February 16th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

January 20th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

This market profile is a snapshot of what is happening in Fairfax. Fairfax home prices are down slightly this week but have basically settled at a plateau.  Listing inventory has been tightening and days-on-market has been increasing.  The Market Action Index has been essentially flat.

The Market Action Index answers the question “How’s the Fairfax Real Estate Market?” By measuring the current rate of sale versus the amount of inventory. Index above 30 implies Seller’s Market conditions. Below 30, conditions favor the buyer.

November 17th, 2008 By Ginger Wilcox

This real estate market profile is a snapshot of what is happening in Fairfax, California.  Fairfax home prices have been hovering at the current levels in recent weeks but inventory has been tightening and the days-on-market has been increasing.  The Market Action Index has been essentially flat.

The Market Action Index answers the question “How’s the Fairfax, CA Real Estate Market?” By measuring the current rate of sale versus the amount of inventory.  Index above 30 implies Seller’s Market conditions.  Below 30, conditions favor the buyer.

Fairfax Real Estate Market Data effective as of November 17, 2008. Data provided by AltosResearch. Are you a Marin real estate junkie? Sign up to receive very detailed real-time market reports in your email. Just register and let me know which neighborhoods you are interested in. Download a sample report.

October 20th, 2008 By Ginger Wilcox

This market profile is a snapshot of what is happening in Fairfax.

Home prices are down again this week in Fairfax while the average days on market continues to to climb.  The market action index remains flat. (more…)

August 5th, 2008 By Ginger Wilcox

Single Family homes under contract in Marin County July 2008 compared to Marin homes under contract in July 2007 (more…)

May 24th, 2008 By Ginger Wilcox

Single Family homes under contract in Marin County

April 2008 vs. April 2007

Countywide, the number of Marin homes for sale was up almost 16% from last April. The number of homes under contract was down about 13% while the number of units sold is down about 31%.

While the number of homes sold in April 2008 vs April 2007 is dismal, the glimmer of hope is in the units under contract. We have gradually seen this number get closer to 2007 numbers for many Marin cities, indicating next month’s sold number may be even better.

March 8th, 2008 By Ginger Wilcox

The median home sale price in Fairfax, CA was $630,000 in February 2008, down from $672,00 in January, and down from $735,000 one year ago in February 2007. The number of Fairfax homes on the market stayed flat from one year ago, while the number of Fairfax, CA homes under contract increased.

The number of closed sales was down almost 45% from one year ago. The average days on the market in Fairfax was 110 in February.

March 1st, 2008 By Ginger Wilcox

Many cities and towns in Marin County require mandatory re-sale inspections before a seller transfers home ownership to a buyer.

Marin Cities that require resale inspections

• Belvedere
• Corte Madera
• Fairfax
• Larkspur
• Mill Valley
• Novato
• San Anselmo
• San Rafael
• Tiburon

Fees range widely from about $100 to close to $300 in Novato.  Ouch!  In addition, what is inspected during these inspections vary widely.  Most check to make sure permits for any property improvements have been pulled.   The cities also note issues that may not be compliant with current building codes, check on zoning, property usage, etc. Re-sale inspections in Marin county do not cover property condition, quality of construction, general defects with the property, termites, etc.  Look for a general home inspection and a termite inspection to cover these items.

Marin sellers are strongly encouraged to perform the city/town re-sale inspections prior to going on their market.  Your Marin real estate agent should help you arrange this.  Some Marin cities and towns take an extended period of time to schedule inspections and also to return the inspection report.  If you do not get the report in time, you could end up delaying close of escrow.

If you have not pulled permits, you may be fined, asked to pull those permits retroactively and in some instances, sellers have been asked to remove unpermitted improvements. 

I have seen many deals fall apart after the reports are returned on a city/town resale inspection.  Buyers don’t like surprises at the last minute.  It is much better to know any issues relating to the city inspection before you find a buyer!

Marin home buyers:  Never sign off on your resale inspection unless you have seen the report in your hands.  Even if you attend the inspection, the city inspector may add mandatory items that you aren’t expecting.  View the actual report.  Some Marin cities and towns (such as Tiburon)do a re-inspection of required items (with an additional fee).  If you fail to make corrections within your allotted time period, you may get fined per day.  At last check, Tiburon fines racked up fines at a cool $103 a day.    Now that can add up quickly!

February 11th, 2008 By Ginger Wilcox

The median home sale price in Fairfax, CA was $672,000 in January 2008.  The number of homes on the market dropped almost 22% from one year ago, while the number of Fairfax, CA homes under contract dropped almost 60%.  The average days on the market in Fairfax was 84, up slightly from 78 days in January 2007.

February 3rd, 2008 By Ginger Wilcox

A big positive of the recent rains is waterfalls around Marin County. The Marin IJ did a great story about Marin County waterfalls recently, including details on some of the lesser known waterfalls.

This spectacular picture is of Cascade Falls near Fairfax. Other magnificent Marin County waterfalls include Cataract Falls and Steep Ravine on Mount Tamalpais.

Looking for waterfall information throughout the West Coast and in Canda? Check out waterfallswest.com!

Happy Hiking!