Marin County CA Realtor Kevin McGinnis

I happened to run some numbers for home sales in Novato the other day, comparing October, 2007 to October, 2008. I was astonished at a number I found.

In 2007, Novato's average price for a single-family home was $790,550. This year, that number fell to $739,359, representing a 6.5% decline. Average days on market stayed exactly the same year-over-year at 113.

But the number of homes sold really surprised me. In October, 2007, 20 single-family homes changed hands. This year, it was 36, or an 80% increase over last year!

Of course, the lower end of the market is leading the way and more expensive homes remain a tough sell. But clearly investors believe we're at a great time to buy and have stepped up to the plate. While I knew sales were up, I had no idea that number was as high as it was.

This alone should counter the gloom and doom headlines and offer some hope that eventually we will reuturn to a healthier market.

If you are familiar with Marin County Real Estate at all, you know that Tiburon and Mill Valley are situated right next to each other. Each is in Southern Marin, close to the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Each is highly desirable and each abounds with beauty.

But in this year's changing real estate market, they are both very, very different.

First, Tiburon's average home sales price this year is $1,865,457. Last year-to-date it was $2,084,147, representing a drop this year of 10.5%. Not bad, compared to other parts of the country, but very difficult to believe in Southern Marin. Home sales are down almost 21%, and average days on market is 107 this year compared to just 59 last year.

Next door in Mill Valley, however, this year-to-date average selling price is $1,494,507. A real bargain compared to Tiburon, right? Well, that number represents about a 16% RISE in prices over last year's $1,283,893 prices! That's astonishing given that unit sales have dropped 40% year-over-year.

It just goes to show you that all real estate is local, even in Marin County. It pays to know your market and it pays to do your homework.

As always, please email with questions kmcginnis@fhallen.com or call (415) 725-1911. Take care! www.BestHomesMarin.com