Marin's Blog: All Categories

The real estate market in Marin appears to be bottoming out.  At $862,500, the median price of a single-family home is down from the median of $965,000 in March 2007.  Sales volume is down as well.  Last March 218 homes in Marin sold, as opposed to the 110 this March.  On the bright side, March 2008 figures are up as compared to a month earlier when the median single-family home price was $830,000 with only 104 homes being sold.

The condominium market in Marin also picked up a bit in March as compared to February.  March figures indicate that the median condominium price in Marin increased to $477,500 from February’s median of $430,000, with the number of sales increasing slightly as well.

What does this mean for Marin?  If only I had a crystal…

Calling all Mill Valley residents.  Mark your calendars, roll up your sleeves, and get ready for Mill Valley Beautification Day. On April 19 – just in time for Earth Day, community groups, businesses, kids and adults will be out in force working together to make Mill Valley a better, more beautiful, greener place to live.

Helping to beautify Mill Valley is simple and it is easy.  Whether you are part of an organized litter brigade or out on your own, all you need to do is grab a trash bag, step out your front door, and start picking up trash.  You can join a group, volunteer your group, or organize neighbors for a neighborhood cleanup.  After the clean-up projects there will be celebration and prizes in the Plaza, with awards going to the best “Found…

Congratulations are in order for four Marin elementary schools for adding yet more accolades to the excellent public schools in Marin County.  This week, Lu Sutton Elementary and Rancho Elementary, both in the Novato Unified School District; Ross Elementary in the Ross School District, and Bayside Elementary from the Sausalito Marin City School District were named as Distinguished Elementary Schools by the California Department of Education.

For 23 years the California Distinguished School program has recognized schools that, based on stringent federal and state criteria, exemplify excellence in education.  In selecting the ‘best of the best’, factors such as the Academic Performance Index and Adequate Yearly Progress results are taken into…

McMansions, Hummer homes, starter castles, megahouses – or whatever you call super-sized homes in your neck of the woods – were, I thought, on their way out as the popular trend has been wending its way back to mid-century sensibilities.  Not so, apparently in Belvedere CA, where two high-rollers are embroiled in a fierce battle over a proposed 10,280 square foot home.  Having already been scaled down from the original 11,523 sq. feet, the project – if it goes forward – will create the fourth largest home in Belvedere.

A key issue is that the new home will have a negative impact on views from neighboring homes – and anyone who knows Belvedere will understand that concern. Real estate in Belvedere CA is highly valued for the stunning views it provides of…

A hands-on approach to sustainability has earned students at the Marin Academy in San Rafael CA a role in a PBS documentary scheduled to air this fall. Filmmakers for the 26-minute special, Nourish: Food + Community, recently visited a number of schools, including Marin Academy High School, as it examines our relationship with food and the impact it has on our earth, ranging from a global perspective to grassroots efforts at conserving resources.

Marin Academy was chosen to participate in the film for several reasons.  Part of the biology curriculum is an organic garden that serves as an outdoor classroom.  Not only do students practice sustainable gardening with its environmental and social implications, but scientific experimentation is also part of…

Calling all Bay Area mid-century modern home enthusiasts!  Clear your calendar for tomorrow evening and come to Mrs. Dalloway’s in Berkeley for a slideshow and lecture on Cliff May and the mid-century modern ranch house that has become synonymous with the California life-style of easy, breezy, indoor-outdoor living.

The presentation will feature Daniel Gregory, architectural historian and author of Cliff May and the Modern Ranch House.  With a Ph.D in architecture and a long-running stint as Senior Home Editor at Sunset magazine, Gregory is well versed in the casual charm of California living. Currently Daniel Gregory is Editor-in-Chief of Houseplans.com, which is an architectural plans website based in Novato, CA.  Houseplans.com offers one of the…

We justed listed a contemporary, spacious and light-filled single-family home in San Rafael California that was built in 1993. 

Spacious San Rafael Home

This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2,728 squarefoot property features fabulous views of tree-covered hillsides, distant vista and the nearby Marin Civic Center designed by noted architect Frank Lloyd Wright.    

The open and airly floor plan is accentuated by the abundance of light and dramatic vaulted ceilings in both the Living Room and Master Bedroom.   California Closets in all Bedrooms as well as the Garage and Laundry Room.    Property includes numerous custom built-ins including fireplaces, shelving and entertainment center.  Central air-conditioning and heating.

Professionally maintained, care-free…

 Modern, luxury home buyers in the San Francisco Bay Area should be sure to check out our brand new listing situated in a scenic, wine country like setting yet still within easy commuter proximity to both San Francisco or the East Bay.  

Located in the prestigious Green Point area of Novato in Northern Marin County,  this 3,254 square foot designer home features:

• 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths (2 of the bedrooms are Master Suites)
• European designer kitchen with appliances by Sub Zero, Gaggeneau and Miele,
• Custom cabinentry and built-ins throughout,
• Gorgeous views of the surrounding hills, valleys and Mt Tamalpias,
• Amazing outdoor space for entertaining and relaxing (Over 1,600 sq fit of Brazilan Walnut (Ipe) decking)
• Green…