The conventional wisdom says that July and August aren’t the best time to list a home since people are on vacation, but this could be a good time for sellers to throw that thinking out the window and take advantage of the lack of competition.

This gorgeous Magnolia Tree sits along Magnolia Avenue in Larkspur, just across from Marin Primary School. The tree is in stunning full bloom right now! The story I have been told is that a dentist lived in the home and in lieu of payment, a gardener client planted the tree. It may have originally been two magnolia trees together.

If you know the real story about this Larkspur beauty, I would love to hear it!

~Ginger

Fast Facts About Mill Valley

• Mill Valley Population= 13,600*
• In 2006, there were approximately 6,147 housing units
• Mill Valley covers a land area of just under 4.7 square miles.
• Mill Valley Zip Code = 94941, 94942

*per 2000 U.S.Census

More Mill Valley Resources:

• City of Mill Valley
• Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Mill Valley Census Information

Where to Stay in Mill Valley

• Acqua Hotel
• Mill Valley Inn
• Mountain Home Inn

Image Courtesy of Jill Clardy

Looking for something fun to do with the kids?  How about a trip to AT&T Park in San Francisco for a behind the scenes look at the ball park.  Tours include:

• The Field Warning Track
• The Dugouts
• Indoor Batting Cages
• The Visitors’ Clubhouse
• The Press Box
• The Luxury Suite
• Ballpark Features and Views

When:  Tours every day at 10:30 and 12:30 except game days
How Much:  Adults $10.00, Seniors $8.00, Kids under 12:  $6.00, Under 2, Free
More Info:  http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/ballpark/tours.jsp or 415.927.2400

Tours last about 1 hour and fifteen minutes

Fast Facts About Tiburon

• Tiburon Population= 8,666*
• In 2006, there were approximately 3712 housing units
• Tiburon covers a land area of just under 4.5 square miles and a water area of approximately 8.7 square miles
• Tiburon Zip Code = 94920

*per 2000 U.S.Census

More Tiburon Resources:

• Town of Tiburon
• Belvedere – Tiburon Chamber of Commerce

Where to Stay in Tiburon

• Water’s Edge Hotel
• The Lodge at Tiburon

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

Buyer walks in to an open house and falls in love.  Buyer has been working with a reputable real estate agent, Marin Real Estate Agent A.  Real Estate Agent B is the listing agent for the open house and is representing Seller.  Real Estate Agent B tells Buyer if they list their house with her/him, she/he will help them get a "deal" on the house they fell in love with. Real Estate Agent B will then handle both sides of the open house transaction, representing the Seller and Buyer. Real Estate Agent B will then go on to represent the Buyer of the open house on the sale of their home.

So who really gets "the deal"? 

Real Estate Agent B, of course.  Real Estate Agent B now has the original listing, can double end it with his/her own buyer, and will also have the listing on Buyer’s home.  Three transactions.  In pricey Marin County, that equals big $$$.

What about everyone else?  Do they get a "deal"?

· Seller doesn’t.  Seller’s real agent is negotiating the sale of their house with her own client, and therefore has a conflict of interest.  That client may not be the best buyer for the house, but Real Agent B wants to put the deal together to capture both sides. Did they get the highest possible price and most favorable terms for their home, or did their real estate agent just want to make a deal? 

· Buyer doesn’t. This so called "deal" they were offered is no deal.  Who is representing Buyer’s exclusive interests when Real Estate Agent B is also representing the seller?  When Buyer puts their own house on the market, will their real estate agent, Real Estate Agent B, also be looking to making a "deal" with a future buyer of their home?

It is important that you, as a buyer or seller, understand the relationship with your Marin County real estate agent and ensure that your real estate agent has your best interests in mind throughout the entire transaction. Fortunately, Marin County has many fabulous real estate agents (like yours truly, Ginger Wilcox!) who focus on the best interest of their clients.  Be sure to interview carefully to make sure your real estate agent doesn’t take the better end of the "deal".

**Caveat**
Just because a real estate agent handles both sides of the transaction does not make them unethical.  Some agents do this extraordinarily well.  I personally do not handle both sides of a transaction because I do not feel like I can provide the type of representation that I feel my clients need and deserve. If one of my clients wants to purchase one of my listings, I would refer one of the parties to another real estate agent who could properly represent their best interests. 

Hire someone who looks out for YOU.