About Marin County, CA

I'm very excited to at last be paying a visit to Heath Ceramics in Sausalito this weekend. Better yet, it's their annual 20% off sale. I've been so drooling over their tile (my other favorite for tile is Walker Zanger with stores in Hayward & San Francisco).

I'm thinking about new tile for a bathroom in need of upgrading and between these two places I should be able to find inspiration! Both stores also sell seconds or discontinued tile, a great way to save a few bucks since their tile can be pricey but very high quality.

As an aside (forgive me, I will occasionally digress): when updating rooms in your home, it's typically the labor that is the most expensive cost. It's so obvious when developers or home owners cheap out on material. There is a time and place for Home Depot vs. higher quality tile or higher quality construction products. One needs to balance resale value as well as not over improving for one's neighborhood.

Check in with your local Realtor for feedback when doing your next project. After all, we see hundreds of properties a year & are also getting lots of feedback from buyers as to their likes/dislikes. A misstep in product selection could end up being a huge miss for future buyers which will end up coming out of your bottom line when you're trying to sell your property.

Subtle nuances such as choice of wood floor finish (please!!! don't use high gloss sheen-it's tacky & reflects too much light; matte/low sheen is better & allows the wood grain to better show through) to doors (No hollow core doors!!! They scream cheap. It's not that much more money to purchase solid doors) to choice of tile (Home Depot tile does not belong in new construction or renovated bathrooms/kitchens especially in some of our higher end neighborhoods/communities).

Don't get me started on vinyl windows! I'll save my thoughts on vinyl for a future post. ;-)

At last! I'm circling back round to my original point which is to go check out Heath Ceramics this weekend!

KBIS Design Show, DeeDee Gundberg, diamonds & bowties in volcano. Photo: © Ann Sacks

Posted by:

Cheryl Bower, Realtor , GRI, ABR
Cell 415.999.3450

cheryl@cbower.com
DRE #: 01505551

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[Click HERE for the full article, courtesy of www.ImagineMarin.com]

Building on a trend noted in last month’s report, media coverage of the overall economy has improved. In particular, reporting on the housing market. Forecasters are predicting that 2010 will be the first year since 2005 for housing to contribute to the growth of the U.S. economy (based on a survey by the National Association for Business Economics). According to that organization, home prices are expected to rise 2 percent next year — over 80% of economists surveyed think the recession is over and recovery has begun. The Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Jay Brinkmann, predicts that sales of existing homes will rise 11 percent in 2010, with sales of new homes climbing 21 percent.

But, perhaps more importantly, the Dow Jones has rocketed up past 10,000 and the tone of the W-shaped recovery dialogue has moderated. It was announced today that JPMorgan Chase plans to hire 1,200 mortgage bankers in light of improved housing market and signs of stability.

Finally, we know from past experience that in down cycles, once the San Francisco housing market recovers, there is a domino effect on surrounding communities. Accordingly, in our current cycle, we believe that our best leading indicator regarding a healthy, appreciating market (particularly in Southern Marin) will be the home sales environment in San Francisco. And there can be no doubt that the San Francisco market has improved dramatically in recent months. Additionally, as the banking institutions regain their footing and again provide bonuses to their employees, we will also see a surge in luxury home sales. In fact, if bonuses are significant and broad-based, I predict a very strong luxury sales market early in 2010 as buyers snap up the many “values” out there in the luxury and ultra-luxury sectors.

As reported in previous months, real buyers have become less numerous. They are placing emphasis on prestige locations, views, lifestyle amenities (usable yards, proximity to clubs/shopping, etc.), schools, and sensible scale. And they are seeking “value.” The Marin County luxury market has favored homes priced under $3 million — although 5 homes traded over $4 million in November 2009. [For a detailed snapshot of current national trends from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, click HERE. And if you would like a hyper-local report relating to any town or zip code in Marin or San Francisco, e-mail or call me at (415) 350-9440.]

The below graph tracks asking prices for 3 “hot” locales in Marin — Tiburon/Belvedere (they are combined here because they use the same zip code), Mill Valley, and Kentfield. Interestingly, while Belvedere continues to see asking prices drop, Kentfield and Mill Valley have seen asking prices increase over the last 4 months. Of course, asking prices do not necessarily closely reflect selling prices and in Mill Valley, there are lots of homes on the market in the higher price bands, which have not sold.

[Click HERE for the rest of the article, courtesy of www.ImagineMarin.com]

As you see in the charts below the average sales price in Marvelous Marin County is about where it was in 2004 - 2005.

While the volume of homes selling has been mostly pathetic this year, we have seen a slight uptick in the past month. Encouraging, but we're not out of the woods yet.

I think this will continue through next year, with more distres sales coming on the market. What is fueling the slight uptick in volume is realistic sellers who have learned that REOs are the competition and they must price accordingly.

To learn more about this area visit my website or contact me directly.

If you have questions, just ask!

Novato Home Back on the Market!

One of the finest homes for the price is back on the market! The owner took the home off the market for a short time to upgrade some of the fixtures and do some painting. This home is excellent. It offers:

• Pool
  
  
• Two Decks
  
  
• Game Room
  
  
• Media Room
  
  
• Five bedrooms with a Jack & Jill Suite
  
  
• Hot Tub
  
  
• Gourmet Kitchen
  
  
• Large Park like grounds
  
  
• Flowing Creek
  
  
• Horses OK
  
  
• Large Lawns
  
  
• Could hold RV Parking
  
  
• Classic Hard Wood Floors
  
  
• Grand Fire Place
  
  
• Excellent Schools
  
  
• Attic Fan
  
  
• and so much more!

For recorded information and/or an exclusive showing call:

1-800-950-6159 ext 1003

For more photos and information go to:

www.2424Vineyard.com

Mill Valley, CA  Real Estate Market Report for Nov. 15th

The median single family home price in MILL VALLEY 94941  according to the Real Estate Market Report for Nov. 15th is $1,350,000. Mill
Valley real estate Inventory has been tightening and days-on-market
decreasing recently.  The Market Action Index has been basically flat,
not providing strong indication for market conditions.  The average $
per square foot this week is $619/SF, and homes have been on the market
for an average for 140 days..  The median house size is 2,233

The market for Mill Valley real estate continues its bounce again this week. According to the Real Estate Market Report for Nov. 15th We're a
long way from the market's high point so watch the Market Action Index
to predict how long this trend will last.

Mill Valley conditions are currently quite strongly in the Buyer's Market zone (below 30). According to the Real Estate Market Report for Nov. 15th The 90-day Market Action Index stands at 15. With several
months of inventory available in Mill Valley at the current sales rate,
buyers should find ample choice.

Parks and Trails

Mill Valley is home to many nature trails and parks including one dog park where rover can exercise off the leash. Most valley parks have playgrounds for children of every age, and were designed for playing various sports. Mill valley is also home to the steps,lanes,and paths program that provides pedestrians with safe places where they can walk freely while soaking in the beautiful scenery offered by winding historic residential roads and flower covered hills.

Mill Valley School district
The mill valley school district contains 5 elementary schools, one middle school, four time California distinguished school winner Tamalpais High School, as well as a 258 student pk-8 independent school Marin horizon school. Over looking Old Mill Park is the municipal library home of the Lucretia Hanson Little History Room, and it is the provider of over 94,941 free passes to bay area museums for its local residents to date.

Community events

Dipsea race is the second oldest foot race in the united states, and the oldest cross country trail running event in the united states as well. To say Mill Valley is a great place for avid runners would be a great understatement.

Free Outdoor Shakespeare in Old Mill park is provided by curtain theater every summer. There are many great plays every year in the intimately beautiful setting of Old Mill Park's redwoods. The setting brings to life plays such as Mid Summer Nights Dream like a stage never could, and is designed to impress both first time theater viewers and the most frequent theater goers equally.

The Mill Valley Film Festival a filmmakers festival is a noncompetitive film festival. It was founded in 1978 by director Mark Fishkin and has an impressive track record for quality programing, and has launched many careers. It is the only prominent film festival in the entire San Francisco Bay Area, and has attracted many stars such as Billy Bob Thornton, Forest Whitaker, and even Tim Robins.

Why buy in Mill Valley?
Mill Valley, is located about 4 miles north of San Francisco making it a painless commute, surrounded by natural beauty including; gorgeous views of Richardson bay, Enormous Redwoods, and a sweeping view of Mount Tamalpais. Mill valley's view of the Golden Gate bridge though less known then that of San Francisco's is preferred by many of its inhabitants.Over all Mill valley is a great place to raise a family or enjoy the simple beauty of our Redwood forests and the Pacific ocean. With Mill Valley's strong buyers market and wonderful attractions now is the time to buy in Mill Valley.

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