Marin Market Update 
Market update for Marin County real estate buyers and sellers. Find out how home sales are doing in Marin, California.
There are currently 114 blog entries related to this category.
The Anlyan Report. Marin County Real Estate 5.20.12
Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at 9:35pm. 48 Views, 0 Comments.
Hello Everyone,
The Marin County Real Estate Market is Hot, Hot, Hot! Attractive new listings are flying off the shelf, often in their first week on the market, and, not infrequently, with multiple offers --sometimes going substantially over asking price. Sellers----can you count on this? Not necessarily. But if your listing is well prepared, priced, presented, and marketed, don't be surprised if it does happen.
What is going on here?
The current supply of housing inventory for sale is extremely low--- only 3.1 months for Single Family Residences (SFR) and 2.9 months for Condo's. In both cases, this is more than 50% below the available inventory in April of 2011. Year-to-date numbers of homes sold are up as well, in spite of low inventory---running…
The Best Mortgage Rates....Ever?
Thursday, May 17th, 2012 at 9:17pm. 100 Views, 0 Comments.
Although I rarely comment on interest rates, historic developments cannot be ignored. Yields on 10-year treasury notes reached their lowest point ever today, dropping to 1.70. And mortgage interest rates, which move in tandem, followed suit. We are currently seeing the lowest mortgage rates ever, and with the European Union’s crisis of confidence caught in a tail spin, there is a fair chance interest rates may drop farther.
The last time we saw interest rates at similar, all-time-low levels (September 2011) they rapidly shot up as if rejected by unfamiliar territory. That aside, and though I may soon find myself dining on braised crow, I feel there is a very good chance that we’ll see these uber-low rates…
Mill Valley makes the list!
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 at 6:57pm. 113 Views, 0 Comments.
Looks like the cat's out of the bag...
Smithsonian Magazine just ranked Mill Valley as the fourth-best small town in America. Smithsonian says: “Mill Valley is one of the jewels in a necklace of beautiful towns across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. It’s tucked into a canyon on the flank of 2,571-foot Mount Tamalpais, near the giant redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument and marshland surrounding Richardson Bay.”
View of the Richardson Bay from the garden of my waterfront listing in the Strawberry neighborhood of Mill Valley.
http://www.marinmodern.com/t/Cathy-Cook-MacRae/blog/mill-valley-waterfront-living-at-its-best.html
The article also mentions Mill Valley's easy accessibility to San Francisco and yet it somehow…
Comparing 15-Year and 30-Year Fixed Mortgages
Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at 8:40am. 161 Views, 0 Comments.
There are many different types of mortgage financing options, each geared to serving certain goals. None are bad, though it is sometimes a difficult task to choose the one that is best suited to your particular needs. Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) and their interest only cousins are often maligned and passed over without consideration, but may be the best option for anyone planning to sell or refinance within a shorter timeframe. But, with long-term rates at historic lows, if there’s any chance of remaining in a home for the long haul, a fixed rate mortgage might be considered cheap insurance.
Once a client has settled on a fixed rate mortgage, I am often asked which option is best for them, a 30-year or a…
34 Smith Ranch Ct, San Rafael - Superbly maintained home Coming Soon!
Friday, April 20th, 2012 at 12:09am. 180 Views, 0 Comments.
If you've been searching for an elegant and contemporary, turnkey 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom home in San Rafael, I invite you to consider my upcoming listing at 34 Smith Ranch Court. I will be launching this new listing on Saturday and our first open house will be held this Sunday, April 22nd.
This is a split-level home with a really great floor plan and 2318 square feet of living space. The house gets tons of light, helped by its south-facing orientation, many windows and the skylights in the master bathroom and the upper level hallway areas.
On the main floor is a bright and open living room with high ceilings, a kitchen with an eat-in space, and a dining area. Down one level is the generously-sized yet cozy family…
San Rafael City Government Online
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 at 11:06am. 158 Views, 0 Comments.
I am frequently prompted to go to the City of San Rafael website when a client asks me about their home's permit history or whether they need a permit in order to do some minor remodeling. One recent visit to the site so impressed me by the variety of information and events advertised that I thought I'd share the wealth.
The City of San Rafael has an "epermit" page where you can check your home's permit history by either address or parcel number. On that page you can also check the status of planning projects that have been initiated with the city by a homeowner. The site also provides a list of common remodeling projects requiring permits and has a downloadable form to order city resale inspections if you are about to put your home on the…
90% Jumbo Financing Available for Purchases to $972,775
Thursday, April 5th, 2012 at 10:52pm. 183 Views, 0 Comments.
A great new jumbo loan product offers 90% financing on purchase prices as high as $972,775. Qualified borrowers with limited down payment funds are now able to support significantly higher purchase prices. Until recently, buyers with 10% down payment funds buying in this range were relegated to FHA loans, which top out at $729,750 and limit purchase prices to just $810,833. This new loan not only increases purchase power by over $160,000, but also carries lower closing costs and mortgage insurance premiums, and does not mandate impounds for monthly collection of property taxes and hazard insurance.
The program's maximum loan amount ranges county-by-county and is calculated by adding $250,000 to a given county's…
Multiple Offers in Marin? You've got to be joking!
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012 at 8:24am. 133 Views, 0 Comments.
With historically low interest rates, and real estate down to 2002 prices why on earth would there be multiple offers on a property?
Every Wednesday and Thursday I tour the inventory of new houses on the market in Marin County. Last week, the water cooler conversation among the realtors touring houses was how tight the market is in Marin County. I kept over hearing conversations about multiple offers (across all price points), pre-emptive offers and listing agents holding off offers until the house has had enough exposure.
What does this mean for buyers? Be prepared. Don't even bother looking at houses until you're pre-approved. Well priced homes are not staying on the market very long. And when you find a house you really like, don't…
Preparing your home for sale: 10 tips to make your home show well & maximize profit!
Thursday, March 29th, 2012 at 4:17pm. 182 Views, 0 Comments.
Before: Kitchen looks dirty & dated. After: Kitchen looks clean & fresh.
As a realtor, I have helped many homeowners prepare their home for sale. Every property is unique, but these basic guidelines and tips will help make your property shine.
Homes that look good and are priced right sell fast and for the most money!
Tip #1: De-clutter entire property. That includes the yard, the closets the garage and most importantly the whole interior of the house. Less is more!
Tip #2: Clean the entire property. That means the yard needs to looks fantastic and neat and the interior is squeaky clean. Most buyers can't get past a mess to see "good bones". Alittle landscaping goes a long way too.
Tip #3: Paint. Paint is…
35 Bryn Mawr Drive, San Rafael, CA 94901 - COMING SOON!
Monday, March 26th, 2012 at 2:49pm. 366 Views, 0 Comments.
35 Bryn Mawr Drive, San Rafael CA 94901 - Coming Soon!
Inventory in the Marin County housing market is historically low as we head into our busy spring season. Spring is a great time to list and sell a property for a few key reasons:
- Weather - it's just more fun and convenient to house hunt when the weather is dry and warm.
- Timing - Finding the right property in the spring means getting into contract and closing escrow by Summer, getting settled during the summer months and hit the ground running when the new school year starts.
- Taxes - Post tax season. Budgets in place and 2012 plans being made.
- Renewal - Spring is just a good time for fresh starts!
35 Bryn Mawr…