Bay Area California Real Estate Blog and News

Land Owner Workshop

This just in. Thinking about buying a lot to build your own custom home? You should check out Blu Homes and attend the Land Owner Workshop this Saturday December  3. Tis workshop is a great place to start to get you on your way to your dream home. Blue Homes are designed to let the "outside in" and are locally manufactured in the Bay Area. Topics to be discussed include the Blu Home Building Process, Evaluating Land and Financing.  You can register here.

blue_home_house_400_01
 

...

940 W. California Ave. CA 94941: SOLD!

940 W. California Ave. CA 94941: SOLD!

Congratulations to my Seller clients for hanging in there on a long escrow. Their fantastic lot in Mill Valley’s Marin Terrace neighborhood (940 West California Ave) has closed!

I’m excited for the new owners as their creative vision will soon be realized. This view lot sits amongst million dollar + homes and is close to San Francisco, downtown Mill Valley, open space and the beach. The up-sloping lot allows for gorgeous views of hills, open sky and...

80 Roundtree Blvd. San Rafael, CA 94903: SOLD!

Another happy Buyer Client! 80 Roundtree Blvd. San Rafael, CA 94903: SOLD!

Helping clients find the perfect new home is a joy I never tire from. I had the recent pleasure of helping my buyer client search for, find and close on a beautiful new home in a difficult buyers’ market. It took several offers and much persistence, but in the end the property my client closed on was exactly what we were looking for-single story, Dixie School district and in Marinwood.

Over the years I have done many real estate transactions in Marinwood and like this one, in the Roundtree Complex. This area of San Rafael is appealing because of the award-winning school district...

Baby Boomer Grandparents Move to Marin

I had the pleasure of representing the buyers for 13 Egret View who relocated from the Central Coast to Marin to be closer to their adult children and young grandchildren.  This is a story and demographic that is playing out over and over again in my real estate practice and for many other realtors.

As Baby Boomers retire, they are increasingly, at a younger age than the previous generation, choosing to relocate to be near their adult children and play a bigger role in the lives of their grandchildren.  With very busy lives, both parents working and no family support, many young families welcome the move and having grandparents closer and more involved.

One of the biggest challenges for these Baby Boomers is the cost and competitive nature of real estate in Marin.  Since many...

The Anlyan Report. Marin County Real Estate Statistics October, 2016

Real Estate Graphic

September, with its 2.7 month supply of housing inventory, briefly offered us some hope of easing the shortage of homes for sale in Marin County. But October's final tally finds us back at a 1.7 month supply of homes in the Marin County housing market, continuing the shortage we have been used to seeing for quite some time now.

Number of Days on Market remained fairly stable, at 51 days for October, vs. 49 days in October of 2015, but new listings during the month were only 120 compared to 170 last year in the period, a 30% decrease. Sales prices were, on average, 100% of the list price at the time the transaction went into contract, and 98% of original list price, recognizing the fact that some listings had price reductions during the listing period. Only 161 Homes sold in October compared to 205 in 2015...

First time home buyers: Credit score

1-1251904084vzf6_1280
photo credit: http://bit.ly/2g94RjM

Many of my potential first time home buyers aren't quite ready yet to buy. Often I hear: I am working on my credit score. I did some research and here is what I learned:

Credit score is used by lenders to evaluate your credit worthiness. It's between 300 - 850. Your credit score (aka FICO score) influences the height of the interest rate you can qualify for and sometimes also the type of loan. Some loans require a credit score of at least 640. The higher your score, the better.

Factors that influence your credit score:

-       Paying on time! The longer you pay on time, the better.

-       Total amount...

East Bay Commute Options

commute_to_work_207

 

My clients who are new to the East Bay frequently ask me about commuting options. While BART is usually top of mind for new residents, there are plenty of other options available to the well-informed commuter:

  1. AC Transit buses run throughout the East Bay. Service includes local and express buses as well as Trans-Bay service to downtown San Francisco from several East Bay cities including Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Alameda (just to name a few). More information including routes, pricing, and schedules can be found on AC Transit's website.
  2. Casual Carpool is a series of designated spots throughout the East Bay where drivers stop and pick-up riders...

16 D Oliva Drive, Novato CA 94947: SOLD!

16 D Oliva Dr. Novato CA 94947: SOLD!sold16-oliva-dr_hilary_davis_500

What a pleasure it was to help my Seller clients prepare and sell their condo. With my seller on board, I got the unit properly prepared, staged, professionally photographed and on the market in record time. This was important to them as they had an out of town job offer and had to act fast. The unit showed beautifully and received multiple offers and sold quickly with an all cash offer.

I was not surprised as the location is fantastic and the views beautiful plus it's a desirable 2 bedroom 1.5 bath end unit in the Parkhaven Complex.

...

1220 Waterview Drive in Mill Valley - On the Market!

blog_picture_500

I am thrilled to announce my new listing in Mill Valley.

This recently updated spacious 3,174 sq. ft., 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home featuring an open kitchen, dining, living and family room area with a LaCantina door leading to the outside decks that make it perfect for entertaining. Upper level has a master suite with views of the bay, Angel Island and Alcatraz, two bedrooms with lofts and second bathroom. Lower level boasts an au pair/guest suite with additional family room, bedroom, bathroom and possible office or wine room. This unique property has a 2 car attached garage, laundry room, ample storage and a large useable yard. Adjacent to expansive open space with access to hiking and biking trails...

JUST SOLD - 320 Stuyvesant Dr, Sleepy Hollow, San Anselmo, CA.

Has the market softened? Both yes and no. 320 Stuyvesant Dr. closed today for over asking price after roughly one month on the market. With an ideal floor plan spanning over more than 2,800 sqf, this 2-story home is situated on over half an acre, on a quiet cul-de-sac, and it backs to open space. It offers commanding views over Sleepy Hollow from several rooms and from the view decks. It also boosts a big, level yard ideal for play, entertaining and quiet relaxation. For a full description, see www.320Stuyvesant.com

Sleepy Hollow is always a very desirable area and inventory has been scarce throughout the fall, so even it the market overall is softening certain areas do better than others. If you are in the market for a home in San Anselmo, don't hesitate to give me a call. I have a proven track record for both selling and buying clients and would welcome an opportunity to share my expertise with you. 2016 is nearing an end and 2017...