ross: Marin Real Estate Home Sales 2008 Mid Year Report - 07/30/08 06:01 AM
My clients or many Realtors on the National Forum have been asking me about how the market is in general and in Marin county.
My answer is always - Real Estate is LOCAL 
No matter how much the media dramatizes the market condition, Marin County House Prices still hold steady.  This is especially true for great houses in desirable locations in Southern Marin (such as Belvedere, Corte Madera, Greenbrae, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Ross, San Anselmo, Sausalito and Tiburon), or for that matter, all of Marin.
One of the recent news (will follow up with another blog) is the fact that Marin Land … (0 comments)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

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

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: 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)

ross: Marin County Real Estate Sales Statistics as of 02/01/2008 - 02/03/08 03:07 PM
A new year, coupled with lower interest rate, buoyed by potential good news of possibly increase the limit on Conforming loans; spring does bring out buyers.    Let's keep a close eye on what the new year will bring and keep you posted.
… (0 comments)

ross: Forbe Magazine Ranks Marin among Nation's Wealthiest Counties - 01/26/08 05:53 PM
It is official now - Marin county is one of the wealthies county in the country - Forbes Magazine ranks Marin the 15th wealthiest county in the U.S.  
However, Marin still does not compare with the nation's capital (Washington D.C) where there are three wealthiest counties in the county - wonder where all that money comes from!   The reankings are based on median household income. 
A few others in the bay area - Santa Clara County, ranked no. 4, and San Jose, ranked 17 respectively. 
Check out the Forbe's America's Most Lucrative Neighborhoods - places S.F.Grove and Webster street neighborhood with a 2006 median … (0 comments)

ross: Novato Market Overview, Week of January 23, 2008 - 01/25/08 04:31 PM
Novato Market Overview, Week of January 23, 2008
At the end of January, 2008; Novato is still in a buyers market.  The good news for the sellers is that the inventory is about 1/4 (90+ units) lestt than that four months ago, in September, 2007.  The % in Pending also increased in almost all categories, even though some are very slightly.
My office reported a healty January, both in # of listings and # of getting into escrow.  A very positive and encouraging sign for all!
Buyer's Market    < 25% Neutral                  25% - 40% Seller's Market    > 40% 
… (0 comments)

ross: Novato selected as Best Affordable Suburbs in California by Business Week - 01/23/08 04:28 AM
My home town, Novato, the north most suburb in Marin county, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, has just earned the distinction of the "Best Affordable Suburbs in California in 2007" from Business Week. We have lived in Novato for the past 10 years, and I can attest to the Marin IJ Article "Novato a 'besaffordable' town"
When you drive towards Novato from 101, you will go through a section of 101 framed by breathtaking hills on both sides of the highway.  Then the hills open up to unveil Novato.
Look around, there are open spaces all over with many hiking/biking trails, Rush creek is near by … (0 comments)