Hot or Not?
I don’t know if you’ve seen the website, but that’s a question no one has really been asking in Marin County real estate in the last year. The questions have usually been more like, “Is the bottom falling out?” “How long is it going to stay slow?”, and the always popular, “Is the market going to be better in the spring?”
Based on percent in contract statistics, an excellent barometer of market health, the best market all year in Marin County has been Larkspur. Larkspur real estate has been strong all year. Right now, 56% of the homes on the market are in contract. Two weeks ago it was 65%. Most of this year, it’s been well over 30%. Marin County as a whole has been in the low 20% range most of the year, although it has been rising a bit the last two months.
This also checks with our observations. I described in a post a few weeks ago a multiple offer situation I was in for a client in which the asking price was $1.65 Million. That house, in Larkspur marina, closed yesterday at $1.95 Million, with three offers. There was also a home that closed a few weeks ago that came on at $2.9 Million, and after receiving nine offers, closed at $3.55 Million.
Why is Larkspur so strong? Maybe it’s the half dozen terrific restaurants lining Magnolia Avenue, several of which have received national recognition. Maybe it’s the terrific school system, or the great private schools like St. Patrick’s and Marin Primary. Or maybe it’s the Silver Peso!
We tell everyone that Corte Madera (not HOT, but definitely above average for the last several months) and Larkspur are the first great weather, and the last great commute in Marin. Not that Mill Valley has awful weather, but it does get a lot more fog than Corte Madera and Larkspur do. Some people like that. And last time we checked, the Town Center in Corte Madera is only ten minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, even at the height of rush hour!
We’ve got lots more information about both towns on our website,including neighborhoods, schools, and the types of housing available. Or contact Pat or I for more information.
