Everywhere I go, people ask: "How's the market?".  There are so many micro markets in Marin, the answer can be quite different from one person to the other - all depends on where they want to live and what they want to buy.    

Marin housing in general, due to the quality of life (such as open space, green and safe environment, high quality schools, cultural activities), social economic standings, close proximity to the city and limited builidable space; has held its value and continues to grow; especially in the mid to high end housing market. 

The trend is confirmed by two articles just came out in the local papers:        

The Bay Area appears to be shaking off the nation's housing doldrums, the San Francisco Chronicle says.  Being one of the strongest economies in the country helps the uppper end of market in the inner areas of San Francisco and counties such as Marin, stay strong which is different from other parts of the country.  Median home price hit a record $720,000 in April which is up 6.6% from a year ago, even as number of homes sold went down 20%. 

In Marin county, the median home price hit a record of $1,010,000 -- the first county in california to pass the million-dollar market, according to Data Link.   

However, as we read statistics published, be mindful of what the numbers represent. The word 'Median' means the 'middle number in a given sequence of numbers'.  As the Chronicle explains, the median price is skewed by strong activity at the upper end as the sales volume lowers due to softening in the lower-end market, which is the result of tightening of the lending standards. 

In Marin, we see Mill Valley heating up, one Kent Woodlands property recieved 9 offers, several high-end Novato properties went into escrow in a week.... 

As some of the buyers are still hoping for the 'continued price drops', others have watched closely and decided they have waited long enough and this is the time to buy.... and they are the ones who are making the right move.  As in Economic 101, price is driven by Supply and Demand.  With Marin's limited growth and green philosophy, the prices are only going to go up... So, don't wait too long whether for your own housing needs or for investment purposes ...... stay tuned...