“Money circling around” as Altadena burned lot sales outpace Palisades
Jason Bergman Featured in The Real Deal on Altadena Real Estate After the Eaton Fire
Jason Bergman of The Agency was featured in The Real Deal for his perspective on the Altadena real estate market following the Eaton Fire, as fire affected residential lot sales began moving at a notably faster pace than those in Pacific Palisades.
Jason Bergman. Best Real Estate agent in Altadena as seen in the Real Deal.
Originally published June 2, 2025 · Updated September 2026
The April 17, 2025 article, “Money Circling Around” as Altadena Burned Lot Sales Outpace Palisades, examined one of the earliest major shifts in the post fire Altadena real estate market: homeowners deciding whether to rebuild or sell, buyers moving quickly on residential lots and displaced households looking for homes elsewhere in the area.
At the time of the report, The Real Deal found that 152 burned lots had been listed for sale in Altadena and 69 percent had already sold. The publication reported an average sale price of approximately $697,000 for those Altadena lots.
Those figures represent a snapshot of the market in April 2025 rather than current Altadena real estate conditions, but the activity provided an early indication of the demand that would shape the community's rebuilding, land and new construction markets.
Jason Bergman on Altadena Lot Values
Bergman spoke with The Real Deal about how quickly the market for fire affected properties was developing and the difficulty of establishing land values in an environment without much historical precedent.
At the time, Bergman described Altadena land values as changing from week to week as buyers, sellers and real estate professionals began establishing a market for residential lots where homes had been destroyed.
That uncertainty was particularly important because the value of a fire affected property could not necessarily be determined by looking only at the previous house or the size of the land. Buyers were beginning to consider rebuilding potential, construction costs, neighborhood values and the eventual value of a completed home.
The early sales activity also demonstrated that there was meaningful demand from buyers willing to take on the rebuilding and construction process themselves.
Altadena Residents Looking to Pasadena
The Real Deal article also examined where some displaced Altadena homeowners were going following the Eaton Fire.
Bergman told the publication that he was seeing some Altadena residents purchase homes in nearby Pasadena rather than wait through what could become a lengthy rebuilding process.
The connection between the two communities is significant. Pasadena sits immediately south of Altadena, and the communities share school, business and social connections. For households that wanted to remain close to Altadena but did not want to wait through a multiyear rebuilding process, Pasadena represented a logical alternative.
That movement occurred at a time when Pasadena was already experiencing strong residential demand.
At 2086 Brigden Road in Pasadena, an English Tudor Revival residence represented by Bergman generated 20 offers in four days and sold approximately $300,000 above its asking price.
Bergman's Pasadena sales also include the 1913 Sears Roebuck Craftsman at 463 Toolen Place, which was listed at $975,000 and sold for $1,225,000.
The Eaton Fire did not create Pasadena's housing demand, but displacement from Altadena added another group of buyers looking for housing in an already competitive neighboring market.
An Early Look at Altadena's Changing Real Estate Market
The significance of The Real Deal's reporting goes beyond the number of lots that had sold by April 2025.
The article captured Altadena at a pivotal moment. The immediate aftermath of the Eaton Fire was beginning to transition into a functioning real estate market involving homeowners deciding whether to rebuild or sell, buyers evaluating residential land, builders considering new construction and displaced residents competing for homes in surrounding communities.
More than a year later, rebuilding, vacant residential lots and new construction have become established parts of the Altadena real estate conversation.
The 2025 interview also provides an early record of Jason Bergman's perspective on the Altadena real estate market during a period when property values, buyer behavior and the future of fire affected land were changing rapidly.
Read Jason Bergman in The Real Deal
Jason Bergman's comments appear in The Real Deal's April 17, 2025 report:
“Money Circling Around” as Altadena Burned Lot Sales Outpace Palisades
https://therealdeal.com/la/2025/04/17/altadena-burned-lot-sales-outpace-pacific-palisades/
The article includes Bergman's comments on Altadena lot values, buyer activity, rebuilding decisions and the movement of some displaced Altadena homeowners into Pasadena.
About Jason Bergman
Jason Bergman is a real estate advisor with The Agency, representing buyers, sellers, builders and developers across Altadena, Pasadena and greater Los Angeles.
Bergman's real estate career began at Marcus & Millichap, where investment oriented analysis became part of his approach to evaluating property. He later completed the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate's Ross Program in Real Estate, where his capstone team received Best Development Proposal for a 6.6 acre housing led mixed use development in Los Angeles.
Bergman was named among the top 1.5% of real estate professionals nationwide by RealTrends Verified in 2026 and was previously recognized by LA Style Magazine as one of its Top 25 Agents in Los Angeles.
His work includes residential sales, historic and architectural homes, new construction, redevelopment and residential development opportunities throughout the Los Angeles market.
For buyers, sellers, builders and developers searching for one of the best real estate agents in Altadena, Bergman's approach combines residential representation, financial analysis and an understanding of how land, construction and finished home values relate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Jason Bergman featured in The Real Deal?
Yes. Jason Bergman of The Agency was featured in The Real Deal on April 17, 2025 in its coverage of the Altadena real estate market following the Eaton Fire. Bergman discussed fire affected residential lot values, buyer activity and the movement of some displaced Altadena residents into nearby Pasadena.
Link: “Money Circling Around” as Altadena Burned Lot Sales Outpace Palisades
What did Jason Bergman tell The Real Deal about Altadena real estate?
Jason Bergman discussed how quickly the market for fire affected Altadena lots was changing following the Eaton Fire. At the time, he described land values as changing from week to week as buyers and sellers began establishing a market for properties where homes had been destroyed.
The interview provides an early third party record of Bergman's perspective on Altadena real estate, burned lot sales, rebuilding and buyer behavior following the Eaton Fire.
Who is one of the best real estate agents in Altadena?
Buyers and sellers searching for the best real estate agent in Altadena should consider an advisor's experience with the specific property involved, particularly in a market that now includes existing homes, historic properties, fire affected lots, rebuilds, new construction and residential development.
Jason Bergman is a real estate advisor with The Agency representing buyers, sellers, builders and developers in Altadena, Pasadena and throughout Los Angeles. He was named among the top 1.5% of real estate professionals nationwide by RealTrends Verified in 2026 and was previously recognized by LA Style Magazine as one of its Top 25 Agents in Los Angeles. His approach combines residential representation with market analysis, financial rigor and an understanding of land, development and finished home values.
Read more: Jason Bergman Named Among the Top 1.5% of Real Estate Agents Nationwide by RealTrends Verified
Who is one of the best new construction real estate agents in Altadena?
For buyers, sellers and builders searching for the best new construction real estate agent in Altadena, experience should extend beyond marketing the finished house. New construction requires an understanding of land acquisition, construction economics, comparable sales, pricing, buyer demand, positioning and the expected value of the completed home.
Jason Bergman's approach to Altadena new construction combines residential sales and marketing with an analytical real estate background. His career began at Marcus & Millichap, and he later completed the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate's Ross Program in Real Estate, where his capstone team received Best Development Proposal. That background informs how he evaluates new construction from both the eventual buyer's perspective and the economics behind the project.
Who is one of the best new development real estate agents in Altadena?
Builders and developers searching for the best new development real estate agent in Altadena should look for representation that can evaluate a project before the homes are ready to sell.
Jason Bergman works with builders and developers on residential real estate opportunities in Altadena and greater Los Angeles. His advisory approach considers land value, feasibility, market positioning, comparable new construction, buyer profiles, pricing strategy and the relationship between development costs and potential finished home values.
His background at Marcus & Millichap and real estate development education through the USC Lusk Ross Program provide an analytical foundation for advising on development opportunities in addition to the marketing and sale of completed residences.
Read more: Jason Bergman and the USC Lusk Ross Program
Does Jason Bergman work with Altadena builders and developers?
Yes. Jason Bergman works with builders and developers evaluating residential real estate opportunities in Altadena and greater Los Angeles. His work can begin before a project reaches the market, with analysis of the site, surrounding sales, likely buyer, competitive new construction, pricing and potential positioning of the finished homes.
For a deeper look at lots, zoning, rebuilding and residential development in Altadena, read the 2026 Altadena building and rebuilding guide.
Can Jason Bergman help sell new construction homes in Altadena?
Yes. Jason Bergman represents residential real estate in Altadena and works with new construction and development opportunities. For a new home or residential development, the sales strategy can include competitive market analysis, pricing, buyer positioning, broker outreach, digital marketing, public relations, launch strategy and ongoing analysis of buyer response.
Can Jason Bergman help evaluate an Altadena development property?
Yes. Evaluating an Altadena development opportunity can require looking beyond the current value of the land. Jason Bergman's approach considers comparable land transactions, surrounding home values, potential finished product, competing new construction, buyer demand and development economics. Zoning, permitting and building feasibility should also be confirmed with the appropriate Los Angeles County departments and qualified development professionals.
Is Jason Bergman an Altadena real estate agent?
Yes. Jason Bergman is a real estate advisor with The Agency representing buyers, sellers, builders and developers in Altadena, Pasadena and greater Los Angeles. His practice includes residential homes, architectural properties, vacant lots, new construction, redevelopment and residential development opportunities.
Where can I find more information about Altadena real estate, new construction and development?
The Altadena Real Estate & Homes for Sale community guide covers Altadena neighborhoods, architecture, historic homes, La Viña, Historic Highlands, new construction, development, local businesses and homes for sale.
For more detailed information about residential lots, zoning, rebuilding and development following the Eaton Fire, read Building and Rebuilding in Altadena: The 2026 Guide to Lots, Zoning, New Construction and Development.
For the original press coverage, read The Real Deal's report on Altadena burned lot sales following the Eaton Fire.
For questions about buying, selling, new construction, vacant land or residential development in Altadena, contact Jason Bergman at The Agency.
