Bay Area California Real Estate Blog and News

The Marin Real Estate Market: Bubble or Recovery

Is it a bubble or a recovery?

We are seeing tremendous market corrections. While the rest of the country is also seeing an uptick, the SF Bay Area is having a meteoric rise in prices.

Almost weekly, a someone asks, "What is causing the steep rise in prices?".

The difference in a nutshell: jobs.

Interest rates are great nationally and local inventory is low- now that the distressed properties are drying up.

However, the biggest difference that sets the  Bay Area a part: Bay Area companies began outfitting for hiring two years ago by acquiring office space and building out those spaces. Technology, Investment and Medical Science sectors were poised to hire by early 2012.

By Spring of 2012,  new recruits began to look for housing in San Francisco and further South.  Many others were forced to look for homes further north as competition in Sf drove prices beyond the reach of many. We, in my industry,  started hearing ...

Mortgage Financing with Foreclosures, Short Sales, and Bankruptcies

In the wake of the financial crisis and recent recession, millions of would-be homebuyers with foreclosures, short sales, or bankruptcies listed in their credit histories naturally wonder as to their prospects for new mortgage financing. Since lending requirements vary from product to product (such as conventional to FHA) and because investor guidelines are in constant flux, there is no easy answer as to which options a given borrower may have. Another complicating factor is "lender overlays." These are additional requirements that lenders routinely impose on the loans they underwrite in an effort to manage portfolio risk. Examples range from higher credit scores, limitations to loan sizes, increased assets, etc., and these will be adjusted periodically and vary from lender to lender.

With so many moving parts, it's hard to know what your options might be any given time. But beginning from a somewhat conservative base provides a general sense of viability. Here are some fairly...

40 Tamalpais, Modern in Mill Valley - Just Sold!

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I assisted my buyer clients with the purchase of this newly-constructed modern home at 40 Tamalpais which was located in the highly-desirable Middleridge neighborhood of Mill Valley.

Sold for $3,775,000, this custom-built home featured: 

  • 4 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms home plus a seperate inlaw unit,
  • Custom kitchen with Miele appliances,
  • Custom bathrooms with HansGrohe appliances,
  • Walls of glass which open to a flat yard with firepit and ample room for relaxing & entertaining,
  • Elevator access from house to garage, 
  • Views of the surrounding lush green hills,
  • Walking distance to downtown Mill Valley.

I enjoyed working with my clients and assisting them with the purchase of a modern...

96 Golden Hinde Boulveard in San Rafael - Sold!

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I was happy to represent my clients with the sale of their courtyard-style Eichler Home at 96 Golden Hinde Boulevard, San Rafael, CA 94903. 

Located in the Terra Linda neighborhood of San Rafael, I listed, staged and aggressively marketed this updated 3 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom Eichler home which received multiple offers and sold for $855,000.   

Contact me directly at 415-EICHLER if you are interested in buying or selling an Eichler home.    I've got unmatched knowledge of the market for both current and upcoming Eichler listings and would welcome the opportunity to put my experience as the #1 Agent for Sold Eichler Homes for the past 5+ years to work for you!

Renee Adelmann, Realtor &...

Pricing and Preparing Your Marin Home for Sale

Determining the list price for your home is as much of an art as a science. There is no exact formula, simply a range within which the sale price of your house will fall.  At any given time there are four factors that affect the sale of your home:

  •  Location is the single most important factor in determining the value of your home. It's true, location, location, location. Sought after school district, view home, walkability to a town, proximity to parks, shopping and freeway acess, etc. 
  •  Condition of the property affects the price and speed of the sale. Prospective buyers often make purchases based on emotion, so first impressions do count. Optimizing the appearance of your home will maximize the buyer's perception of value.
  •  Competition - Prospective buyers compare...

146 Marina Vista in Larkspur - JUST SOLD!

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I had the pleasure of representing the buyer on a very unique property in Larkspur. A contemporary home with floor to ceiling windows and an open loft nestled in the hills; it has views of the Bay and the lights at night.  It is minutes to downtown Larkspur and Corte Madera and backs to Baltimore Canyon open space.  It truly is a special home for a special buyer at an unbelieveable price for Larkspur - $661,000.

If you are looking for a knowledgeable and experienced realtor to help you buy or sell a home, give me a call.  I would be happy to assist you.

Janis Peterson, Realtor, ...

257 Roundtree Way, San Rafael - Just Listed!

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New Listing! Single level condo in Marinwood with 2 bedrooms/1 bath at the end of a cul d sac.  Great location, feels like a free standing unit with a private garden entrance.  When you enter the front gate, there's a large, tiled patio.  Inside you'll find Bamboo flooring throughout except for tile in the kitchen and bathroom, the fireplace has been refaced with stone, there is track lighting and air conditioning was added a few years ago.  It has been recently painted and is ready for a new owner to move in and enjoy.  Roundtree is a PUD (Planned Unit Development), located in the Dixie School District...

64 Los Cerros Ave, Walnut Creek - Eichler for Sale!

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Now is a chance to own an East Bay Eichler on one of the most desirable blocks in the Rancho San Miguel neighborhood.

This 4 bedroom, 2 bath atrium-model, mid-century Eichler is located on the low-traffic, west-end of Los Cerros Avenue with a very private, large backyard bordering the Contra Costa Canal Trail and steps away to the RSM Neighborhood open-space park. 

The home features many original and desirable design elements as well as a number of thoughtful upgrades.  Updates include an expanded kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a revised master suite with walk-in closet and separate tub and shower overlooking the resort-like...

715 Butternut Dr, San Rafael - Eichler for Sale!

715 butternut drive san rafael  - for sale by Marin Modern.

Prospective home buyers looking for an Eichler home in Marin County should be on the lookout for my new Eichler listings located at 715 Butternut Dr, San Rafael, CA 94903.

715 Butternut Drive, San Rafael Eichler Home

This upcoming lsting is a 4BR/ 2BA atrium model Eichler with working radiant heat in San Rafael. Fabulous mid-century model updated home with many original Eichler features intact. Nicely updated and sleek bathrooms, tile and cork flooring, floor to ceiling windows, very private setting and located on a low traffic street.

Offered for sale at $750,000, the first public open house for 715 Butternut will be held this upcoming Sunday (April 14) from 1-4pm.

Eichler Home ownership in 2013?

If...

Free Electronics Recycling In Marinwood: April 20, 10am-2pm

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Brought to you by the Dixie School District's Green Initiative Committee, it's time to recycle all your electronic waste.

Who: Everyone is welcome and there is no limit to what you can bring.  So tell a friend, ask your company or businesses in your area to recycle, too.

What you can recycle:

Most electronics equipment such as: Television sets,

CPU's, Computer Monitors, Computers, Keyboards,

Laptops, Printers, Copiers, Scanners, Fax Machines,

Servers, Main Frame Units, Networking Equipment,

Systems, Printed Circuit Boards,...