Bay Area California Real Estate Blog and News

With 2013 in full swing, and spring is upon us, we wanted to provide East Bay Eichler homeowners with a summary of the market for Eichler homes.

A total of 37 Eichler homes were sold in the East Bay in 2012. Sales were steady throughout the year and there was a noticeable price increase across all East Bay Eichler markets towards the end of last year. As we enter the spring house-hunting season, there has been an uptick in buyers looking for Eichler homes.

Taking a closer look at Eichler sales for 2012, the majority (23) of sales occurred in Walnut Creek where Eichlers took an average of 19 days to sell at an average sales price of $691,605 (roughly 101% of the original list price). Three...

Golden Gate Bridge no longer takes cash at  toll booth starting March 27, 2013. In effort to save the bridge district money ($16.8 million over the next eight years) and speed up the traffic flow, all bridge crossers from Marin County will be paying their tolls electronically.  Also, for the first time ever there will now be a carpool lane (second lane from the right).  Please check this link for the carpool rules.

Basically there are several methods for paying the toll.

1: ...

Amazing south facing views of the Tamalpais/Tennessee Valley Ridge from this stylish contemporary home in Marin Terraces. This beautifully appointed 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath split-level home features vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, fireplace in the living room, spacious bedrooms, walk-in closet in the master bedroom, Jacuzzi tub in the master bath, separate office, large laundry room and a 2 car garage with additional space for storage.

Enjoy entertaining in the open kitchen, dining and living rooms or relax on one of the homes many decks to enjoy the view and peaceful setting. The backyard offers areas for outdoor dining, gardening or playing. The location is also ideal for those commuting to San Francisco or outdoor enthusiasts wanting to spend time...

Marin County Homes for Sale - New & Noteworthy: March 21, 2013

56 new listings this week in Marin County! The Spring selling season has officially begun! This is great news as we continue to have below average levels of inventory. In fact in February we had .8 months of inventory compared to 4-5 months last year, same time.

There were some standouts this week on broker's tour:

10 Currey Avenue, Sausalito CA 94965 - Listed for $1,650,000  

This 4 bedroom, 3-1/2 baths home is in the coveted and warmer Banana Belt area of Sausalito. The house had a hint of Southwest style and drop dead gorgeous views of the Sausalito Marina. The...

10 Diverse Marin Hiking and Biking Trails

Hiking and biking in Marin is one the best ways to experience our amazing open spaces, panoramic views and unique neighborhoods.  With Spring just around the corner, it is time to get out and discover the over 100 trails along the coastal hills, parklands and through Marin's picturespue towns.

Below is a well-rounded list of links for hikers, cyclists, runners, dog-walkers, equestrians and birders - a little somthing for everyone.

MILL VALLEY - SAUSALITO

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I have a very special new listing coming on the market this week.  Enjoy prime location in the highly sought after Forbes Neighborhood of San Rafael. Walk to down town, Sun Valley Elementary School, Rafael Racquet Club, Andy's Market, Open Space Hiking Trails etc. The  "welcome home" curb appeal keeps its promise when you enter. This spacious 4BR/3BA home is well cared for and has been extensively remodeled over the years, including kitchen with top-of-line appliances, bathroom remodels, hardwood floors etc.

• 4BR/3BA
• Fantastic huge family room w/ balcony
• Lovely back yard with fruit trees, berries etc.
• Practical floor plan
• Great indoor-outdoor flow
• Prime location in desirable Forbes near down town

Rarely do you find such a great floor plan. Entry level features formal living room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, one full bath and laundry. Separate bedroom wing on the same level features...

Today's SF Chronicle ran a most interesting article on the rebounding real estate market.  In brief, buyers are vying for limited inventories of properties which is creating bidding wars with multiple offers on properties and area median home prices rising 24.6% over last year.  The article contributes the surge to an improving economy, job growth (read that as buyer confidence again), which is extremely strong in the SF Bay Area.  Therefore, the San Francisco Bay Area seems to be the hottest market in the U.S. right now.

To read the full SF Chronicle article, go to:

www.sfgate.com/realestate/article/Bay-Area-home-prices-up-24-6-over-2012-4356658.php.

This beautifully and completely remodeled and expanded home in the Mt. Marin area of San Rafael boasts a huge kitchen with granite counters and high-end appliances, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, hardwood floors, 2 fireplaces, skylights, lovely landscaping, solar heated saltwater pool with a waterfall, outdoor kitchen, and an outdoor workshop area... Dixie School District too!

Offered at $929,000.

Open Houses: 

Sat., March 16th from 1p-3p  &   Sun., March 17th from 1p-4p

For more information, feel free to contact me:

email: Pam@MarinModern.com  cell: 415.640.0336 

I recently received a query from a new Marin resident. He is renting in Southern Marin. The question went something like this:"While I am from the metropolitan East Coast and used to high home prices, I was simply unprepared for the sticker shock of homes in Southern Marin. Why should I even consider a home purchase in Marin? These prices are outrageous."

I am posting my reply: There is a very simple reason Marin is so unique and thus so expensive.

With very strict zoning and environmental laws, Marin is a Mecca of natural beauty and healthy living yet close to one of the most exciting major metropolises in the world. In a nutshell: Marin is utterly unique.

How did it get to this point? It almost didn't.

In 1968-71, the County Supervisors in response to plans for a major freeway that would have completely destroyed the character of our county, fought for and created a new County Plan that called for three separate cooridors of development: Urban density along...