Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Home Shopping With Dave, Part 2

Did someone mention points for the stager? I love the candelabra on the basketball court.

I'm on a caravan with Dave Knight, Pasadena realtor. (Yesterday's post will give you a little background.) I didn't get good pictures at the first house we visited in Linda Vista, sorry. The place was nice, clean, ready to move in. Nothing fancy, though, I must say, and the asking price was $1.275 million.

This place, however, is special. The rooms flow from one to the other. The lot is gorgeous, overlooking the Arroyo and Brookside Park. And you can have it all for less than $2.4 million.

When we entered it was obvious we were in an exclusive home. We introduced ourselves and shook hands with the selling agents. Dave is a young guy, and the other agents were seasoned pros. We chatted about the house - its beautiful surroundings, flowing floor plan, artistic lighting. Dave wanted to know, so he just up and asked: "How does a new agent like me get a listing like this?"

The other agents couldn't have been nicer. Out poured all kinds of friendly advice: "keep up your contacts," "participate in the community," "do charity work," "it's all about your connections," and more.

This exchange was my favorite part of the caravan. I've experienced actors helping actors, writers helping writers, and now realtors helping realtors. I know business is competitive, but people really can be good to each other.

Anyway.

Tomorrow: Part 3, our final installment, where we'll learn why Dave looks familiar (if Cafe Observer keeps our secret), and we'll see a backyard accoutrement some folks might kill to have.

21 comments:

Pascal Jim said...

Tah Dah......I love Pasadena....

Cafe Pasadena said...

I can't stand that Cafe Observer! He should observe girls instead of cafes.

btw, Irina has a mighty fine stager!

Good Knight, y'all.

Shell Sherree said...

I love the candelabrum, too ... but Petrea, is there any chance you could pop back there tomorrow and put some candles in them or miniature moss balls? An empty candelabra always looks forlorn to me.

That's a nice story about the friendly exchange between the real estate agents.

Laurie Allee said...

I wonder why they're selling in this market since prices have come down something crazy like a third in the last six months.

I love that candelabra!

Petrea Burchard said...

Me too, PJ.

Cafe, to clear this up: Irina is not the agent for this sale. We just happen to know her and think she's great.

Shell Sherree, I'll drop by today and do it. Mind you, I'm not a stager, but I'll find something to stick in there.

I don't know, Laurie, but I've heard the high end market hasn't suffered so much. Could it be true that the rich still have money and it's really only the middle class that needs help? Oh--wait--then there's the poor... Either that, or this house used to be worth more like $5 million.

Anonymous said...

We have one realtor in Altadena who seems to sell every house on the market. No matter who starts with the listing, she seems to finish with it.

One of her tricks might be that she stays in contact with everyone all the time, through newsletters, little cheap gifts, and so forth.

Chapman Woods Specialist and Pasadena Realtor - Blog by Dave Knight said...

Laurie, great question. I often ask myself that question too. What I've found in several cases is that some people have so much equity that it doesn't really matter. Often times the owners are being transferred or getting new jobs in another state and just want their cash out rather than deal with the hassle of tenants.

But sometimes people will hold on to a property....

Interesting story: I recently came across a $5-6 million dollar home that has sat vacant for 2 years. The owners have another home nearby. It just sits empty and isn't for sale or for lease!

Susan C said...

After my disapproval of the plastic pots yesterday, I have to say I really like this vignette.

I'm amazed at the differences in one-year changes in real estate prices. I was glancing over the Data Quick numbers in the LA Times on Sunday.

The median price in San Marino has actually gone up. There's a huge variance in Pasaadena from zip code to zip code.

John Sandel said...

"… a backyard accoutrement some folks might kill to have"?

What, like a gallows? Maybe they misunderstood when they heard "grotto."

Either way, a pleasant hermitage.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hiker, I know in casting/acting, the little toys are a no-no. But hey--whatever works, as long as you're legal. I guess.

Dave! The star of our show. Your tale puts a few things into perspective. Some people live in a different world than the one I live in.

Susan, if it's not too much trouble I'd love to have that link so I could check up on my zip code!

J, perhaps "kill" was a poor word choice.

Cafe Pasadena said...

Agreed, P - we only know IN. Thanks 4 clearing up de confusion!

I gotta go. I'm gettin hungry 4 sumthing sweet so I'm gonna sniff around 4 sumthing sweet to eat @ a cafe round here.

Margaret said...

Again, I'm outing my mommy-self, but the candelabra looks just like the singing and dancing one in "Beauty and the Beast." Be our guest, be our guest...

pasadenapio said...

Love the stately oak tree.

Hey, be sure to go on my blog and take your best guess in my first Mystery History photo contest.

Katie said...

Wow, wow and more wow. I would love to hang out in this back yard eating an evening meal by the light of a candelabra. That or shooting hoops. Anyone for a game of horse? Can't wait for tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

P----love the details and the photos! Glad you're going along for the ride. When you're not in the market for a house, it IS fun to lookey-loo and dream a little about the staff needed to keep a house going.

For more detailed info on the transaction history of the Bellmore house, check out http://www.redfin.com/CA/Pasadena/443-Bellmore-Way-91103/home/7184893

I don't know redfin, don't get a kickback, just found it while we've been considering buying a place until sweetie got laid off last week. They've got details on the house that many other sites miss, plus the listing agent, the tax and sales and listing history of the house, neighborhood comps, recent sales/listings and most of what I'm looking for when I'm researching a house. REALLY nice when you are trying to compare and/or figure out why the heck they are selling right now, for this price, plus what they bought it for and when.

As to Dave---tried to use his site to see if he had the LV house listed, to see pix if there were some, to see if I knew the house, if I could send someone that direction to look at the house...alas, the search feature is not user friendly and I gave up.

Christie said...

Can't you just see the 4 piece string quartet on the other side of the court and the butler who would stand off to the side after serving you your dinner?

Petrea Burchard said...

I saw the movie, Margaret. But that's all I remember of the song!

Ann, I love the contest! Great idea. I've already lost this one but I am known to be somewhat competitive. I'll be back.

Katie, you'd beat me in Horse so fast.

Trish, thanks for the info. I haven't tried the search function on Dave's site, but your note could be useful to him.

I can see it, Christie! But one thing I like about this house, with its size and setting, it isn't pretentious. I've toured Pasadena mansions where furnishings were purchased with no sense of taste, only a sense of what's expensive. This is not that kind of place. Very refreshing.

Chapman Woods Specialist and Pasadena Realtor - Blog by Dave Knight said...

Trish - here is a link to the Linda Vista Home with pictures. The link is long so i'm trying to include it in the text (I hope this works).

Ms M said...

Enjoying this tour with you and Dave, and getting a spectator's view of your local real estate market :>)

Richard von Ernst at Sotheby's said...

Petrea, I've been following your blog fairly regularly and was thrilled to find my listing being included in your story about Dave! It was a pleasure meeting him and I was more than happy to offer him advice. I think there's always something new to be learned in life and I admire his initiative in asking. I'm always happy to help out others. Keep up the interesting info about Pasadena. Your blog is terrific.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hello Richard, and thank you. You're as gracious in your comment as you are in person. As I said in the post, our visit with you was the highlight of the caravan.