Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 8, 2011

12

HOMES AND PROPERTY

 Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 8, 2011 

One Of A Kind: Featuring unique homes and gardens and the people whoe create them Story By Chris Bertrand Photos by Daniel Todd Dorrance


The (Fabulous) House and Views That Come with Sierra 
Madre’s Famous Wistaria Vine


Tucked up against the foothills of Sierra 
Madre is the historic Wistaria 
vine (Wistaria is the historic spelling 
of choice used by the city) that made 
Sierra Madre “famous.” Noted in the 
Guinness Book of World Records as 
the world’s largest vine, the plant rambles 
through a property recently listed by Judy and Amy Skiff 
of Dickson Podley. 

 We’ve done yearly articles on the vine and the associated 
mid-March festival in town with all the details, (http://mtnviewsnews.
com/old/mvnews/v04/MVNews_2010_03_13.
pdf on p. 18). 

 On and off for almost a century, two adjacent properties on 
Hermosa have been open for public viewing one day a year. 
The current owners have been delighted to share this “Sierra 
Madre Treasure” with the public since their purchase of the 
property in 2006.

 The first question people inevitable ask is about hosting the 
viewing in March every year. “It’s really been no trouble at all 
to host the vine viewing,” reflects the owner. “The city and the 
local Chamber have it all well organized.”

“They pay insurance during the period visitors will be onsite, 
so our liability is covered. Then it’s only a very brief time during 
the year and we get to enjoy it for months in between! 
There isn’t any requirement that we open our property on 
that one day in March. We’ve considered it a privilege. A new 
owner can choose to open it or not, BUT we’ve loved doing 
it!” 

 What Wistaria Festival visitors never see is the stunning 3520 
square foot (measured), four bedroom, three bath home that 
sits atop a sloping site affording twenty to thirty mile views 
toward downtown LA. “We get fabulous sunsets all year long 
and get to enjoy the vine from above. When in bloom it’s like 
a rolling sea of purple for a month or two,” say the owners.

Inside, the film production designer owners remodeled just 
about everything over the past five years, using their creativity, 
design and artistic backgrounds to create a soothing Sierra 
Madre sanctuary. A pale celadon and white palette on 
the bead board in the great room provides a nonintrusive 
foundation for the magnificent open beam and trussed great 
room ceiling. Skylights and lighted ceiling fans were added 
to illuminate the intricate beam patterns as well as the huge 
living and dining space.

 Old asphalt tiles were peeled up, revealing a patterned concrete 
floor which was then polished to a soft patina. An indoor 
planter box was removed in the dining area to expand 
the seating area. The tremendous fireplace creates a focal 
point on one wall, and includes a setup for a flat screen TV. 
Opposite, a wall of French doors facing the yard and views 
reflects in a soft green glow of the outside vegetation, complementary 
to the wall color. 

 Nearby a walk in nook in the owner’s office allows easy 

complete access to all technology hookups 
for media, intercom, electrical, etc. No crawling under the 
house or into the attic. It’s all neatly arranged in its own closet.

The kitchen is perfect for someone who loves to cook, with 
professional Thermador cooktop, Sub Zero and Perlick appliances, 
double ovens, stainless steel sink with pot filler, 
CaesarStone counters in a deeper shade of that celadon, The 
piece d resistance are the open cabinets. The owner specifically 
designed them for easy access during cooking with pop 
up mechanism for the mixer and slide out drawers for pots, 
canisters and supplies. 

 The main floor master suite includes a wonderful bath 
warmed in wonderful goldenrod walls, an extra deep soaking 
tub, a walk in shower with plate glass surround and gorgeous 
detail work here… and everywhere else in the home. You’ll 
find teak floors, intricate inset ceilings, gorgeous stone and 
tile work, professional 
landscape, updated electrical and plumbing, etc. In 
short… a home with character and history, with all the current 
technology, bells and whistles. 

 “We reconfigured the lower level with two bedrooms, a full 
bath and a family room with walkout access to the yard. We 
expected the kids to hang out down there, but everyone gravitates 
to our wonderful great room. It’s a fabulous welcoming 
space for small and large family and friends to gather,” said 
the owners. “All this being said, sadly we have to leave the 
area for work.”

535 N. Hermosa Avenue in Sierra Madre is offered at $1,350,000 
by Judy and Amy Skiff of Dickson Podley. For more information, 
contact them at 626-355-2384 or visit the company’s website, 
www.DicksonPodley.com. 


Proceed

with Caution

Many sellers are tempted to list For Sale By 
Owner (FSBO) because they feel home prices 
are down and they don’t want to lose one 
more penny to paying a commission. But 
with fewer than ten percent of all home sales 
falling into the FSBO category, it’s a challenging 
strategy.

 In personal terms, you’ll have to safeguard 
yourself against prospects who have not 
been screened and qualified by a professional. 
When someone calls to request a 
showing, note their caller ID and keep a log 
of visitors. Stash away prescription medications 
and valuables before showings, and 
afterwards check that all your windows and 
doors are locked.

 There are also legal considerations for your 
listing and hopefully, your eventual sales 
contract. Be sure your listing complies with 
the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination 
against buyers. If you’re unfamiliar 
with escrow and title insurance, hire 
a real estate attorney to draft, review and record 
all documents.

 This economy makes securing a loan difficult, 
so it’s wise to require a loan pre-approval 
letter from buyers before accepting 
any offers. If you really want to get attention, 
sweeten the pot by offering a two to 
three percent commission to any agent who 
brings buyers to you. FSBO is not the easiest 
route, and many impatient and frustrated 
sellers end up hiring an agent to make the 
sale happen.

Luther Tsinoglou was named the top producing 
sales agent in Dickson Podley Realtor’s 
Sierra Madre office for 2009, making the top 
10% at the company overall. Luther has been 
licensed and practicing real estate since 1992. 
He specializes in residential and income property 
in Southern California. Luther can be 
reached at his direct line (626) 695-8650 or at 
luther@tsinoglou.com.

New Cost-Saving Flood Insurance Option 
From FEMA 

 

(NAPSI)-There may be good news for residents 
and business owners in locations recently 
designated as high-risk flood areas. 
Starting in 2011, the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) low-cost 
insurance policy may be available to help 
them save on flood protection. 

Making New Insurance Requirements 
More Affordable 

Flood risks are dynamic and change over 
time due to a variety of factors, including 
changes in the natural landscape, the impacts 
of land use and development, and the 
condition of flood control structures such as 
levees. 

Since mandated by Congress in 2003, a 
multi-year effort has been underway to update 
the nation’s flood maps to reflect these 
changes. The new maps are providing more 
accurate information about where flooding 
is most likely to occur. 

As a result, many property owners are finding 
that their risk has changed and they may 
now be required to purchase flood insurance. 
Fortunately, FEMA understands the 
financial burden this may place on some 
property owners and is expanding eligibility 
for its popular lower-cost flood insurance 
policy. 

A New Insurance Option 

Beginning January 1, 2011, a new insurance 
rating option from FEMA’s National Flood 
Insurance Program (NFIP) will allow many 
property owners who previously didn’t qualify, 
to take advantage of the low-cost insurance 
for two years before they are required 
to pay standard rates. 

The program will make Preferred Risk Policies 
(PRPs), which start at just $129 a year, 
available for properties that have been newly 
mapped into high-risk areas due to a flood 
map revision on or after October 1, 2008. 

“Floods are the nation’s most costly and frequent 
natural disaster and those who are 
now in the highest risk areas really must 
have flood insurance protection. But we recognize 
the challenge of additional expenses 
in the current economy. This new option 
provides time for residents to adjust to the 
higher risk level-and continue their flood 
coverage at a more affordable rate,” said Edward 
L. Connor, Acting Federal Insurance 
and Mitigation Administrator. 

While extended eligibility for the PRP does 
not become effective until the start of the 
new year, policyholders who believe they 
may qualify should contact their insurance 
agent for further details.

After two years at the reduced PRP rates, 
policies will increase to standard rates. However, 
there are other options to reduce cost, 
including a grandfathering provision, use 
of elevation ratings and higher deductible 
policies. 

To learn more, visit http://www.floodsmart.
gov/floodsmart/pages/flooding_flood_
risks/prp_extension_for_property_owners.
jsp or call (800) 427-4661. 

Addressing Your Risk

This new option represents an important 
way to save on flood insurance for those who 
are newly required to carry it. But flooding 
routinely impacts people across the country, 
and flood insurance is recommended even 
when not legally required. FEMA encourages 
residents to learn more about their risk 
and consider flood insurance to safeguard 
their home and assets. 

PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY