MDH Blog | The Marin Home Blog

Marin home prices tick up 4.23% in July.

After two consecutive months of declines, the average price of a single-family home in Marin bounced back last month. In July, the average price came in at $1,087,463, up 4.23 percent from June. July’s average price marks a 5 percent increase from a year ago, and the number of homes sold in Marin was roughly the same.

Overall, July’s report looks positive. Especially considering summer is a particularly slow season for the housing market and a broader look at Marin home prices this year seems to indicate the market is making a recovery. Prices are up 11% from Q1 to Q2. Still, it’s a yo-yo economy with some uncertainty ahead.

Marin County average home price down, median up.

The average price of a single-family home in Marin decreased for the second straight month. In June, the average price came in at $1,043,337, down 4.52 percent from May. However, during the same period, the median price was up 2 percent and the number of homes sold was up 13 percent. June’s average price marks a slight increase from a year ago, and the number of homes sold was up a big 16 percent.

Marin home prices falter in May, while sales volume continues to climb.

The average price of a single-family home in Marin decreased after a huge bounce last month. In May, the average price came in at $1,167,083, down 6.37 percent from the previous month. Still, May average price marks an impressive 30 percent increase from a year ago, and the number of homes sold was up a whopping 90 percent.

Marin’s housing market showed fresh signs of momentum in April – average price up a whopping 25 percent, sales volume up 45 percent.

In April, the average price came in at $1,167,083, up 25 percent from March. April’s average price marks a 14 percent increase from a year ago, and the number of homes sold was up 45 percent. In addition, the median price was up 10 percent and 8 percent, respectively, during the same period.

The strong gains in Marin last month can in part be attributed to buyers hurrying to take advantage of a soon-to-expire federal tax incentive, cheap prices and low interest rates. While April’s big gains tell us a lot about what’s changed in the market, it shouldn’t be viewed as evidence of surging home values. Prices in many areas have more or less flattened or risen modestly, and we expect to see values grow slowly.

Marin County average home prices down, median up.

The average price of a single-family home in Marin decreased for the second straight month. In March, the average price came in at $930,393, down 7.11 percent from February. March’s average price marks a 16.5 percent decrease from a year ago, and the number of homes sold was down 7.5 percent. However, the median price was up 1 percent and 9 percent, respectively, during the same period.

While Marin home prices remain mixed, overall pricing has stabilized and most forecasts show the Marin housing market to grow this year. We can see some sub-markets will continue to struggle. However, the combination of the lowest historical pricing, low interest rates and tax credits, make the current market an excellent buyers market, meaning that those who need a home should be out shopping.

Home prices in Marin take a step back in February, while the number of homes sold continues it’s push forward in a big way.

The average price of a single-family home in Marin decreased for the first time in 3 months last period. In February, the average price came in at $1,001,703, down 7.23 percent from the previous month. Still, February’s average price marks an impressive 25 percent increase from a year ago, and the number of homes sold was up a whopping 66 percent during the same period.

The recent improvements in the Marin housing market are very encouraging, and we expect this trend to continue in the long-term. However, as inventory continues to build over the next several months, we may see some downward pressure on home prices. The stats for February seem to confirm our growing suspicion, at least for the moment, and we will be watching this trend closely.

Area	Average Sale Price	Median Sale Price	Total Sales	Avg. DOM*
All Marin	$1,001,703	$780,000	103	114
Belvedere	$3,440,000	$3,440,000	2	209
Corte Madera	$805,000	$800,000	3	108
Fairfax	$584,000	$595,000	3	152
Greenbrae	$1,935,000	$2,145,000	3	119
Kentfield	$1,795,000	$1,925,000	3	127
Larkspur	$1,083,000	$1,083,000	2	55
Mill Valley	$1,552,422	$1,415,000	16	102
Novato	$630,882	$531,500	24	132
Ross	$2,197,500	$2,197,500	1	16
San Anselmo	$696,600	$722,500	8	68
San Rafael	$759,506	$652,950	24	100
Sausalito	$895,000	$895,000	1	173
Tiburon	$1,085,375	$1,050,000	8	155

The Marin real estate market continues to strengthen. Falling inventory levels and strong sales helped to drive improvement in Marin’s housing market in January.

The average price of a single-family home in Marin increased for a second straight month in January reaching $1,079,713, up 6.25 percent – a 24 percent increase from January 2009. A total of 94 homes changed hands, up 32 percent from a year ago.

With inventory levels falling, we anticipate price increases to continue and possibly intensify. However, there are a number of factors that could delay the further strengthening of Marin’s housing market. Principal among these would be rising inventory levels and the anticipated increase in mortgage rates. Still, our outlook is increasingly positive and we believe in the long-term growth of the Marin market.

Area	Average Sale Price	Median Sale Price	Total Sales	Avg. DOM*
All Marin	$1,079,713	$662,500	94	105
Belvedere	$2,545,000	$2,545,000	1	416
Corte Madera	$860,000	$860,000	1	29
Fairfax	$910,667	$777,000	3	163
Greenbrae	$1,072,000	$1,072,000	2	132
Kentfield	$1,625,750	$1,581,500	4	153
Larkspur	$801,500	$801,500	2	72
Mill Valley	$1,191,488	$1,032,500	16	88
Novato	$525,440	$475,000	25	91
Ross	$11,000,000	$11,000,000	2	116
San Anselmo	$855,965	$745,000	7	152
San Rafael	$672,568	$654,500	22	80
Sausalito	$635,000	$635,000	1	45
Tiburon	$2,617,500	$2,617,500	2	111

Marin home sales show continued signs of stability. Both the median price and the number of homes sold were higher than a year ago – sales in December were one of the best on recent record. 

The average price of a single-family home in Marin was $1,016,192, up 4.4 percent in December. A total of 174 homes changed hands, up 41 percent from a year ago. The median price was $821,000, a 15 percent increase from last year.

There are a number of indicators that point to an improved real estate market. Generally, prices are higher, sales are up, the number of foreclosures have fallen and we’re seeing an overall increase in confidence in the market.  Things are closer to normal now and we are optimistic about 2010.

Area	Average Sale Price	Median Sale Price	Total Sales	Avg. DOM*
All Marin	$1,016,192	$821,000	174	116
Belvedere	$2,945,000	$2,580,000	3	108
Corte Madera	$1,102,500	$1,102,500	2	97
Fairfax	$589,143	$575,000	7	181
Greenbrae	$1,136,500	$1,027,500	6	168
Kentfield	$1,482,600	$1,523,000	5	159
Larkspur	$1,275,000	$985,000	5	38
Mill Valley	$1,019,843	$829,000	27	122
Novato	$640,229	$590,000	41	105
Ross	$1,958,200	$1,958,200	5	113
San Anselmo	$941,400	$705,000	15	85
San Rafael	$871,625	$780,500	32	94
Sausalito	$1,199,833	$1,062,500	6	99
Tiburon	$2,056,500	$2,000,000	10	204

For the second straight month, home sales in Marin shrunk again – the average price was down 7% in November.

The average price of a single-family home in Marin was $971,902, down roughly 4% from $1,010,994 last year, and 165 homes were sold – up 45% from the 90 homes in November ‘08. Last month, the average price fell 2.5% to $1,045,750 and 173 homes were sold.

Though prices were still 3.8% below a year ago, the number of homes sold was nearly double last year’s and this is a very encouraging sign. Hopefully, this trend continues.

Area	Average Sale Price	Median Sale Price	Total Sales	Avg. DOM*
All Marin	$971,902	$700,000	165	92
Belvedere	$3,525,000	$2,200,000	3	63
Corte Madera	$910,438	$862,500	8	102
Fairfax	$590,714	$575,000	7	72
Greenbrae	$1,083,375	$961,750	4	163
Kentfield	$2,026,250	$1,590,000	4	122
Larkspur	$1,900,000	$1,900,000	2	26
Mill Valley	$1,252,958	$1,217,000	24	91
Novato	$620,851	$566,500	37	70
Ross	$1,587,500	$1,750,000	4	105
San Anselmo	$830,027	$805,000	15	79
San Rafael	$772,361	$625,000	47	105
Sausalito	$1,300,000	$1,300,000	3	78
Tiburon	$2,393,333	$2,100,000	3	142

Marin County home sales were brisk in September, helping boost prices yet again – the average price rose 11%. The median price of a single-family home in Marin was $825,000, flat compared with the previous month and 144 homes were sold – down slightly from last month. In August, the median price was up 6.5% to $825,000 and 164 homes were sold. Though prices were still 5.7% below a year ago, the number of homes sold was about the same and this is very encouraging. Hopefully, this trend continues.

Recent trends suggest the housing market is stabilizing, and it looks like now is a good time to make a long-term purchase. Interest rates dropped below 5-percent last week, and inventory is up – there are some great bargains out there right now.