Saturday, January 24, 2009

Home Shopping #2

I spotted this cutie in Bungalow Heaven and had to pull over. "Hey baby, whatchya doin' on this gray day? You look like a charmer to me." I took a picture, brought it home and brightened it a little to cheer it up.

Of course you can't tell a book by its cover, and location is everything. Let's see, what other cliches might apply here? Oh yeah: you'll have to look under the hood to find out if this house has good bones. Ouch.

Bungalow Heaven is a neighborhood, for those who don't know. The whole 'hood is on the National Register of Historic Places, which can be good and bad if you're a homeowner. If you're considering buying a historic property it's worth knowing everything you can about the National Register. In some ways it restricts you; in some ways it protects you.

I'm not in the business of selling houses, but I figured I'd post the contact information in case you're in the business of buying.

20 comments:

USelaine said...

Charming presentation with that porch furniture.

Vanda said...

Cute! Do you have an addresss? Redfin is my real estate bible.

Diederick Wijmans said...

If is is THE Sotheby through whom the house is for sale, it shouldn't be bad, no?
Very cute house.
Have a nice weekend.

Michael Coppess said...

I like the big oak door and wide porch. And solar panels on the roof! I lived in BH for 15 years. It is a GREAT neighborhood.

Susan C said...

If the owner had come to me for advice prior to painting, I'd have nixed the eggplant, BUT it works. I love the three colors together.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Petrea!

I own one of these historic homes, not in the Bungalow Heaven neighborhood, but something similar. So many times I get angry that if I want to touch my house, I need to go through the historic committee.. it almost feels like an association but I am always thankful I will never have a McMansion built next to me, blocking my awesome views of Mt. Baldy.

When i bought my house I was given a thick pamphlet on the do's and donts of owning a historical home. Some of them are reasonable, like keeping with historical colors and historical designs, but some of them sound ridiculous. In all, its not difficult to live with, and everyone else around me has to do the same.

Margaret said...

I'm with Susan. I like the colors. It's definitely a cutie.

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

I wish I was! I'm looking for a bungalow on behalf of my parents at the moment - no stairs would be a boon for my poor Mum. This one's a bit far away from me though...

Petrea Burchard said...

Yes Elaine, it's charming, and I'm tempted to let you believe the only homes for sale in Pasadena are historical beauties. But to be fully representative, next week I'm going to post something ugly.

I emailed you the address, Vanda. Not sure if it would be nice of me to post it here. What do y'all think? Looks like the current owners are still in there.

I don't know if the two are related, Blognote. The realty company bills itself as selling "luxury real estate and exquisite properties."

I hadn't noticed the solar panels, Michael! That tells me this house has modern amenities, the future owners will save on electric bills, and the National Register doesn't restrict such updates.

Susan and Margaret, I never would've thought of this color combination either, and it works.

1916, thanks for your comment - an authoritative view on what it's like to live in a NR home. Not having to fear the McMansion blocking your view is reason enough to live there, I'd say.

Lynn, if only... Your parents and I would be relative neighbors, and you'd visit often!

Cafe Observer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Network
^
so the owners have decided to sell? they've found something better?

i wunder how long it's been on the market? Since last year?

where's a realtor when you need her

Anonymous said...

My guess is $575K, if they're realistic. Maybe Vanda can let us know. (Is that an ugly apartment building sidling up to the backyard?)

Katie said...

Swoon -- this is exactly my kind of house! I'd buy it based on your great photo alone. Too bad it's probably out of my price range - especially since Sotheby's is selling it. A girl can dream though - thanks for providing the fodder!

Petrea Burchard said...

Whoa, C.O.! Negative soup for lunch? I don't think it's been on the market that long. I just noticed it.

AH, good eye. This one's on Mentor, next street west is Lake. I don't know if that's apartments but if it isn't, it's a business.

Katie, this one's got the good and the bad. Great neighborhood and charm, but one block away from a busy business district. Might bring your price down!

Laurie Allee said...

It's listed at $595K. These historic homes are still selling relatively high even in today's market -- this one is only 2 bedrooms/1 bath, and the 1 bath has a fairly modern remodel which I think detracts from the overall charm. The kitchen is darling, and looks like it has the original tile.

I love looking at house listings!

Tom Bowers -- the Sotheby's realtor whose name is on the sign -- sold us our house. He's a great guy and knows everything about the San Gabriel Valley.

Ms M said...

That really is a charming house, at least from the outside. Although it's out of my price range, as Katie says, it's fun to dream...

Chuck Pefley said...

This house reminds me a lot of the house I grew up in, in Spokane, Washington

-K- said...

Hi Petrea - I just left this message at Karin's blog but I guess it makes more sense to leave it here.

The "Double Indemnity" house is at 6301 Quebec in the Hollywood Hills.

Someday maybe I'll blab about F. Scott Fitzgerald's house; or at least the one he died in....

Petrea Burchard said...

Here's the MLS listing. Laurie thanks, you gave me the idea to google it. Though I know they always ask high, it gives me hope for Pasadena's home values. Nice to know Bowers is a good guy.

Hi Chuck. I was in Spokane in 2005. Bet it's changed since you were a kid.

Thanks for the info, K! I'm gonna grab Laurie and Karin and anyone else who wants to gawk and we'll head over. I loved the style of that shadowy movie. I'd guess from your photos that you did, too. Would love to hear about Fitzgerald's house.

Kim said...

I LOVE whole neighborhoods full of bungalows! I find them very charming.
Hey, I'm in the area if you have time tomorrow (Sunday)shoot me an email kbybay@earthlink.net
The skies here were beautiful today! Probably great for home buyers on the trail of new digs ;^)
-Kim