Hot New Listings | November 30, 2007

Weekly feature highlighting the top new listings in Marin. We preview every new listing in the county and post the hottest new properties on the market. Here is the best of the week...

$2,799,000 Mill Valley, CA 5 Beds, 4 Baths More Info >>

$2,150,000 Ross, CA 4 Beds, 3 Baths More Info >>

Just Sold! - $2.185MM | Mill Valley, CA

We recently represented the buyer with the purchase of this beautifully remodeled home in Mill Valley's ultra exclusive Tamalpais Park neighborhood...

$2,185,000 Sycamore Park Mill Valley, CA 4 Beds, 4 baths 2005 sqft, 1907 year More Info >>

Classic Tamalpais Park Charmer! This original 1915 summer cottage was rebuilt from foundation up in 2004 yet still maintains the original old world feel throughout. Attention to fine details and beautiful craftsmanship with spacious living room, dining room opens to back yard, gourmet kitchen with breakfast bar, office/den, plus seperate cottage with full bath. Prime location, just few blocks to town.

If you have any questions about this property, please contact us directly at 1.888.DREAM-13.

Bay Area housing market among best

Forbes recently ranked two Bay Area housing markets among the top in the U.S...

At 9.4%, San Jose came in at number 3 on their list of best U.S. housing markets and San Francisco was number 4 at 8.6%.

While Marin County was not mentioned in Forbes, interestingly, the median home price is up a big 6.2% for the third quarter which puts it at number 7 on their list. Moreover, with a current median of $1,000,000, Marin still holds the top spot in U.S. for the highest median home price.

Best And Worst U.S. Housing Markets [Forbes]

$26K PRICE REDUCTION!

Major price reduction on this rare waterfront townhome...

$899,000 Sunrise Pointe Mill Valley, CA 2 Beds, 2.5 baths 1576 sqft, 1986 year More Info >>

Beautifully remodeled ground-floor unit with $50K in new improvements... hardwood floors, carpet, kitchen, baths, paint, etc. Located in one of Southern Marin's choicest communities with striking walking paths along the bay, pool, spa and nearby dog park. This is Marin's finest waterfront living!

Please contact us at 1.888.DREAM-13 to inquire about this property.

Hot New Listings | November 16, 2007

Weekly feature highlighting the top new listings in Marin. We preview every new listing in the county and post the hottest new properties on the market. Here is the best of the week...

$1,999,000 Corte Madera, CA 5 Beds, 4 Baths More Info >>

$1,229,000 Mill Valley, CA 4 Beds, 3 Baths More Info >>

$4,995,000 Sausalito, CA 4 Beds, 4 Baths More Info >>

$2,250,000 Tiburon, CA 4 Beds, 4 Baths More Info >>

Neighborhood Homes Sold | October 2007

Every month we review the recent sales in Marin and spotlight the most surprising transactions in the marketplace. Here are a few hot buys in October that caught our attention...

121 Oak Ave, Kentfield 4 Beds, 3 Baths, 2700 sqft, 2000 year $2,595,000 (list) $2,735,000 (sold) 5% above asking!

324 Melrose Ave, Mill Valley 3 Beds, 1 Baths, 1392 sqft, 1955 year $1,200,000 (list) $1,355,000 (sold) 13% above asking!

124 Woodland Ave, San Anselmo 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1410 sqft, 1924 year $885,000 (list) $985,000 (sold) 11% above asking!

Real estate agents defined

There seems to be eternal confusion about the roles of real estate agents. Frankly, it can be rather baffling. Just who represents who? When you enter into a discussion with a real estate agent, you should from the outset understand what type of a relationship you have with the agent, and where he/she’s obligation lay.

There are basically two types of real estate agents in Marin – A ‘Seller’s Agent’ and a ‘Buyer’s Agent’. Under the terms of the listing agreement, a Seller’s Agent acts as the agent for the seller only. The Seller’s Agent’s job is to help the seller prepare the property for sale, price it, market it, negotiate the deal, etc. In other words, the Seller’s Agent’s job is to sell the house. A Buyer’s Agent, on the other hand, acts as agent for the buyer. A Buyer’s Agent helps the buyer get a loan, find a house, make an offer, negotiate the deal, coordinate inspections and much more. While the Seller’s Agent owes a legal duty of trust to the seller, the Buyer’s Agent owes a legal duty of trust to the buyer.

So, let’s talk commissions now. The seller hires an agent to help sell his/her house and pays a commission for the service. In fact, the seller pays the total sales commission. He/she pays both the Seller’s and Buyer’s Agents commission. Moreover, the seller pays the total sales commission no matter the number of agents involved in the transaction. It doesn’t matter if there are one, two or three agents the seller pays the same commission rate. This is negotiated up-front when the seller lists his/her house for sale. Buyers do not pay for any part of the sales commission, and do not get a discount for working with the Seller’s Agent. In fact, they usually end-up paying more because they don’t have proper representation. Remember, the services of the real estate agent are always free to the buyer.

Be careful when you choose an agent. Most agents in Marin County represent both buyers and sellers. This dual role can create a serious conflict of interest. Moreover, representing a buyer vs. a seller are extremely different jobs with a very different skill set. Sellers should definitely work with an agent that specializes in listing property, and buyers definitely want to work exclusively with an agent that specializes in working with buyers. This is really the only way to ensure fair representation. Lastly, make sure to hire an agent who enjoys a sound reputation and good credentials. A good agent can make all the difference in the world.

For a complete rundown of the buying process, check out our Buyer's Guide... Learn More >>

Market Summary | October 2007

The median home price in Marin took a big leap in October. Back above the $1MM mark, the median now stands at $1,011,000. Last month marks a 6.5% increase from 2006. Absolutely extraordinary given the slumping U.S. housing market.

Here's a quick snapshot from the MDH Newsletter with a summary of the market trends for October...

Hot New Listings | November 2, 2007

Weekly feature highlighting the top new listings in Marin. We preview every new listing in the county and post the hottest new properties on the market. Here is the best of the week...

$1,395,000 Corte Madera, CA 3 Beds, 2 Baths More Info >>

$1,745,000 Greenbrae, CA 4 Beds, 3 Baths More Info >>

$1,675,000 Mill Valley, CA 4 Beds, 3 Baths More Info >>