From Business Week, posted by Chris Palmeri on October 22:
“California home sales are soaring. What? Aren’t we in the middle of a credit crunch and mortgage industry meltdown?
Bargain shoppers are snapping up distressed property, according to real estate researcher DataQuick. In Northern California sales were up 40% in September, the largest jump in six years. In Southern California sales were up 65%, the largest such increase on record.
While sales are up, those results are from last year’s depressed levels. Prices are still falling. In Northern California prices fell 40% to $400,000 on average. Down South, prices fell 33% to $308,000, an amount not seen in five years. Half of all sales were foreclosures.
If you’re thinking of snapping up that historic Victorian in San Fran or a swanky pad on Malibu’s Billionaire’s Beach for a song, think again. Prices in the most desirable areas haven’t fallen that much. In Frisco the average home will still set you back $675,000, down 12% in the past year. In Los Angeles, prices seem much lower, down 31% to an average of $360,000, but that reflects a lot of working class neighborhoods where prices have fallen most dramatically.
Even the California Association of Realtors, not exactly a group of real estate doomsayers, figures Golden State property values will continue to tumble. The Realtors forecast that prices will decline 6% next year to a statewide median of $350,000. That’s after a 32% drop in 2008.”
Halloween is Here Again
Local events and activities sponsored by the city to celebrate the spooky season:
Bring your preschoolers ages 3 to 5 for trick-or-treat tales to the Children’s Story Room at Pasadena Central Library on Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. The library is located on 285 E. Walnut St. (626) 744-4389.
The Halloween Festival at Victory Park Center, northeast corner of Altadena Drive and Paloma Street, will feature games, arts and crafts, costume contest, haunted house, haunted patio and more on Saturday October 25, 5 to 8 p.m.. Haunted House is $2 and game tickets are 10 for $1. (626) 744-7500.
On Wednesday, October 29, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m., children ages 5 to 12 will enjoy Halloween Storytime at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. (626) 744-7262.
Bring your preschoolers ages 3 to 5 for not-so-scary stories, treats, and a craft at Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Avenue on Wednesday, October 29, 10:30 a.m.. (626) 744-7260.
Children ages 5 to 12 will enjoy not-too-scary “Goosebumps” movies and sweet treats at Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave on Wednesday, October 29, 4 p.m.. (626) 744-7264.
Families with children ages 2 to 13 are invited to a safe event at Pasadena Police Department, 207 N. Garfield Ave. on Wednesday, October 29, 6 to 9 p.m. The event features Officer McGruff the Crime-Fighting Dog, the popular film “Haunted Mansion,” treats, goody bags, costume contest, safety information and fingerprinting. (626) 744-7650.
Children over 10 years old will spine-tingling and hair-raising tales told by local storyteller Leslie Perry at Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave. on Thursday, October 30, 4 p.m. (626) 744-7260.
Enjoy Halloween at Washington Park, southeast corner of El Molino Avenue and Washington Blvd, with pumpkin carving, face painting, costume contests, arts and crafts, music, treats and more on Friday, October 31, 2 to 4 p.m. (626 744-8332.
Grab bags, costume contest, games and prizes are among the activities at Villa-Park Community Center’s Halloween Festival, 363 E. Villa St. on Friday, October 31, 5 to 7 p.m. (626)744-6523.
A Halloween festival at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. on Friday, October 31, 5 to 7:30 p.m., will include arts and crafts, treats, face painting, food, a costume contest and more. (626) 744-7330.
Be sure to check out Kidspace on October 25 and 26 for their Pumpkin Festival:
Kidspace Children’s Museum celebrates the fall season with their family-friendly carnival from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Brookside Park in Pasadena. The Pumpkin Festival is presented by Nestle USA and includes children’s costume parades, face decorating, live performances, a petting zoo and pony rides, crafts, games, and a pumpkin patch.
Admission is free and the community is invited to attend. To see a schedule of events click here.
