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Marin County real estate has long been known for its progressive architecture.  Almost every community has notable examples of mid-century modern design, including several Eichler neighborhoods.  You’ll also find many homes and public buildings by world caliber architects including Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei.

It is because of this architectural tradition that winners of the 2007 San Rafael Design Awards can be especially proud.  They stand in excellent company.  I want to offer my congratulations to the designers who were honored this week as part of San Rafael’s Design Awards program.

Winners of this year’s competition are:

• Robert Hatfield of Hatfield Architecture for design of – 5000 Civic Center Drive
• Genaro Morales, Watry…

Many of our clients are eco-conscious home buyers in Marin County however the headlines in today's local Marin Independent Journal newspaper would indicate that these "green" buyers would like to extend their green purchasing power above and beyond residential real estate.    

The article presents data from a recent consumer survey conducted by Forrester Research Group which indicates that more than 12% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for everyday products (i.e. television sets, laptop computers, desktop computers) if those products consume less power or come from an environmentally-friendly organization.   

Some manufacturers have identified ecoconscious buyers as a small - yet rapidly growing - niche market and are beginning to promote… Read Full Post

It seems that California’s fire season just won’t end.  This morning I woke up to the news that the Santa Ana winds are blowing again and there is another fire in Malibu.  This happens every year, and there is always a great deal of discussion over the fact that people choose to live in fire prone areas, that we need Defensible Space around homes and buildings, and that the various state and federal agencies need to “do something”.  The discussion goes on, then the rains come, and people go about their business until next fire season.

There are, however, ongoing efforts to address the problem.  Currently cities and towns throughout California are required to review state fire code every three years and adopt revisions necessary to comply with state… Read Full Post

The face of Sausalito real estate will be taking on a decidedly different look if proponents of the Sausalito Harbor Project have their way.  The $25 million proposal suggests building a 20-foot wide walkable quay to create a harbor area.  The harbor will provide access for boaters and a potential for commercial services such as water taxis, pick-up points for recreational fishermen, and water related sightseeing excursions.

Advocates see the harbor as a boost to the city’s economy. The quay will serve as a promenade, adding to Sausalito’s outdoor space. The harbor will allow boaters access to the city by providing docking facilities for up to 70 boats and could even serve as a launching point for the ever-popular “Bay Swims”.  Supporters envision a… Read Full Post

If you live in Marin County California and have been thinking about putting in a solar-powered electric system, now just might be the time to do it.  Novato based SPG Solar Inc. will install solar systems at a discounted rate for residents of Marin County through February 2008.

The discount was arranged by GoSolarMarin, which is a group of Marin residents organized by San Rafael resident Lisa Max. In an effort to gain some consumer clout with the philosophy of strength in numbers, GoSolarMarin asked 10 solar system installers to submit bids, and SPG Solar submitted the winning proposal.  SPG Solar states that its offer to install solar-powered systems throughout Marin County at the rate of $7.94 per watt represents a savings of about 17% as compared… Read Full Post

In recent years lenders have become very creative in their strategies to sell mortgages.  You can find jumbo loans, hybrids, pledged asset mortgages, and a variety of other complicated schemes, including shared appreciation, wraparound, and simple interest plans.  I find that even the most savvy of my clients who are looking for real estate in Marin County are often confused by all the options available.

Not understanding the implications of the different lending strategies and having unrealistic expectations can lead to a lot of financial complications for many homeowners.  Following are explanations for some of the more popular mortgage terms found on today’s market.

• Subprime  This controversial lending scheme can be of several types, but…

I’m a firm believer that real estate is a good investment, but I still want to maximize my dollars as they travel from my pocket to the bank’s balance sheet.  Earlier this month I wrote about some credit card programs that offer rebates and award incentives that are pretty darn attractive to the disciplined consumer – and I know we’re all looking for all the help we can get.  Everyone wants to get in the game, regardless of their mortgage balance, but there is also the fact that the larger the mortgage the greater the potential gain.

Even in a generally declining market Marin County real estate is still pretty solid, but there is no disputing that it is expensive.  With the hefty mortgages that many of my clients shoulder, I hear all sorts of… Read Full Post

Within the last several weeks, Marin County property owners have received their annual Secured Tax Statement outlining the taxes due on their real property in Marin County, California.     In Marin County, these property taxes represent 1% of the homes assessed value plus any special bonds, fees or other miscellaneous charges.    Each year, the increase in the property tax rate is capped at 2%.

Traditionally, the value of a home is assessed when there is a change of ownership.     What this means is that recent homebuyers who purchased Marin real estate during the height of the market may be in a position where the assessed value of their home (and their tax bill) is actually higher than the current market value of their home.  

The good news is… Read Full Post