Issue #8 | Nov 20, 2024
Greetings | Buzzworthy Sales | Good Times x2 | Vanguard Valet | Good Eats By The Numbers | The Tool Shed
Hi Friends.
Let's be honest, things haven't been easy lately (no matter who you voted for!). That’s the eternal optimist in me trying to stay calm and carry on :-)
When it comes to business - the real estate business - we are no strangers to head-scratching times and unchartered territory, with the cyclical nature of the industry and regional market trends jumping all over the place.
What the heck is going on, you ask?
Remember the crazy seller's market all year? Well, we might be shifting towards a buyer's market; however, there are some interesting things happening. For example, a newly listed, picture perfect home in the Alto neighborhood of Mill Valley (flood zone!) recently received 11 offers way over asking price.
So, what does this all mean?
Outside of the homes in good shape, a good neighborhood, and listed at a good price that will sell quickly in the most desirable areas of Marin County, things are looking better for buyers.
As we head into our nesting season, here are a few tidbits to chew on over your holiday feasting:
More options! Across Marin, in October, inventory was up 19.6% compared to last year(!), giving you the most choices since 2019. Basic supply & demand here: More homes = lower prices
Time to breathe. Nationally, and here in Marin, houses are taking longer to sell – an average of 58 days in October (the slowest October since 2019). Gaining an extra week to decide probably the biggest financial decision in life, is beneficial.
The takeaway? The market is changing, and it might be a good time for buyers. But remember, Marin County is unique: well-maintained homes in desirable neighborhoods with good prices can still move quickly. Let's talk if you are ready to make a move!
Gobble, Gobble to you and yours, Suzanne
Buzzworthy Home Sales
(November 11 - November 17)
Welcome Governor Newsom!
Kent Woodlands | Kentfield
List Price | $8,500,000
Sales Price | $9,100,000
Price Per Sq Ft | $1622
Days on Market | 54
2 Offers
6 Bed 6 Bath
Listing Courtesy of: Carey Hagglund Condy | MLS: 324072069
Belvedere
List Price | $14,700,000
Sales Price | $12,750,000
Price Per Sq Ft | $3386
Days on Market | 48
2 Offers
5 Beds 5 Baths
Listing Courtesy of: Shana Rohde-Lynch | MLS: 324073175
Good Times | Sublime Events
APPETITE SEMINAR, FAIRFAX | THANKSGIVING DAY, 10:00AM
Here's Michael's pick for a fun time, being the avid biker he is, though he has not participated in quite awhile; our son Zach did it in high school and fully endorses it.
The Thanksgiving Day Appetite Seminar in Marin County is by far the longest running annual mountain bike event and clearly the coolest name for a ride. The first ride took place in 1975, when a half dozen riders took their one-speed, coaster brake bikes on the challenging, hilly loop over the top of Pine Mountain, with a traditional stop just past the peak at "Smoker's Knoll," then into the Kent Lake drainage and back up to Woodacre Ridge to the now famous Repack downhill course into Cascade Canyon in Fairfax.
The idea was that if you burned a few thousand calories, you could gobble even more turkey. Or something like that.
Here's the deets:
Length | 14 miles Time | 4 hours Total Climb | 2950 ft Fun Rating | 7 Scenic Rating | 6 Aerobic Difficulty | 8 Technical Difficulty 7
Zach's Pro Tip: prepare for LOTS of people and remember, safety first!
Good Times | Sublime Events
WINTERFFEST, SAUSALITO | DECEMBER 14-15
Chances are you've already experienced this unique and joyful event if you have lived here long enough. It never gets old either - come for some much needed holiday spirit and stay for the fireworks.
Pro Tip: Grab your blankets, chairs and thermos full of spiked hot cocoa or cider and cozy up with someone special.
Here's the deets:
LIGHTED BOAT PARADE | DECEMBER 14
Gabrielson Park
5:00pm | Reserved Seating Opens 6:00pm | Parade Begins 7:15pm | Fireworks
To prepare for all the holiday feasts you're likely indulging in, join your neighbors for the 5K festivities:
JINGLE BELL 5K RUN | DECEMBER 15
Humbolt Ave, Sausalito
7:30am | Runner Registration
8:30am | Race Begins
9:15am | Kids Fun Run Begins
Ready to Sell but short on cash for improvements?
Our innovative new product - VANGUARD VALET - provides financing that covers the cost of home improvements. Secure a line of credit to get your home market-ready; from staging to repairs and upgrades, Vanguard Valet can help unlock your home's potential to achieve an optimal sale outcome¹, with nothing due until closing.²
All the deets and fineprint HERE!
Good Eats | Food Scene
JANE The Baker | TIBURON
When my mom moved to Rhoda Goldman Plaza assisted living in the City, I quickly surveyed her new neighborhood and spied the treasure that is JANE The Baker only a few blocks away on Geary.
When I'm craving spectacular Sourdough or Spelt and Challah breads, this is where I head.
Lo and behold, I was recently tooling around Tiburon - the Cove Shopping Mall - and spied the friendly flag of JANE atop the former beloved Sweet Things bakery. I am late to the game; apparently the merging occurred about two years ago.
Connecting as women business owners with mutual respect for their crafts, JANE melded their menus to feature the best of both — cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, bars, pastries and seasonal selections from Sweet Things and Jane’s artisan breads, croissants, kouign-amann, turnovers and cookies. All are made from scratch daily and shift seasonally.
MARIN REAL ESTATE REPORT
Weekly Stats Ending November 17
THE TOOL SHED | IS ADU 4 U?
Michael Twing
(Contractor's License #891692)
All the things!
With the rough framing complete, we start to move into the systems. Everything behind the walls before we close up needs to be thought through completely, and ordered! So before we get too far ahead, now is the time to confirm finish materials, cabinets, lighting, appliances, etc. All the things!
Cabinets in particular can take 8-10 weeks or more of lead time to arrive on site. With accurate framing measurements, now is the time to get cabinets and casework items checked off and confirmed. Another big lead time is windows and doors. There was a time when windows and doors took 4-6 months. Those distribution lead times have vastly improved: I checked with my supplier this morning and Jeld-Wen has a 7-8 week lead time. Budget is critical; however, timing and schedule is everything. There's nothing more frustrating than to be ready to “dry in” a project and have to wait for windows to show up.
Along with windows, the doors and cabinets are finish components that keep the project moving along. Items concealed behind the wall also need to be considered: specialty systems like A/C, whole house ventilation and plumbing fixtures. These items have shorter lead times but any delays can lead to wasted downtime if they are not on site when needed.
Another critical path is lighting design and layout. While we always grant the plumber time to rough in first, my Sparky likes to come by and review locations which might require slight deviations from the plans to accommodate the plumber - it’s easier to move a wire than to move a vent or waste pipe.
Next up: custom tile orders and appliances. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of accurate framing when it comes to tile layout. Now is the time to check the rough framing as it translates directly to finishes. Nothing spells poor planning than a tile job that doesn’t work out as well as it could have or a door that conflicts with an appliance or egress.
As much as we try to foresee all these details during the planning and scope of work phases, it is only during this rough-in phase where we truly see where things need to go. Remember: fail to plan, plan to fail. All the details add up in the end.
Next edition: behind-the-wall critical path items
You got this!