Marin's Blog: All Categories

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

Last week I discussed the rather provocative program that American Express has implemented allowing homeowners to put their monthly payments on their AmEx card.  Other credit card companies are coming up with some pretty clever reward schemes as well.  As a realtor affiliated with Keller Williams in Marin, I see many of my clients take on some pretty substantial mortgages and am always interested in ways to help them maximize their mortgage dollars.

One that intrigues me is Citibank’s Home Rebate Platinum Select MasterCard.  With this plan, the consumer can use reward points to pay down a mortgage, regardless of who the lender is. The really interesting thing about this program is that the cardholder can earn some pretty generous rebates ranging from 1%… Read Full Post

I’d like to invite you to keep me company this month as I fly around the world on Alaska Airlines.  Look for me in the October edition of Alaska Airlines Magazine.  This issue has an interesting article, entitled Retro Renaissance - The mid-century modern home is back in style, which provides an overview of modern architecture and discusses the resurgence of enthusiasm for mid-century design.

As a specialist in mid-century homes, particularly Eichler ranch homes, I was interviewed for the article and I’m pleased to see that, in addition to my thoughts on modern homes in Marin County, some of the pictures I provided were included.

The article examines the rediscovery and popularity of modern design and discusses reasons for the movement’s recent… Read Full Post

Have you ever wondered what your mortgage can do for you?  Well, of course, real estate can always be seen as an investment, and there is that tax deduction, but beyond that, a mortgage seems like a big drain on the bank account.  If you are smart about it, however, you just might be able to turn the tables and make your monthly payments get something for you in addition to that dream house that you are making monthly payments on.

Recently American Express unveiled a plan that allows consumers to put their monthly mortgage payment on their American Express card.  At first glance the one-time fee of $395 seems kind of stiff, but for disciplined consumers who pay off their card every month the $395 fee would become a moot point within a year or so, and… Read Full Post

Homebuyers looking for property in Mill Valley recently had an interesting option added to their realm of possibilities.  Pacific Trail Townhomes is a complex of 16 apartments that are being sold as individual units, with ownership being an arrangement called tenancy-in-common.  The bottom line is that this creates housing which is a bit more affordable than a typical arrangement.  The homes range from $298,000 to $340,000, and in a market where condos can’t be found for under $400,000 this sounds like a pretty good deal.

In this case, tenancy-in-common is a scheme by which a buyer has financial interest in an entire property, and owns/lives in one of the individual units.  This is different than condominium ownership in which the buyer owns the space…

I’ve always found home and garden tours to be fascinating.  I suppose that getting a little glimpse into how other people decorate their homes, tend their gardens, and live their lives gives me some sort of vicarious pleasure.  On September 29 Sausalito will host its 23rd Annual Floating Home Tour, which will provide a fascinating look into a unique lifestyle – and I, for one, am looking forward to it with great anticipation.

Sausalito has long been a thriving artist community, so it is little wonder that this creative spirit extends into Sausalito real estate.  While floating homes are not unique to Sausalito, they are an integral part of the city’s ambience.  For the free-spirited bohemians among you, some of Sausalito's floating homes are for sale,…