Galatea St Azusa 4/2 1444 6060

11/19/08 7 300,000 506 N Orange Ave Azusa 4/3 1808 8400

11/19/08 70 570,000 15022 Avenida Del Rio Chino Hills 4/3 2459 7280

11/25/08 26 382,500 633 S Washington Ave Glendora 3/2 1095 5798

11/20/08 34 551,000 4233 Wiley Ln La Crescenta/Glen-Mo 3/2 1488 8525

11/17/08 79 250,000 24266 Broad Oak St Murrieta-West 5/3 3547 7405

11/21/08 28 270,000 23741 Cadenza Dr Murrieta-West 5/3 2850 7840

11/18/08 98 380,000 355 S Madison Ave #303 Pasadena (SW) 2/2 939 45828

11/12/08 161 957,500 1073 Linda Vista Way Pasadena (NW) 3/3 2804 6652

11/13/08 6 445,000 1735 Beverly Dr Pasadena (NW) 2/1 954 7000

11/15/08 145 489,000 670 E Howard St Pasadena (NE) 3/3 1834 8220

11/26/08 326 515,000 925 Worcester Ave Pasadena (NE) 4/2 1948 7079

11/20/08 11 1,220,000 1195 La Loma Rd Pasadena (SW) 4/4 2500 14370

11/19/08 65 380,000 1000 Cordova ST #306 Pasadena (SE) 2/2 1330 845

11/21/08 267 765,000 3780 E California Blvd Pasadena (SE) 3/4 3190 13158

11/18/08 10 965,000 2032 Pine St South Pasadena 4/3 2846 9266

11/26/08 262 489,000 10551 Samoa Ave Sunland/Tujunga 4/4 2800 7200

Tax Change For Sale

of Vacation Homes If you want to avoid prorating the capital

gains tax on the sale of your vacation house,

better make it your home address before

January 1, 2009.

After that, you may not get the full capi-

tal-gains tax exclusion of up to $500,000 per

couple ($250,000 for singles) that applies to

primary homes.

Under new rules passed recently, the

exclusion will be prorated by the amount of

time you actually used the home as a pri-

mary residence. If you owned the home for

10 years, but lived in it only the last two,

you would be able to exclude only 20 per-

cent of the profit from the sale of the home.

January 1, 2009 is the starting date for

the calculation, so longtime homeowners

won't have to worry about the years before

that date.

If you bought a beach house in 2000 and

moved into it on January 1, 2011, then sell it

in 2013 you will get to exclude about half of

the capital gain. The home will have been

your primary residence for half of the years

when the measure was effective.

If you move to your second home before

January 1, assuming you lived in your pri-

mary residence for two years before that,

you will have three years to sell that home

and use the full exemption.

A Kiss Under The Mistletoe

B eing kissed under the mistle-

toe has been a Christmas

tradition for more than a

thousand years. But mistle-

toe is not only associated with a gentle

kiss, it has a lore all its own.

To the ancient Scandinavians, mistle-

toe symbolized peace.

Enemies meeting under

the mistletoe declared a

truce until the follow-

ing day. On a more

domestic note, disgrun-

tled spouses kissed and

made up under the

greenery.

The Druids believed

mistletoe possessed

magical powers. Their

priests cut the plant

with golden sickles and

gathered the trimmings on white cloth

so the plant would never touch the earth

and lose its enchantment.

The French didn't like it. They said

mistletoe was cursed because it grew on

the wood from which the cross of Christ

was made and that it was doomed to be

a rootless parasite forever.

In the Middle Ages, mistletoe was hung

from ceilings in Europe to ward off evil, or

it was dangled over doors to prevent the

entrance of witches. If mistletoe was sus-

pended over a crib, the child was said to be

safe from kidnapping.

Viking lore describes the goddess of

love, Frigga, who

made each plant and

animal promise not to

kill her son Baldur.

She forgot the mistle-

toe plant and Baldur

was killed by a spear

made from it. The

white berries on the

mistletoe are said to

have been created

from her tears.

When her son

returned to life, Frigga

proclaimed the mistletoe to be sacred. She

kissed everyone who passed under it and

decreed the plant should henceforth bring

love. This is said to be the origin of kissing

under the mistletoe.

So go ahead. Kiss under the mistletoe,

have fun doing it, and give a nod to Frigga

for starting a very enjoyable custom.

Hanukkah Project For Kids Here’s a quick and easy craft project for

kids at Hanukkah: Create your own Miracle

Menorah.

Have kids cut nine stars out of modeling

clay for use as candle holders. You can use

cookie cutters or do the job freehand. Make

sure each star has at least one flat front sur-

face.

Once the clay is modeled, write the word

‘miracle’ by putting one letter on each star

candle holder. You will have two left over

which you can use on both ends of the home-

made Menorah. You can

add a pretty decoration on

each end star candle holder.

Arrange your Menorah on

a table, add decorations or

paint your stars blue.

Not using your smile? You’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook...Les Giblin

Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com

Stay Positive During

the Holidays Holidays are for celebrating what is

truly important to you, your family,

and friends. Make it the holiday you

want it to be and chances are you will

keep a positive attitude.

1. Avoid over scheduling yourself.

2. Use an agenda to keep track of

your holiday commitments.

3. Give yourself plenty of time be-

tween events.

4. Schedule some downtime for your-

self everyday.

5. Lower your expectations.

6. Don’t strive for perfection, good

enough is okay.

7. Don’t expect your family to be

perfect during the holidays.

8. Make a budget and stick to it.

9. The price of the gift is not equal to

how much you love them.

10. Focus on the people that you care

about instead of the stuff that really

doesn’t matter.

11. Beware of the joy-to stuff ratio:

more stuff does not equal more joy.

12. Spread out your socializing in the

months after the holidays.

13. Don’t try to pack a year’s worth of

socializing into a few weeks.

14. Get as much sleep as you can.

15. Schedule one or two pajama days

for yourself or for the whole family

to stay home and rest.

16. Enjoy some downtime together

without rushing about.

December Happenings in Dena Land Dec 7 1-5pm Castle Green Tour. 99 S. Raymond, Pasadena. $20 or free for 12 and under. 626-577-6765

or www.castlegreen.com

Dec 12 7:30—11pm Robert Kyle to perform at Red White & Bluezz on Green and Raymond in Pasadena

Dec 13 8am Rose Bowl Half Marathon. 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena. Information 714-978-1528 or

www.pacificsportsllc.com

Dec 13 11am. 3rd Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Party at Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E Colorado.

$19. Call 626-449-5320

Dec 13 5:00pm 88th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting. If you haven’t heard Linda Lane-White

sing, yet, now’s your chance to be a critic. The John Muir High Alumni Drum Corp will perform, too!

Come join your neighbors for a fun and eventful evening

Dec 14 1pm—4pm Pasadena History Museum Holiday Open House 470 W Walnut, Pasadena. Free 626-

577-1660 www.pasadenahistory.org

Dec. 19 7pm Caroling at Hastings Ranch with Max and Daniel. You will be provided with the music and

lyrics. Vroman’s Bookstore 3729 E Foothill, Pasadena Free. 449-5320

Dec 21 10am—6pm Warehouse Denim Sale. Pasadena Convention Center 300 E Green.

www.thewarehousesale.com

Dec 25 10am Christmas Dinner in the Park. Help make this holiday season special by volunteering or

donating food or toys. Central Park 219 S Fair Oaks, Pasadena. Free 626-240-4550 ext 542 or

www.unionstationfoundation.org

Various Christmas Events will also occur at: Descanso Gardens : 818-949-7980 ww.descansogardens.org

and the L.A. Arboretum: 626-821-3222 www.arboretum.org

HEADS UP FOR JANUARY: Clayton Lane (aka Nicky Grant) performs at the Ice House on Jan. 4 @7:30pm

Pasadena Market Center

445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91105

Cell: (626) 786-1231

Office: (626) 204-3436

Fax: (626) 296-1979

lindalanewhite@sbcglobal.net

Home Office: 519 Alameda, Altadena

I n T une Wit h Your Needs

If You Would Like To Receive This

Newsletter on a Regular Basis for

Guaranteed Delivery (Snail or E-Mail)

Call me or send me an E-Mail...LLW

Linda Lane-White “Singing” Realtor® CA Lic #01091347 (since 1990)

Notary Public (since 1987)

Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated

www.lindalanewhite.com

Search the MLS on my web site!

88th Annual

Christmas Tree Lane

Lighting Ceremony

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008

5:00 Boutique Opens

6:00 Ceremony Begins

Location: Altadena Li-

brary—Corner of Mariposa

and Santa Rosa Ave

Come out for free enter-

tainment, pics with Santa

and to mingle with your

neighbors!

Call (626) 403-1123 for

more information.

www.christmastreelane.net

Five Ways to Make Holiday Wishes Come True Help make holiday wishes come true.

Bring joy and hope to children and families who have faced overwhelming challenges.

1. Purchase a gift for a child or a cottage

2. Host a holiday “Wish Tree” at you place of work, worship, or service club/organization

3. Brighten an entire family’s holiday season through our Adopt-A-Family program

4. Host a food drive at your place of work, worship, or service club/organization

5. Host a “Wish Tree” to benefit the women and children of Grace Center

Bring your unwrapped gifts on or before Dec 22, 2008 to Five Acres at 760 W. Mountain View, Altadena

For more details, call Margaret at 626-798-6793 ext. 2244 or mmorici@5acres.org

Also see the Events Page of www.5acres.org