Today, we have a special guest, Laurie March of Improvemental, interior designer and a “rapid renovator” extraordinaire.
Laurie has been an integral part of my team helping my home buyers and home sellers with renovations, updates and design consultations. She will be joining us for our Foreclosure Fridays as we visit bank owned properties.
Today, we’ll be taking a look at an REO that was just listed in the Bungalow Heaven area of Pasadena. Bungalow Heaven is one of the Landmark Districts of Pasadena and is known for its 800 or so craftsman style bungalows – many of which were built for as little as $5,500 from a kit, in the early 1900s.
Read More: Do homes in Landmark District of Pasadena demand higher prices?
742 North Chester Avenue, Pasadena California: Bungalow Heaven Bank Owned Home
I was very excited to see this property come up on the market.
First, it is in Bungalow Heaven and we do not see too many foreclosures in this area. Second, it is a character home, a craftsman, which is very much in demand by home buyers. It looked very promising on the MLS and both Laurie and I couldn’t wait to see it.
However, pricing is a bit of an issue here. Usually, we see bank owned homes priced a bit below market to ensure a quick sale. This home was priced towards the high end of the price range looking at the price per square foot and the median home price for 3 bedrooms and 1 bath in the Bungalow Heaven area.
READ MORE: Pasadena Foreclosure Statistics and Historical Overview
As we toured the home, see the video below, it was clear that it was full of potential and charm, but definitely needed significant renovations.
This real estate broker’s opinion? This home is overpriced given the amount of “loving” that it needs.
Listing Price: $554,900
Listing #: C10009014
3 bedrooms and 1 bath with 1,408 sq. ft. Lot size is 7,450 sq. ft. per assessor.
Price per Square Foot: $394.11
UPDATE: Sold for $515,000 on May 3, 2010
Information gathered from the Pasadena Multiple Listing Service as presented by South Hills Properties, Inc.
So take a walk with us through this bank owned bungalow:
Interested in seeing more Pasadena foreclosure homes? Visit Pasadena foreclosure homes for sale.
If you are interested in buying this home or would like to begin your home search, give us a call at 626-629-8439. We look forward to helping you find your next home in Pasadena or any of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Have a question for Laurie? A construction or an interior design project that you need help with? You can find her on HGTV now!
See additional homes for sale in the Bungalow Heaven as they are listed for sale by real estate agents:
- Sat, 14 Jun 2025 22:26:00 +0000: $1,599,000 :: 1000 N Chester Avenue, Pasadena CA, 91104 - Bungalow Heaven Homes for Sale
3 beds, 3.5 baths
Home size: 1,757 sq ft
Lot Size: 9,514 sq ft
Added: 05/15/25, Last Updated: 06/14/25
Property Type: Single Family
MLS Number: BB25130022
Community: 646 - Pasadena (NE)
Status: Active
Welcome to this Bungalow Heaven house with an ADU! Come and visit this gorgeous home in the highly desired area of the Historic Bungalow Heaven. Located on a tree lined street, as you pull up you will notice the native plant landscaping and long driveway. Upon entering take note of the beautiful wood floors and spacious living room with a decorative fireplace and plenty of natural light coming from the bay window. This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home has efficiently used its space and has plenty of storage spaces throughout. The bathrooms are beautifully updated. The kitchen is perfect for any of your culinary endeavors with sandstone counters, stainless steel appliances with the entrance to the backyard. The exterior of this home is thoughtfully designed for California-style outdoor living, featuring a serene pergola with black net curtains, remote-controlled infrared heaters, soothing fountains, a jacuzzi, fire pit, ambient lighting, fruit trees, and dedicated garden spaces. Tucked at the rear of the property is a permitted Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) with its own address is a terrific flexible space with an open floor plan, kitchenette, and full bathroom. Whether you're hosting guests, working from home, generating rental income or just wanting extra space, the ADU can add value and versatility to your new home. Solar panels and an EV charger make this home efficient as well as beautiful. More upgrades to note are both the roof and HVAC systems were installed in 2022, gutters on the main house & ADU, 2 sheds, Stil 7 hot tub and much more!
Listed with Grace Miranda CalDRE: N | 818-570-1255, Keller Williams Realty World Media Center
Brought to you by Irina Netchaev, Pasadena Views Real Estate Team Inc. Call me today at 626-627-7107, or visit my website at www.pasadenaviews.com/free-home-search/! - Wed, 11 Jun 2025 20:46:00 +0000: $1,495,000 :: 898 N Chester Avenue, Pasadena CA, 91104 - Bungalow Heaven Homes for Sale
3 beds, 1.75 baths
Home size: 1,396 sq ft
Lot Size: 7,698 sq ft
Added: 05/27/25, Last Updated: 06/11/25
Property Type: Single Family
MLS Number: 25529607
Community: 646 - Pasadena (NE)
Status: Conditional
Looking for your slice of Heaven? Find out how deliciously sweet life can be residing at 898 N Chester Avenue within the Bungalow Heaven Landmark District in Pasadena. Among the sixteen-block area, developed primarily between 1888 and 1929, this Spanish Colonial Revival built in 1921 offers 3-bedrooms and 2-bathrooms within 1,396 sq ft of pure pride of ownership. A magnificent magnolia tree greets you telling the tales of time as you walk up to the front porch and step inside. Enter into the living room with fireplace, wood-framed casement windows, original hardwood floors, and architectural details such as the arch cut-outs between the living and dining rooms, providing visual connections defining the style, while creating a sense of openness between spaces. Consider the soulful attributes from the past including the original built-in buffet in the spacious dining room, and through a wall of French-doors you find an outdoor patio. Take in tasteful improvements and upgrades, such as the new kitchen with quartz countertops and new appliances with a large wall of windows providing constant northern light exposure throughout the day. Get cozy in your breakfast nook and enjoy having morning coffee or afternoon tea with a book. A breezeway off the kitchen leading to the garage accommodates the laundry room with washer and dryer. Located off of the kitchen, there is an additional updated guest bathroom with shower. A central hallway off the dining room leads to the sleeping area with three comfortably-sized bedrooms. Wooden louvered interior shutters allow control balanced light while allowing airflow. The main bathroom has been remodeled with fresh ceramic tile and vanity. Additional storage can be found in the California basement along with the new water heater. The home has recently received a fresh coat of paint. Several systems including a newer roof, copper plumbing and a new HVAC with new ducting, furnace, condenser, IWAV ozone filter and HEPA filter, installed in 2024 have been outfitted to this home, including 220-amps for electric vehicles. The cherry on top of this slice of California paradise? The corner-lot bungalow sits on a generous 7,698 sq ft lot, designed for effortless outdoor entertaining. Step into a beautifully xeriscaped backyard where low-maintenance composite granite pathways wind through drought-tolerant native plants, all softly lit by ambient outdoor lighting. Whether you're lounging under the redwood pergola, gathered around the cozy fire pit, or enjoying a meal at the picnic area with sweeping mountaintop views, every moment here celebrates California's outdoor lifestyle. But that's just the beginning. With multiple entertainment zones already in place, there's still ample space to expand - add an ADU, a garden, or more lounging areas. Pass along the streets lined with large mature California live oaks and camphor trees and enter through an automated gate to a finished two-car garage, with room to park additional vehicles with ease. This home offers the perfect blend of history, relaxation, and utility. Just two blocks away from McDonald Park. Enjoy the bounty of neighborhood businesses, such as, Millie's Cafe, Roma Market, Bacchus Kitchen + Wine Bar, Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar, Seed Bakery, Madeline Garden Bistro & Venue, Bistro 45, Union Restaurant, The Gourmet Cobbler Factory, Fika Fika Coffee, Bloomfield Creamery and Erewhon. Come see what Heaven is really like.
Listed with Steven Ward CalDRE: N | 213-305-8537, Sotheby's International Realty
Brought to you by Irina Netchaev, Pasadena Views Real Estate Team Inc. Call me today at 626-627-7107, or visit my website at www.pasadenaviews.com/free-home-search/!
PASADENA VIEWS REAL ESTATE TEAM
Pasadena Real Estate Agents
(626)629-VIEW(8439)
