Download - 2008-12 Dena Land News
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: [email protected] 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
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 [email protected]
Also see the Events Page of www.5acres.org