san rafael: Ultra Charming Marinwood Home in Parklike Setting - 11/02/10 06:08 PM
… (2 comments)

san rafael: Santa's Little Helper at Rotary Club XMAS Tree Lot - 12/15/09 04:07 PM
A gorgeous day at the Christmas Tree lot today at Saint Vincent's Boy's School in Marinwood, San Rafael, Marin County, CA.  This is one of my Rotary Club's (Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise) annual fundraiser. 
This year we have little helper, sure makes things go faster!
Missy (at time, according to proud papa, Rik Godell (a reputable inspector), mischieve, misbehave), turns five months old tomorrow, and shs is just a bundle of energy, super sweet, and very, very smart, well behaved puppy.
The foreground is a field owned by a farmer.  We get to see cows grazing and wondering back for dinner; the background … (0 comments)

san rafael: Marin Weekend Events - Italian Street Painting Festival, Novato Art, Wine and Music Festival - 06/12/09 11:45 AM
As if planned to celebrate the beginning of the summer vacation and a brand new chapter for our youth in Marin (yes, this is graduation weekend), Marin county is the proud host of two fun, entertaining and educational events.  
Both events celebrate the rich heritage and artistical talents of Marin county communities.
Being a community minded real estate company, my company, Frank Howard Allen Realtors is a proud supporter of two wonderful community events happening this weekend, June 13 and 14,
Make sure you click on the link for the entertainment lineups for both events.  Many performing groups are homegrown, our local Marin … (0 comments)

san rafael: Marin County Bank Owned (REO) Homes - Townhomes, Condos - Updated 02/20/09 - 02/20/09 09:20 AM
Due to strong demand from my past and current clients and the interest from the prospective clients, I am providing you with list of current Bank Owned (REO - Real Estate Owned, and Foreclosed) homes.  The list will be updated freqeuently depending on relevant activities.  
(Word of Advise from your Realtor -  In addition to REO (Bank Owned) properties, there are GREAT Deals out there if you look hard enough.  I will be able to help you to find the best deal and best house in Marin and Sonoma county for you, Bank Owned or Not!) 
The towns included in this list are Marin County towns South Marin, Central … (0 comments)

san rafael: Marin County Bank Owned (REO) Homes, Farms, Ranches- Updated 02/20/09 - 02/20/09 08:39 AM
Due to strong demand from my past and current clients and the interest from the prospective clients, I am providing you with list of current Bank Owned (REO - Real Estate Owned, and Foreclosed) homes.  The list will be updated freqeuently depending on relevant activities.  
(Word of Advise from your Realtor -  In addition to REO (Bank Owned) properties, there are GREAT Deals out there if you look hard enough.  I will be able to help you to find the best deal and best house in Marin and Sonoma county for you, Bank Owned or Not!) 
The towns included in this list are Marin County towns South Marin, Central … (0 comments)

san rafael: Pumping Gas - How to Get The Most Out of Your Money - 05/06/08 05:42 PM
With Gas price skyrocketing ($4.00+ per gallon in Marin County, CA), I really appreciate getting the follwing tips on how to effectively pump gas and save the precious commodities - money and Gas.  And yes, I have been doing everything wrong until now, and probably still will ...
1) Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold.
Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground, the more dense the gasoline. When it gets warmer, gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the … (21 comments)

san rafael: Marin County Population Marks Growth in 2007 - 05/04/08 06:03 PM
According to Marin Independent Journal (Marin IJ), the populaton in Marin Country grew by 2,326 in 2007, almost a 1%  growth, the largest jump in 4 years.
Marin population grew from 255,080 to 257,406; a 0.9% growth from 01/01/2007 to 12/31/2007; which is in line with those of the state of California, which measures growth from 07/01/2006 thrun 06/30/2007.
Mill Valley had the largest growth percent wise at 1.1%, or 154 residents; San Rafael, on the contrary, saw the smallest growth of 0.7% or 392 residents. 
Property type wise, Novato has the most single-family detached homes, at 12, 196; and the … (1 comments)

san rafael: Novato Real Estate, Marin County Market Overview, Week of April 30, 2008 - 04/30/08 07:07 PM

Novato Real Estate Market Review as of April 30, 2008
Novato Real Estate Market changes since March 19, 2008.  Available units changed from 376 to 436 (16% increase), in escrow changed from 82 to90 (10% increase), so we have a loss of 5% in percent in escrow. 
The biggest gain in In-Escrow is in the your bread and butter single family home price ranged from $600K to $800K and not surprisingly, the $1M to $1.25M range where the rich but not super rich are looking for homes.  The fixers and very small homes (1,000 sf or slightly more) see a drop in houses under … (0 comments)

san rafael: Immaculate, Functional Updated Home - Move In Ready - 04/29/08 03:16 PM
Property Website   www.621NikkiDr.com
Starter Home, Priced at $399,000
Light and bright, extensively remodeled 3 bedrooms/3 full baths home is ready to move in. 
Family room has vaulted ceiling and brick fireplace with energy-efficient insert.  A display shelf separates family and dining area.  Sliders in the family open to back patio.    
Beautifully updated kitchen with new appliances, new cabinets, new sink/faucet, lighting.  The kitchen has an eat-in breakfast area with sliders opening to the side patio.
Vaulted ceiling in Master Suite.  One set of bedroom and bathroom conveniently located on the main floor.  Tastefully remodeled baths.
Large office in converted … (5 comments)

san rafael: Upscale Town Home in Desirable Partridge Knolls. Nature Lovers' Choice, Great Schools! - 04/29/08 02:45 PM
Sought-after Townhome in Courtyard at Partridge Knolls
3 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, over 1700sf Living Space
property website:  www.30LittleCreek.com
Lovely Townhome, priced at $699,000.  Private and serene, this wonderful townhome is conveniently located on a PRIME location in sought-after Courtyard at Partridge Knolls nestled in the hills of Mt. Burdell.  Sited off path from foot traffic and adjacent to a strip of greenland, this home offers rare privacy. 
The house has three bedrooms and 3 full baths with one bedroom and one full bath downstairs.  The tastefully remodeled kitchen has gleaming granite counters, maple cabinets and stainless-steel appliances, with gas range and Pure Water Filtration System.  The … (3 comments)

san rafael: KEY TO YOUR FUTURE - A GREAT EDUCATION - Four Marin Schools Selected as 2008 California "Distinguished Schools" - 04/10/08 04:09 PM
                    
              KEY TO YOUR FUTURE IS A GREAT EDUCATION!
        Come to Marin County - We Care for Our Children
Looking for GREAT Schools for your clients when moving to Marin County, San Francisco North Bay>?
Four Marin Schools have been selected as the 2008 California ‘Distinguished Schools' by the California State Department of Education.  
The newly minted Distinguished schools in Marin are Lu Sutton and Rancho elementary schools in Novato, Ross School in Ross and Bayside Elementary School in the Sausalito Marin City School District.
Only 343 of the states 5,250 elementary schools received the honor in 2008, which recognizes the … (2 comments)

san rafael: Great Schools, Cheap Homes - Don't Forget to Check Marin County Schools - 04/01/08 09:52 AM
Trulia took a shot at researching for affordable homes and great schools in and around the country.  The top choices are Philadelphia, Dallas and Boston.  While those are great selections, I feel that my hometown of Novato in Marin County, San Francisco North Bay was over looked.
While being in Marin county, San Francisco North Bay, we can not claim that we have the ‘Cheap Homes', but Trulia might have overlooked a couple recent articles about the Town of Novato in Marin and the quality of Marin county schools.
Marin County Schools was voted the best schools for the money by Forbes Magazine
And … (0 comments)

san rafael: Green Facts About Your Marin Home - Did You Know This? - 04/01/08 02:58 AM
I came upon this fast facts about your home on the GreenBuilding.com website; thought I'd shar the Green Facts.    Did you know that -
Older toilets use 3.7-7 gallons per flush
Dishwashers use 8-14 gallons per cycle
Top-loading washers use 45 gallons/load
A dripping faucet waste 15-21 gallons per day
US water users withdraw enough water to fill a line of Olympic-size swimming pools reaching around the world EVERY DAY (300 billion gallons)
Although our planet is 71 percent water, humans depend on a mere .65 percent of the water for survival - much of which is polluted.
About a quarter of the nation's largest industrial plants … (4 comments)

san rafael: Red Skelton "Pledge of Allegiance" - 03/27/08 03:00 PM
A friend at my Rotary Club sent us the link to the meanings of Pledge of Allegiance, beautifully done by Red Skelton; 30 years ago.  A Class Act!
I thought I'd share this with you all at the time of great changes, divide, worries, insecurity; here is something we should all reflect upon.  
This is a great country and let's keep it great for us and for our future generations!   
Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance … (3 comments)

san rafael: Novato Real Estate Market Overview, Week of March 19, 2008 - 03/21/08 06:10 PM
Novato Real Estate Market Overview, Week of March 19, 2008
It's been almost two months since I last posted the market statistics for the Novato Real Estate Market (part of Marin County).  There is a noticeable improvement on the market - Other than a couple of price ranges, most of the others increased sales pending percentage anywhere form 10% to 20% increase in sales for various price range even as the inventory has grown.  
My office reported an active March, a lot of buyers out there looking for 'bargains' in Marin county, and Novato is where  you will find it!
We are Optimistic!
Want to … (0 comments)

san rafael: Spring is Almost Upon Us. Marin, Sonoma County Easter Egg Hunts - 03/19/08 06:17 PM
… (0 comments)

san rafael: A Wonderful Irish Day - 03/17/08 04:10 PM
I had a GREAT day today -
Called somebody who is a victim of the current Foreclosure Scams (yep, and there are many, unfortunately), wondered if they ended up foreclosing on the house.  He told me that his lenders are willing to work with him on his loan and he will be keeping his house after catching up on his missed payments and more.  I was so happy hearing this news!  The first person I know who will be out of this horrible short sale/foreclosure trouble and I thought for sure, he will be foreclosed upon.  I am so happy for him and his … (3 comments)

san rafael: Top 9 Unique Buildings in The World - In Progress (no, not a Marin County Home) - 03/14/08 08:32 AM
One great about being a Realtor is that I get emails about unique properties in the world and I thought I will share a few of those with all.
This is from my sister, who has been an Independent Broker for the past 30+ years in San Francisco.  I guess we won't see this in the Marin Real Estate Landscape - but here are the top 9 most unique buildings in the world that are being built.  
Author Unknown..
Top 9 Unique Buildings In The World
Top 9 Unique Structures in the World Being Built Now
                                         
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  … (3 comments)

san rafael: Marin County Two Month Close Sales Comparison Report - 12/07 and 01/08 - 02/17/08 03:41 PM
Marin County Association of Realtors released the two months closed sales comparison report for the months of December, 2006/January 2007 vs December 2007/January 2008.
As you can see from the report; the sales price stays slightly ahead of average, but the sales volume dropped substaintially from 2006 to 2007, and again, from 2007 to 2008.
Interesting thing is that the highest price of sold home in 01/08 is over $10M and for 2007 is over $20M.  However, the average sale price in 2008 is higher than that of 2007.  Average Days on Market is actually 10 days lower than that of 2007.
Something for Marin buyers to think … (0 comments)

san rafael: First Annual Marin Real Estate Reality Check Report Lauchec! - 02/17/08 01:42 PM
The Marin Association of Realtors launched it's first annual Marin Real Estate Reality Check report.
The report is 43 pages long and contains more than 800 facts and figures about the recent pricing history for single family homes and condos in 13 towns, from Sausalito to Novaot.
The statistics for 2005-2007 includes number of sales, average number of days on market, average price per square foot and medium prices.
Just to quote part of what the presiden of the Marin Association of Realtor's comment on the statistical reports MAR jus unveiled.  The comment is important because of the dreay image some of the news medial … (0 comments)