Marin County Real Estate and ME! 5 (or more) Things About Me, Me, Me, Me and Me I received my award (?) from my new active rain friend David Ames. First I heard of it. I am honored to participate so here I go...
View MoreMarin County Real Estate - A Very Merry Mustard To You! The holiday tradition I look forward to involves shopping and eating but also planning, designing and mass production. It's not your typical tradition but it's one I have participated in with my Dad for about 23 years. We make our super secret, completely addictive and increasingly popular Hot & Sweet Mustard. A few recipients, I am sure, continue to be my friend just for the Mustard they receive from me each holiday season. I...
View MoreBuying A Home in Marin County - Home Buyer Success Story Real Estate is a challenging business to be in, especially in today's market with the ever changing rules, regulations, laws and statutes surrounding Real Estate transactions. It has become a mine field of disclosures and compliance. However, for me the most important and most rewarding part of the Real Estate business hasn't really changed that much and that is Client Care. It's true, younger Gen X and Gen Y clients now entering the market are tech savvy and better...
View MoreHomes for Sale in Marin County, CA - Average home price 2010 to 2011 up or down? Turns out in Marin County, like home prices, inventory levels, Days on Market and sale price vs. list price it all about location, location, location! In two cities the average home price is up from 2010 to 2011 Year to Date in all others it's down. Makes answering the questions, "have we hit the bottom", or "hows the market" or "are prices going back up" difficult to answer. Check...
View MoreMarin County Real Estate - 1965 to 2010: Puts things in Perspective! Look at this graph and what do you see? The obvious, like 2007 prices were off the charts and homes were truly affordable in Marin in the 60's, 70's and into the mid 90's. My parents bought their second home in San Rafael, CA in Marin County is 1963, the year I was born for about $40,000 which according to the chart is right on. It was a decent size house, nothing fancy but...
View MoreForeclosures in Marin County, CA - Just Sold, Marinwood, CA Townhome There is a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding the purchase of REO (real estate owned) or bank owned properties. These are properties that have gone through the foreclosure process and are no longer owned by an individual but a bank or investor. The process of purchasing an REO property varies from a regular sale but in most cases can close in 30-45 days and doesn't have to be...
View MoreWoodworkers Dream-Come-True-Wood-Shop! Master woodworker, retired sales genius, avid reader and all around smart and talented guy - My Dad! I am honored to be working with my dad and step-mother (Bob & Carine) to market and help them sell their beloved home of 36 years. I was 10 when my Dad brought me and my 2 sisters to the "new" house on the hill, 66 Grove Hill Avenue South, San Anselmo, CA 94960. Since my parents split, when I was 5, my dad went through women and houses at a rapid...
View MoreDo you talk to Strangers? Can you afford not to? When I was a kid, I was painfully shy and not the terrified of public speaking or asking questions in class but the level of shyness where I couldn't call information and ask for a phone number (and that other stuff too). I'm talking extreme debilitating shyness. The thought of talking to strangers made me want to throw up or hide or both. I eventually grew out of it with the help of team sports and a series of jobs that boosted...
View MoreSan Francisco Schools - Navigating the Enrollment Maze It may not be a four letter word but it may as well be - Enrollment! Every couple in every tax bracket in San Francisco from the day of conception (possibly before) stresses about schools. Every parent just wants their child to be in an environment where they can flourish and be happy. Your pregnant? Congratulations, "Have you started touring pre-schools"? "Do you know where you want your child to go"? Really? I am still getting use to the fact that there is a...
View MoreFirst Time Home Buyers - Experts Agree! The Time to Buy is NOW! Rent or own? An ongoing debate in our ever-changing Real Estate Market. During the recent boom that ended in a devastating explosion, more people opted for owning vs renting without crunching the numbers or looking at the bigger long term picture. If you were thinking to yourself after you were pre-approved for that no-down-payment-interest only-adjustable rate loan, "This seems to good to be true", I am sure by know you have discovered that it was. Times have changed. Buyers...
View More