Fall in Love with Pasadena: Must-See Sights & Hidden Gems

Pasadena, Los Angeles, represents Southern California living with its Rose Bowl, floral gardens, and charming neighborhoods. Pasadena homes for sale offer a variety of architectural types and amenities. This city has something for everyone, from Linda Vista’s historic estates to Bungalow Heaven’s Craftsman bungalows. The city’s real estate market has long been a dynamic Southern California participant, with consistent appreciation and a distinct blend of traditional and contemporary homes.

Buying a home in Pasadena

Tips for buying a home in Pasadena include:

Get Double Qualified

Many South Pasadena homebuyers need a trustworthy lender to finance the gap between the negotiated purchase price and their down payment. Instead of gaining loan approval from one lender, you apply twice. First with your favorite lender, then with a backup. When consumers see the name of a lender who was slow or difficult to work with on a past transaction, they may be less reluctant to cooperate with them again. Listing two lenders protects the seller and seller’s agent from a bad loan.

Increase Down Payment to 30%+

Home sellers will worry that any offer contingent on financing will fail if the home appraises for less than the agreed purchase price when prices rise rapidly. Increasing your down payment assures the seller that a low appraisal would not damage you. A more significant down payment shows the seller you’re a serious buyer who stands out.

Get a Professional Home Inspection Before Bidding

Most professional house inspections are done after an offer is accepted, but you can get an edge by organizing one with the seller and seller’s agent before submitting your offer. If the home inspection finds no significant faults, you can make a purchase offer without a home inspection. This benefits the seller by speeding up the sale by eliminating one step in the closing process and ensuring that you won’t return later to ask for price concessions or costly repairs to fix inspection issues.

Move fast

Join an alert system to receive South Pasadena house listings as soon as they are listed. Why act so quickly? To prevent competitors from outbidding you. Home sellers often schedule a date to review all offers simultaneously, but they may also accept the first reasonable offer for the whole amount. Based on limited time visiting and evaluating the property, you’ll have to decide to get the edge, so be informed on the South Pasadena housing market inventory and pricing.

Exciting activities in Pasadena

Huntington Library offers books and botany

This destination requires a full day to explore: There’s plenty to see, including the art, library, outdoor spaces, and refurbished tea room, but it’s best experienced slowly rather than in a rush. Most of the estate’s grounds and collections are significant, from a Gutenberg Bible to The Blue Boy to a beautiful Chinese garden.

Pretend you’re at Pasadena City Hall.

Pasadena City Hall’s massive circular tower sets the tone for the city’s richness, elegance, and unusually well-preserved architectural history for SoCal. Its 206-foot centerpiece, a collection of arches and domes, is best seen up close but visible from town. Walk into the rose-filled courtyard to see John Bakewell and Arthur Brown’s 1927 Renaissance-inspired design. Parks and Recreation used the structure as Pawnee City Hall.

Eaton Canyon Falls hike

On weekdays, you can park next to a shortcut and hike one of the most accessible routes in the Pasadena Natural Park, where you’ll feel like you’ve entered the woods. This waterfall trek has weekend crowds, damaged rocks, and rubbish. However, it’s one of the few places in L.A. to follow water through a forest.

Visit the Norton Simon Museum

The late 1990s Norton Simon restoration by Frank Gehry enhanced the museum’s profile and expanded its collection, giving it additional room and a peaceful, uncomplicated atmosphere. The museum is most recognized for its Old Masters collection, including Rembrandt, Brueghel, and Frans Hals. The French impressionists include Monet, Manet, and Renoir. After seeing the temporary exhibits, visit the excellent sculpture park.