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Home loveMarin County, people, places, culture and real-estate

Mill Valley Home Sales February 2008

Posted on March 8, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

The median home sale price in Mill Valley was $1,063,500 in February 2008, down from $1,255,000 in January, and down from $1,125,000 one year ago in February 2007. The number of homes on the market dropped 20% from one year ago, while the number of Mill Valley homes under contract dropped over 45%.

The number of closed Mill Valley home sales was down almost 68% from one year ago.  The average days on the market in Mill Valley was 58 in February.

Mill Valley
Homes		 Feb 2007 Feb 2008 ∆ % ∆
For Sale 103 82 -21 -20.39
Under Contract 22 12 -10 -45.45
Sold 25 8 -17 -68.00

San Anselmo Home Sales February 2008

Posted on by Ginger Wilcox

The median home sale price in San Anselmo was $929,000 in February 2008, down from $1,000,000 in January, and down from $1,110,000 one year ago in February 2007. The number of homes on the market dropped almost 34% from one year ago, while the number of San Anselmo homes under contract stayed flat.

The number of closed sales was down almost 27% from one year ago. The average days on the market in San Anselmo was 59 in February.

San Anselmo
Homes		 Feb 2007 Feb 2008 ∆ % ∆
For Sale 53 35 -18 -33.96
Under Contract 8 8 0 0
Sold 15 11 -4 -26.67

Fairfax Home Sales February 2008

Posted on by Ginger Wilcox

The median home sale price in Fairfax, CA was $630,000 in February 2008, down from $672,00 in January, and down from $735,000 one year ago in February 2007. The number of Fairfax homes on the market stayed flat from one year ago, while the number of Fairfax, CA homes under contract increased.

The number of closed sales was down almost 45% from one year ago. The average days on the market in Fairfax was 110 in February.

Fairfax, CA Homes Feb 2007 Feb 2008 ∆ % ∆
For Sale 17 17 0 0
Under Contract 4 7 3 75.00
Sold 9 5 -4 -44.44

Marin County to be sprayed for apple moth

Posted on March 6, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

I am sure you have heard the updates that Marin is going to be sprayed for the light brown apple moth (LBAM).  My sister and my parents live in Santa Cruz County where spraying has already taken place.  This quote comes directly from an email my sister sent to me: 

We actually did get a respiratory illness immediately following the spraying. It was a really hard one to get rid of. Dad and Mom also got the same thing we had and much worse. Dad who usually doesn’t question this kind of thing is totally convinced that his respiratory illness was from the spraying. They were sprayed directly while we just had residuals.

I just think they are spraying without doing enough research on the effects of the chemical on humans.

There is not enough proof that is kills the LBAM and every evidence that it is not good for humans. The CDC even has information on their website that the spray is harmful to humans and we should not come into physical contact with the spray.

I have asthma and any illnesses I get always go straight to my chest.  I have enough problems breathing.  I don’t need anything else to make me sick, thank you. More importantly, the children and the elderly don’t need respiratory illnesses.

Stop the spraying in Marin until more research is done.

Spring has sprung, the Marin real estate market has not..

Posted on March 3, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

While it is not technically spring, it sure feels like it.  73 degree temperatures and a slight burn from my open sunroof- I feel like spring has sprung.  The spring real estate market may be here but Marin real estate sales activity is still surprising low.  In February 2008, there were 86 single family home sales in Marin County. In February 2007, there were 141 single family Marin home sales.

Marin real estate sales volume is down almost 40%!

Interestingly enough, we have seen a resurgence of multiple offers in the last couple of weeks. Buyers are out looking for new listings. One San Rafael listing received three offers and went $100,000 over asking price!  Another Marin house listed under $1,000,000 received five offers.

If the listing is old, many buyers won’t even look at it. The initial offering price is absolutely crucial. Staging and property preparation is also more important than ever.  Homes that are not properly prepared are sitting on the market unless they are priced very fair.

When will the typically busy spring Marin real estate market hit?

We are still waiting!

Mandatory Re-Sale Inspections in Marin

Posted on March 1, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

Many cities and towns in Marin County require mandatory re-sale inspections before a seller transfers home ownership to a buyer.

Marin Cities that require resale inspections

  • Belvedere
  • Corte Madera
  • Fairfax
  • Larkspur
  • Mill Valley
  • Novato
  • San Anselmo
  • San Rafael
  • Tiburon

Fees range widely from about $100 to close to $300 in Novato.  Ouch!  In addition, what is inspected during these inspections vary widely.  Most check to make sure permits for any property improvements have been pulled.   The cities also note issues that may not be compliant with current building codes, check on zoning, property usage, etc. Re-sale inspections in Marin county do not cover property condition, quality of construction, general defects with the property, termites, etc.  Look for a general home inspection and a termite inspection to cover these items.

Marin sellers are strongly encouraged to perform the city/town re-sale inspections prior to going on their market.  Your Marin real estate agent should help you arrange this.  Some Marin cities and towns take an extended period of time to schedule inspections and also to return the inspection report.  If you do not get the report in time, you could end up delaying close of escrow.

If you have not pulled permits, you may be fined, asked to pull those permits retroactively and in some instances, sellers have been asked to remove unpermitted improvements. 

I have seen many deals fall apart after the reports are returned on a city/town resale inspection.  Buyers don’t like surprises at the last minute.  It is much better to know any issues relating to the city inspection before you find a buyer!

Marin home buyers:  Never sign off on your resale inspection unless you have seen the report in your hands.  Even if you attend the inspection, the city inspector may add mandatory items that you aren’t expecting.  View the actual report.  Some Marin cities and towns (such as Tiburon)do a re-inspection of required items (with an additional fee).  If you fail to make corrections within your allotted time period, you may get fined per day.  At last check, Tiburon fines racked up fines at a cool $103 a day.    Now that can add up quickly!

Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur- oh my!

Posted on February 28, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

Many people are surprised to find out I live in Larkspur when they thought I lived in Greenbrae but I have a Kentfield zip code. Did I confuse you?

GreenbraeOur little cities in Marin County are so close together, I think it is confusing to everyone. So how does this whole city/town/county thing work in Marin?

Part of Greenbrae is unincorporated, meaning it is not part of a city or town with its own government. Another part of Greenbrae is incorporated into Larkspur. Need a building permit and you live in that half of Greenbrae? You go to the City of Larkspur. Live in the unincorporated are of Greenbrae? Permits and other services fall under the domain of Marin County.

The zip code for Greenbrae is 94904. 94904 is also the Kentfield zip code. Like Greenbrae, Kentfield is also unincorporated.

The school district for Greenbrae is not the Corte Madera -Larkspur School District, it is in the Kentfield School District. Go figure.

Got it?

Happy Birthday City of Larkspur!

Posted on February 27, 2008 by Ginger Wilcox

happybirthdaylarkspur The city of Larkspur celebrates 100 years on Saturday.  Festivities kick off at 1pm with a parade in downtown Larkspur. 

The City of Larkspur was founded on March 1, 1908.

Get the scoop on Larkspur’s birthday here or visit Larkspur’s centennial calendar.

Larkspur’s centennial theme is "Meet me in Larkspur".  I will meet you anytime in one of my favorite cities!

Happy Birthday Larkspur!