Marin's Blog: All Categories

Given the very public instability of our nations economy and the overall housing market, its sometimes difficult for the media to find something positive to report on, especially in California which is often labeled as 'ground zero' for the housing and foreclosure crisis.

Most recently, there has been a lot of coverage in the media about California's escalating unemployment rate which recently crossed the double-digit mark - 10.1% to be exact.  Obviously a very concerning number which has received extensive media attention at both the local and national level.

While these California jobless numbers are a serious concern which both directly and indirectly effect the economy, consumer confidence, and home prices, its critically important to remember…

As is the case in many areas of the country, Sunday afternoon represents one of the busiest days for home buyers interested in getting a pulse on the current inventory of homes and condominiums to hit the market in Marin County, California.

Historically, home buyers have relied on local print media (such as the San Francisco Chronicle,  Marin Independent Journal, or Pacific Sun) to discover which new listings will be held open over the weekend.    While these newspapers are a great resource, many home buyers like to plan their weekend activities before opening the paper on Sunday morning.  

To address the needs of web saavy home buyers in San Francisco's North Bay, we've recently added a Marin Open House page to our website.  Utilizing this new…

There has been a long-standing perception that home prices in the San Francisco Bay area consistently retain their value, even while the rest of the nation (or even other major metropolitan areas throughout California) experiences major declines in property values.    

Much of this perception is driven by the fact that very little new construction occurs since buildable land is hard to come by in many areas of California, especially within the city of San Francisco and throughout Marin County.   Compounding this issue even further is that the process of obtaining residential building permits can be a very arduous and time-consuming task in both of these areas.

While limited residential real estate inventory and challenging building regulations in the…

San Francisco Bay Area golfers interested in hitting the links have an opportunity to tee it up and contribute to a great local children's cause.      The Marin Advocates for Children organization and the Marin Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) will be sponsoring their 3rd Annual Golf Tourament in Marin County which will help raise much needed funds for a fabulous cause which can make a significant difference in a child's life.

For more than 10 years, the not-for-profit Marin Advocates for Children Organization has helped provide a voice for kids who have experienced child neglect or abuse.     From prevention to intervention, the programs offered by the Marin Advocates for Children have helped countless kids find a safe and permanent home to… Read Full Post

Mark your calendars for the 2nd annual food and wine festival in San Rafael, California.   Celebrating the best of local restaurants, Bay Area wineries, and local artists, the San Rafael Food and Wine Festival is a family-friendly event open to the public and will feature:

• More than 25 local restaurants and boutique wineries,
• Over 25 Artists and Craftsmen from Art Works Downtown who will be showcasing their finished work and also providing a hands-on demonstration of their artistic process,
• Live Music from local musicians The Courtney Janes and the Sanford Barnett Trio,
• Cooking demonstration from top Bay Area Chefs,  

Admission to the San Rafael Food and Wine Festival is free however there is a nominal fee for attendees that wish…

Want free advice on making your home more energy efficient?  While searching online for ideas and tips can be a worthwhile endeavor, the California Youth Energy Service Program is providing residents of both Marin County and the San Francisco East Bay with an opportunity to schedule a FREE onsite energy audit for households in our area.

In addition to receiving advice on making your home more energy efficient and learning about renewable technology options, this wonderful program provides Bay Area youth with first-hand job development experience.       The program employs trained energy specialists ages 15 to 22 who can inspect your home and provide you with some great ideas on making your property more environmentally friendly and also reduce your…

We just listed an incredible midcentury modern home in the San Francisco East Bay that should not be missed by enthusiasts of modern or midcentury modern residential architecture.  This hip and sophisticated midcentury modern home in Fremont California features the best of indoor/outdoor living!

California Modern Home

Designed by architect J. Canavan and thoughtfully updated by its current owners, this 4 Bedroom / 2 Bath property features an open and airy floor plan with an abundance of natural light.  This property features numerous upgrades including a modernist kitchen with CeasarStone countertops and high-end appliances (Dacor, Zephyr range hood), updated bathrooms, and modern landscaping throughout the private central courtyard and spacious…

Devotees of the the mid-century modern design aestheic often refer to the publication Atomic Ranch as their bible for good, timeless design.   Published quarterly, the magazine serves as an inspirational guidebook for everything mid-century modern, from art to architecture.

Atomic Ranch, Summer 2008 Issue

In the most recent issue of Atomic Ranch Magazine (Summer 2008), there are feature stories on mid-century modern homes and select mid-century modern housing tracts in Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, as well as California.  The lead story is about an Eichler home in the San Francisco Bay Area that had been meticulously restored to it's original splendor by its design-concious owners.   

In the Summer 2008 issue, the editor gives us kudos for providing…