Altadenablog welcomes new members to its sponsorship team, Baietti-Seyffert Realtors.
For the real estate team of Michael Baietti and Linda Seyffert, becoming the #1 Realtors in Altadena was a genuine labor of love. Talk to them for a few minutes and it becomes clear that their devotion to Altadena goes far beyond the operations of their business.
"My tagline used to be living, working, and loving Altadena," says Baietti. "That's really what it was. Living here and wanting to be a part of it, and wanting to promote it."
Both Baietti and Seyffert have been Realtors for thirteen years, and they have been partners for the last six and a half. Baietti says that Baietti-Seyffert now sells more real estate in Altadena than their top two competitors combined. Baietti admits that their success was a result of deliberate effort to become the top agent in Altadena. They have always been with Dickson Podley Realtors and have no plans of ever changing companies.
"Dickson Podley Realtors is a very modern, progressive organization operating in the old-fashioned family business style," says Baietti.
There are many parallels between what attracts them to Dickson Podley and what they love about Altadena, particularly an attractive balance between progressivism and a small-town feel. Both Baietti and Seyffert have lived in Altadena for many years (Baietti no longer does), and have come to love not only the physical beauty of the unique homes and foothill landscape, but also Altadenans themselves.
"In Altadena, we do what other people talk about," says Baietti, "We actually live with each other. We're a microcosm of American diversity and we all get along."
"And I think it draws people who are attracted to that," Seyffert adds. "That is one of the things I tell people I'm working with. It's a very embracing community."
Both Baietti and Seyffert admit that one of the challenges they face as Realtors in the area is dispelling preconceived notions about the community. Baietti especially laments those who think the charm and beauty of Altadena doesn't continue west of Lake Avenue. One of Baietti's goals when he decided to focus on Altadena real estate was to enhance the perception of the west side, where he lived. One way he did this was by founding Janes Village, a community group devoted to celebrating the work of Elisha P. Janes, who in the mid-1920s designed and built the high-peaked, English-style houses that can be found in clusters around western Altadena.
Many of Baietti-Seyffert's clients are impressed with the fact that every house in Altadena is different, and Baietti and Seyffert acknowledge that the diversity of building styles is a credit to their business.
The real estate team has also taken on community beautification personally. Several years ago they organized a project to plant more shade trees in certain Altadena neighborhoods.
"We invented the fact that there was an anonymous donor who wanted to buy street trees for Altadena streets who didn't have them, when the truth is we were the ones who bought the trees," Baietti says. Seyffert, Baietti, and Baietti's gardener planted California native sycamores in the yards of those who did not object to the plan. The trees, which add color to the landscape when their leaves change every fall, continue to flourish along many Altadena streets. Baietti-Seyffert is also an annual supporter of the concerts in Farnsworth Park hosted by the Altadena Sheriff's Support Group.
Despite the roots that Baietti and Seyffert have planted in Altadena, neither of them are originally from California. Baietti was raised in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He moved to Altadena from Long Island, New York, after visiting his parents, who had bought a house here. Baietti's father was the pastor at Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church on Glenrose Avenue for many years, and Baietii remains a member of the church. He also served on the board of Altadena Heritage and the Pasadena Symphony. He was also involved with fundraising at the now defunct Bienvenidos Children's Center and was on the marketing Committee for the Pasadena Symphony for a number of years.
Seyffert is originally from Cleveland and was inspired to move to Altadena when a broken water main destroyed her home in Mt. Washington. Seyffert has lived in Altadena for seventeen years with her husband and raised her two children here. She has served on the board of the Altadena Nursery school and has volunteered as a referee for American Youth Soccer Organization. She and her family are members of All Saints Church, where her children sing in the choir.
In Altadena's future Baietti and Seyffert hope to see continued beautification and renovation, such as the sports facilities at Loma Alta Park and store front renovations along Fair Oaks Avenue. They also hope to see a return to community schools, and cited the success of charter schools such as Odyssey and Aveson.
"[It would be great] if we could get back to community schools where people walk out their front doors and down the block to go to school, and walk home with their friends again in the afternoon," says Baietti. "There has to be a balance between supporting the schools and the schools being worthy of support."
Baietti and Seyffert work primarily as listing agents, but they also represent buyers. They work with a part-time assistant out of a distinctive office on Altadena Drive that resembles a Tudor cottage. Seyffert says the building has always been a real estate office and has been attributed to famous Southern California architect Sylvanus Marston. They also work with a marketer who does not share the office with them.
Baietti and Seyffert acknowledge that real estate has been a difficult business to be in for the last couple years, but it is a battle they share with everyone in their line of work. Their obvious devotion to the community makes it obvious that they will continue to help families find new homes in the Altadena for years to come.
Baietti-Seyffert's offices are located at 1471 Altadena Drive. They can be reached by telephone at (626) 791-2800.
