Home Sweet Belvedere Home! 19 Tamalpais in Belvedere, California is a wonderful home with spectactular views! Located on the "fair weather side of Belvedere island. For more information about this great property contact Mark Lomas at 415.435.1718 or email to MDLomas@gmail.com

650 Tiburon Boulevard in Tiburon is a truly unique property that is over 29,000 sq.ft. (Home 2b2b approximately 1600 sq.ft.) and the lower portion of this property is contiguous to the Tiburon Bike Path. At the end of a private driveway this property sits on top of a knoll with views of the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Mount Tamalpais. This is the first time this home has been offered publically for sale. Asking price is: $2,395,000. To show or preview contact MarinRealEstate@gmail.com

PENDING Home Sales Rise Unexpectantly in June

Marin Foreclosures Level Off, Defaults Fall in Marin

Let’s take a look at what is happening in Europe these days to understand why it’s key that the United States finds a solution to the debt ceiling issue. Not only have some European banks recently failed a stress test, but last week there was news that Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and French “credit default swaps” (which are insurance policies against default) were trading at record levels. While the European Union is continuing to work to contain Europe’s debt problems and prevent a default in Greece, these events carry a very important lesson for the U.S.

Why? Because solving our debt ceiling debate and finding a long-term plan for lowering our deficit and being fiscally sound will raise confidence in our debt and help the U.S. keep its excellent AAA credit rating from the various credit rating firms like Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s. This will help investors continue to see the U.S. as a safe haven for their money, which is a key aspect of our continued economic recovery. 

There was some good news last week for the housing sector, as June Housing Starts and Building Permits were both reported better than expected. 

Political uncertainty caused volatility in the markets last week, which put pressure on the bond market and home loan rates.
The Tiburon Shoreline and Mount Tamalpais from Angel Island

Marin Home Sales Rise, Prices Edges Up Article

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Testing the Google One recommendation from Active Rain

The banks have made loan modifications very difficult. Sherry Belcher of ReMax Golden Empire Realty in Southern California reported in this months's NAR Realtor's magazine: "I've worked in the loan servicing business for 18 years, and real estate is my passion. The way I see it, most people are forced to do a short sale simply because the banks won't modify their existing loan. I've have seen several instances in which struggling borrowers try to work with the banks, only to learn that the banks won't even consider a loan modification request until the mortgage is three months behind. Crazy! Why, instead of giving the home to a complete stranger at a discounted price, can't banks help borrowers who truly have a hardship? Qualify owners for what they can pay and reduce the principal. The government is helping banks cover their losses, so taxpayer should have a voice. So, where's our voice? Where's the political leadership? Current Bank policies regarding loan modifications are a disaster, and are making any kind of economic recovery in the housing markets very difficult if almost impossible. Why? Recently a homeowner in Marin that was current on their payments with Wachovia were told that they would not qualify for a loan modification because they made too much money. This homeowner missed two payments, contacted Wachovia to try and modify their loan again, and were told they did not make enough money to qualify for a loan modification? Without any leadership from Washington, the bank's loan modification programs are a disaster. What a mess Washington, Wall Street, and the Big Banks have gotten us in. Until the banks are ready to reasonably modify loans the housing recovery will continue to stall. Are you listening President Obama? (playoff on the Rick Santelli rant)

The information provided here comes from the 2005 to 2009 American Communiity Service (ACS) conducted by the U.S. Census:
Belvedere:
Total Population: 2,068
Households by Type: 928 households, 611 of them in families
Housing: a total of 1,045 housing units, of which 117 were vacant, and 15 on the market for sale. 55 homes were for seasonal, recreational, or occassional use.
Race: Nearly 94% white, Hispanic or Latino 3.5%, Asian 2.8%,African American 0.1%
Income: Median Income for Belvedere is $117,778
Tiburon:
Total Population: 8,962
Household total: 3,729 households, 2,482 of them in familiers
Housing: Nearly 28% of household occupants live in their homes by themselves and persons age 65 or older made up more than half of those who lived alone. Of the total number 296 were vacant. The rental vacancy factor was 5%, as of the census taking
Race: 88% of the Tiburon population is white, Hispanic or Latino:4.6%, Asian: 5.6%, African -American: 0,8%
Income: The median income for Tiburon residents was $146,917
This data was published in the Ark Newspaper May 18, 2011

Search Belvedere and Tiburon Homes For Sale

On May 17, 2011 the Marin Independent Journal headlines reported that April Home Sales Up Slightly in Marin, But Prices Still Down.  The accompanying chart provided by the Marin County Assessor's Office that ran with this article would question those conclusions.

Once you understand the difference between "Median Home Sale Value" and "Mean (average) Home Sales Value" you might want to question these kinds of analysis.

In a world of statistical averages, many have asked why anyone would report a median home sale value instead of a mean average?  Many people believe the mean/average is easier to understand than the median, but the median measure is not too difficult to appreciate.  Before addressing the chart in yesterday's Marin Independent Journal article let me start by defining the difference between the two measures.

A mean/average value is calculated by adding up all the values in a distribution, and then dividing the sum by the total number of values contained in the distribution.  To find a median value, one talkes all the values in the distribution, sorts in ascending order, lines them up and finds the miiddle value.

Though they sound similar, and in many instances, there is not too much difference between the two values.  The reason a lot of newspapers focus on the Median instead of the Mean is because the mean value calculation has a limitation that can prevent it from reflecting an "Average?"  In calculating home sales price statistics this limitation occurs when the sale price of one home varies greatly from the remainder of the homes which can skewer the average.


The chart in yesterday's Marin Independent Journal (not the chart above) reflected sales compared from April of 2010 to sales in April of 2011.  With only 3 sales in Belvedere last month the median percent change from 2010 where there had been 4 sales was a negative 25%.  Did property values in Belvedere come down 25%? No, and that's why people need to understand how and why this methodology oftentimes skewers the reality of what's actually happening.

Yesterday's chart also showed that Ross, that only had 2 sales in April of 2010 and 5 sales in April of 2011, was up 150%.  Did property values in Ross increase by 150%?

This kind of data tends to confuse the general public.  When you'd like to have know what's really going on, check with your LOCAL real estate professional.  If you'd like to find out what your home is really worth in today's real estate market, feel free to contact me.

May 17 2011 Marin Independent Journal Article