Archive for the ‘Larkspur’ Category
If you don’t like living in the fog, these pictures demonstrate is an excellent reason to drive just a couple more exits north on the 101 freeway. As you can see, the fog sits on the mountains between Mill Valley and Corte Madera/Larkspur. While Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, Sausalito and San Francisco are socked in with fog, often the rest of Marin is sunny (and frequently 5-10 degrees warmer).
Unfamiliar with Marin? It is important to understand the many weather micro-climates of the communities. A few miles (even within the same city) can mean a substantial difference in fog, light, wind, sunshine, and even rain.
Single Family homes under contract in Marin County July 2008 compared to Marin homes under contract in July 2007 (more…)
According to Marin 101, the town of Larkspur could have been called Lupine.
The city’s developer, Charles W. Wright was looking for a name for the town he was building. His wife Georgiana saw a hillside covered in blue flowers and thought they were Larkspur, a flower she remembered from England. The flowers were actually native Lupine.
The other option was Graystone, a local rock. Thankfully Larkspur won out!
Image courtesy of Buttersweet
Single Family homes under contract in Marin County
April 2008 vs. April 2007
| Belvedere | +200% |
| Corte Madera | +8% |
| Fairfax | -38% |
| Greenbrae | +25% |
| Kentfield | +40% |
| Larkspur | -75% |
| Mill Valley | -36% |
| Novato | -20% |
| Ross | -50% |
| San Anselmo | -12% |
| San Rafael | +7% |
| Sausalito | +17% |
| Tiburon | +85% |
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.
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!
Many people are surprised to find out I live in Larkspur when they thought I lived in Greenbrae but I have a Kentfield zip code. Did I confuse you?
Our little cities in Marin County are so close together, I think it is confusing to everyone. So how does this whole city/town/county thing work in Marin?
Part of Greenbrae is unincorporated, meaning it is not part of a city or town with its own government. Another part of Greenbrae is incorporated into Larkspur. Need a building permit and you live in that half of Greenbrae? You go to the City of Larkspur. Live in the unincorporated are of Greenbrae? Permits and other services fall under the domain of Marin County.
The zip code for Greenbrae is 94904. 94904 is also the Kentfield zip code. Like Greenbrae, Kentfield is also unincorporated.
The school district for Greenbrae is not the Corte Madera -Larkspur School District, it is in the Kentfield School District. Go figure.
Got it?
The city of Larkspur celebrates 100 years on Saturday. Festivities kick off at 1pm with a parade in downtown Larkspur.
The City of Larkspur was founded on March 1, 1908.
Get the scoop on Larkspur’s birthday here or visit Larkspur’s centennial calendar.
Larkspur’s centennial theme is "Meet me in Larkspur". I will meet you anytime in one of my favorite cities!
Happy Birthday Larkspur!
The median home sale price in Larkspur was $1,929,500 in January 2008. The stats look very similar to January of 2007, with two fewer homes sold.
| Larkspur Homes |
Jan 2007 | Jan 2008 |
∆ |
% ∆ |
| For Sale | 11 | 10 | -1 | -9.09 |
| Under Contract | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Sold | 4 | 2 | -2 | -50.00 |
*Single family homes only
This just in… the Marin IJ reported late this afternoon that Trader Joes is planning to add a third Marin location. According to the IJ, Trader Joes is set to take over a 10,000 square foot spot at Cost Plus Plaza, just off the 101 freeway at Lucky Drive in Larkspur (in the old Tower Records spot). Beverages & More just opened up in the center as well.
Southern Marin Trader Joes’ fans like myself will be happy to avoid the San Rafael congestion at this new central spot!
Read the full Marin IJ story here.
There are many child friendly restaurants in Marin. Here are just a few of my favorites:
350 Harbor Dr, Sausalito – (415) 331-3474
This Sausalito restaurant is pricey, but I love it. Order at the counter and sit inside or out (but bring a coat). The fish tacos are great, the setting is fantastic. The fish is fresh and local!
301 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera (415) 413-9890
P.F. Changs in Corte Madera is a great addition to kid friendly restaurants in Marin. Mine seem to love all the noodle and rice dishes. We dined recently at 5:30 p.m. and ran into many families just like us, trying to dine early before bed time for young kids. P.F. Chang’s is located at Corte Madera Town Center. Check out my review of P.F. Changs when it first opened in Corte Madera.
800 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley – (415) 383-0600
Pizza Antica is located in Mill Valley’s Strawberry Village, just off the 101 Highway at Tiburon Boulevard. It is noisy and perfect for kids, with a large menu featuring pizza, pasta and salads. Think black and white checkered floors in a big open room. The decibel level goes up at Pizza Antica when it gets crowded, so don’t go for a romantic dinner for two.
15 Main St, Tiburon – (415) 435-3440
Located on Main Street in downtown Tiburon, this charming pizzeria is a great place to take the kids. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. The menu includes pizza, pasta and some really good salads. If you are going with a larger group, check to see if the back room is available. It is a great place to let the little ones run around while you have an adult conversation.
286 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur – (415) 924-7676
Great food, and kid friendly- hard to imagine! This Larkspur restaurant is part of the Lark Creek Restaurant Group- so the food is simply outstanding. It is located just a short distance from the Lark Cree Inn in an old house. The front has outdoor picnic tables which are great for families. It is open and inviting in the summer months, enclosed and heated in the warm months. Kids love the sandbox on the outdoor patio.