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Marin County 2004-2007 Comparsion

2004 thru 2007 Mid  September House Percent of Pending

The following shows the comparison of percentage of houses pending in Marin county.  The data is from BARIS MLS.  Please keep in mind that this is only a shapshot of a point in the year (mid September), so when you at the comoparison, consider it with a grain of salt. Call Sylvia with any questions.

Year	2004		2005		2006		2007		Changes
									2004-2007
Marin Total	41%		33%		19%		14%		-27%
Belvedere	13%		21%		17%		12%		-1%
Corte Madera	42%		40%		23%		23%		-19%
Fairfax	38%		30%		24%		13%		-25%
Greenbrae	27%		32%		19%		0%		-27%
Kentfield	31%		21%		11%		12%		-19%
Larkspur	38%		20%		26%		7%		-415
Mill Valley	40%		32%		15%		23%		-17%
Novato	62%		42%		23%		10%		-52%
Ross	27%		15%		21%		11%		-16%
San Anselmo	35%		31%		15%		22%		-13%
San Rafael	53%		35%		16%		18%		-37%
Sausalito	33%		27%		16%		12%		-21%
Tiburon	21%		14%		20%		15%		-6%
Marin 1-2 Million	27%		27%		16%		14%
Marin  2 Million	14%		14%		14%		11%
Marin 0-999,999							15%

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

I served as a docent today at the "Eichler Home Tour and the Exotic Car Show", a fundraiser for Hospice By the Bay.

The house I was at is located in Locus Valley.  One of the smallest model but sits on the 2nd largest lot in the area - originally a bit over 1300sf; after 2 remodels, it is now 2230sf.

The house took complete advantage of the original design of the Eichler home and totally transformed it. 

The original atrium is now part of the interior with a retractable glass dorm over the opening.  The owners love the atrium idea, so they converted the carport to a new atrium with pebble stones and a soothing fountain and beautiful maple tree and princess flowers; a scored concrete floor with acid washed top gives it a wonderful outdoor feeling.  The original walkway is now a wall of closet and storage spaces.  A totally remodeled master bath has a luxury feeling.  An expanded wing has three bedrooms with one used as a sitting area for the kids; and what accomplished musicians they are!

Kitchen is another conversation point.  Brushed stainless steel bartop draws instant attention to the beautiful remodeled kitchen - zebra wood cabinets, exotic looking granite has an illusion of depth, and beautiful stainless steel appliances rounds up the flawless design. 

The back wall of glass was pushed 4 feet out, giving the house plenty of room for entertainment. 

All the furniture is modern and tastefully selected to compliment the look of the house.

The outdoor setting is beautiful also, with sparkling pool surrounded by rolling hills, a true Eichler site which showcases the Eichlers!

The people I met are incredible also. The owners are just wonderful and very down to earth. They kept on going out and then kept on coming back and ended up answering tons of questions.

Tons of Eichler lovers came through the house, and many stayed a long, long time taking notes and pictures. 

There was one couple from Chicago, a man from San Diego and most incredible, a young mother and her 10 year old son came from an Illinois town just for this event.  Her son has the talent and interest in architecture design ever since he was 3 years old, so mom brought him here just for the tour. What a lucky child to have a mom like that, and how proud his mothers must be of him! Amazing!

Oh, don't forget about that $500,000 exotic car outside.

Living the Novato Dream

We just came back from the Labor Day by the Lake, a tradition in Novato, CA (north most town in Marin).

The place is surrounded by gorgeous hills, sparkling lake, marsh, open space, and just wonderful, wonderful people all around. The kids runs free, the adults greet friends, the teachers work hard and are dedicated, hiking, biking trailers all around, sunny, beautiful weather most of the year, ,a 50,000 town but you feel like you know everybody.

My friend and I were talking, there is just no better place to bring up a family!

I gave up my great IT career after dot.com bust, chose the real estate career so I can stay around town, but I get to volunteer extensively at local high school doing things that help the kids, the teachers and the school. I am surrounded by wonderful people and great friends. I absolutely love the music teacher who dedicated her life to the kids, and the polite, well balanced kids, my husband is supportive and the kids are talented and doing just fine.

My RE career is doing great, and could be much better if I don't volunteer as much, but I get great satisfaction and joy out of doing that and be with the nicest people. So if I sell a few less houses than I would want to, I am happy and glad to be who I have become.

I guess I am not quite living in my dreams and life is not perfect but I am quite happy and very grateful for everything and the people that's around me. Isn't that enough?