I’m Justin Borges, and I specialize in architectural and character homes across Pasadena and Northeast LA. In my experience, buyers of a 1920s Pasadena Tudor look for distinctive architectural character, particularly leaded windows, decorative half-timbering and arched openings, together with records showing how the home has been maintained.
Our team’s sale of a 1926 Pasadena Tudor illustrates the price and timing of one transaction. For a buyer, the decision is whether the home’s character, condition and asking price make sense together; for a seller, clear records and an accurate presentation help buyers make that decision.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
What did our Pasadena Tudor sale show?
Our team sold a Pasadena Tudor built in 1926 with 3 bedrooms and 1,386 square feet. It sold for $1,270,000 against a list price at sale of $1,198,000: 106.0% of list, or $72,000 over, in 16 days on market. The figures come from our MLS export, checked 2026-11-09. This is one sale, not a price forecast or evidence that a particular feature caused the result.
For a broader view of our work, our MLS export and team fact pack show an average sale price of 103.6% of list across 89 closed sales, with a median of 16 days on market (MLS export dated 2026-10-29, checked 2026-11-09). Those figures cover the team’s sales, not just Tudors.
A single sale is useful because it gives a real price, size and marketing time to compare with a current listing. It does not establish a typical price range for Pasadena Tudors. Before an offer, I would look for other comparable sales and examine their condition, size and presentation alongside the asking price. For a seller, those same comparisons help frame a list price that reflects the actual home.
Talk through a Pasadena Tudor sale with me: call (213) 262-5092.
I compare size, condition and asking price before drawing conclusions from a sale. The teamwide figures give a wider view of offer competition: 103.6% of list and a median of 16 days on market.
Which details give a Tudor its character?
Start outside. Pasadena’s historic district design guidelines describe Tudor Revival homes with steep roofs, asymmetrical forms, stucco, decorative half-timbering, masonry accents and groups of tall, narrow windows, sometimes with diamond-patterned leaded panes (City of Pasadena, checked 2026-11-09). The half-timbering described there is decorative.
These details matter most when they give the whole house a coherent feel. I look at the facade from the street and then at the experience of entering the home: the shape of the opening, the light through the windows and the way the fireplace anchors a room. Photos can show each feature, but a visit lets a buyer understand how the spaces relate.
Inside, look at how the entrance, doors, fireplace and windows work together. An arched opening can give a room a sense of shape; leaded glass can bring texture to the light. Original hardware and trim add to that character. I look for details that work together across the facade and rooms, then check records for repairs and replacements. Pasadena’s guidelines identify decorative half-timbering and diamond-patterned leaded panes as Tudor Revival details.
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
How should a buyer weigh condition and price?
I start with the asking price, available records and the work the buyer is prepared to take on. Compare the documented work with unresolved issues and use the offer’s inspection and contingency terms to decide how to proceed.
Have a question about a Tudor you are considering? Text me at (213) 262-5092.
Before writing an offer, I would put the available reports and invoices next to the buyer’s priorities. Note which items have documentation, which need inspection and which are changes the buyer simply wants to make. That distinction makes it easier to discuss the home’s condition and decide what information to seek during the inspection period.
For repair and inspection questions, see the guide to common problems in Tudor Revival homes. For a starting point on price, our Pasadena sale brought $1,270,000 for 1,386 square feet.
What should a seller prepare before listing?
I advise sellers to gather reports, repair invoices, warranties and permits, address active problems where practical, and preserve sound character details. Accurate photos of the roofline, entry, windows and rooms let a buyer see how the features fit together.
When preparing a listing, I would also organize the paperwork so buyers can connect a repair to the relevant report, invoice or permit. If a record is missing, identify the gap rather than filling it with an assumption. Describe the character details accurately and let the photographs show how they appear in the rooms.
For lead disclosure, see the guide to common problems in Tudor Revival homes and the EPA and HUD source below (EPA and HUD, checked 2026-11-09). If you pay anyone to disturb painted surfaces in a pre-1978 home, EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requires a certified firm; the small-job exemption (6 square feet per room inside, 20 square feet outside) never covers window replacement (EPA, checked 2026-11-09).
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
How do buyers weigh character and future work?
I would put the windows, fireplace and entrance alongside the inspection findings and the budget for future work. A distinctive room is easier to value when the seller can show what has been maintained and repaired.
To discuss the character and condition of your home, call me at (213) 262-5092.
For buyers, the practical question is what they want to preserve and what they plan to change after moving in. Sellers can help by making existing records available early. I would review those plans and records together before assigning a budget to future work.
For designated properties, check Pasadena’s Certificate of Appropriateness requirements before planning street-visible exterior changes; the guide to common problems in Tudor Revival homes explains the process (City of Pasadena, checked 2026-11-09).
The National Park Service recommends professional work for virtually all historic leaded-glass repairs or restoration (Preservation Brief 33, checked 2026-11-09). A qualifying property can also be considered for a Mills Act contract, which carries maintenance obligations and stays with the property; Pasadena reports past participants saved 20% to 75% on their property taxes, about 50% on average (City of Pasadena, checked 2026-11-09).
Ready to move forward? Let's talk.
Frequently asked questions
What features make a Pasadena Tudor distinctive?
Look for a steep roof, decorative half-timbering, masonry accents and tall, narrow windows. Not every home has every feature, so assess the actual house rather than a checklist alone.
Should a seller replace original leaded glass?
Not automatically. Ask a qualified glass professional to assess its condition and repair options before deciding whether replacement is warranted.
What should a buyer inspect before making an offer?
Review the available records and inspection findings against your budget and the contingency terms in your offer.
For help preparing a Tudor for sale, text me at (213) 262-5092.
Should I fix every issue before listing a Tudor?
Not every issue needs a pre-listing repair. Address active problems where practical, disclose known issues, retain sound character details and keep records of completed work.
Do updated systems mean a Tudor has lost its character?
Not necessarily. A home can retain historic windows, doors and other visible details while its systems are maintained or updated. Ask for records and confirm what was actually done.
How should a seller show a Tudor in listing photos?
Show the exterior and roofline, then connect the entrance, windows, fireplace and other character details to views of the rooms. Use accurate captions and avoid describing a feature as original without support.
For a designated property, ask whether a Mills Act contract is already in place.
Sources
- Borges Real Estate Team closed-sale records, MLS export dated 2026-10-29, checked 2026-11-09
- City of Pasadena, Design Guidelines for Historic Districts, checked 2026-11-09
- National Park Service, Preservation Brief 33: Historic Stained and Leaded Glass, checked 2026-11-09
- EPA, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, checked 2026-11-09
- EPA and HUD, Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Rule Fact Sheet, checked 2026-11-09
- City of Pasadena, Mills Act - Historic Property Contract Program, checked 2026-11-10
- City of Pasadena, Historic Designations & Property Incentives, checked 2026-11-09
Justin Borges
Team Lead, The Borges Real Estate TeamDRE #01940318
With over 13 years in Southern California real estate, Justin specializes in probate sales, trust properties, and character homes. His expertise in 1031 exchanges and historic preservation has helped hundreds of clients navigate complex real estate transactions.