Pointe Marin in Southern Novato: Why it's a Popular Place to Call Home

If you are looking to buy newer construction in Marin County, Pointe Marin is an excellent place to consider. It's located in southern Novato in the Ignacio area on the west side if Highway 101.

Pointe Marin is made up of about 250 single-family homes, all built within the last seven years (since 2003).  Pointe Marin's newer construction makes it a rare subdivision in Marin County, where there's a zero-growth policy. 

Pointe Marin also has condos for people age 55 and over, along Entrada Drive.

The Pointe Marin neighborhood used to look a lot different, and it had a different name, too. Formerly called Rafael Village, these 100 acres along Ignacio Blvd. were the site of surplus military family housing for Hamilton Air Force Base (which was primarily located across the freeway at what is now a newer housing subdivision called Hamilton).  The base was decommissioned in 1974, but some military personnel continued to use the housing until 1996.

Today, Pointe Marin is characterized by wide streets, mature trees, and beautiful homes - some of which sit on quarter-acre and larger lots. Points of interest nearby include the Marin Country Club, with its newly refurbished 18-hole golf course, and Pacheco Plaza, a shopping center undergoing a total transformation. Across the freeway, there is the newly-opened Hamilton Marketplace, which has the largest Safeway market in Marin County, plus popular restaurants Toast and Sonoma Latina Grill. 

Single-family homes in Pointe Marin range from about 1,800 square feet to more than 4,400 square feet, with prices today (2009) ranging between about $685,000 and $1,100,000. Recently (first half of 2009), there have been several foreclosures and short sales in Pointe Marin that have brought down prices. So, if you were priced out of Pointe Marin in the past, it is a good time to take another look.

Are there drawbacks to living in Pointe Marin? Perhaps. A trade-off for newer construction is often smaller lot sizes. Some of the homes do have that "neighbor looking in the window" feel, with a 2-story home on three sides. However, some homes back to open space and have more privacy.

I'm Kevin McGinnis and I'm an expert in Marin County real estate and Pointe Marin homes. You can reach me at (415) 725-1911 or kmcginnis@fhallen.com

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