4174 Ramona Dr., Riverside

[ SOLD for $274,500 -- 8/12/2011 ]   Two on a lot!  This Wood Streets home, and guest apartment, were built in 1938 by the current owner’s grandfather!  This home has been in the same family for SEVENTY-THREE (73) years!  One of the nicest cul-de-sac streets in the historic Wood Streets neighborhood, with long-time residents, beautiful neighboring homes, and a front-row seat to enjoy the Mt. Rubidoux fireworks every 4th of July!  This is a great investment property — positive cash flow!!!

The main house is approximately 1500 square feet, with two large bedrooms, and two bathrooms.  Hardwood floors grace the living room and formal dining room.  The kitchen was updated in the 1980′s and boasts a large walk-in pantry, dishwasher and nook area.  Central air/heat unit only a few years old.  The exterior was painted only two years ago.  The pool-sized back yard spreads out behind the apartment, and there’s also an old-fashioned brick barbecue.

The apartment house is permitted, has approximately 500 square feet living space, including a kitchen and bedroom.  This unit sits atop a 2-car garage; there is also a separate 2-car garage, making that FOUR garages total!  Those with vintage cars or toys would appreciate the garage space!

This home is a standard sale.  No banks to deal with.

 

       

4540 Linwood Pl., Riverside

[ SOLD for $210,000 -- 6/10/2011 ]   “Wood Streets” mid-century home in very good and original condition; mostly original with the exception of a lovely master bedroom suite which was added (and permitted) 22 years ago!  Approximately 1400 sq ft, this well-maintained home has been in the same family for 56 years.  Home was built in 1951 and current owner purchased it in 1955.

Interior features: Central heat and air conditioning!  Three good-size bedrooms, two of which have the lovely hardwood floors exposed.  Living room with fireplace, large picture window, and hardwood floors under carpeting.  Two bathrooms in very good condition.  Kitchen with tile counter tops, convenient nook area, and built-in ironing board.  Large indoor laundry room.

Exterior features:  Detached two-car garage with automatic roll-up door and drywalled interior.  Pool-sized backyard approximately 8300 sq ft (.19/acre).  Driveway is long enough for RV parking if needed.

This home is a standard sale — no bank to deal with.  All offers will be looked at and responded to immediately.

[ For more detailed information about this mid-century home,
slide your cursor over each photograph.
Click on photo for close-up view! ]

     

Earth Hour

Tonight (Saturday, March 26, 2011) for one full hour at 8:30 p.m. lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour. In 2010, over 128 countries participated and people from all walks of life turned off their lights. The goal is to reflect beyond the hour and think about what you can change in your daily life that will benefit the planet.

Please join us in working together to create a better future.  Our actions can add up.

Going Green in Honor of St. Patrick’s Day

Nowadays, the world is all about ‘going green’ in our actions by recycling, using less water, etc. With a million messages coming at us from all areas (news, politics, fashion, and even technology), it’s easy to get caught up in the big picture without realizing how your actions stack up.

The truth is, that everything we do every day has an impact on the planet — good or bad.  The good news is that as an individual you have the power to control most of your choices and, therefore, the impact you create.  By embracing a greener lifestyle, you can also improve your health, pad your bank account, and ultimately, improve your overall quality of life.

We always make an effort to go green whenever possible: our newsletters that we distribute to our neighborhood (the historic “Wood Streets” in Riverside, California) are printed on recycled and recyclable paper, we ride our bicycles whenever possible, we use CFL (compact fluorescent) light bulbs, use off-peak electricity, wash laundry in cold water, pay bills online, shop with reusable bags, drink from stainless steel reusable water bottles, and shop at farmer’s markets.

We wish everyone a HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY – whether you swig a green drink, wear a green shirt, or perform a green deed like recycling plastic bottles!

19th Annual Walk With The Animals

Now in its 19th year, the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center’s “Walk With The Animals” will take place at Fairmount Park near the band shell area from 8:00 a.m. to noon.  The event is free and open to the public.  

Walk participants are encouraged to collect pledges to sponsor their effort.  There are categories for individuals, groups, adults, and youth.  To register as a pledge walker, call (951) 688-4340 ext. 307 or go to www.petsadoption.com. 

If you can’t walk, or don’t have a dog to walk, yet want to be part of the event, then register as a “Cat Napper.”  On event day, while you sleep in with your kitty, you’ll know that you contributed to helping care for the Pet Adoption Center’s homeless cats and dogs. If you decide to attend the event instead of sleeping in, we’ll see you there!  Free water and first aid will be available for both pets and people. 

Before the walk, participants can take part in a jazzercise warm-up; other events include a pancake breakfast, Urban Search and Rescue demonstration, exhibits, boutique and bake sale for pets and people, raffle prizes, low-cost vaccinations and microchips.  Participation in the pledge walk is not required to attend this event.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (PAC), is the largest no-kill pet adoption organization in Riverside County, and is a non-profit, public benefit charitable organization serving communities in Riverside County and beyond.  Don’t forget to visit www.petsadoption.com for more information, or to adopt a “forever friend.”

 We’ve already donated and plan on attending with our dogs, so we’ll see you there!

Daylight Saving Time

It’s that time again!  Time to set your clocks ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2011 (before you go to sleep Saturday night).

This is usually the time of year most people change the batteries in their smoke detectors.  It may be a good idea to buy a carbon monoxide detector this year, if you don’t already have one.

Remember, “fall back” and “spring forward.”

3732 Ramona Dr., Riverside

[ SOLD for $235,000 -- 4/22/2011 ]   This historical California Bungalow was built in 1917 and has been in the same family for over 50 years!  A ‘standard’ sale, this 3 bedroom (plus upstairs bonus room), 2 bathroom home has been well-maintained all these years, and is “clean as a whistle”.  From the classic curb appeal with large front porch to the pool-sized backyard, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything wrong with this home!

In addition to the old-world charm, you’ll enjoy the approximate 1500 square feet of living space, the 2-year-old central air/heat system, hardwood floors under freshly cleaned carpet, gas log fireplace, indoor laundry room, and sparkling clean original double-hung windows, some with multiple upper lights.  The large formal dining room wouldn’t be complete without the original built-in hutch, along with a window seat, perfect for storing your table leaf, blankets, linens, decorations, etc.

The serene pool-sized backyard (lot size 7840 sq ft) is bursting with citrus trees (lemon, navel orange, Valencia orange and grapefruit) along with a covered patio, 2-car detached garage and an RV access gate off the alley.  You will also be able to view the annual Mt. Rubidoux fireworks from the front porch!

This home has also been designated a City of Riverside “Structure of Merit“, which means this home “materially benefits the historic, architectural or aesthetic character of the neighborhood”.

This home is a STANDARD sale (not a short sale, not a bank repo).

5444 Tower Rd., Riverside

SOLD for $200,000   Well-maintained ranch-style pool home in the Wood Streets neighborhood on a corner lot, with an attached 2-car garage, bonus room, 3 bedrooms, 1.75 bathrooms, hardwood floors, central air/heat, indoor laundry, and a covered patio overlooking the inground pool, perfect for entertaining. 

This home is a short sale (pre-foreclosure).