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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

In looking at ways to make the most of your mortgage I got to thinking about people who have a small balance left on their mortgage but are stuck with a large interest rate.  Often, in this case, it just doesn’t make sense to refinance; the cost could outweigh the benefits. An alternative to consider might be paying off the mortgage with a credit card.

At first it seemed like a crazy idea, but as I thought about it I started wondering if it might have some merit.  Whether it is truly a good idea is questionable but it is an option that if used wisely, might work.  Banks are falling all over one another vying for our attention, and if you have great credit you may find a fixed-rate credit card offer with a very attractive rate.  It isn’t unheard of for a… Read Full Post

This Saturday residents all over the Bay Area are encouraged to join in the Lights Out San Francisco program, a first of its kind effort that is set to demonstrate just how much energy can be saved in one hour if people just work together and make one small change.

On October 20 lights on the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridges, San Francisco’s two signature bridges, will be dimmed from 8 to 9 p.m.  Although the savings will be minimal dollar wise, promoting energy awareness is the point of the exercise.

For safety’s sake, streetlights will remain illuminated on both bridges, as well as the flashing navigation lights that serve as warning to planes and ships.  All other architectural lights, including the 600 bulbs that accentuate the Bay Bridge’s… Read Full Post

The town of Fairfax in Marin County has recently run up against an interesting problem.  Builder Shane Deal wants to build a home that “will meet the platinum standards for green building” and his neighbors are up in arms.  You’d think that in this very environmentally conscientious neighborhood they’d be ecstatic.  Eco-friendly homes in Marin are all the rage.  So – what, exactly, is the problem?

The house Deal proposes will have state-of-the-art solar water heating, photovoltaic cells on the roof, fly ash concrete, low-VOC nontoxic paint, and formaldehyde-free insulation.  The house is designed to blend in with the surrounding hills and be maintenance-free.  What’s not to like?

Well – the house is big.  Really big by Fairfax standards.  At 3,794… Read Full Post