Marin, a Home Buyer's Dream Come True

When people own a piece of Marin County real estate they also buy into a unique lifestyle that is permeated with quality.  Marin County attracts home owners who are creative and innovative in their thinking. People who value the natural environment and want to play a role in preserving Marin’s many resources for the future. Families who pay attention to education and regard the arts as a necessary element of everyday life.  In short, for people investing in Marin County real estate, quality of life is a priority.

Small is Beautiful
Because Marin County government, with the support of home owners and residents, intentionally limit growth and new building, real estate values remain high. Even when there is a downturn in the general market, the drop in the price of Marin homes for sale is smaller than in other California counties. Demand for homes in Marin remains high. For example, in times of economic stress, homes for sale often remain on the market for many months. In June of 2007, prior to the nationwide real estate crisis, a home in Marin spent an average of 57 days on the market. In the same month of 2008, in the midst of falling sales, the average was 66 days on the market, less than 10 days difference. In other parts of California, homes languished on the MLS for months longer and experienced significant drops in sales prices.

Homes of Style, Elegance and Originality
Home styles in Marin County reflect the great natural diversity of the region. In Sausalito, it’s easy to find edgy, modern designs that express a flair for the sleek and dramatic.  Many famous architects contributed designs to the landscape of Sausalito, taking advantage of the waterfront views and sloping hillsides.  In Sausalito, home owners can enjoy a cosmopolitan home in the relaxed ambience of a seaside village or choose a charming cottage tucked beneath the spreading trees.

Mill Valley has a different charm. Characteristic homes in Mill Valley are rustic and built to complement the natural environment. Instead of popping out with sophisticated designs, the typical Mill Valley home strives to blend in and be part of the natural world that surrounds it. 

On the west coast of Marin, home buyers will find a variety of choices from rustic originals to thoroughly modern homes that take full advantage of sweeping views of the Pacific, or the natural contours of hillsides. Further inland, where Marin’s wine country is blossoming, buyers will find a range of architectural styles from open, rambling ranch homes to new Italianate villas surrounded by acres of land.

Novato, the northernmost city in Marin, may offer the greatest variety both in price and home styles. Novato experienced some urban development and, consequently, there are homes with more modest prices. In general, Marin home prices tend to fall as real estate moves north, away from San Francisco.
Although the average price for homes in Marin County remains relatively high with the median price slightly over $1 million, real estate professionals are quick to point out that buyers in Marin usually get much more for their money than buyers in San Francisco.

The Total Marin Experience
Luxury and quality in a traditionally stable housing market are appealing qualities for any home buyer. However, when talking about real estate in Marin, it’s never a matter of dollars invested. Marin is a total lifestyle, a state of mind. People choosing to make Marin County their home simply want it all – and Marin delivers.