Ginger Wilcox, Marin County Realtor

One of the benefits of living north of Corte Madera in places like Kentfield & Greenbrae is warmer temperatures. Greenbrae can easily be ten degrees warmer than parts of Mill Valley on a foggy day.

The other benefit? Being able to see the fog nestled in the hills and valleys while we sit in sunshine.

What a beautiful sight...

1. Our schools depend on Measure A. Approximately 25% of the funding for Bacich and Kent comes from the existing parcel assessment (about $2.6 Million a year). If Measure A does not pass, Bacich and Kent will be forced to cut approximately 25% of their budgets, including teacher/staff layoffs and reductions in the arts, technology and language programs. Class sizes will dramatically increase.
2. Measure A is NOT a new assessment. Measure A is a proposal by the Kentfield School District (“KSD”) for a continuation of the existing parcel assessment set to expire next year. Measure A continues the existing parcel assessment formula.
3. Kentfield Schools are some of the best schools in the state and in the nation. Bacich and Kent are award winning schools, both having been recognized as “California Distinguished Schools” and both scoring in the top 3% in recent statewide testing. KSD continues to attract the best educators that consistently receive multiple teaching awards, grants and even California’s highest teaching honor, the California State Teacher of the Year Award. Forbes Magazine recently recognized Marin County as having the best schools in the nation for the money.
4. Property values rely on the quality of our schools. Property values have continued to increase rather than suffer the fate of the recent real estate market downturn due in large part to our schools. People move to Marin County, and specifically to Greenbrae and Kentfield because of the quality of our schools. If the quality of the schools goes down, people will move to other neighborhoods in Marin with stronger school systems. This could have a dramatic impact on property values in Greenbrae and Kentfield.
5. Senior Citizens can be exempted from the assessment. The Kentfield School District has provided for an exemption to Measure A for senior citizens. Exemption forms are available at the Kentfield School District office.

Need more info? Visit the Kentfield-Greenbrae Measure A website.

Visit Ginger's Marin Real Estate Blog for more information about Marin Real Estate and life in Marin.

Looking for a good burger in Marin? An exceptional martini? A delicious Ahi tuna nicoise salad?

Buckeye Roadhouse is the place to go. Described as "a beautiful, cozy, Aspen lodge-like dining room, complete with fireplace," "The Buckeye" is tops. It is probably one of my all time favorite restaurants. Located just off the 101 freeway in Mill Valley at the Stinson Beach exit, the Buckeye is convenient, but more importantly, a fabulous Marin dining experience.

Most nights the bar is packed, as is the restaurant, so make your reservations well in advance. Think two martini lunches are long gone? Not at the Buckeye -any time seems worthy of a martini.

It seems like it would challenging to make a burger special- but Buckeye does it. Think mouthwatering, juicy, yum-yum good. Other great finds- oysters bingo, chili-lime "Brick" chicken, the filet mignon & the pulled pork sandwich with homemade potato chips. Top it off with an glass of wine from the exceptional wine list and first class service- this is dining at it's best! (Did I say how much I like The Buckeye?)

The Buckeye Roadhouse
15 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley, California (415) 331-2600.

All content copyright © 2007- Ginger Wilcox, Marin County Realtor. Visit Ginger's blog for more information about Marin Real Estate and life in Marin.

Belvedere had four home sales in December 2007, as compared to only one Belvedere home in December 2006, and three Belvedere homes in December 2005.

Marin County Real Estate Home Sales report pulled from BAREIS MLS.

All content copyright © 2007- Ginger Wilcox, Marin County Realtor. Visit Ginger's blog for more information about Marin Real Estate and life in Marin.

Here are my predictions for Marin Real Estate in 2008:

• Throughout Marin county, sales volume will pick up substantially in the spring. Both buyers and sellers waiting for the shakeout of the mortgage industry will jump back in to the action.
• Sellers in most southern and central Marin cities will be in the best position to put their homes on the market in the first half of the year.
• Sellers in Novato and parts of San Rafael need to be very realistic and aggressively priced to sell their homes. Hang on -2008 will still be rough.
• Buyers looking in Southern and Central Marin may have a difficult time finding good properties in the first quarter. Despite all the news reports, it is still a seller's market in many areas because there are not enough homes on the market.
• The "sweet spot" for sellers is the $2,000,000-$2,500,000 price point, particularly Southern and Central Marin. Buyers out looking in this price point just can't find decent homes in this range.
• Well priced properties that are properly prepared for sale (staged!) will sell in 2008. Pricing and preparation are everything.
• Buyers looking for a "deal" need to expect to do some work, and be very patient!