June 2011 
There are 14 blog entries for June 2011.
Another reason to love Marin!
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 at 8:50am. 612 Views, 0 Comments.
Schools Rule Marin is helping our already well-regarded schools even better!
Every student in Marin County's public schools stands to benefit from this coalition of over 20 public school foundations working in partnership with the Marin County Office of Education. Their goal is to bridge the gap between state funding and what it actually costs to educate our children. They realize that every aspect of life here in Marin (which is pretty spectacular!) improves when our public schools do their job.
So, how does this relate to real estate?? Property values! Better schools lead to stonger and more desirable communities which increase property values and who doesn't love that?! Visit http://schoolsrule.org/ see how you can…6970 Lucas Valley Rd., Nicasio JUST SOLD! Relocating is sweet
Sunday, June 26th, 2011 at 4:35pm. 773 Views, 0 Comments.
I am excited to announce that another buyer client of mine now owns an updated and remodeled custom-built craftsman style house in Nicasio. This property, consisting of two parcels set on over four acres, sits above the redwoods and creek on a sunny level area and feels like a vacation destination! With decks off the dining room, living room, bedrooms and kitchen, the opportunity to be one with nature abounds.
My clients, relocating from out of the country, knew that they wanted a private wooded yet sunny setting and fell in love with the Nicasio area. However, with very little on the market to choose from, I had to get creative. Fortunately, I was able to find an off market property with owners that were ready to sell! Working cooperatively…
Marin County Radon Levels and the Local Real Estate Market - What You Need To Know
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 at 4:23pm. 3107 Views, 0 Comments.
In recent months I've had several clients ask me about radon testing. As a result, I thought it would be useful to provide a brief discussion about radon, what it is, why it is dangerous and how to determine whether your home is in a neighborhood with high radon levels.
Radon is a naturally occuring radioactive gas. It is odorless, invisible and without taste, and cannot be detected with the human senses. The only way to detect it is to test for it. Radon is released during the natural decay of uranium, which is found in most rock and soil and its' occurrence is influenced primarily by geology. When radon escapes into the open air, it is harmless. However, when the gas enters into the living areas of buildings and accumulates, it becomes…
It's Summertime in Marin County-Now What?
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011 at 4:12pm. 805 Views, 0 Comments.
Deck Views from Mill Valley
As I was sitting on the deck of my Mill Valley home, I thought, the last breath of spring faded away yesterday, the promise of summer fun is here. Summertime in the Bay Area is a wonderful time-the days are warm, the breezes gentle, and there are lots of things to do with or without children. Along with the typical “touristy” attractions, like Alcatraz and Pier 39, I have included some events that take place off the beaten path, not only in San Francisco, but also in nearby Sonoma County.
Without The Kids:
- Wine tasting on the Healdsburg Square- take the picturesque drive up Highway 101 to Wine Country. Healdsburg has a unique approach to wine tasting, offering many different wineries within…
Just Sold | 16 Madera Del Presidio Drive, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Monday, June 20th, 2011 at 8:04pm. 826 Views, 0 Comments.
I assisted my clients from Corte Madera to attain their goal of taking money off the table as original owners, while being able to stay in their house, by negotiating a deal to simultaneously sell their Corte Madera house and implement a lease.
From the moment you drive down the enchanted road to Madera Del Presidio, you know you're entering a special neighborhood. Built for functionality, this large 4 bedroom /3.5 bathroom contemporary home features an open floor plan and high ceilings. With plenty of room to spread out, it's a perfect house for entertaining. It's a light and bright home, with a dramatic vaulted ceiling in the living room and stately fireplace. You can enjoy meals in the formal dining room or the eat-in chef's kitchen…
Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Marin residents need to know...
Sunday, June 19th, 2011 at 9:03am. 991 Views, 1 Comments.
Attention Marin residents. An important safety law, Senate Bill 183 (installation of carbon monoxide detectors), takes effect July 1, 2011 in California. Carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, is a byproduct of incomplete fossil fuel combustion. The law states that any "dwelling unit intended for human occupancy" that burns any form of fossil fuel needs to have a working carbon monoxide detector installed. Because you cannot see it, smell it or taste it you have to have a detector installed to warn you of its presence. Tragically, hundreds of people in the United States die each year because they had no warning. Below is the basic information you need with links to more details and resources.
What are Carbon Monoxide detectors:
-CO detectors are small…
48 Coronet Avenue, Mill Valley - Just Sold!
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 at 5:11pm. 728 Views, 0 Comments.
Wow! We've finally closed this transaction. Negotiations were taking place up until the close of escrow today. I negotiated a price of $1,573,500 for this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Mill Valley's most coveted neighborhood near downtown. The home features south facing views, sunny large backyard, open living/dining room concept, decks, a family room and a two car garage.
My clients wanted to live within a couple of blocks from downtown Mill Valley, and I was able to secure this home for them within 4 days of the listing coming on the MLS. Two other offers came in right after we ratified the contract. Overall inspections went well,and we were able to negotiate some credits.
Mill Valley property is certainly unique - not only in age…
110 San Rafael Avenue, San Rafael - Just Sold!
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 at 4:35pm. 762 Views, 0 Comments.
My clients are so excited to have purchased this wonderful home in the Gerstle Park neigbhorhood of San Rafael. This bungalow style single story home was built in the early 1920's. It exudes so much charm. The home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen that opens to a family room, a large lush sunny backyard and hardwood floors. In addition to being in the heart of Gerstle Park, my clients will be able to walk to downtown or hop on a trail within minutes.
The home was listed for $699,000 and I negotiated a purchase price of $656,800. Many homes in this area range from the mid-$500,000's for a fixer upper to $1,000,000 for a large vintage remodeled home.
If you are curious about this neighborhood or are interested in learning more about…
Kentfield Mid-Century Modern - Wall Street Journal's House of the Day
Monday, June 13th, 2011 at 8:46am. 845 Views, 0 Comments.
Mid-century modern enthusiasts around the world who read The Wall Street Journal found a fabulous surprise today - my new listing in Kentfield (Hall House, 405 Goodhill Road) was featured as the Wall Street Journal's House of the Day!
As the largest daily newspaper in the United States with an average print and digital circulation of 2.11 million, I was excited that the Wall Street Journal provided its readership with an opportunity to preview this fabulous piece of architectural history in Marin County. You can view the feature on the Wall Street Journal online site right now at WSJ - House of the Day.
Contact me if you'd like additional information regarding 405 Goodhill Road, the Wall Street Journal's House of the Day in Marin County, or…
Navigating the FHA's Streamlined 203(k) Limited Repair Program
Saturday, June 11th, 2011 at 9:36pm. 1006 Views, 2 Comments.
I recently assisted clients of Erika Davito in purchasing their first home with financing secured through the FHA's Streamlined 203(k) Limited Repair "Rehab" Program. This loan program is a great resource for some buyers, blending together purchase and construction financing into one loan. But the process is definitely far more involved than with conventional or even regular FHA loans and there is greater potential for fall out. It's therefore important to be aware of potential pitfalls in order to improve the odds of a favorable outcome and I thought I'd share a few thoughts. (For a more general outline on the Streamlined 203(k) loan program, please refer to my earlier post.)
First, although the Streamlined 203(k) Limited…