BLOG - Marin Real Estate

Another entry to ActiveRain, Real Estate Community ECO-ALL STAR~GREEN group about local GREEN efforts.

As a Novato Resident, surrounded by Open Space, Natural Parks, Bay front; we are proud to be the city with the highest recyclable collection and lowest solid waste rate in Marin county.

The distinction can not be achieved solely by residents with good intention without the service provided by Novato Disposal Service

The Novato Disposal Service provides weekly pick ups of Green (Yard) Recyclables and Blue Recyclables (plastic containers, newspaper, bottles, jars, etc), Bi-Annual (spring, fall) large items, large volume and eWaste free-collections which the neighborhoods overwhelmingly participate and look forward to. 

The service utilizes plants with state of the art equipment to sort, accept and reject wastes, ensuring proper waste recycle to allow for most waste being processed.    

Their website provides timely guidance on recyclable plastics, cans, paper products; safely dispose of cooking oil, fluorescent lights, how to pack for lunches to produce the least solid waste; and where to dispose of hazard waste; etc.   

The Novato Disposal team also participates in chamber and school green activities; and Novato July 4th Parade, putting on a great waste collection routine to promote their recycle program.  

The latest improvement for Novato Disposal Service is the new Garbage Trucks they purchased, allowing for picking up both green and blue wastes on the same route; eliminating double pick ups and providing savings on resources (manpower, gas consumption, ozone depletion).

Not only is Novato Disposal Service mindful of local recycling programs, they also participate and donate generously to local schools.  They are the annual supporter for the local high school Safe and Sober Grad Night fundraising effort; where the high school helps residents in recycling their Christmas trees in exchange of a small donation to the worthy cause.  For a week after Christmans, the Novato Disposal donates huge derbris boxes and the drivers to transport and dispose of the Christmas trees.

For the ECO minded readers, I encourage you to go to their website to learn more about how to properly recycle and save the environment. 

Changes since July 23rd, 2008 for Novato Real Estate Market - Total inventory dropped by 10 while units for pending sales remains the same at 28%.  The total market at a glance stays at the lower end of being Neutral tilting towards the buyers market (defined as pending sales is less than 25%).

Condos/Townhomes, where we see the biggest drop in prices due to many short sales and foreclosures, edged past neutral market and stays periosly on the sellers market.

Slight drop of 5% in SFDs priced under $500K - some REOs (Real Estate Owned - Bank Owned Properties) or Short Sales are a little rough, requires sweat equity.  As higher quality homes experience price drops and become more affordable, the lowest priced home saw some impact. 

Big swing in the pending is the starter single family homes priced between $500K and $600K, with a drop of 12% on pending sales while the next price range up of $600K to $700K SFDs, has a gain of 10% compare to the July report.  Due to the softening market, nice homes priced over $700Ks dropped below $700K and becomes a great buy.     

Homes priced over $700K stays within +/- 5% variance from a month ago, other than $1.25M to $1.5M which saw a 9% increase - for units out of 23 units went into escrow.  A small change in a small sample makes relatively large statement expressed in percentage.   

Give me a call at (415) 717-0293 or email me at sylvia@SylviaSellsMarin.com if you for details, inventory on the market and what's the best house / investment property for you! 

It will be a pleasure to serve you!  

• Buyer’s Market  < 25%
• Neutral                25% - 40%
• Seller’s Market   > 40%

During the high Fire season, it is nice to see the article from S.F. Chronicle highlighing what builders in he Oakland Hills did while rebuilding homes after the 1991 Oakland Fire.  The Oakland Fire "ultimately killed 25 people and injured 150 others. The 1,520 acres (6.2 km²) destroyed included 2,843 single-family dwellings and 437 apartment and condominium units. The economic loss has been estimated at $1.5 billion."

Along with the article, S.F. Chronicle included a partial list of checklist developed by (of all the places) Travis County, Texas about what how to prepare for a fire: 

I am following suit and quoting below:

Wildfire Preparedness Check List

The more “yes” answers you have, the more prepared you are in the event of a wildfire threat.

The House

• Fire-resistant roof i.e. metal, tile, composition?
• Non-flammable siding materials?
• Home is located down-slope?
• Wooden deck facing or overhanging level ground?
• Large glass windows, facing level ground?
• Deck, porch, vents or house screened to keep sparks out?
• Chimney extending above the roofline?
• Chimney spark arrester in place?
• Roof and gutters clean of debris?

Around the House

• A fire defensible space (D-space) zone of 30 – 100 ft?
• Adequate clearance of weeds, tall grasses and brush?
• Leaves raked?
• Trees pruned 10 ft up from base of trunk?
• Debris cleared from beneath trees and near structures?
• Tree limbs pruned at least 10 ft from roof or within 15 ft laterally from chimney?
• House location or address clearly marked (3 inch letters)?
• Small amounts of mulch used near wooden structures?
• Firewood and other burnable items stored at least 30 ft from the house?

Access

• Easy access to home by emergency vehicles?
• Road grade less than 15% (not steep)?
• Road wide and accommodating to two-way traffic?
• Road straight with wide turns?
• Large areas for vehicles to turn around?
• Short driveway from main road?
• Home area level and easily plowed or raked for fire line?
• Multiple roads into and out of developed area for safe and easy access and evacuation?

Water Supply

• Pressurized hydrants available?
• Non-pressurized or dry hydrants available?
• Water sources such as ponds or streams accessible?
• Power lines buried and not susceptible to fire?
• Well pumps maintained with uninterrupted electricity?

Ten Quick and Easy Steps to Prepare for a Wildfire

1. Cut grass and weeds, rake leaves and pine needles and remove yard debris and branches.

2. Relocate woodpile and left over building materials at least 30’ from house.
NOTE: It is best to not locate the woodpile directly uphill or downhill of any structure.

3. Signs, address and access are well marked, and visible both night and day. Reflective numbering/lettering that is 3” or larger is recommended.

4. Prune dead and low-hanging tree limbs 6 to 10 feet from the ground around house. Remove all dead vegetation in brush and shrubbery.

5. Store all gas, oil and other chemicals away from the house. This includes propane tanks on BBQ pits.

6. Keep roof and gutters free from leaves and needles.

7. Enclose spaces under porches, decks, foundations and overhangs, and roof/attic vent openings with 1/8” metal screening.

8. Have garden hoses connected on all sides of your house.

9. Place tools (such as ladders, shovels, rakes and hoes) for easy access to fire fighters.

10. Check driveway for adequate clearance for emergency vehicles. (Both height and width).