Marin, a Wealth of Real Resources for Living
Marin has historically been an affluent county with a strong identity. This distinct personality is an attraction for people who purchase real estate in Marin and is also a factor in its economic outlook.

Planned for a Sound Future
Marin voters and county government chose to preserve the open spaces and natural resources of the region, preventing urban sprawl from sweeping across the landscape. There are limits on construction of new real estate in Marin but, at the same time, a planned strategy to sustain healthy growth. Home owners in Marin will generally not find huge office buildings and big box stores that do not complement the region’s historical character. Instead, there’s a conscious trend toward “green” building, innovative design and industries appropriate to Marin’s self-image.

Unlike Sonoma and Marin where agriculture reigns as the primary economic driver, people who call Marin home live in a more diversified job market. Agriculture, while important, is only part of an economy that includes health care, technology, insurance providers, digital arts and a significant nonprofit sector.  As proof that Marin’s economy remains vital, figures for leased new office space in the midst of the 2008 economic downturn, were very high, and significant new commercial building was in progress. 

Marin, Your Style
People shopping for real estate in Marin County can look forward to great diversity in architectural styles that often reflect the character of Marin communities. Sausalito, for example, is known for its creative, modern homes that attract many buyers to Marin while coastal communities offer a mix, from cutting-edge contemporary to cozy cottages tucked into the folds of the hillsides.  Families with homes in the northern reaches of Marin County enjoy traditional and historic styles, along with new construction.

Naturally, the focus on planned growth means that there is seldom a glut of homes on the Marin real estate market. This factor means that median home prices are considered high, although there is the occasional “bargain” to be found.  This also means that the investment made by Marin home buyers is generally stable, even in a down market. In the 2008 downturn, values dropped only slightly and time on the real estate market rose by about 10 days.

The Marin Alternative
Just north of San Francisco, where home ownership of any kind is well out of reach for many families, Marin offers an alternative. There are family homes in Marin that cost the same – or less – than a flat or condo in San Francisco. Of course, Marin also offers a more peaceful and holistic environment absent many of the scourges of urban living.

The important difference between Marin and many other counties is that Marin home owners know they are buying more than real estate. They are also buying into a purposeful lifestyle that says something about their values and commitment to the environment that surrounds them.

Visit our more detailed pages about Marin County economics and Marin real estate to discover more detail about calling Marin County home.