For the past 3 years, Build It Green has provided eco-minded homeowners, architects, and builders with ideas and inspiration for designing and building homes in a more environmentally friendly manner.   These green home tours provide attendees with an opportunity to see actual implementation of green building practices in single-family residences throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Following the overwhelming success of past Green Home Tours throught the San Francisco Bay Area, the Build it Green organization will once again host a series of house tours in the Bay Area in both the Spring and Fall of 2008.   These two shows will serve as a timely follow-up to one of the most recent events which featured eco-friendly homes in Marin, California.
 

Build…

"Quality of local schools and eduction" is often top of mind with young Bay Area families interested in purchasing a home.    In California, one common measuring stick for determining the general quality of education in a given geography (and even between schools) is the API score earned by individual schools and districts.

What is an API Score?

API stands for "Academic Performance Index" and California schools are assigned an API score based on the outcome of  academic proficiency exams which are administered to students each year.    API scores range from a low of 200 to a high of 1,000 points.    Scores in excess of 800 are considered excellent, and represent the state of California's standard for high academic achievement. 

More Top Rankings for…

Mark your calendars for the Taste of Sausalito which will be held this upcoming weekend in Marin County, California.   This annual event showcases some of Sausalito's best restaurants, eateries, and wine from nearby Napa/Sonoma wineries.   Enjoy delectible bites and generous sips in the middle of the festive atmosphere of the Calendonia Street Fair which will be held May 25th.

Featured vendors for this year's Tase of Sausalito Event include Piatti, Sushi Ran, the Spinnaker, Postrio, Horizions, The Melting Pot, Milano's, Gaylord, Cavallopoint, Poggios, and Le Garage.   Participating local wineries include Amica Cellars, Bedarra, Bridgeway, Cline, Louis Latour, and Frey Vineyards.   

Memorial Day weekend in Marin County

One of the most popular…

Pack your sneakers for a fabulous charity event planned for this weekend in Marin County, California.     The 26th annual Marin Human Race to benefit local nonprofit organizations will be held this Saturday, May 10th at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael.

This family-friendly event to benefit local NFPs is expected to draw more than 25,000 attendees and will feature a variety of events including:

• a 5k Fun Run (or walk!) around the fairgrounds and surrounding neighborhoods, (very flat terrain)
• a Pancake Breakfast and free refreshments for participants
• Live Music & Entertaintment along the race course from over a dozen local entertainers
• Community Fair with over 100 Exhibitors including local not-for-profit organizations in…

Marin County homebuyers looking for an updated property in Central / North Marin should be sure to checkout my listing at 88 Almond Court in San Rafael which was just reduced to $650,000.

Redwood Village / Signature Properties Townhome in San Rafael

Built in 2005 and situated in the Redwood Village development by Signature Properties, this 3 Bedroom 2.5 bath townhome in San Rafael includes architectural detailing inspired by the Bay Area's classic Americana and Craftsman styles with open and spacious floorplans designed to accomodate the needs of todays modern home buyers.      Property features include:

• 1,500+ sq ft townhome with 3 BR and 2.5 BA,
• Contemporary Kitchen with stainless appliances, cherry cabinets, and granite counters
…

Last year I blogged about how Marin County California Homeowners could request a property tax reassessment in Marin if the value of their home decreased from it's assessed value.     With the recent decline in home values across the country (as well as throughout certain areas of Marin), there has been a dramatic upswing in the number of Bay Area homeowners who have formally petitioned for a reassessment of their property's value.

According to a report in today's Marin Independent Journal Newspaper, the county expect as many as 8% of all Marin homeowners to file a reassessment request before the end of the county's fiscal year (June).    Because of this surge in demand, the county is having a difficult time finding an adequate number of appraisers to…

Mark your calendars for the 32nd annual Marin Homes Show event which will bring together local home improvement vendors, Marin County homeowners, as well as San Francisco Bay Area designers who can help you with that special home improvement project!   

Marin County Homes Show

Whether you are looking to remodel your kitchen, update your bathrooms, wire your home with a state-of-the-art sound system, replace your windows or siding, or simply explore your options for creating a more "green" or eco-friendly home in Marin County, the Marin  Home Show is an event  that should not be missed!

This 2-day event will be hosted at the Marin Civic Center Exhibit Hall and Fairgrounds in San Rafael, California.  The details for this Bay Area homes show is as… Read Full Post

Spring has officially sprung and Marin County homebuyers are starting to come out in force, especially in Mill Valley which is one of the most desirable areas in Southern Marin.

Currently, there are 133 properties for sale in Mill Valley, including a new listing we just took that hit the market yesterday and will be held open this weekend (first Sunday open house!).

Contemporary Mill Valley Home - Just Listed!

Located in the desirable Strawberry neighborhood of Mill Valley, this 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom single-family home sits on a fabulous lot with peekaboo views of both San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay.    Built in 1949, this updated mid-century Mill Valley home at 144 Richardson Drive includes:

• 3 BR, 2BA with an inviting, open floor…