Monrovia Real Estate & Homes for Sale

Few San Gabriel Valley cities have kept as many of their early houses as Monrovia. The city incorporated in 1887, and whole blocks north of Old Town still show Victorian, Craftsman and Spanish Revival architecture from its first fifty years. Add a working main street on Myrtle Avenue, a Metro station and a mountain backdrop, and you have the outline of the Monrovia real estate market. For a conversation about buying or selling, reach Aimee Ghafouri of 951 Properties at (951) 331-8453.

Historic Monrovia Homes for Sale

Older houses are the reason many people search for Monrovia homes for sale, and they need a different kind of homework.

• Landmark status. Monrovia has a historic preservation program, with individually designated landmarks and historic districts. Designation can limit exterior changes and usually means design review, so ask the city’s planning division about the status of any address.
• Mills Act contracts. Some designated homes carry a Mills Act contract, an agreement that can reduce property tax in exchange for maintaining the house to set standards. The contract runs with the property. Read it, and ask the city and a tax adviser what it means for you.
• Old systems. Knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized pipe, unbraced foundations, brick chimneys and clay sewer lines are all common. An inspector who knows old houses, plus a sewer camera and a foundation review, is money well spent.
• Insurance. Some carriers have their own requirements for older wiring and plumbing. Get a quote before you remove contingencies.

How the City Is Arranged

Monrovia is an incorporated city in Los Angeles County, at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. Arcadia is to the west, Duarte to the east and the small city of Bradbury to the northeast. Interstate 210 crosses the southern half, and Foothill Boulevard and Huntington Drive are the main east to west streets.

From north to south, the housing changes in bands:

1. The hillsides: streets above Hillcrest Boulevard climb into the foothills, with mid-century and custom homes on sloping lots. Gold Hills is one of the neighborhood names used here.
2. The historic core: the blocks between Foothill Boulevard and Old Town, where the oldest houses are concentrated.
3. Old Town and Huntington Drive: shops and restaurants along Myrtle Avenue, with condos, townhomes and apartments close by and office buildings and hotels along Huntington Drive.
4. South of the 210: smaller post-war houses, plus newer apartments and mixed-use buildings around the Metro A Line station.

South of the city limits, Mayflower Village and neighboring pockets are unincorporated county areas that often use Monrovia as a mailing name. Permits there go through Los Angeles County, not the city. Within the city, most addresses are in the Monrovia Unified School District, which you can confirm for any property with the district itself.

Foothill Living: Fire, Slopes and Bears

The mountains directly above Monrovia are national forest and city-owned wilderness preserve, and Canyon Park reaches into them. The 2020 Bobcat Fire burned large areas of the range behind the city. For homes in the northern neighborhoods:

• Check the current fire hazard severity zone for the address and get an insurance quote early.
• Review the natural hazard disclosure for landslide, debris flow and earthquake fault zones.
• Have slopes, retaining walls and drainage inspected.
• Expect wildlife. Black bears, deer and coyotes come down into yards regularly, and the city publishes guidance on rubbish storage and living alongside them.

Hazard maps are updated periodically. Confirm what applies with the city, CAL FIRE and your insurer.

Condos and Newer Houses for Sale in Monrovia

Not all houses for sale in Monrovia are old. Townhome and condo developments near Old Town and the station offer newer construction with association upkeep. For any of these, read the CC&Rs, budget, reserve study and meeting minutes, and ask about rental limits and pending assessments. Lenders also review the association, so involve yours early.

Selling a Home in Monrovia

Selling a home in Monrovia rewards preparation specific to the house:

• For a historic home, assemble the landmark paperwork, any Mills Act contract and records of restoration work. Buyers of these houses value documentation.
• For hillside property, have insurance history and brush clearance records ready.
• Pull permits for additions and accessory units.
• Price against truly similar homes. A restored Craftsman and a remodelled ranch house a few streets apart are different products.

Working With a Monrovia Real Estate Agent

Aimee Ghafouri is a Temecula-based real estate agent licensed across California. She grew up in Murrieta, earned a bachelor’s degree in business and has spent more than 15 years in sales and marketing. She represents buyers, sellers and investors with a focus on communication, dedication and serving others. If you need a Monrovia real estate agent, write to her or call (951) 331-8453.

Nearby Foothill Communities

• Arcadia, immediately west.
• Duarte, immediately east.
• Bradbury, the small estate city to the northeast.
• Sierra Madre, west along the foothills.
• Pasadena, further west on the 210 and the A Line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Monrovia have historic districts?

Yes. The city designates individual historic landmarks and historic districts, and designated properties usually go through design review for exterior changes. Ask the planning division about the status of any home you are considering.

What is a Mills Act contract?

It is an agreement between an owner of a designated historic property and the city that can lower property tax in return for maintaining the home to agreed standards. Terms vary by contract, so read it and ask the city and a tax adviser for details.

Are there really bears in Monrovia?

Yes, black bears are seen regularly in the neighborhoods near the foothills. The city provides guidance on securing rubbish bins and reducing encounters.

Is Monrovia on the Metro rail system?

The Metro A Line stops at Monrovia Station, south of the 210 freeway. Check Metro for current schedules.

How do I start a search for real estate in Monrovia?

Call or text Aimee Ghafouri at (951) 331-8453 and tell her whether you want a historic home, a hillside property or a condo. She can set up a search and outline the checks for each type.

Aimee Ghafouri, 951 Properties, CAL DRE #02193341. This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.