7 Former Caltrans Homes Are for Sale in South Pasadena

By Dave Knight

Dave Knight, our Specialist, started his career in real estate back in 2007 and quickly became a top-producing Agent at Keller Williams.

A question we’ve been getting a lot lately is, “Dave, what’s going on with the Caltrans properties?” So here’s the story. These are homes that Caltrans acquired years ago for the long-defunct 710 Freeway extension through South Pasadena, properties that have sat off the market for decades.

The city has since purchased them from Caltrans, and our team is working with the city to sell them on the open market. That means you, or your friends and family, have a real chance to buy one.

Seven homes are available right now. There are seven properties on the market currently, with an eighth still in process and expected to list in the coming weeks. They range widely in size and condition, from right around 1,000 square feet up to nearly 5,000.

The largest is a historic Craftsman known as the Columbia House, built in 1910, the kind of home you’ve probably driven past if you’ve ever come from Pasadena down into South Pasadena. Because the homes vary so much, there’s a real range of price points and styles here, which is part of what makes this opportunity unusual.

Financing options make these more attainable. One thing I want people to know is that you don’t necessarily need all cash. The seller is considering both cash and financed offers, and because these properties vary in condition, we’ve worked to line up more resources for buyers who want to finance.

Many of these homes are expected to qualify for financing, and we’ve lined up lenders for buyers who need it. You’re welcome to use your own preferred lender, too. The point is, if not having all cash was the thing holding you back, that may not be the obstacle you thought it was.

Here’s how the process works. Our team represents the seller and the city on these properties, so a few things are worth understanding before you jump in. There will be several open houses to get you inside, and the full schedule, along with property details and offer guidelines, lives on the Multiple Listing Service and on our website.

We’ve also put together a detailed Q&A section that answers many of the questions we’ve been hearing, from financing to historical requirements on the Columbia House. Offers are due at the end of June, so if one of these homes interests you, it’s worth moving soon.

If buying one of these South Pasadena homes sounds appealing, visit our website for the full list, the open house schedule, and the complete Q&A. You can also reach me at 626-408-2890, email me at daveknight@kw.com, or find more on our blog. Come visit us at one of the open houses. Make it a great day!