In addition to scoring at the very top in all academic categories (in relation to other areas of California), Marin County parents, children, and school administrators can take pride in also developing some of the healthiest and most physically active kids in California. 

Marin kids scored higher on all physical categories and in all grades. No small wonder. Marin is known for plentiful parks, virtually unlimited outdoor activities, and is characterized by the active and progressive nature of its inhabitants–some would say Marin is "just a little out there" (side note: yesterday, the Marin Tourism Bureau announced that the phrase "Marin — just a little out there" would be the new branding statement for the County’s tourism platform …). 

About 86% of Bel Aire fifth-graders achieved scores in the state’s "healthy fitness zone" in six categories - aerobic capacity, body composition, abdominal strength, trunk extension strength, upper body strength and flexibility. Fifth-graders at the Tiburon school outperformed both the Marin average of 39.1% and the state average of 28.5%.

The state’s "healthy fitness zone" represents a level of fitness thought to provide some protection from potential health risks - such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease - posed by inactivity, and is intended to encourage students to develop lifetime habits of diet and exercise. More than 1.3 million students took the test statewide last spring.

Marin students did better in all three grade levels tested. In body fat composition, 84% of the county’s fifth-graders, 73% of seventh-graders and 80% of high school freshmen scored in the "healthy" zone, as compared with 68 percent of fifth-graders, 68% of seventh-graders and 70% of freshmen statewide.

The Reed Union School District had Marin’s highest percentages of elementary students meeting all six criteria, while the Tamalpais Union High School District had the highest fitness percentage for high school students.

Comprehensive test results are available online at www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/

 *Article derived from Marin IJ, 11/26/08. 

The traditionally slower season for luxury homes sales is here. Nationwide, the number of homes sold in the luxury market is down this month (although sales were up about 7% nationwide as compared with September 2007-the most recent data available). The financial debacle is unquestionably impacting (or should I say, infecting) the market. Marin County buyers in these price bands are often portfolio investors, entrepreneurs, executives, or business owners and all are now feeling the bite of economic decline and many have decided to spell their purchasing decisions for the time being.  Meanwhile, the number of such homes has increased, placing pressure on pricing. Indeed, even portfolio buyers have taken a wait and see approach. 

Inventory in Marin County, California’s, luxury home market (e.g., homes for sale between $2 million and $4 million) is holding steady. There are 130 homes on the market, compared to 129 homes in October 2008. October saw a respectable number of sales with 15 homes sold–same as September 2008. Mill Valley again experienced the most luxury home sales (with 5). San Rafael had 4 sales, Tiburon had 2 sales, and Sausalito, Belvedere, and San Anselmo each saw 1 home sold in this price range. The average days on market for the homes that sold was 117 days and the average sales price was just over $2.785 million (roughly $756/per sq. ft.), with an average of 3,896 square feet. Belvedere and Tiburon have 4 and 3 homes currently in escrow. I expect the number of sales next month will drop precipitously as the full effect of the stock market’s recent plunge takes hold.

The above graph identifies the numbers of active listings and homes in contract in the Marin County luxury and ultra-luxury home market segments. Note that all homes in contract are included in the category “Pending” even though some are technically “Contingent” properties (e.g., the buyers have not removed all contingencies). This information is limited to Marin County’s Highway 101 corridor towns and cities that consistently maintain a monthly inventory of luxury and ultra-luxury homes (Western Marin coastal homes are not included). Call Kyle Frazier, Marin Realtor & CRS, Broker Associate, Frank Howard Allen Realtors of Marin, at 415/350-9440 for more luxury home market information. You can also e-mail Kyle at Kyle@NorthBayRE.com.

Watching the train wreck on Wall Street–these past few weeks have been a horror–I wonder how long until people disenchanted with the equity and related markets start taking greater advantage of the value of leverage and, in turn, begin pouring their hard earned dollars into the relative calm of Marin real estate–especially in Southern Marin where year over year appreciation stands at 9% over the past 30 years (and that does not factor in tax benefits). Meanwhile, up in Novato, all cash buyers (e.g., investors) are bidding up many properties (a home in the Country Club neighborhood just sold for over 11% above asking price). Yet, in Southern and Central Marin, despite the bona fide enthusiasm of entry level buyers who have been waiting for prices to drop, the overall economic environment is chasing many away.

Overall, the number of homes for sale in the HWY 101 corridor stands at 716 (down from 750 in October 2008). As noted above, reports of multiple offers continue–especially on certain bank owned properties in Novato. And even though the number of homes sold has decreased this year, sellers are holding fast to their prices (particularly in Southern Marin). While interest rates are generally creeping upwards, they remain at historically low levels making it a great buying atmosphere (especially in Novato and San Rafael)–if you are interested in up-to-the-minute rates or a list of homes for sale, contact me. 

The graph below breaks down the current number of homes (not including condos) for sale and in escrow in Marin County’s HWY 101 corridor (e.g., Marin’s coastal communites are not included) in November 2008, along with the price ranges for each town/city.

Marin Single Family Homes For Sale

[...] Overall, Mill Valley’s real estate market is cruising through the Autumn with little momentum. The market remains one favoring flexible buyers intent on making sacrifices in order to obtain value. Customarily for this time of year, sellers who don’t need to sell will now wait for the promise of the new year. Yet, I expect this Winter we will see many of the so-called “undercover buyers” (e.g., financially stable people waiting for the “right time” to buy) writing strong offers in an effort to take advantage of the confluence of two factors: (1) the apparent nadir of the market in general; and (2) the Wintertime’s seasonal leverage which favors buyers. I am talking with lots people who fit this profile. Although prices have not receded in Mill Valley quite like those of Novato (click HERE for Novato101.com’s market analysis for November 2008), these “undercover buyers” are eagerly investigating their options…

[Click HERE to view full report courtesy of MillValley101.com].

The San Rafael real estate market has been the model of consistency for about 4 months now–roughly 30% of homes in the entry level (priced under $800,000) are in escrow. There are 21 homes for sale under $600,000, and another 25 homes priced under $750,000. As reported last month, it is apparent that lots of buyers who are unimpressed with San Rafael’s housing inventory are driving an exit or two North on Hwy 101 to explore the alluring inventory Novato has to offer. Click HERE for this month’s expanded market report from Novato101.com. 

Indeed, the percentage of homes in escrow in San Rafael is about on a par with that of Novato in all price bands (except the entry level in Novato is over 50%). In addition, San Rafael’s housing inventory is surprisingly low with just 160 units currently on the market (compared with 186 in Novato). These trends are out of square with tradition. Historically, the demand for homes in San Rafael exceeded that of its northerly neighbor which has a much larger inventory. We’ll see if these trends last through the coming months. Certainly, people are out in droves at open houses. I suspect that there will be a large increase in listings come the new year as sellers who decided to sit out this past year begin testing the market early. 

Of the 26 homes that sold in October 2008 (23 sold in September), the average days on market was up by about 11% to 111 days. These homes averaged about 2,375 square feet and sold for an average price of about $1.069 million–that is roughly $436 per sq. ft. San Rafael’s strongest micro-climate markets in October 2008 included Gerstle Park, The Dominican, Terra Linda, and Lucas Valley.

Aficionados of renovated Eichler homes continue to snap up these mid-century modern, architecturally distinctive homes located in Terra Linda and Lucas Valley quickly and decisively–by the way, check out the October 2008 edition of Architectural Digest for a couple of sublime examples of modern architecture, including an amazing prefabricated green home built by Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner.

If you have any questions regarding the current real estate market in San Rafael, California, please contact Kyle Frazier, Marin Realtor & CRS, Frank Howard Allen Realtors Marin: (415) 350-9440.  

 … Sellers who have to sell in this market have really come to understand the need for aggressive pricing because of the relatively large number of foreclosures in Novato. These foreclosures can be disastrous to neighborhood values. However, because of their generally poor condition and the stringent terms required by the banks selling the homes, many buyers refuse to engage in pursuit of foreclosed homes for sale (and just about everyone is walking away from short sales). Moreover, because the banks are using pricing schemes to lure buyers into making offers, many of these so-called foreclosure “deals” are selling way above asking price. In fact, one foreclosure in Novato’s Country Club neighborhood sold last month for over 11% above asking price in an all-cash deal…

[click HERE for the rest of the article and sales chart, courtesy of Novato101.com]

Nationwide, a chill has fallen on the luxury market as the financial debacle unfolds. Historically, many of the luxury homes and ultra-luxury homes sold in Marin County went to buyers who earned their livings in the financial sector. It appears that those buyers have stepped back from the market for the time being. Meanwhile, the number of such homes has increased, placing pressure on pricing. Indeed, even portfolio buyers have taken a wait and see approach.

Marin County, California’s, luxury home market (e.g., homes for sale between $2 million and $4 million) saw an increase in inventory over the past month to 129, compared to 109 homes in September 2008. This significant rise in inventory coincided with a respectable month of sales with 15 homes sold, compared with 16 in September. Mill Valley again experienced the most luxury home sales (with 6). Belvedere and Tiburon each had 2 sales, while Corte Madera, Sausalito, Kentfield, San Anselmo, and San Rafael had 1 sale each. The average days on market for the homes that sold was 98 days and the average sales price was just over $2.6 million (roughly $957/per sq. ft.), with an average of 3,037 square feet. Belvedere and Tiburon seem to be faring well as former has 5 homes in escrow and the latter has 4 homes in escrow.

The above graph identifies the numbers of active listings and homes in contract in the Marin County luxury and ultra-luxury home market segments. Note that all homes in contract are included in the category “Pending” even though some are technically “Contingent” properties (e.g., the buyers have not removed all contingencies). This information is limited to Marin County’s Highway 101 corridor towns and cities that consistently maintain a monthly inventory of luxury and ultra-luxury homes (Western Marin coastal homes are not included). Call Kyle Frazier, Marin Realtor & CRS, Broker Associate, Frank Howard Allen Realtors of Marin, at 415/350-9440 for more luxury home market information. You can also e-mail Kyle at Kyle@NorthBayRE.com.

Formidable power and influence are now focussed on the worldwide economic situation. While the impact of governmental actions will have on the overall housing market is uncertain, most analysts advise those actions will help stabilize the financial markets, and in turn, real estate. Certainly, in Marin County, homes are selling. 

The fatalism of national media outlets is not reflected my conversations with the dozens of buyers who have poured through open houses in the past month or called or e-mailed me with questions about Marin real estate. Nor is that fatalism reflected in sales numbers. To the contrary, a bona fide enthusiasm exists in the voices of people of who have been waiting to buy while prices moderated or dropped (depending on the area they are looking in). They are excited because they have suppressed their prior urges to buy and think now is the time.  

My listing inventory has dwindled to just one home as all have sold in the past couple of months or are now in escrow (one listing had 3 offers). Marin-wide, the number of homes for sale in the HWY 101 corridor stands at 750 (down from 756 in September 2008). As noted above, reports of multiple offers continue–the most likely targets are aggressively priced Southern Marin homes in good locations and bank owned properties in Novato. And even though the number of homes sold has decreased this year, sellers are holding fast to their prices (particularly in Southern Marin). While interest rates are generally creeping upwards, they remain at historically low levels making it a great buying atmosphere (especially in Novato and San Rafael)–if you are interested in up-to-the-minute rates or a list of homes for sale, contact me. 

The graph below breaks down the current number of homes (not including condos) for sale and in escrow in Marin County’s HWY 101 corridor (e.g., Marin’s coastal communities are not included) in October 2008, along with the price ranges for each town/city.

Marin Single Family Homes For Sale