The statue at the trail head is one of the most unusual I’ve seen.

Here is what the Glendale City Website has to say about this statue:

The statue of Miss American Green Cross was created in 1928 as a tribute to an early 20th Century tree society and a symbol of the deforestation that was taking place across the country at that time.

After a car crashed into the statue, it was dumped behind Brand’s Castle, and laid abandoned for 30 years. Hikers discovered it in an overgrown canyon in the mid-50’s reporting that the arm of Miss American Green Cross was missing. It was assumed that vandals had carried it off. In 1981 the monument was taken to the city maintenance yard where she remained for 10 more years ~ until Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services, along with the organization Glendale Beautiful, raised money to have her restored.

The statue was created to commemorate preservation of our forests and to remind everyone that trees are a renewable resource – if you manage them properly. Even in 1928 there were forward thinking environmentalists…

Anyway, the “Ridge” is always my favorite route. It is steeper, more rugged and challenging and, frankly, shorter, than the fire road. In a couple of places you need to scramble up a short stretch with hands and feet. The Ridge dumps you out close to the abandoned reservoir and, from there, you can continue up to the towers.

Take the road less traveled.  Visit Miss American Green Cross and contemplate our forests.  You’ll be glad you did.

The article up for examination is is the latest article in the Glendale News Press about the housing market, titled “Local Foreclosures Soaring” , presumably in Glendale. If you click on the link you’ll get the story in a new window, read it along with this post.

1. Emotionally Charged Words and Phrases

First, I want you to notice the liberal use of emotionally charged words and phrases. Examples in this article are, “Home prices in Glendale and Burbank plummeted”, “foreclosures soared”, “housing troubles plague Burbank”, and, “The plunging numbers”. More neutral words, yet still accurate, are “home prices fell or declined”, “Foreclosures rose or increased”, “the falling or declining numbers”.

Let’s be honest. There is bad news. Some people are definitely getting hurt, but the sky is not falling!

2. Astronomically High Numbers

In this article watch for are astronomically high percentages. The author often cites foreclosure rates rising 418%, 127% and even 800%, and it certainly sounds like the sky is falling. The percentages are right , but it is really one foreclosure in 2007 and three or four the next year. The real story is the ratio of foreclosures to the number of home in the area or how many foreclosures here vs the number of foreclosed homes in another similarly sized area. These astronomical numbers do nothing to inform you, they only scare you.

3. Quoting experts out of context

Quoting experts out of context or changing the context is another big sin. The author quotes two knowledgeable people in this article. One is a Burbank Realtor and the other a homeowners association president. Both are quoted accurately (I checked), but the context is all wrong. Before and after the quotes the author makes a dire statement and than goes to a quote that, if read correctly, actually contradicts the statement. At one point the author says “Foreclosures shot up 800%” and then proceeds to quote Judy Graff, who says, among other things, ““If you look at actual numbers, there really aren’t necessarily as many foreclosures as you might think.” He then follows her quotes with the statement, “lenders started foreclosure proceedings on a record number of California homeowners”. By bookending Judy with two very negative statements he makes her whole statement look grim. (She is actually quite realistic and hopeful)

4. Switching Locations Without Notice

Lastly, I note that this author switches from reporting local conditions to regional and state conditions with no notice. Comments on future foreclosure proceedings relate to the entire state and the quoted economist is talking about Los Angeles County. In fact, the sub-headline is, “Experts say area’s worsening housing market has tipped the economy more toward a recession.” This is a quote from the economist talking about Los Angeles County! And the reader still thinks we are talking about Glendale and Burbank.

I learned in college that the mass media has to pander to the audience and the audience wants bad news. And, as much as I idealize journalism as a place for fair and balanced reporting, neutral language and a straight recitation of the facts is boring. However, we, as an informed public, must learn critical reading skills. Accept that the media is looking for the most salable angle in every story. The media is not there to inform or enlighten – they are there to survive.

Continue to read, it is your gateway to knowledge, but never forget to ask questions.

Northwest Glendale Real Estate Hot Sheet

Click here for chart explanation and disclaimer

300 Parkwood Dr.

The inventory continues to get smaller – and this is a good thing! 300 Parkwood has always been one of my favorite little gems, and now someone agrees with me. Delightful ranch style homes like this are rare in Northwest Glendale and this one has a dramatic family room and pool and will make a great home for the new buyer!

853 Omar is finally sold. This is a rare short sale that actually got bank approval of the short and closed escrow. Congratulations!

I think the new “pine tree” at the HWY 134/2 Interchange is hilarious. In fact, where ever I see these things I laugh out loud. Don’t see what I’m giggling about? Here’s a close up:

The cell phone companies decorate their towers to look like trees and I think they do a pretty good job, too. You know the wireless industry would not do this voluntarily. These faux trees exist because of the concerned citizens who want to keep urban blight down to a minimum. I am very grateful for this particular tower. I go up and down the 2 a zillion times a day, it seems, and now I get cell reception the entire trip – using my hands free headset, of course!!

Northwest Glendale Real Estate Hot Sheet

Click here for chart explanation and disclaimer

We were bound to get new listings at some point… let’s talk!

1439 Columbus is a bank owned home and we are really glad to see it on the market!  This home deserves a loving, stable buyer and an end to all the weird comings and goings its had in the past.  There are only 2 pictures and both are of the front of the home.  This always makes me wonder, is the rest of the house so awful it’s best not to post pictures or is the agent just lazy?

1316 Winchester is just funny.  No picture at all.  (I slurped this photo from the previous listing) No description.  The only comment the agent makes is “possible short sale”.  Since they tried to sell it late last year for $1,150,000 I’m thinking the “possible” means the agent has no idea if she will get short sale approval.

217 Cumberland Rd. is on that offshoot near Central Ave.  The good part of the home is the stunning, jet liner views and authentic, un-muddled mid century details.  But the driveway is scary, the space at the top to turn around minuscule and there is almost no outdoor space, front back or sides.  If you are a quiet, private buyer who craves soul feeding views, this home could be for you.

1231 Linden is back on the market.  Anyone who knows me knows that I think price per square foot is a potentially dangerously misleading number.  Still, at $286 a square you gotta wonder.  I think a smell a ****deal alert ****!!

Northwest Glendale Real Estate Hot Sheet

Click here for chart explanation and disclaimer

Last week was a teeny bit hectic, as you might imagine.  But, my team and I are are happily ensconced in our new space in Glendale.  I’ll  post pictures soon!

The chart, above, is for Wednesday/Thursday of last week.  The only one really interesting on the chart is 1410 Birch.  This is very nice home in a cute section of Northwest Glendale.  Price is ok for the square footage, but will anyone pay that much for a 2 bedroom?

Over the weekend 2 very notable listings came on the market.  The first is actually a very old listing.  1542 Valley View.  This home, right on the corner of Valley View and Cumberland has been “under construction” for literally years.  This was originally listed nearly a year ago by a large volume agent and the price was $1,849,000.   Today, the price is $1,799,000.  This is less than a 1% drop.  Now, I said values had dropped how much in 91202?  Oh, right, 6%.  So, if the house didn’t sell at $1,849,000, it was over priced.  With this latest drop it is now 5% above over priced!  But it is now listed with a Sudio City agent.  Yep – those valley people will definently pay more than the home is worth, right?

The second home is a landmark property.  715 W. Kenneth Rd. sits on 52,000 sf of flat land on a prestigious location.  Living space is 5,000 sf and includes a 2 bedroom guest apartment.  The pictures are very unfortunate, they don’t show the grandeur of the home and grounds.  However, I’m pretty sure this is a hard home to capture on film.  Too bad the agent didn’t hire a professional to photograph this.  List price is $2,750,000.  Seems high, to me.  But this is a unique and special property and there has not been this much flat land available in a very long time.  For the right buyer I think there is tremendous value!