Marin Luxury Homes (September 2008)

The number of homes for sale in the $2 million to $4 million luxury home market in Marin County, California rose over the past month to 109, compared to 106 homes in August 2008. The slight rise in inventory coincided with a respectable month of sales with 16 homes sold in August 2008 (down by 4 from July).  

Mill Valley and Ross experienced the most luxury home sales (with 4 of these homes selling in each). Belvedere, Tiburon and Corte Madera each had 2 homes sold and Kentfield and Sausalito had 1 sale each. The average days on market for homes that sold was a mere 95 days (25 days more than in July) and the average sales price was $2.927 million (roughly $875/per sq. ft.), with an average of 3,503 square feet. Belvedere and Tiburon seem to be hot as they each have 6 homes in escrow.

Marin Real Estate Trends (September 2008)

Looking outside last night, my wife commented that it was “dark already” (it was about 7:15 p.m.). I personally confirmed her observation–it looks like the seasons are changing. Predictably, after the annual slowdown of sales in Marin County during the Summer months, it seems as though activity has really picked up over the past couple of weeks. Half of my listings are in escrow (one had 3 offers) and the rest are getting lots of attention. The number of listing is up slightly (it would be up more significantly, but for the high number of Novato homes that are in escrow) and open houses are busy. Buyers seem to recognize that now may be the time to act as they are not convinced the market will tread further south and because of low interest rates (I heard that mortgage rates are down to around 5.75% for conforming loans). Qualifying for those loans is the big issue now–the underwriting process has become very demanding and unforgiving.

[click here for the rest of the story and for a table breaking down home prices in Marin County]

Boyle Park (Mill Valley Neighborhoods Description)

Boyle Park is one of Mill Valley’s most sought-after neighborhoods. It sits on the northern side of E. Blithedale Road in Mill Valley, Marin County, California. As its name suggests, it is named after and surrounds the park that shares its name and serves as its anchor. Boyle Park is truly one of the best parks in Mill Valley, with sports fields, tennis, paths, and other areas for playing (including a toddlers area), picnics, and relaxing. It features the following:

• Large open grassy area
• Tennis courts (Passes required)
• Picnic tables
• Bench or benches
• Bathrooms
• Playground/play structure
• Creek access
• Baseball diamond
• Large open grassy area 
• BBQ Grill & group picnic areas (reservations required)
• Dogs permitted – Leash required

Boyle Park is also one of the sunnier parts of Mill Valley, is close to downtown, and just a couple of minutes off HWY 101. Home prices range from about $1 million to $2 million, with exceptional properties selling above that price range. These prices are about average for Mill Valley.

If you have any questions about Boyle Park, Mill Valley, or Marin County, please let me know. My name is Kyle Frazier. I am a broker and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Frank Howard Allen Realtors (the biggest and best firm in Marin County). And it is always my pleasure to be of service. I can be reached at (415) 350-9440.

Mill Valley Neighborhoods

While the prevailing ethos of Mill Valley can be found in all corners, its various neighborhoods each offer something unique.

Mill Valley 101

Welcome to Mill Valley 101, an introduction to one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most popular and enriched towns. The allure of Mill Valley has many facets.

It is located just minutes from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. And Mill Valley’s neighborhoods are diverse and her inhabitants educated. Naturally, the schools of Mill Valley are some of the best in California.

Mill Valley offers a wide variety of outdoor activities. It is just minutes away from the giant redwoods of Muir Woods and the virually unlimited hiking and biking opportunities provided by Mount Tamalpais. Beaches and the San Francisco Bay are in within easy walking or biking distance. There are numerous parks and fields sprinkled throughout the town.

Mill Valley Homes & Real Estate (August 2008)

Predictably and in line with June 2008, 53% of homes priced under $800,000 and 18% of homes between $1 million and $1.5 million are in escrow. Mill Valley’s inventory of single family homes for sale is about 102 homes currently on the market (there were 107 in July 2008). Mill Valley homes that sold during the past month averaged 56 days on the market and sold for an average price of about $1.726 million (about $724 per square foot), and averaged about 2,348 square feet.  

Marin Luxury Homes (August 2008)

The number of homes for sale in the $2 million to $4 million luxury home market in Marin County, California fell over the past to 106, compared to 122 homes in July 2008. This time of year is the typical slow season as sellers recalculate their positions, buyers are out of the County on vacations, etc., and a number of agents doze off, waiting for things to pick back up in the Autumn. Indeed, the lower inventory was accompanied by a respectable month of sales with 20 homes sold in July 2008. 

Mill Valley led the way with the most luxury home sales (4 of these homes sold). Tiburon and Larkspur followed with 3 homes sold and Kentfield and San Rafael had 2 sales each. Ross, San Anselmo, and Corte Madera had 1 sale each. The average days on market for homes that sold was a mere 70 days (14 days more than in June) and the average sales price was $2.576 million (roughly $907/per sq. ft.), with an average of 3,083 square feet.

The inventory level in Marin County’s ultra-luxury market (homes priced in the $4 million and up range) also fell–we now have just 46 active listings, compared with 54 last month

 [ ... click here for the complete report courtesy of NorthBayRE.com].

Mill Valley Homes & Real Estate (July 2008)

As Marin experiences its seasonal slowdown this time of year (a.k.a. the Summer selling season), Mill Valley’s sales numbers continue skirting the stratosphere. This is not news to anyone who follows my monthly reports. Mill Valley is simply one of the most desirable communities in Marin and its sales reflect that fact–and for good reason.  

Predictably and in line with May 2008, 57% of homes priced under $800,000 and 26% of homes between $1 million and $1.5 million are in escrow. I have noted in past months that Agents were exhibiting ”a sense of purpose” and the numbers reflect that. Mill Valley’s inventory of single family homes for sale is about 107 homes currently on the market (there were 110 in June 2008). Mill Valley homes that sold during the past month averaged 65 days on the market and sold for an average price of about $1.284 million (about $654 per square foot), and averaged about 2,031 square feet.  

Marin Luxury Homes (July 2008)

The number of homes for sale in the $2 million to $4 million luxury home market in Marin County, California dipped slightly this month with 121 active listings, compared to 127 homes in June 2008. This reduction in inventory was accompanied by another solid month of sales–26 homes sold (one more than in May 2008). As noted last month, and this bears repeating, while the number of homes sold in the non-luxury market this year compared to last year is down by about 25%-30% (depending on where you look), the luxury market has NOT experienced a similar decline. This is great news for owners of luxury homes in Marin!

Mill Valley and Kentfield led the way with the most luxury home sales (each with 5 homes sold). Belvedere, Larkspur, and San Rafael had 3 sales each. Ross, San Anselmo, and Sausalito had 1 sale. The average days on market for homes that sold was a mere 59 days (8 days less than last month) and the average sales price was just under $2.5 million (roughly $772/per sq. ft.), with an average of 3,353 square feet.

The inventory level in Marin County’s ultra-luxury market (homes priced in the $4 million and up range) rose to 54 active listings, compared with 46 last month. Tiburon, as usual, boasts the largest number of such homes with 19.

[ ... click here for the complete report courtesy of NorthBayRE.com].

Marin Real Estate Trends (June 2008)

Marin County, California, was the ONLY county in the entire Bay Area to have a year-over-year increase in median price last month (prices were up 5.8%) according to DataQuick which surveys all recorded sales. The numbers for the HWY 101 corridor covered by this update are pretty amazing–the average price for single family homes sold in May 2008 was $1.493 million and if you exclude Novato that number increases to $1.647 million. We currently have 815 active listings (down from 881 in May 2008). This time of year historically sees an up-tick in listings as families leave town for vacations, etc. Yet, buyers are visiting open houses in droves. Reports of multiple offers continue.

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