All Blog Entries by Jonathan Jacobs

I am so happy for my clients whom I just helped purchase their first home located in a great San Anselmo neighborhood. We had to make a strong pre-emptive offer to get this house because this price band in the Marin Real Estate market is very hot right now. We still had to compete with another offer. But ultimately, I was able to negotiate a good deal for everybody.

Set on a picture-perfect, tree-lined street, this charming three bedroom/two bathroom home features hardwood floors, a bright breakfast room, bonus room, as well as lovely molding and detail found in many 1920's San Francisco homes. With a flat yard that boasts mature magnolia and fruit trees, a deck off the kitchen which transitions to a patio in the backyard and an…

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Apparently, some lenders have started doing stated income loans again. To some, this is a sign that the home loan crisis might be over. Interest rates are at an all-time low, but there have been whispers that rates will finally start to increase this year. There are still great deals on Marin homes, but prices are starting to inch up. As we head out of winter and into spring, the real estate market usually experiences higher volume, which is another reason to consider buying now.

For alternate financing options, Aaron Augustis, a Marin-based financial advisor at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, said his company offers loan products that many people aren't aware of. Using the Pledged-Asset Mortgage or the Portfolio Loan Account, home…

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I just helped my client purchase a nice 3-unit property in San Rafael. Homes rarely come onto the market in this location where you can walk to town. Not only does it provide an investment that covers some of the cost, but it provides an easy commute to work, as well as plenty of sunny days to enjoy throughout the year.

Set in the lower hills of desirable Sun Valley neighborhood just off of Forbes Avenue, this mid-century modern triplex has a rare side-by-side orientation that offers privacy. Each unit has been well-maintained and has two bedrooms and one bathroom, a fireplace, a laundry area, a garage, as well as plenty of storage. You can also enjoy outdoor-living from the deck that each unit offers, with the principal unit…

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October is often seen as the beginning of the slow period in real estate. Not so in Marin County. Single-family home sales were up in October 2011. There were 157 homes sold this year as compared to 152 in October of 2010 according to the Marin IJ. Prices of Marin single-family homes were also up October 2011 versus October 2010. The median price for single-family homes sold during this period rose from $740,000 to $749,000.

Condo sales also increased in October from 39 sold last year to 49 closed in 2011, which is a 25.6% increase. However, the median price for condos sold in October 2011 fell from $350,000 to $325,000 or a 7.14% decrease. This can be attributed to the number of distressed condos in Marin County.…

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The old Niven Nursery property in Larkspur, also referred to as the Rose Garden site, has been sold to a new developer.  The 16.8 acre property is located in a prime location near downtown Larkspur. It sits between Doherty Drive and Ward Street, next to Hall Middle School, Redwood High School. It was an agricultural site when the Niven family acquired it in 1937. They turned it into a wholesale nursery that sold roses and orchids. About 14 years ago the family began the long process of getting the property rezoned, after indicating that they couldn't run the nursery as a viable business any more.

The purchase included the rights to the plans that were previously approved. The previous developer spent around $5 million doing…

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I was able to negotiate a sizeable reduction in price on a Marin REO, with multiple offers, for my clients. As a result, they were able to purchase their Sausalito dream home.

Located in a desirable neighborhood, this 3 bedroom/2 bathroom Sausalito home exudes the California lifestyle. An open floor plan, with large living room, boasts unobstructed bay views from a wall of windows. Dramatic vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, built-in bookcases, window bench and gas fireplace finish off the heart of the house. The kitchen opens to the dining room with a bar for seating, granite tile counters, and gas range. The house also features wrap-around decks, separate office, two jetted tubs and central vacuum.

The property is located within…

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Students of Marin County Schools scored well in the recent results released regarding the annual Standardized Testing and Reporting exams (STAR). In fact, they outperformed state averages by a significant margin. The tests measure second through seventh grade students' proficiency in math and English.  

According to the Marin IJ, 73.4% of Marin students were proficient in English, whereas 54% of all California students in those grades were proficient in English. Marin Students also averaged better in math than the state, coming in at 66.1% compared to 50%. "The significant and sustained improvements we've seen for nine consecutive years prove how hard teachers, school employees, administrators and parents are working to…

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Residents of Corte Madera and Larkspur alike are looking to add Corte Madera to the name of the school district that it shares with Larkspur as a two-school district. Neil Cummins Elementary School is in Corte Madera and Hall Middle School is in Larkspur. The new (old) name would be the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District.

Corte Madera is currently home to 814 of the students in the district as opposed to 469 students living in Larkspur, according to the Marin IJ. The district is also hoping to add a third school in Corte Madera. However, it would require some building expansion to the existing site, as well as retrofitting. The district's superintendent recently approached the Corte Madera Community Foundation to discuss a…

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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…

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I'm so excited for my client, Pat Kuleto. I just sold his home he calls Lilypad, located at 2350 Marinship Way #3, Sausalito. While I was able to generate unparalleled media and online coverage, it was a challenging property to sell because it required an all cash buyer, who was willing to take on some deferred maintenance and a month-to-month berth lease. Ultimately, it sold for $10,000 above the appraised value for $320,000, making for another happy client.

This three-level, 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom home designed by Pat, incorporates his legendary charm, and has views of Angel Island, Sausalito Harbor and hills, Mt. Tamalpais and San Francisco Bay. Property features include Koa wood wainscoting and finishes throughout,…

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