Spring Is Here and So Are Marin Buyers!

Posted by Lisa Mallon on Sunday, March 21st, 2010 at 8:51am.

I am happy to report that in the last several weeks I've noticed a significant uptick in buyer activity throughout Marin. It started earlier from my perspective than in years past but I am delighted to report this nevertheless. It may be a combination of factors; great weather, the urgency of buyers wanting to take advantage of the homebuyer's tax credit before it expires, or even the threat of rising mortgage interest rates in the near future. Sunday open houses in Marin I have hosted in the last several weeks have all been extremely well attended.

Buyers have alot of inventory to consider too and it will most certainly increase through early June. From the selling side, the large majority of homes I previewed or toured in recent weeks are well presented and staged to varying degrees. It seems as if the majority of sellers understand the many benefits of preparing their homes for sale.

This winning combination of having a pool of qualified buyers and sellers who have taken the time to prepare their homes for sale in a highly competitve market like Marin, produces robust activity. Homes priced below $750,000 in central Marin are in most cases, on the market for less than 30 days before receiving at least one offer. Homes priced under $700,000 in several popular school districts are seeing multiple offers within 7 days on the market.

The flip side of this picture is the increased inventory in Marin bank-owned properties and short-sales. Properties in both of these categories are priced typically well below the market and offer fantastic opportunities for buyers who are seeking deals and are ready to buy immediately. This requires buyers be pre-approved, have verfiication of funds sufficiant to close and should be prepared to accept the property in its' "As-Is" condition. The majority of bank-owned properties have been vacant for some time and as a result may show signs of neglect. However, for those buyers looking for deals and willing to take on some degree of a project, this may be the best opportunity to get into the Marin real estate market.

If you are thinking of beginning your home search in Marin county, you need to look no further than here. I work primarily as a Buyer's Agent in Marin and I keep a close watch on daily inventory. Having lived in Marin for 20 years, I am very familiar with most neighborhoods in all communities throughout the county as well as school districts.

I would welcome an opportunity to work with you. You can contact me by clicking on this link.