San Marino California Real Estate Market Resource

A huge congratulations to Brandon Ly who received a perfect score of 2400 on his SAT exam!

In 2008, only 294 students scored perfect on the SAT out of 1.5 million testers, according to College Board SAT statistics.

Brandon is attending San Marino High School and has a 4.5 GPA (grade point average.) He is also a principal cellist in the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra and part of a music trio that won the Whittier College Chamber Ensemble Competition.

See the full article here.

Our annual family tradition is to celebrate 4th of July at Lacy Park. We wake up early, stand in line and run to get our coveted place on the lawn in anticipation of the evening festivities. Well… I overslept… sort of. My daughter checked the time and said the park opened at 8 am, but… the doors opened at 7 am. Oh well… there’s always a first time.

We did find a spot close to the Virginia entrance of Lacy Park. It should be convenient trying to find it late at night.

This year, the program includes the Rotary Club of San Marino Parade with the San Marino City Council, San Marino School Board Members and Little League All Stars participating. The parade starts at 4:45 and will run through 6 pm.

From 5 pm to 8 pm is the Family Fun Zone time so bring the kidlets. Tom Sullivan’s Dixieland Band will entertain from 7 pm to 7:45 pm and San Marino High School Chambre Choir will perform God Bless America, National Anthem and America the Beautiful at 8:45 pm.

Fireworks will begin at 9:05!

Read More: San Marino - 4th of July 2008
4th of July Fireworks around Pasadena

Photo by Sasha Netchaev
June 2009
Huntington Library
San Marino California

The biggest change over the last several months in San Marino is the number of homes being sold and going into escrow.  Interestingly enough, home inventory is about the same.  San Marino gets a little more than a dozen new home listings each month.  with the inventory staying close to 40 over all.

Real estate market activity has picked up significantly in Pasadena and surrounding neighborhoods and San Marino is also seeing an upswing in activity.  Price per square foot has gone up to the high $500s in May and that is based on 14 closed sales. 

San Marino’s Market Action Index is still in the home buyer’s zone, but is slowly climbing back up:

San Marino real estate market statistics for February 2009 through May 2009:

Single Family Residence	Feb-09	Mar-09	Apr-09	May-09
New Listings	13	18	14	15
Total Listings	30	38	35	39
Sales Pending	4	9	12	16
Homes Sold	4	1	10	14
Listings Expired	1	6	4	5
Average Days on the Market	126	29	67	49
Average Price Per Sq. Ft.	$631	$521	$526	$585
Median Selling Price	$2,049,000	$1,738,000	$1,477,500	$1,649,000
Average Selling Price	$2,147,333	$1,738,000	$1,710,300	$1,863,057
Absorption Rate (# of weeks to sell current inventory at present rate of sales)	32.5	164.7	15	15

Search all San Marino homes for sale - live feed from the Multiple Listing Service below:

 

For more property detail, please visit San Marino Homes for Sale post.

READ MORE:

South Pasadena City Guide

Altadena Foreclosures List

Burbank Foreclosure Home List

Pasadena Foreclosure Home List

South Pasadena Foreclosure Home List

 

 

If you are thinking of buying or selling your San Marino home, please give us a call for a comprehensive and free consultation. We can be reached at 626-204-3340.

IRINA NETCHAEV & ASSOCIATES

Pasadena Real Estate Agents

445 South Fair Oaks Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91105

(626)204-3340

 

This beautiful photo was taken yesterday in San Marino California.

Enjoy!

UPDATE: With 4,822 votes cast in support of Measure E, the vote passes by 71.17%.

If you live in San Marino or within the boundaries of San Marino Unified School District, you might be getting a phone call asking you to support Measure E. Here are some facts about this measure so that you can make an informed decision when you receive the ballot in the mail.

State budget cuts pose an immediate threat to San Marino’s schools.

Due to a $42 billion deficit, Sacramento has drastically cut school funding. For San Marino schools, this will mean a minimum $5 million budget shortfall. The budget cuts needed to address this shortfall will devastate much of the legacy of excellence our community has built in the local schools over the last 50 years.

One out of every three teachers will be lost.

Without Measure E funds, our schools will be forced to eliminate the jobs of 50 to 60 teachers – 1 out of every 3 teachers in the school district. Without these teachers, class sizes will increase dramatically — by 40% to 50% — doubling the number of students in some classes across all grade levels.

Cuts will impact every classroom and every child.

Without Measure E funds, schools will be forced to reduce the number of core academic classes available to students. Many advanced placement and honors classes will disappear. Foreign language opportunities will vanish. Academic and counseling services to students will be cut in half. Comprehensive K-12 visual and performing arts programs will be greatly reduced or eliminated as will the schools’ physical education and athletic programs.

Measure E is a local solution.

Measure E is a local parcel tax. These funds can only be used to support San Marino schools. It will raise stable, reliable funds for the schools for the next 6 years. It will make the schools less dependent on fluctuating and unpredictable state funding. The state cannot take them away.

This is a Mail Ballot election.

Measure E has been placed on the ballot as a mail ballot election. Every registered voter who lives within the school district, including those in the unincorporated county areas of the district, will receive a ballot beginning in early April. All ballots must be mailed and received at the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder’s office in Norwalk no later than May 5. The postmark on the ballot does not count. You will need to make sure to mail your ballot on or before April 28.

It will cost approximately $2 a day.

Approval of Measure E will create an annual cost of $795 per parcel – about $2.17 per day to preserve and protect the outstanding quality education provided to the children of the school district. This measure lasts for six years and then voters in the San Marino Unified School District can decide if it is still needed. The entire cost is deductible on state and federal taxes.

There is strict accountability.

Strict accountability is mandatory. Measure E requires that the school district be accountable to the voters of the community and that the funds are spent properly. All funds must be placed in a separate account and an annual report must be made public every year.

There is a senior exemption.

Any individual 65 or older who owns and occupies a single family home in the district is eligible for a full exemption from the cost of Measure E.

Measure E benefits everyone.

San Marino’s excellent schools have built, maintained and strengthened our property values. San Marino is the #1 unified school district in California. According to the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office, the value of homes in the San Marino school district continues to increase at a rate of 7% annually despite the economic downturn and current housing crisis. Home values in nearby communities have declined 30% or more in the last year alone.

Learn more by visiting www.AboutMeasureE.org.

If you live in San Marino, how do you feel about this measure? What kind of questions do you have or would like addressed?

In the first 10 days of March, 9 new homes were listed for sale in San Marino. These luxury estates usually demand a starting list price of $1,000,000 and up and these homes were no exception.

The least expensive San Marino home for sale is listed at $1,075,000 and is at 572 South Berkely Avenue.

The most expensive home for sale this month (as of today) is listed at $4,600,000 at is located at 1999 Oak Knoll in San Marino.

Overall, San Marino’s real estate market fared well in the month of February.

Read More: San Marino Real Estate Market Statistics, Inventory and More - February 2009

Address	BR	BA	Price	Price Per SqFt	MLS #
572 S Berkeley Ave San Marino, CA 91108	3	2	1,075,000	695.79	22122327
1635 Rubio Dr San Marino, CA 91108	4	4	1,325,000	471.87	22122338
1891 Twin Palms Dr San Marino, CA 91108	3	3	1,350,000	554.19	22122038
2280 Melville Dr San Marino, CA 91108	3	4	1,539,000	560.45	22122350
2780 Shakespeare Dr San Marino, CA 91108	4	3	1,650,000	536.41	22122382
566 Winston Ave San Marino, CA 91108	3	3	1,695,000	576.33	22122331
2890 Wallingford Rd San Marino, CA 91108	4	4	1,960,000	529.73	637662494
968 Roxbury Rd San Marino, CA 91108	4	4	2,195,000	631.65	22122143
1999 Oak Knoll Ave San Marino, CA 91108	8	8	4,600,000	787.54	22120863

Here’s how the listing agents describe these homes:

572 S Berkely, San Marino
Designed and built by famed Calif. architect Wallace Neff, this Mediterranean-style cottage is located in San Marino with its award winning schools. Completely updated and extensively remodeled in 2004 with all new electrical, copper plumbing & refinished original oak floors throughout, the house preserves Neff’s well-designed floor plan & architectural detailing while creating today’s open living spaces. The top-of-the line kitchen features honed granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, & cherry cabinets. The spacious original bath has been remodeled with high quality fixtures, tile and lighting. A walk-in closet and master bathroom addition with marble countertops, flooring and tile was completed in 2007. With 7 full length French doors, 2 bricked patios, & a shaded back yard, the home is ideally suited to indoor/outdoor living & entertaining. It is located on an architecturally significant block within walking distance of the Huntington Library, Cal Tech & Lake Avenue.

1635 Rubio Drive, San Marino

Great curb appeal in this charming, Country English home on a quiet, tree-lined street in desireable San Marino.There are rooms for every family member. 3 Brs and 3 bths down stairs, Master Br. with private bath & balcony upstairs. Elegant LR with high vaulted ceilings, French and cathedral style windows set the tone for graceful living. The den in the front has 5 french style windows, some overlooking the front yard. Kitchen has built ins. Adjecent is the spacious FR with rock stone faced fireplace, opens to the patio & serene B/yard. There are two cozy fireplaces in the lower level. House has a lot of storage, a sky light, a wet bar & built in book shelves. Hardwood floors, central air and heat & central vaccum system are some of the other highlights. The room with bath behind garage is ideal as a guests’ room or maid’s quarters. Landscaped front yard with brick walkway is inviting.The house is centrally located and is within blocks to SM High School, post office & markets.

 

2280 Melville Drive, San Marino

This beautifully appointed one story traditional home with noticeable attention to detail , and was extensively updated and remodeled offering a well laid out floor plan.3 bedroom suites +powder room, formal dining room and family room w/fireplace. Kitchen amenities include granite counters, name brand appliances & generous eating area. Master bath w/spa tub. Wood shutters, crown moldings, recessed lighting & hardwood floors throughout are additional features. Covered patio and terrace have access from main rooms and over look lush rear garden- great for entertaining.

2780 Shakespeare Drive

This updated 4 bedroom one story traditional home is located north of Huntington Dr on a quiet street. It is in walking distance to San Marino High School. The house was extensively remodeled in 2001 with hardwood floors, crown moldings, custom draperies and recessed lighting. It features a spacious living room with fireplace and formal dining room with chandelier. The kitchen equipped with granite counter tops, beautifully finished walnut cabinets, breakfast nook that opens to large family room w/fireplace. There is a master suite w/walk-in closet, jet spa tub and a separate shower in master bathroom. A den with closet could be the 5th bedroom. All three bathrooms are updated with granite countertops. A detached garage with a gated driveway completes this wonderful family home. Sale is contingent upon seller’s new purchase and escrow to close concurently. Seller is presently in escrow with new home.

566 Winston Avenue, San Marino

Spectacular Spanish w/all the charm & curb appeal you can imagine. Formal style entry, elegant formal dining rm. The gourmet kitchen flows w/ continuity to the family rm (in the style of a great room) & the exquisite rear grounds complete w/ pool serving as the ultimate back drop for the newly remodeled custom cherry wood. Features include 2 convection + microwave),Dacor stove & griddle. Double sinks, butcher-block breakfast counter, Corian counter tops, a workstation, and appliance elevator. Amtico flooring and more-if the kitchen is a focal point for you…. you just found your dream home- as it overlooks the massive family rm w/ ample window space &natural lighting & an incredible decor of Spanish patio setting & as for your Soirees- they are sure to be a hit. 3 Remodeled bathrooms, gleaming hardwood floors, lovely mature foliage, this home shows like a model home. Just turn the key & move right in…you can be proud to call this home your won. Welcome to paradise….Welcome Home.

1891 Twin Palms Drive, San Marino
This charming one-story Spanish home is located within walking distance to Valentine Elementary and Huntington Middle Schools. The approach to the home is through double wrought iron gates into an enclosed patio, with arches lining the entrance porch. The entry leads to the spacious living and dining rooms. There is a light filled breakfast room adjacent to the kitchen. The master suite has bayed windows and a full bath. The two additional bedrooms, two baths and laundry room complete the floor plan. In addition, there is a large finished basement with windows, which is currently being used as a bedroom. The garden has recently been professionally landscaped and features a beautiful tile patio.

Read More: Corner of Twin Palms and Sherwood

2890 Walingford, San Marino

North San Marino Home w/ San Marino School Disatrict; 4Bedrooms 3Baths; Approx. Living Area 3,700 Sq.Ft., Lot Size 12,750 Sq.Ft.; 3 Car Detached Garage ; Hardwood Floor & Marble Fireplace; Formal Dining Room w/Panoramic Windows; Beautiful Kitchen w/Granite Countertops, Center Island w/Sink, SieMantic Euro Cabinets; Bright & Airy Interior; Crown Molding; Recessed Lighting; Built-in Stereo System; Fire-Free Tile Roof; Updated Electrical & Phone Lines; Newer Dual Central A/C & Dual Heating Systems; Copper Piping; Huge Master Bedroom w/ Spa Shower and Whirlpool Bathtub, Walk-In Closets; Reinforced Structure for EarthquakeSafety and Lots More!

968 Roxbury Road, San Marino

Stately Spanish style home in wonderful condition & surrounded by lush professional landscaping. Features include; Formal entry. Formal Living Room w/ coved high ceilings, oversized arched window & fireplace. Formal Dining Room. Expansive Family Room w/ surround sound. Large Kitchen w/ granite counters, Thermador Professional stovetop, Miele double oven & steam oven, 2 Miele dishwashers & sub-zero fridge/freezer. Sun Room/Office w/ French doors to backyard patio. Master Bedroom retreat w/ romantic balcony & master bathroom w/ dual sinks, separate shower & bathtub, and a huge walk-in closet. Three additional upstairs bedrooms, one w/a balcony. Laundry room. Hardwood floors throughout. Recessed lighting in the kitchen, sun room & family room. Character windows & other accents such as Spanish style tiling, fixtures, crown molding & wrought iron railing. Wonderfully landscaped backyard w/ brick patio,built-in BBQ area & dark bottom pool w/attached spa. Basement and 2 car detached garage.

1999 Oak Knoll Avenue, San Marino

Nestled on 1.7 acres of magnificent park-like grounds framed by majestic trees in a prime west San Marino neighborhood adjacent to the renowned Langham Huntington Hotel, this stately Monterey Colonial estate features tall ceilings, crown moldings, hardwood floors and charming, spacious rooms with French doors to a glorious backyard. Situated more than 180′ from the street, this comfortable home showcases an impressive foyer, grand LR, elegant DR, paneled den, 4 fireplaces, 2BR down & 6BR upstairs. Meandering bricked pathways lead to an inviting pool & spa, sprawling lawn, rose garden, fruit orchard, grassy meadow with fountain, gazebo, wisteria-covered terraces and a charming 945sf pool house with fireplace, wet bar, two bathrooms & kitchenette, perfect for entertaining. Four-car garages, workshop plus two huge storage rooms complete this fabulous gated estate. Convenient to top public schools, shopping, dining, downtown LA & Pasadena, this wonderful oasis is a special treasure!

Information on the homes above was taken directly from ITEC (Pasadena Multiple Listing Service).

If you are interested in seeing all homes for sale in San Marino, below you will find a direct feed from the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) service that updates real time:

See all homes for sale in Pasadena and surrounding cities here.

If you are a regular reader of this San Marino real estate blog, you know that I provide monthly real estate statistics for San Marino California.

I thought that it would be fun to see what’s happening in the San Marino real estate market real time as well. Here’s a chart that will give you an at a glance look at median and average home prices, inventory and absorption, and of course price per square foot.

Let me know what you think and if you find this information useful.

By the way, if you are looking to see which homes are available for sale, take a look at the listings below or read a couple of my posts highlighting some of the newer listings at 1868 Palmas Drive in San Marino and 1104 Lorain Road in San Marino:

Yesterday, I shared my San Marino luxury home pick under $3 million.

Today, I just had to write about an absolutely charming home that was just listed for sale at $1,298,000. This English Revival is absolutely magical. It is located next to Valentine Elementary School and Huntington Middle School at 1868 Palmas Drive in San Marino.

This home is full of character inside and out. From dining room alcoves to a gorgeous fireplace to the most amazing master suite with cathedral, wood ceilings.

This San Marino beauty has been tastefully updated and features a salt water pool, an outdoor kitchen area, central air and heating.

If you are looking for a 3 bedroom character home with award winning San Marino schools, this one should not be missed.

For a private tour, call Irina at 626-627-7107 or email me at Irina@PasadenaViews.com.

There were a lot of homes on real estate broker’s caravan yesterday, but one clearly stood out. If you are in the market and have close to $3 million to spend, my pick, hands down is the colonial at 1104 Lorain in San Marino.

This San Marino luxury estate sits of a large lot - 16,400 sq. ft. It has been tastefully and beautifully updated with no expense spared or item overlooked.

It offers 5 bedrooms and four baths, a guest house, wine cellar, tennis courts, garage carousel and more.

I loved how the owners extended their living space to the outdoors with a wonderful entertainment/sitting terrace featuring a fireplace.

There’s a pool, a play house, gym and more.

This luxury property should not be missed.  This San Marino estate is offered for sale at $2,750,000.

A few more photos:

It is listed by Coldwell Banker Realty in San Marino.

For exclusive representation and tour, please call Irina at 626-627-7107 or email at Irina@PasadenaViews.com.

Interested in seeing all San Marino homes for sale, please visit San Marino Luxury Real Estate for all listings in the Multiple Listing Service.