A comparison of Novato Real Estate Market between March 4, 2009 and November, 2008. A lot has happened since November, 08, and the market reflects some of that.
Novato Real Estate Market statistics stays pretty flat with a few big gain in percent pending - under $500K starter single family homes had a gain of 10% to a strong sellers market at 51% pending; the midrange, properties between $700K and $800k enjoyed an 8% increase in pending. The total now reach 27%, moving towards the right direction.
The Biggest gais are the over $1,25M market - One thing to keep in mind is that due to the very small volume of the homes avaialbe, a house or two sale makes a huge difference percentage wise.
The ratio is held steady by dwindling inventory - overall inventory dropped by another 20%, from 370 to 305. This can be attributed to several reasons -
* The normal beginning of the year brings slower new inventories
* The bail out plan gives many home owners hope and they decided to refinance or negotiate for a 'loan modification' Whether they will get their loans modified is irrelevant for this moment. The reality is it brings down the available homes market.
* Sellers are holidng onto their properties for the right moment - either the prices go up or when they HAVE to sell. This also limits the inventory.
This is a great time to buy, with bargains abound, whether it's in Novato, San Rafael or Southern Marin. Bank owned homes or sellers with plenty of equity are pricing homes low to attract multiple offers.
Make Sure You do not spend TOO MUCH time waiting for the right price and when you finally buy, you already missed the bottom of the market.
Just Remember, The Bottom of the Hill is all hindsight - You don't know it's here and when you discover it's the bottom, you have already missed it!
Give me a call at (415) 717-0293 or email me at sylvia@SylviaSellsMarin.com for inventories on the market, whether REO, Trust Sale, start home, luxury homes.. I will be very happy to find the best house / investment property for you!
It will be a pleasure to serve you!
|
category |
Total Units/ In Escrow |
% Active |
% Pending |
% +/- since 09/10/08 | |||
|
All SFD's and CID's |
|
305/107 |
|
65% |
|
35% (N) |
+6% |
|
SFD's |
|
207/63 |
|
70% |
|
30% (N) |
+7% |
|
CID's |
|
98/44 |
|
55% |
|
45% (S) |
-2% |
|
$0 -$500K SFD |
|
61/31 |
|
49% |
|
51% (S) |
+10% |
|
$500,001-$600K |
|
32/9 |
|
72% |
|
28% (N) |
-2% |
|
$600,001 - $700K |
|
29/8 |
|
72% |
|
28% (N) |
-2% |
|
$700,001 - $800K |
|
26/7 |
|
73% |
|
27% (N) |
+8% |
|
$800,001 - $999,999 |
|
24/1 |
|
96% |
|
4% (B) |
-6% |
|
$1M - $1.25M |
|
15/2 |
|
87% |
|
13% (B) |
-4% |
|
$1.25M - $1.5M |
|
11/2 |
|
82% |
|
18% (B) |
+18% |
|
$1.5M+ |
|
9/3 |
|
67% |
|
33% (N) |
+24% |
Property value in Marin County have suffered from the current housing crisis; homeowners who bought their homes during the past few years have seen their share of property value decline.
Depending on the location and types of the homes, the price drop might result in current market value to be much lower than their homes' taxable (assessed) value. Marn Homeowners whose property value is lower than the current market value should ask for a reassessment from Marin County Tax Assessors.
If successful, the property tax bases for these homes will be lower resulting in lowered property tax payment for their Marin Homes.
Proposition 13 allows homeowners to keep their property tax to no more than 2% annual increase during the time when property values are going up until the property changes hand.
On the other hand, Proposition 8 protects homeowners when the property value drops below the current market value. Proposition 8 allows homeowners to request for reassessment of their properties when the market value of their home is less than the assessed value of the home. This results in a lower property tax which is in sync with the current lower market value.
To request a reassessment of your property value, you will need to provide Marin County Tax Assessor's office with the value of three current comparable properties that are sold around 01/2009 (no later than 03/2009).
Fill out the 'Request for Informal Review of January 1, 2009 Reassessment' and follow the very simple direction. Your request has to be in before 12/31/09.
If you need help with comparable values of homes, please feel free to contact Sylvia (415) 717-0293 and I will be very happy to help.
_________________________________________________________
Sylvia Barry
, Realtor, ePRO
Marin Realtor for Marin Real Estate
Marin, San Francisco North Bay
Frankk Howard Allen Realtors
website: www.SylviaSellsMarin.com
Blog: www.AllAboutMarinHomes.com
MARIN, SONOMA, S.F. BAY AREA REAL ESTATE - Beveldere, Corte Madera, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur, Marinwood, Mill Valley, Novato, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon; Cotati, Penngrove, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa. Starter Home to Luxury Property. REO (Bank Owned), Short Sale, View Homes, Architecural Distictive Homes. Investment, 1031 Exchange. Chinese Realtor.
Make Dreams Real - Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise Youth Services
The following announcement was sent by San Marin Improvement Association, inviting residents to participate in a meeting with ‘Commons Collaborative', concerning the ‘Commons at Mt. Burdell' Project.
Time: 7pm, Monday, March 2nd
Location: All Saints Church, 2 San Marin Drive, Novato.
Meeting Objective: The proposed Commons at Mt. Burdell mixed-use development would eventually add approximately 750,000 square feet to an existing the 710,300 square foot Fireman's Fund site (3 four-story office buildings).
Phase 1 of new development would convert existing surface parking on the east side of the site to a 170 room hotel with a sports club and spa, first-floor retail space with 150 apartments above, and parking structures.
Phase 2 eventually would add two new 250,000 square foot office buildings to the west end of the site, plus a day care center facility, community center, underground parking, and playing fields. For more information, see: http://www.ci.novato.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=829
The Commons at Mt. Burdell site is located on the northwest corner of the Atherton San Marin off ramp from Highway 101. A SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) train station is planned adjacent to the east end of the site. Environmental credentials for the proposed development are significantly enhanced by the carbon neutral design, including onsite wastewater treatment, biodigesters to convert restaurant waste into fuel, photovoltaic panels, composting, and other green building features.
American Assets, Inc, (AA) the owner and developer, is just beginning the official City land use approval process. During the past year American Assets has met with a variety of local stakeholder groups.
Beginning in July 2008, representatives of numerous community groups formed the Commons Collaborative to work with the developer, AA, and the City, to ensure that the Commons maximizes advanced green design and affordable housing opportunities in this extraordinary smart growth location. Representatives of the following groups currently participate in the Commons Collaborative:
The Commons Collaborative is distinct from other advocacy groups in that it does not seek to achieve its goals by applying pressure on decision makers and community leaders. Instead, its approach involves listening to all stakeholders and looking for solutions which advance a number of complementary goals.
_________________________________________________________
Sylvia Barry, Realtor, ePRO
Marin Realtor for Marin Real Estate
Marin, San Francisco North Bay
Frankk Howard Allen Realtors
website: www.SylviaSellsMarin.com
Blog: www.AllAboutMarinHomes.com
MARIN, SONOMA, S.F. BAY AREA REAL ESTATE - Beveldere, Corte Madera, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur, Marinwood, Mill Valley, Novato, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon; Cotati, Penngrove, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa. Starter Home to Luxury Property. REO (Bank Owned), Short Sale, View Homes, Architecural Distictive Homes. Investment, 1031 Exchange. Chinese Realtor.
Make Dreams Real - Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise Youth Services
When I saw this contest, I thought, what IS my passion? What have I been spending time on? What do I love to do? Is it my family? Is it Real Estate? Or is it something else?
My family, Real Estate; they are all my passion but those are a giving, a no brainer - My family is #1; my kids, my husband, even my dog, Duke, that's family, and that's what I live for.
Real Estate is not far behind, it's what I chose to do and decided to stay in as a living. Fortunately I have a choice in deciding what I want to do for a living; I have decided that I love real estate, the people, what it stands for, the sense of accomplishment after I help my clients. I have a great passion for Real Estate, no doubt about that either!
But outside of the obvious, what is my passion - Hands down, the children, the schools, the education - In short, Our Future!
One good thing about Real Estate as my career is although I feel like I am working 24x7,. I am able to somewhat schedule my time to do something I feel it's important and Education is number on my list.
My father was a famous professor in Taiwan. It was right after WWII and there was not much there. My father came to the states, got a master's degree in Physics and, although his friends asked him to stay in the States to teach, he decided to go back home and basically build the department of Physics from Ground Up (I mean, I remember skating on the newly poured concrect and thought it was a novelty since the building was HUGE, partially due to my young age - yes, I was young once :-); also due to the fact that we just did not have such a 'BIG' building back then - a whole two stories high!) in a local college (now a famous university - National Cheng Kung University) from ground up.
My father was passionate in education and dedicated his whole life to teaching and researching. We did not have much, but I know he made great influence in a lot of his student's life and he lived a full, satisfying life!
I was influenced by my father early on. In addition, growing up in Taiwan, we (the whole country) have always see Education as Number One in the priority list. We know that we don't have much and without good education, there is no future and there is jus no two ways around it!
If I could have another choice in career, I would have become a teacher because that's when you can make the most difference in somebody's life and being a good teacher can be a very rewarding life in itself. Instead, I become a Realtor, and dedicated part of my life volunteering at local schools.
I am very involved in the local middle and high school. My kids are avid musicians, and naturally, I am very involved in music boosters. I am more of a doer, staying in the background, rather than being in the foreground.
It's extremely satisfying to be there watching your kids grow, learn, enjoy what they do and making friends, while making great friends ourselves along the way - the best way to meet caring, wonderful local people is to be involved; that's where those people gather - they are out there helping and volunteering. I served on music boosters since the kids are in 6th grade and he is now a sophomore in college, so we shall say, 8 years and going on?
I get to watch performances, go to festivals, local events, fundraising, charitable events, enjoyed Jazz, Classical, Rock, Choir, Band, Musical Theater, Show choir, Katrina Benefit, Frankie Poulos Foundation, Madrigal Feast, Rock and Blues by the Lake, Marin Home Show, School Art Show Case, to name a few. I sell snacks, sell Ads, develop programs, help with BBQ, setting up and tearing down risers, drive the kids to and from, and so on,
While doing that, I got involved in school's site leadership team, which is a combination of administrator, teacher, staff, students and parents elected to serve on the team. This is the place to learn first hand about the schools direction, problems and solutions, budgetary issues and feedbacks and suggestions on a high level.
Seeing the needs for better communication with the parents, students, community and better Public Relationship; and blessed with a technical background (I managed large IT projects prior to the Real Estate career), I volunteered to be the school's eNews editor and San Marin High School Website Admin; keeping everybody informed and involved. Another great satisfaction!
Seeing the need of bringing high tech education into the Marin school system, I also helped mentor the newly formed Robotics Team which won first Rookies' team and Second Place overall in the First Robotics Contest at the U.C. Davis Regional competition,.
On a larger scale, I am actively involved with Nova
to School Fuel - the foundation for public education to raise money for Novato Public Schools. Walking the prescient for Parcel Tax A+ for Kids and hosting phone bank at Frank Howard Allen Realtors also become part of my volunteer work for a while there.
Hearing how I was involved with local schools, my Rotary club asked me to be the Youth Director (O.K. that's because the real Youth Director got promoted to work for Marin County Education so she does not have the time). That gives me a whole other dimension of being involved with our youth in Novato.
The satisfaction of knowing I am making differences in our public school systems, in our children's life and contributed to their happiness, their growth, advancements and welfare; knowing that by giving a small part of me, I could be making a difference in somebody's future; and with many other caring volunteers, collectively making a big difference in our country's future is what makes me continue to volunteer.
You can say that this is my passion! The Children, The Schools, The Education and Our Future!
venue:San Marin Musical Theater Performing Arts Center address:15 San Marin Drive, Novato, CA 94945 Novato, CA 94945 View map
New Summer Stock Brings Sweeney Todd to the North Bay
Sweeney Todd is coming to Novato this summer! Marin Summer Theater (MST), an evening program for students of performing arts, will present Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece as part of its three-show season in July and August, along with The Beaux' Stratagem, a Restoration comedy, and Bernstein on Broadway, a music and dance review. The program will run June 15-Aug. 2.
MST is open to students throughout the North Bay: those entering eighth grade, high school students, and college undergraduates under age 23. Students from all over Marin and Sonoma counties are encouraged to participate. Auditions for actors, musicians, and dancers will be held by appointment Mar. 21 at San Marin High School in Novato, pre-registration is required. (Those who are unable to attend auditions in person may submit a DVD recording.) Technicians and designers also may submit applications; they will be interviewed by phone. Acceptance is subject to audition and payment of tuition. Fee for the entire season is $275 for participation in one, two, or three shows.
According to artistic director Patrick Nims, several factors make MST unique. "First and foremost, MST is a challenging program for young performers and theater technicians interested in developing their talents through the production of great theater. Working on as many as three different productions in a seven-week period is intense. Second, the inclusion of kids from different schools and educational levels raises the quality of performance and expands participants' horizons. Third, since we are sponsored by non-profit San Marin High School Music Boosters we can focus on serving our students at the lowest possible cost, keeping tuition low because of our volunteer network and the assistance we receive from San Marin High School and the Novato Unified School District."
To help interested applicants prepare for auditions MST is offering a free workshop on Saturday, Mar. 14 (1-3 pm) at San Marin High School. Students will learn more about the scheduled shows and the audition process, with attention to each person's performance material. Nims says, "There is no requirement that prospective participants attend the workshop, but it's a good opportunity to meet the staff and prepare a great audition."
Details about the program, audition scheduling, and application forms can be found on the MST web site at www.marinsummertheater.org.
###
For more information about Marin Summer Theater, please call Patrick Nims at (707) 781-6302 or email Pat at pnims@marinsummertheater.org
__________________________________________________________________________________
Sylvia Barry, Realtor, ePRO
Marin Realtor for Marin Real Estate
Marin, San Francisco North Bay
Frankk Howard Allen Realtors
website: www.SylviaSellsMarin.com
Blog: www.AllAboutMarinHomes.com
MARIN, SONOMA, S.F. BAY AREA REAL ESTATE - Beveldere, Corte Madera, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur, Marinwood, Mill Valley, Novato, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon; Cotati, Penngrove, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa. Starter Home to Luxury Property. REO (Bank Owned), Short Sale, View Homes, Architecural Distictive Homes. Investment, 1031 Exchange. Chinese Realtor.
Make Dreams Real - Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise Youth Services
 |
|
|
Sylvia Barry & Associates provide winning real estate service in Marin, Sonoma through leading edge internet technology, experience, knowledge, competence, skills, CARE & old fashioned hard work!
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, PROVEN RESULTS
Marin County and South Sonoma Realtor
A Top Producing Agent and multi-year recipient of Frank Howard Allen (#1 Real.Estate. Company in Marin) Client Service Award, Sylvia provides exceptional real estate service through experience, knowledge, competence, skills and old fashioned hard work.
Sylvia brings with her 20+ years of professional experience to real estate; specializing in marketing, negotiation, tax, finance, management and internet technology. Sylvia's clients love her hands on' approach and benefit greatly from their close working relationship and full range of services provided by her team of experts.
Sylvia's clients appreciate her compassion, integrity, knowledge, experience, dedication, thoroughness, and technical background; affording them the best results both as sellers and buyers in this unprecedent economical times; and especially critical in the dynamic, global real estate market!
Frank Howard Allen Realtors One of the major advantages of working with a Realtor associated with Frank Howard Allen Realtors, the number one real estate company in Marin and Sonoma, is that you are guaranteed to receive all the care, knowledge and resource when working with the leading- edge real estate team.
#1 Marin and Sonoma Real Estate Resource
Sellling distressed homes? - Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bank Owned, REO, I handle them all. Buying a first time home, Investment property, 1031 Exchange, moving to great school districts, finding luxury property for your life style change, owning a home with distinct architecture details, located next to open space, million dollar views, plenty of acreage for prized horses; or to make wise investments in the best real estate corridor in the country - you are in god hands!
For a no obligation, free Market Analysis or complete marketing plan for your house, please email me or call me at (415) 717-0293.
Sylvia Barry provides professional Real Estate Consulting Serviice for Marin Real Estate, Novato Real Estate, San Rafael Real Estate, Corte Madera Real Estate, Kentfield Real Estate, Mill Valley Real Estate, Ross Real Estate, Belvedere Real Estate, Tiburon Real Estate, Greenbrae Real Estate, Larkspur Real Estate, Marinwood Real Estate, Nicasio Real Estate, San Anselmo Real Estate, Sonoma Real Estate, Petaluma Real Estate, Rohnert Park Real Estate, Cotati Real Estate, Marin County Real Estate, Marin County Homes, Marin County Home, Marin County Houses, Marin County House, REO, Bank Owned, Foreclosure, Short Sales.
Frank Howard Allen Client Service Award Recipient For Consistently Living Up to The Highest Standards of Service
We wanted to say congrats on all your recent listing activity. You are doing a great job in a difficult real estate year. We appreciate your team player attitude and feel fortunate to have your work ethic on our team. Fondly, Kathleen Hilken, (General Manager), Larry Brackett (CEO), Noreen Smith (CFO) - Frank Howard Allen
You have been working so hard and have a great attitude considering the challenges in the market. So proud of you that you fought and sold 6 Anthony Court. You will do well in the coming years and each challenging transaction will make you a better agent. Spiro is really in your court and very proud of your accomplishments. Keep up the good work. Fondly, Joe and I would like to thank you so much for your help this past year. We sincerely appreciate all that you did to complete the short sale of our Novato condo. As we look back on 2008, we are so thankful that we contacted you to help us. With everything that is happening in the real estate market these days, we felt extremely fortunate and lucky to have been able to sell our condo and avoid foreclosure. I know many other people have not been as fortunate. Your willingness to help us navigate the short sale process and take on this challenging situation is a tribute to you and your commitment to clients. You gave us great confidence (and relief) as you took control and worked directly with our lenders to get our petition for the short sale accepted. Then, through your diligent efforts, successfully put our condo on the market during a difficult time. You were always there to answer questions and we appreciated your sincere concern and advocacy for us with the lenders (and buyers). I know it took a lot of work and time on your part and we really appreciated it. We would gladly recommend you to any of our family or friends. We sincerely believe that without your efforts, we could have not been able to successfully complete the short sale. As in the purchase of our condo in two years earlier, your help was invaluable. Thank you again for your help and your commitment to us. We wish you a very successful 2009.
Sylvia,
Sylvia,
Larry Brackett (CEO/Owner), Noreen Smith (CFO), Kathleen Hilkin (GM) - Frank Howard Allen Realtors
Dear Sylvia,
Sylvia - Much thanks for your expert real estate advice. You helped us close the escrow as well as moral support. Frank Howard Allen is lucky to have You!
Warm regards - Suzanne and Bruce
Langston Harris
My wife, Cindy, and I have recently contracted with Sylvia Barry as a representative for the sale of our home at 49 Dowitcher Way in San Rafael, California.
Sylvia worked diligently to market and to complete the sale. We have been extremely satisfied with the results of her efforts. She was instrumental in obtaining a great price (more than we expected) and very quickly, as well. Additionally, we found her to be very easy to work with and formed a close association during the time we spent together.
We highly recommend Sylvia as a realtor who truly cares about providing good service to her clients
Kim Stephen Braun
I first met Sylvia Barry when I interviewed her for a Project Manager position at the Insurance Company I worked for. We worked together for several years afterwards until we went separate ways. When I decided to sell my house and move to Arizona, Sylvia told me that she had become a Realtor and would love to represent me.
She brought the same skills I had admired when she was a project manager to the job of real estate sale person. Thoroughness, attention to detail and follow through, making sure everyone did their jobs correctly and on time. There is an incredible amount of contractual requirements and paper work involved in selling a house. She made sure all the forms were prepared correctly and signed by all the necessary people. She also added the here-to-fore unknown to me skills of a home decorator, making suggestions as to how we could make our home more attractive to prospective buyers.
All in all, the home selling process was made much less stressful by Sylvia's skill and competence. When we got eight offers, seven over asking price, she suggested we take the best two, and ask one of them to be a backup offer. This turned out to be very foresightful, when our first offer fell through. We had already made an offer on our dream house in Arizona, and would have lost it if Sylvia hadn't been prepared.
I would highly recommend Sylvia as your Real Estate Agent. She is honest, hardworking and very competent, the best I've worked with.
Tom and Pauline Tong
We met Sylvia Barry during our first open house when we tried to sell our property in Novato by ourselves. Many realtors came out to meet us, but Sylvia stood out in the crowd. She was pleasant, straightforward and unassuming.
After we realized that we needed professional help to sell our property, we hired Sylvia to represent us.
Sylvia sold our house within two weeks. Through her hard work and persistence, we received multiple offers for our house. Sylvia guided us through the paperwork with patience and she was thorough. While the loan application and house appraisal was processed, Sylvia made numerous contacts with the buyer's agent and loan officer on our behalf. She displayed honesty and integrity. She never pressured us into any deal with which we were not completely comfortable. In the end, we were completely satisfied with the process of selling our house.
We have no hesitation to recommend Sylvia to you and are looking forward to have her represent us again in the future.
* We had to get the house appraised again so I can re-finance. It is now $779K. Thank you for helping me find this house. By the way, my mother's neighbor is planning to sell their house; I told them that they should use you. I am going over this weekend and I will tell them about you again.
* Sylvia: I really appreciate your ownership, professionalism and customer-oriented approach towards this. Sorry that you have to deal with pressures from both sides. I am planning to not just reimburse your expenses, but as I mentioned, give you a very well deserved commission and more.
* I want to said thank you very much for providing so much information. I'm deeply appreciated. I'll keep you in mind for my friends who are interesting in buying or sale real estate in Marin. I think you are very knowledgeable and resourceful about the real estate business.
* I will say that I have had several experiences with real estate agents and you are our favorite. We appreciate the information, communication, and quick responses...... We need an agent as diligent as your are in this area. I hope you can help.
* I just wanted to thank you one last time for helping us get our wonderful house. We are loving it so much and it means so much to be there this holiday season....
* So I mentioned that I have a great agent if she ever needs one...... I also had two showers, one for baby and one for bridal. All these occasions are best to rave about you. I even gave two of your cards away.
* Sylvia did a great job finding a tenant in such a short time and in a slow season..... Special thanks to Sylvia. On Saturday, She drove one hour from her home to the property to clean up the dust left from floor finishing guy. She spent 4 hours here..... Thank you, Sylvia, you've done a great job.
* You, I trust completely. In any business dealings we have had, you have never done anything that you thought was not in my best interest.
* Photos look awesome. Love the 1st MLS one with the leaves framing the entry. Sylvia, thank you so much for putting as much of your time in on our rental as you would a multimillion dollar house sale.
* Sylvia, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your helping me out. I know you are going way beyond what you would normally do for your clients. And we've only met once. We don't even have a history. Thank you again. I feel relieved that I can put the house on the back burner and concentrate on the trip and know that I won't have to worry while we are gone.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
