california: San Anselmo, Marin County, California
- 02/08/07 12:40 PM
San Anselmo, once the county's railroad hub, is larger than many of its neighbors (like Fairfax and Ross), but retains a small-town charm. The self-proclaimed "Antiques Capital of Northern California,'' San Anselmo has about 130 antique dealers, as well as bookstores, coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants along San Anselmo Avenue next to Creek Park. It has a lots of nice restaraunts and is a lovely place to spend afternoons. Homes are older and smaller than those in nearby Ross. Larger lots grace some hill areas. Five roads converge through The Hub, with Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and The Miracle Mile jamming … (0 comments)
california: Tiburon, Marin County, California
- 02/06/07 04:14 AM
Spanish adventurers called it Punta de Tiburon "Shark Point," but today the former working-class railroad town at the end of the Tiburon Peninsula is a trendy, wealthy community with tennis and yacht clubs, parks, bike paths, and a wildlife sanctuary. Many homes have stunning views of the San Francisco Bay, Richardson Bay and Mount Tamalpais. Blackie's Pasture, along Tiburon Boulevard on the way into town, is a former pasture that now includes a walking/biking trail and playgrounds, as well as soccer fields and a gazebo.Housing and EducationAlong with neighboring Belvedere, Tiburon is graced by some of the most expensive homes in … (0 comments)
california: Larkspur, Marin County, California
- 02/06/07 04:07 AM
If developer Charles Wright's wife knew her plants, this picturesque Central Marin town would be called Lupine. Mrs. Wright, whose husband helped to incorporate the town at the turn of the century, admired the fields of what she thought were larkspur plants blooming near her new homestead, and named the village Larkspur. Most of the town lies inland, but the part that fronts the water is home to the county's largest ferry terminal, as well as a metal sculpture of Sir Francis Drake. Larkspur shares schools and a police department with Corte Madera and together they make up the Twin Cities. … (0 comments)
california: Mill Valley, Marin County, California
- 02/06/07 03:56 AM
Mill Valley sits in the shadow of Mount Tamalpais and has a charm all its own. Besides the quaint downtown, home to antique stores, bookstores, a theater, nightclub, art gallery, coffee shops, and the Depot Bookstore cafe, Mill Valley offers hiking and biking trails, a dog run, a nine-hole public golf course, and the annual Dipsea foot race. For those with an artistic bent, there's a noted film festival every fall, as well as an outdoor arts fair, festival of wine and Memorial Day crafts festival in Bayfront Park.Housing and EducationPrices in Mill Valley tend toward the high side, but condominiums … (0 comments)
california: San Rafael, Marin County, California
- 02/06/07 03:50 AM
San Rafael became Marin's first city in 1874. Franciscans founded Mission San Rafael Archangel at the foot of San Rafael Hill, the 20th of California's 21 missions in the early 1800's. A replica of the mission stands at St. Raphael's Church. More than 52,000 residents make their home in the county seat, the commercial, cultural and governmental center of Marin. Just 17 miles north of San Francisco and surrounded by wooded, grassy hillsides and the bay, about one-third of the city's 17 square miles is open space. East of the Marin County Civic Center, Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural enigma (pictured to the … (0 comments)
california: Novato, Marin County, California (Profile)
- 02/06/07 02:28 AM
Novato is the northernmost town in Marin County, California. It has a rich history and began as Rancho de Novato, a Spanish land grant given in 1839 to Fernando Feliz. per. Olompali State Historical Park just north of the city is where a panorama of history unfolds in a single afternoon. It's named for a key Miwok settlement, the location of the only battle of the Bear Flag Revolt leading to California's statehood, the setting for Marin's first formal garden, and a hippie commune in the 1960s. Incorporated in 1960, Novato is Marin's fastest-growing city, embracing new residential development and commerce. Novato's latest … (1 comments)
california: Marin County, California Absorption Rates Very Low
- 02/03/07 04:46 AM
Marin County, California sits just north of San Francisco (across the Golden Gate Bridge) and boasts some of the most dramatic and expensive homes in the Bay Area. Homes in Marin (Mill Valley, Sausalito, Tiburon, Belvedere, Ross, Kentfield, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Greenbrae, Corte Madera, Larkspur, and Novato) are not entirely immune to the effects of rising interest rates and the overwhelming barrage of mostly negative media coverage of the "state-of-the-market." But, prices seem to have stabilized and sales seem to be on the rise as the year wears on, based on anecdotal evidence and early observations. I will report on the … (0 comments)
california: California Foreclosures
- 01/25/07 01:29 AM
A recent article in Inman notes foreclosures are at an 8-year high in California. As noted the default rate increases about two years after the loans were made and that we are entering that period for the high water mark period for prices (at least in Marin County). It will be interesting to see whether all those exotic loans come back and revisit us as foreclosures in the coming years and whether prices drop as a result. Many industry analysts with whom I have spoken have identified California's Central Valley and Inland Empire (e.g., east of L.A.) as possible hot spots … (2 comments)
california: Mill Valley--Marin, California
- 01/20/07 02:09 AM
Mill Valley sits just north of the Golden Gate bridge. Because of this location and easy commute, it is widely considered one of the most desirable towns to live in for those who work and play in San Francisco. And there is lots to love. Of course, the schools are great and there is very little crime. In addition, it is home to a lovely downtown area with lots of shops, restaurants, services, and an old cinema sits right across the street from where I got married. Muir Woods, Mount Tamalpais' hiking trails, and beaches are just minutes away, as is … (0 comments)
california: Lucas Valley--San Rafael, Marin, California
- 01/19/07 06:33 AM
Lucas Valley, which is an upscale area of San Rafael (in Marin County, California) sits between Terra Linda and Marinwood. It is also home to George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch. Homes in the area over the past six months have generally sold in the $800,000 to $1,000,000 range and up. Great schools, low crime, proximity to open space, and a good commute all provide a strong incentive for families and retirees alike. The commute to San Francisco is good and will be improved once work on HWY 101 is completed in 2008 (widening the highway to allow for a commute lane to run through Marin County). If … (0 comments)
california: Terra Linda--San Rafael, Marin, California
- 01/19/07 06:15 AM
Terra Linda is a lovely neighborhood of San Rafael, in Marin County, California. It is located just north of downtown, the Civic Center, and the Northgate Mall, and just south of Lucas Valley and Marinwood. It is characterized by good schools, low crime, and convenience. Homes in Terra Linda range in price from the high $600,000 to $1,000,000. It is a neighborhood in transition with lots of stalwart owner who have been there 40-50 years and lots of young families looking for a nice place to raise a family. The commute to San Francisco is relatively good from Terra Linda (the freeway is … (0 comments)
california: Someone, Please, Explain the Benefits of Range Pricing
- 01/18/07 04:37 AM
Lots of folks are talking about it around the country. It is a method of pricing homes in a range. For example, putting a house on the market for $1,000,000 to $1,100,000. I understand that it is common practice in some places (San Diego, California being one). But, the MLS where I am, Marin County, California, doesn't accommodate it. And even if it did, I am not sure I would do it. That's where you come in-I know there's lots of knowledge out there. So, someone, please, explain the benefits of range pricing? And beyond that, how do you convince a … (3 comments)
california: Ten Tips for Greener Living
- 01/10/07 07:39 AM
Please join me and my family in doing what we can to limit our impact on the environment. The county in which I live and work, Marin County, California, has one of the highest ecological footprints per capita in the entire world. Indeed, there are things we can do without making drastic changes, to help keep our planet healthy. Here are 10 things you can do: Change a Light Replacing one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. How many light bulbs in your house? Drive Less Walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation. Buy a hybrid car … (0 comments)
california: Novato, California Home For Sale
- 01/09/07 06:44 AM
38 Lauren Avenue, Novato 3 Bed/2 Bath Updated Home on cul-de-sac/Great Price This delightful two story home was remodeled in 2004. It is located in a convenient location within seconds of shopping, transportation, restaurants, and just about everything else we love. It sits in a private spot on a level and quiet street between two cul-de-sac turnarounds. The landscaping features grass to play on and plenty of space to roam around or play catch. The installed irrigation system makes maintenance a snap. Inside, the remodeled kitchen is intuitive and modern (all newer appliances). From the kitchen window, your gaze will meet a lovely arbor covered in … (0 comments)
california: Rethinking Improvements Prior to Selling
- 01/06/07 07:22 AM
I often get questions from folks thinking of selling their home about whether or not to remodel or make other major home improvements prior to putting their home on the market. And the answer is never an easy one. It depends on what the seller is hoping to achieve. There are a couple of types of sellers. First, you have those who just want to sell "As-Is" and don't want to put a dime into a house they are selling. Second, you have people who just want to do the minimum of what it will take to attract the most buyers and … (2 comments)
As is evident, except for San Rafael and Novato, there is very low inventory county-wide (especially in Kentfield and Larkspur). Interestingly, Novato also has the highest absorption rate (e.g., the supply of homes in Novato is low relative the number of sales). … (2 comments)
california: Changes to California Withholding Laws
- 12/23/06 06:49 AM
On September 22, 2006, the governor signed AB 2962. This new law amends Revenue and Taxation Code Sections 18662 and 18668, making changes to real estate withholding requirements for all transactions closing on or after January 1, 2007. Previously, where withholding was required, sellers had to withhold three and one-third percent of the property's sale price. Now, sellers may choose between the original withholding method, or elect an alternate withholding amount based on applying the maximum tax rate to the seller's estimated gain. The maximum tax rates are: Sellers electing an alternate withholding amount will be required to certify the amount in … (3 comments)
Christie's Great Estates | Pacific Union International
Office: (415) 448-1118
Mobile: (415) 350-9440
Real Estate information about Marin County, California--Mill Valley, Sausalito, Tiburon, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, and Novato. Community descriptions, sales information, and more.
San Anselmo, once the county's railroad hub, is larger than many of its neighbors (like Fairfax and Ross), but retains a small-town charm. The self-proclaimed "Antiques Capital of Northern California,'' San Anselmo has about 130 antique dealers, as well as bookstores, coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants along San Anselmo Avenue next to Creek Park. It has a lots of nice restaraunts and is a lovely place to spend afternoons. Homes are older and smaller than those in nearby Ross. Larger lots grace some hill areas. Five roads converge through The Hub, with Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and The Miracle Mile jamming … (0 comments)
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