Marin County Real Estate

     To buy or not to buy?  When prices are falling few people have the discipline to buy stocks, a house, gold, art or any other asset.  But, for those who do “pull the trigger” excel in the long run.  As John D. Rockefeller famously said,”The way to make money is to buy when blood is running in the streets.”
     In Marin County there are some areas where the streets are stained crimson.  But, even though the stock market is being pummeled, oil per barrel prices are going through the roof, and there’s panic that we’re in a recession. The Fed rate cuts will lift the economy eventually, and the stock market will typically start responding just as the headlines get their gloomiest.  Sure, the market could fall again before recovering, but the “Recession” may be half over already - or we may avoid one all together. You just never know.
    But, let’s say you’re emotionally ready to be a homeowner.  You have good credit, plan to stay put for the next five years and have been waiting for the perfect entry point. Well, it may be time to get serious - before an inevitable rise in interest rates wipes out your advantage.  “The thing that will make home prices stop falling is the same thing that will push mortgage rates higher,” says Lending Trees chief economist Jim Syinth.  So,anything you gain by a further drop in prices might be offset by rising financial costs.
    It’s more complicated if you must sell before you can buy.  But, that logjam won’t persist forever - and if it appears you’ll be trapped for a few years, try to refinance at today’s lower rates.  Risk always seem most acute when the headlines give you ulcers.  But that’s exactly when you should think long term - and get off your thumbs.
    Ignore the headlines!

      Independence Day is a heartbeat away and one of the beauties of life in the North Bay is the variety of fun events that our charming communities organize at this time of year. Read on to learn of the many unique ways to observe this all-American holiday. Happy Fourth!
 
Corte Madera-Larkspur
43rd Annual Corte Madera/Larkspur Chambers of Commerce 4th of July Parade - Elaborate floats, precision drill teams, classic cars and the Corte Madera Town Band.
Parade Time: 10:30 am
Route: From Redwood High in Larkspur, it moves down Magnolia into Corte Madera and continues down Tamalpais Ave to the Town Center.
Post-parade: Check out the festivities at Corte Madera’s Town Park: arts and crafts, food and drink, carnival games, children’s activities and live entertainment.
Info: (415) 924-0441.

Novato
16th Annual 4th of July Parade - Come see over 100 parade entries ranging from classic cars and vehicles from a military museum to Irish bagpipers and a Chinese drum and bell corps.
Parade Time: 10 am
Route: Downtown Novato, starting at the corner of Grant and Railroad Avenues 
Along the parade route, you will also find food and refreshment booths, and souvenir t-shirts.
Info: (415) 899-8900.

The 55th Annual Buckaroo Breakfast
Location: Redwood Credit Union parking lot: 1010 Grant Ave, downtown Novato
Time: Breakfast served from 7-10 am
Organizer: The event is presented by the Presbyterian Church of Novato.
Fee: There is a suggested donation of $5 for adults, $3 for kids. Proceeds will be donated to the Marin Community mission project.

First Annual Novato 4th of July Race
Tamalpa, a Marin running club, presents a “4 on the 4th” four-mile road race and a “Mayor’s Mile” one-mile family walk/jog.
Starting time/place: 7:20 am at 7th and Grant, downtown Novato
Entry fee: $15, which includes a race mug and post-race goodies
To register, go to the Tamalpa website.
 
Ross
Annual Ross Commons Picnic - Pack your own lunch, or you can order from Eddie’s. The picnic begins at noon and will take place at the Grove area of the Common.
Info: (415) 453-1453, ext. 176
 
San Rafael
Marin County Fair and Fireworks
The Marin County Fair (at Marin County Fairgrounds, Civic Center Drive) offers Marin County’s official fireworks display. The July 4th concert features the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans.
Fair admission: $12 to $14, and includes free carnival rides, exhibits, and music
Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm
Info: (415) 499-6400 or  www.marinfair.org
  
Sausalito
4th of July Parade and Fireworks - This year’s parade will include the Cal Alumni Marching Band, floats of all shapes and sizes, and the Sausalito Fire Department.
Parade Time: 10 am
Route: Starting at South Bridgeway, it will move through downtown Sausalito to Caledonia St and into Dunphy Park.
Post Parade: A town picnic in the park with food, entertainment, raffles, tug-of-war, and an egg toss. Fireworks: 9:15 pm
For a complete schedule of the day’s events, go to www.ci.sausalito.ca.us
 
 
Tiburon
Fireworks Cruise - One of the best ways to see the San Francisco fireworks display is from the Bay! The Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Co. will offer a 4th of July fireworks cruise.
Boarding Time: 7:30 pm and departs at 8 pm
Place: The Tiburon ferry dock off Main Street
Fee: $40 for adults; $20 for children
Info:  (415) 435-2131.

Woodacre
4th of July Parade and Pancake Breakfast
Breakfast Time & Place: 8-11 am at the Woodacre Fire Station, 33 Castle Rock Rd.
Cost: $7 for adults; $3 for children
Parade Time: Noon
Route: Starting at the Woodacre Improvement Club (1 Garden Way), it follows Railroad Ave to the Dickson Ranch.
Post-Parade: A good old-fashioned celebration at Dickson Ranch - A family affair with games, face painting for the kids, competitions (including the men’s ugly leg contest), horse rides, plenty of music, barbecue, bingo, and everyone’s favorite, the flea market.

   Countrywide’s takeover by Bank of America is approved while California and Illinois sue over misleading borrowers.  Officials in both California and Illinois have filed lawsuits claiming Countrywide misled borrowers into taking risky home loans.  For the complete story click on the link below:
Alex Veiga’s Associated Press Article

     On June 19, 2008 the Marin Independent Journal newspaper reported that in May of 2008 home sales were up from the previous month , but that the volume of sales are down in comparison to this time last year.  287 homes sold in May of 2007 where this year in May only 178 homes sold.   As home sales continue to plunge across the Bay Area - Marin remains an anomaly as the only county where the median price increased from $925,000 this time last year to $1,102,000.
     Corrina Rollins, senior real estate instructor at College of Marin for more than 20 years, was not surprised by the price jump.  Corrina says, “Marin had only the lowest end of the market involved in sub-prime mortgage sales, and most of the homes that were selling were outside of that range.” Corrina also says,”the typical seller in Marin, they can wait.” Suggesting that  some sellers might wait out this marketplace before offering their home for sale.
     None the less, Novato has been hit harder than the rest of the county to the point where some companies have closed or curbed their operations.   Coldwell Banker has closed it’s Novato office as has Avalar Real Estate.  Coldwell Banker’s response was, “that with the sophistication of electronic communications, agents do not need much office support as they once did.” 
      At this time Pacific Union has moved into a smaller office space in Novato.  Levi Swift of Pacific Union and current President of the Marin Association of Realtors says,”the real estate market is going through a cycle that has been exacerbated by the national economy.”
      Larry Brackett, CEO for Frank Howard Allen, acknowledges that the Novato market has hit the city harder than elsewhere but thinks it has a bright future - especially when work on Highway 101 is finished and commuting becomes easier.  “Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods think Novato is upwardly mobile,” Brackett said of the two retail chains that are opening outlets downtown. “There are a number of very positive signs regarding the Novato market.”
     In fact, Brackett said,”I’ve been recruiting  agents from Coldwell Banker offices in Greenbrae, San Rafael, and Novato.  I do not understand Coldwell Banker’s business decision, but then I’m not running a national company.”

And, if you have a moment, check out my Marin History web site at:
Marin Independent Journal’s Marin History Web Site

Update July 5, 2008: Prudential California Realty is closing it’s San Rafael and satellite offices in Woodacre and Fairfax ,but will keep their Sausalito office opened. 

* Stop reading now if you are even remotely humor impaired or comedically challenged!   

        Yesterday’s man or woman used to think, “if I need to find someone this way, I’m already lost!” But today, someone might say, ” I don’t have enough time to drive around and look at all the open houses/a potential homebuyer’s version of “speed dating”, so maybe I can use this service!”   

     We’ve all seen those ads for E-Harmony -  where this scary looking guy comes out and tells us how great his dating service is,  and then tries to convince us that it’s all scientific, and that people are matched on 92 points of compatibility! Yeah, right …       E-Harmony people are just regular folks like yourself,  not circus freaks, drooling sexual perverts, or couch humping Scientologists.  (Perish the thought) The product of your union wil be an “Everlasting Love!”, not some head revolving, vomit spewing, bed wetting, priest cursing, ungrateful devil child, that you’ll have to support till you’re 18. (okay, maybe I have some issues) But … if you’re still a hopeless romantic, a word of advice … look beyond the curb appeal!        Speaking of which … matchmaking and the promise of finding that perfect property is also here today!  

      No doubt every prospective buyer, seller, and real estate agent has heard of the Multiple Listing Service. The real estate agent’s “on the make” equivalent of a dating service.  Real estate agents even have their own codes to help inform potential suitors.  Possibly E-Harmony might want to implement this kind of methodology, as you’ll soon see, into their 92 reasons to run for the hills! (The following is gender specific … feel free to substitute whatever gender makes this PC for you … or not!)

*New: A new listing!  The competition will be lining up for the first dance!  A new listing has that “special glow!” … for now.

*Active: Active listing.  This gals has been danced around, but so far, no one wants to marry her.

*DOM: Days on the Market.  Everyone watches this number,  like the date on a milk carton. It is an indication of freshness.  The longer she sits on the shelf, the less desirable she becomes.

*CC: Contingent, but continue to show.  She says she’s engaged, but there’s no ring on her finger - the “due diligence period.”   The wedding may still be called off,  especially if the finances don’t measure up!

*BOM: Back on the market.  ewww…something could be wrong here.  Definitely not a first choice.  But if it’s 2a.m., and you’re drunk out of your skull and getting desperate, she might look pretty good.  Of course, you may have to overlook that little hump, the lazy eye, and her spooky resemblence to Karl Malden.

*TW: Temporarily withdrawn.   She’s not pretty, and she knows it.  She realizes that if she wants more interest, she’s gonna have to get a face lift, fix herself up, start going to the gym, and maybe buy a wonder bra.

*EXPIRED: Listed, but never sells.  She thinks she’s Paris Hilton, but she looks more like Yoda after a night of heavy drinking.

*PENDING: Okay, she’s bought the dress, had the rehearsal dinner, picked out the china pattern, and the wedding march has started.  Potentially the groom can still back out and run screaming up the aisle.  (Of course, such things usually only happen in the movies … still, there’s always the chance.)

*SOLD:  They’re married!  Happily?  Who cares!?  It’s re-harmony! (Cue music) ” This will be an everlasting love …”That is, till he discovers that she has a raging case of dry rot in her basement, terminal fung sway, and a sagging back porch. 

 Oh well …

Sausalito Tugboats with the Sleeping Maiden’s full figure in the backdrop(Mount Tamalpais)Marin County Real Estate Blog 2008

      Realty educator Corina Rollins of Greenbrae says that if Marin’s real estate market hasn’t bottomed out yet, it’s very close. “You are starting to see people move into the market, attracted by the low prices,” said Rollins, senior real estate instructor at the College of Marin for more than 20 years. “We are as close to a buyer’s market as we are likely to be,” she said. Marin home sales remain lower than last year, though sales are picking up a bit after several months of record lows.      The median price of a single-family home in Marin last month was $935,000, down from $1,010,000 a year earlier, and just 165 single-family homes were sold - down from 254 in April 2007, DataQuick Information Systems of La Jolla reported Tuesday. In March, the median single-family home price in Marin was $862,500, and 110 single-family homes were sold. April statistics included total sales of 216 single-family homes and condominiums, down from 313 in April 2007 - but up from 148 sales in March.

     DataQuick analyst John Karevoll said Marin remains a “unique market that doesn’t seem to be too concerned with the ups and downs of mainstream meat and potatoes real estate in the state of California.” “The issues that seem to concern Marin homeowners are not the issues that concern 97 percent of homeowners,” he said. Describing last month’s median price for a resale home in Marin as “stratospheric,” Karevoll noted Marin was the first county in the state to exceed a million-dollar median price one year ago. “And Marin is going to be the first to re-cross it,” he said.

     Levi Swift, president of the Marin Association of Realtors, said the statistics indicate “Marin County and San Francisco County are the ones holding up the best. É Realtors on the ground are seeing lots of traffic and if a house is properly priced, it sells and it sells pretty quickly.” Across the Bay Area, 6,310 homes and condos sold. That was up 29 percent from 4,898 in March but down 15 percent from 7,447 in April 2007. The month-to-month jump was the strongest for any March-to-April in DataQuick’s statistics, which go back to 1988. From last September through March, each month was the slowest on record.

     The median price for a Bay Area home was $518,000 last month, down 3.4 percent from $536,000 in March, and down 21.4 percent from $659,000 in April last year. Rollins said the combination of low prices and affordable rates may lead condo dwellers and those living in small homes to consider bigger homes. “But I don’t think it’s going to happen rapidly,” said Rollins, a residential appraiser in addition to her teaching duties.

     The Marin market - especially among condos where the median price jumped to $508,000 in April from $477,500 in March - should benefit from a federal move to increase the conforming loan rate to as much as $729,750. The move cuts interest premiums.      Foreclosure property resales accounted for 26 percent of last month’s Bay Area market. Foreclosure properties accounted for 9 percent of Marin’s market. Appraising a home in foreclosure in a Petaluma subdivision, Rollins found 8 of the 9 homes for sale in the area were in some stage of foreclosure.

This article appeared in the May 20th, 2008 issue of the Marin Independent Journal.
For the full article and statistical graphs from DataQuick CLICK HERE
And, if you’d like to see my online journal with the Marin Independent Journal click -> Marin History

Putting your house on the market?  A good real estate agent isn’t all you need.  Sometimes staging your house can be the difference between its sitting or selling.  Staging can be as small as tweaks with paint, furniture placement, and accessories that make your house look as desirable as possible.  Or, hiring a professional stager to come in and dramatically transform your home into a showplace.  Either way a recent survey by Coldwell Banker found that staged homes spent half the time on the market and sold for more than the asking price.
     Here are some simple staging tips to help you turn lookers into buyers at your next open house:
Scrub till it sparkles!  It sounds obvious, but experts say sellers often overlook the easy fix.  Vacumn behind the couches and under the bed.  Scrub out stains in the carpet and wash all of the windows inside and out.  Scour ceiling fans and polish door knobs.  When things sparkle, houses sell.
     Open windows to let in the fresh air.  Have a friend perform the white glove - and sniff - tests.  You may be so used to your cat’s litter box that you don’t even notice it’s smell.
Clobber the Clutter:  Go room by room and purge.  The less stuff you have, the bigger the house will seem. Get rid of anything personal: Kids trophies, wedding pictures, and college banners make buyers feel like intruders. ” You want people to feel like they’re walking into a house that could be theirs according to Memme.
Pay Attention to Details: Go through your entire to-do list, then do and redo. This means patching any holes in the walls, fixing leaky faucets, and replacing burned out light bulbs.  Buy fresh towels and put all the toilet lids down. Hide wastebaskets.  Play soft music throughout the house. Play up the zones in your garage. Designate one area for garden tools and another for sports related equipment.  “Organization helps sell a home.”
Camouflage with Paint: Paint not only makes a house look better, it also helps with odors.  Pick nuetrals.  Nuetral doesn’t mean white. Try warm tans, honeys, taupes, and sage.
Entice Buyers to Enter: Go across the street and get a good look.  Your eyes should be drawn to the front door, not the grass that needs mowing, the overgrown weeds, or that old rain gutter that’s been sittting in your driveway since 2006.  If people don’t like what they see on the outside, they may not want to come in. Doors are the one exception to the neutral-color rule.  Rich colors say “Welcome” and “Come Inside.” And, create an inviting entry with colorful flowers.
Define each Room: Don’t force buyer’s to guess a room’s purpose.  Figure out it’s true intent and then furnish accordingly.  If your living room doubles as an office, take out the desk.
Use Furniture Wisely: And sparingly, see if you can pare down a quarter to half of the furniture in every room. Take a picture of each room to gain perspective.
Highlight Key Architectural Elements: Direct the eye with drama. Use contrast colors on crown moldings or use valances to showcase tall windows. Don’t push furniture up against a wall as it will create odd empty space in the middle of the room.  Instead, float it off the wall to help buyers circulate around the room.
Let there be Light!: Turn on every light in the house - even in the daytime.  And, unless a window looks onto a garbage dump, keep drapery open.  Remember: Once you put the For Sale sign up, you have to emotionally detach from your house.  It’s not about how you live or what your taste are, it’s about appealing to a wide range of tastes.
(Some of the information for this post was taken from an article written by Leslie Pepper)
    

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!  if you’re driving down Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, check out the sculpture in front of Ross’s Town Hall, and have a wonderful and safe Mother’s Day! 

Special thanks to Alberto Pinto for providing this photo of downtown Sausalito in 1864.  Off to the left of the man standing in the foreground is a sign that reads, “Walk Your Horses.”  A special platform was created to load horses onto the ferry to San Francisco.  The street you see above was called Water Street that is now named Bridgeway in honor of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

If you’d like to see more amazing historical photos, and stories of Marin County from “days gone by” check out my web site with the Marin Independent Journal at: Marin History

    Marin Count’s population increased by almost 1% in 2007 , Marin’s largest jump in four years reported the State Department  of Finance. The Counties population increased from 255,080 to 257,406.
    
Here are the State’s California Department of Finance’s population of Marin’s Towns as of January 1, 2008:

Belvedere            2,161
Corte Madera     9,512
Fairfax                 7,412
Larkspur          12,204
Mill Valley        13,925
Novato              52,737
Ross                    2,393
San Anselmo    12,601
San Rafael        58,235
Sausalito             7,503
Tiburon               8,917
Unincorparted  69,806 
TOTAL MARIN   257,406

     Of the Counties cities, Novato has the most single detached homes at 12,196 and the largest number of mobile homes at 718.  San Rafael has the largest number of multi-unit apartments at 2,070.  Ross has the largest number of people per household with 2.97, while Sausalito has the smallest with 1.74.
     Mill Valley experienced the greatest percentage growth in 2007, increasing by 154 residents, or 1.1% while San Rafael had the smallest percentage of growth adding 392 residents or 0.7 percent.  California is now home to one in eight Americans.

       To Buy or not to buy?  Now that we’ve seen the real estate market shift by dramatically varying degrees in different neighborhoods throughout the Bay Area, is it still hip to flip…real estate?  Or,to buy or not to buy, in a slow real estate market?

     “Flipping” a home in the conventional sense means to purchase an undervalued property, and then refurbish and resell it to turn a profit. Obviously there are certain parts of the country where those real estate markets have been devastated by the downturn of their local markets along with the mortgage industry’s “melt-down” and are dramatically impacted by these events. With the degree of risk involved, you’d think this would dissuade most rational people from attempting to purchase a property in a down market.  Or, should it?
      Each situation, property, and market is unique unto itself.  For the first time in a while buyers are starting to see opportunities that didn’t exist before.  If you’re a buyer with good credit, the ability to put down a down payment, and have some reserves (savings, investments, ect.), you might just find yourself in the driver’s seat in today’s real estate market.  Inventory is up, sales are down, and some buyers are realizing the advantages and opportunities therein.
     Now more than ever, buyers and sellers need to understand their marketplace  Hopefully, they’ve associated  themselves with a reputable realtor that understands the changes that are taking place almost daily.  Working with an experienced realtor that will tell you what you need to hear, not what you’d like to hear, is critical in today’s real estate market. 
     The last two times the real estate market fell off in the Bay Area was after the 1989 Loma Preita Earthquake and after the horrific event on September 11th in New York City.  Understandably people were very concerned ,and very cautious, about buying and selling at that time.  Curiously though, quite a few homes sold after those events in the Bay Area, and a year or two later proved to be some of the best buys in the last 20 years.  
     Is this the time to be buying real estate?  Historically, even when the market has dropped off, there are some neighborhoods within the Bay Area that seem immune to market conditions.  Occasionally a home might come up in one of these neighborhoods that just sits on the market before someone even attempts to make an offer.  And, after it sells, the neighbors are sometimes shocked when they find out what it sold for.  What I’m trying to say is that you never know what you can do until you try.  Yes, sometimes it takes time, knowledge of the marketplace, persistence, patience, an experienced professional to guide you through the maze, and sometimes just a little luck.  You might find out in a year or two (or more?) when market dynamics revert back to more of a seller’s market, that it was a “great” time to buy!

     I’m not a Donald Trump fan, but on Larry King recently Larry asked Trump (who was hypeing his new book),” what should people be doing in the current real estate market that has slowed down across the country?”   Trump summed it up with one word, “Buy, now is the time to be buying real estate!”

     What happened? After September 11th, then Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, adopted an ultra easy money policy that drove mortgage rates to record lows. and got the real estate bubble blowing. At about the same time China joined the World Trade Organization and used “currency manipulation” to boost its United States exports to keep it’s currency undervalued and it’s exports artificially cheap. China recycled more than a trillion dollars back into the United State’s bond market. This currency manipulation fueled the growing real estate bubble by artificially depressing mortgage rates - all the while laying waste to America’s manufacturing base and ability to create jobs.
     As investors entered the real estate market buying properties and flipping them the Mortgage industry began offering risky mortgages that allowed people with no money to buy into homes with highly risky adjustable rate “subprime mortgages.” The stage was set… as Wall Street began to package these subprime mortgages into complex “mortgage back securities.” Speculators jumped in and like a deadly virus, these mortgage back securities spread out to infect portfolios all over the world.
      In 2006 when home prices stretched far beyond their true valuations some speculators pulled the plug by foreclosing. Meanwhile, those “exploding adjustable rate mortgages” began to do just that. As homeowners could not make their monthly payments home prices dropped and pushed foreclosures to record highs.
     The downstream consequences for world credit market have been severe. As foreclosures have risen the value of mortgage back securities has plummeted. Until our economic leaders refocus on what made the American economy so great: sound money, fiscal responsibility, and a vibrant manufacturing base - a recommitment to those principles would do more to restore order in the global financial system and economy than more rate cuts and mulit-billion dollar bailouts!
     Right now everything Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke does only drives our economy deeper into a recession while making the dollar weaker, stock market  lower, and oil prices higher.  Bernanke needs to focus on sound business principles if there’s any hope of restoring faith nationally, and globally in our economy. Till then, it’s anybody’s guess what’s going to happen…

On April 18th, 2008 the Marin Independent Journal rolled out these headlines:

To read the whole article click:  Marin Independent Journal Article

Malaise: “General sense of depression or unease”, “Lack of well being”

If you click on the link above you’ll find a fairly interesting poll ,that as of April 20, 2008, readers responded to the question: “Do you think the housing market has hit bottom?” to which 21.53% replied YES and 78.46% replied NO!

Marin County Sales Statistics    Provided by AppleStats  and   The Facts of Marin Real Estate

87 Portsmouth Drive in Novato, California!  Located in the prestigious “Sunny Cove” community in Southern Novato. This elegant 4 bedroom 3 and 1/2 bath home has it all! Over 100K in upgrades.  Backs to open space.  Open Sunday April 20th, 2008 from 1 to 4pm.  

Truly the “Jewel” of the neighborhood!  This is the one you’ve been waiting for!  Sophisticated four bedroom and two and one half bath home with many upgrades, and designer touches.  This home has a warm inviting quality with a well thought out floor plan that flows out onto a private flagstone patio surrounded by lush landscaping.  A fountain completes this wonderful outdoor setting!
Offered for $825,000
For more information contact the listing agent, Kirsten Wolfe at MarinRealEstate@gmail.com & check out the video!

     Frank Howard Allen is the North Bay market share leader once again, according to both dollar volume and units sold for 2007. Frank Howard Allen Realtors led the local market with 17.4% of the total dollar volume and 16.1% of total units sold in Marin and Sonoma Counties combined. For Marin County, Frank Howard Allen is also on top with 21.6% of total dollar volume and 23.3% of total units sold.  

     “I have to say, it’s no surprise to me that our agents performed so well despite the very challenging market they faced last year. I know every agent has worked hard to stay on top and maintain a positive outlook. Clearly it’s what makes the difference,” says Noreen Smith.
     In another key accomplishment, FHAllen has again ranked as one of the North Bay’s Top 500 Businesses. At position 94, we are the only real estate company in the top 100 and the only privately-owned real estate company in the top 300.  
     “The energy and spirit of Frank Howard Allen is truly unique. As we approach our 100th anniversary, the amazing record of our company is one we can be proud of.” says Becky Gould. 
THE NUMBER ONE REAL ESTATE COMPANY IN MARIN!
 

420 Fawn Drive is truly an enchanted property. Located on almost a full acre in the Sleepy Hollow subdivision in San Anselmo, California.  This wonderful eclectic artist’s home that you see in the photo above is complimented by a huge two story garage/workshop that includes a loft,a room upstairs, and an unfinished full bath.  There is also a barn that’s in excellent condition, that possibly could serve as a stable for horses.The three  bedroom (including upstairs master suite with loft and office) two bath house is situated in a quiet private setting.  This property you have to see to believe!  Open Sunday from 1-4 pm April 20th, 2008  * See Video below!

       The slump in Marin County home sales has resulted in an increase of homeowners requesting the County Tax Assessor to reduce their property taxes.  Joan Thayer, the County Assessor-Recorder, reported that her office has already received 150 requests this year up from 90 requests in 2006.  Thayer says, “the increase in request is a reflection of a sharp drop in local real estate sales and a leveling of Marin home prices. And, the County is required to reduce the tax value of property when it finds instances where declines have occurred.”
     Thayer also said, “likely candidates would be those homes purchased in the past year or two.”  For most Marin homeowners, the tax value of their home is far less than the market value.
     For property owners that want a review of the tax value of their current property tax bill may contact the Marin County’s Assessor-Recorder’s office by calling : 415-499-7215
     In California, property taxes are based on the assessed value of a home.  The assessed value is usually limited to the purchase price,  plus an inflation factor not to exceed 2% per year, plus the cost of room additions or other new construction.  This is also know as “base-year value.”
     Proposition 13: limits property taxes to 1% of assessed value.  Some communities have approved additional taxes for schools or other projects.
     Proposition  8: Passed in 1978 allows for a temporary reduction in assessed value when a property’s market value on January 1st is below the base-year value. (Proposition 8 reductions are temporary)
     Informal Review: Homeowners who think the value of their home on January 1st is below the assessed value can ask their county assessor for an informal review.  The assessor, using sales data as of January 1st for comparable homes in the neighborhood, will determine whether or not a temporary reduction is warranted. The homeowner may submit their own comps.
     Appealing an assessment: If the homeowner and assessor cannot agree on a value the homeowner can file a formal appeal with the county’s assessment appeals board.
    

174  AVENIDA MIRAFLORES IN TIBURON, CALIFORNIA

Check out this elegant Tiburon property with truly breathtaking views from every room!  This exceptional home offers four bedrooms including Master suite and three and one half baths. Off the kitchen/family room step outside into your own private oasis.  An aquatic paradise awaits you.  A lushly landscaped patio area surrounds the pool,spa, and covered dining area. Other features include a gated driveway, two car attached garage, and the highly sought after Reed School District.  Offered at: $2,895,000  email: MarinRealEstate@gmail.com for more information. Not on MLS. 

Belvedere Tiburon Landmarks Web Site

Marin Independent Journal’s online Marin History Web Site

The Tiburon International Film Festival comes to the Tiburon Playhouse and Corinthian Yacht Club from March 13, 2008 through March 21, 2008. 
For more information please go to:  Tiburon Film Festival 
Or call: 415-381-4123

Understanding the World through Film!

     The Government just announced that it will temporarily increase limits on conforming loans from $417,000 to as high as $729,000. Marin County and thirteen other counties in California qualified. This will affect only those loans originated between July 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008.  The Government is expected to be working out new underwriting standards and plans to offer these new loans soon.
     This is part of the Governments economic stimulus package approved earlier this year calling for temporary increases on loan limits to allow troubled borrowers to refinance out of sub-prime loans and make it easier for many new buyers to qualify for mortgages in high cost areas, particularly in Marin County where home prices remain among the highest in the nation. 
      This may also prove to be a window of opportunity for many buyers as the new home season begins. If your thinking of buying and selling, now may be the best time to take advantage of an opportunity that will not be available after December 31, 2008. 

View from a Corinthian Island home off the tip of the Tiburon Peninsula with Belvedere Island in the background

      Is the Marin Association of Realtors in a state of crisis?   Many members think so. What do you think?
      About 10 years ago the Marin County Association of Realtors maintained the Multiple Listing Service (MLS/property information) database for Realtors in Marin County.  This was prior to the internet becoming such an intricate part of our lives, and businesses.  At that time the Marin Association of Realtors was worried that Microsoft might attempt to make inroads into our profession, and we relinquished the data we owned and controlled to third parties (which is now Bay Area Real Estate Information Services/BARIES.)  I was on the Board of Directors at that time, and protested this action. I felt we were allowing our fears to define us.
      When the Marin Association of Realtors (MAR) controlled the MLS the “Code of Ethics” and “Professional Standards” were respected.  Why? Because if you conducted your business in an unethical, or in a non professional manner you could have your MLS privileges suspended.  Now that the MLS is operated by a third party, it appears that there are no mechanisms in place to enforce unethical conduct, and unprofessional behavior.
       Over the last 10 years we’ve seen realtors, real estate companies, and VOWs (virtual office websites aka virtual offices without walls) marketing other realtor’s listings as if they were the listing broker.  Misleading?  Confusing? That’s just the tip of the iceberg! 
       In the last ten years we’ve begun seeing what Steven Colbert on The Colbert Report calls “truthiness” being practiced in Marin County Real Estate advertising.  It’s not the truth, but some variation that has nothing to do with the truth. You think at first that it might appear to be true, but when you begin to examine it, you realize that it has nothing to do with the truth?
      How can there be two number one real estate companies in Marin County?  How can there be multiple agents claiming to have been, or are the number one agent in Marin.  How can  local newspapers, and other local publications print conflicting ads depicting two different companies claiming the mantel of being number one, oftentimes in the same publication? Not only is this a disservice to the company that truly is number one, but what kind of disservice is this to the public? You might think that the Real Estate profession would have established a clear criteria and standards in this regard…?
       What happened to the Code of Ethics? 
       If there is a real estate agent, broker, or company in Marin County that is disingenuous, devious, and deceptive in their advertising, does it matter?  Does this kind of behavior affect other real estate professional’s ability to practice real estate fairly in the same environment ? Has “truthiness” become the new professional standard? 
       Is the Marin Association of Realtors in crisis?  As long as these kinds of concerns plague the membership many members believe that there’s a cancer eating away at the integrity of the Marin Association of Realtors.  It appears  that the organization has become ineffective and powerless.  The Marin Association of Realtors Board of Directors needs to take a long look at where it’s been, and where it want’s to go. Or continue doing what they’re doing and run the risk of becoming an unnecessary entity.

       This post was originally emailed to the current President of MAR, last year’s President (and now a member of the Board of Directors at MAR), and Ed Segal Chief Operating Officer of MAR on 2/26/2008.  On 2/28/2008 the Board of Directors had a meeting.      

      Afterwords, Ed Segal contacted me and said, “the Board would be taking actions to enforce the Code of Ethics and Professional Standards.  And, that the Board would be taking a “Proactive” role in addressing these issues.”  

     What do you think?  Click on Comment(s) below and share your thoughts!

  I’ve been flooded with emails wondering who won the Dream House raffle in San Rafael, California.  Here is the link to the Marin Independent Journals article listing the winners.  The man from Washington State that won the 2.1 million dollar dream house opted to take cash instead. 

 Here’s the link: Winners Marin County Dream House
     And, even thought this home is located in Santa Cruz, here is the link for another
 Dream House Raffle: 1.4 Million Dollar Santa Cruz Dream House  

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