Novato is famous for it's small town feel and low crime rate. Although Novato officially has a population of over 50,000, but because of the appeal of different areas (such as San Marin, Country Club, Pacheco Valley, Pleasant Valley, Hamilton, Indian Valley, ..,etc); each area has it's own charasterics and own concentration of residents. This is a family-oriented town and it always seems to me that I know almost everybody in town.Kids feel safe to go from one place to the other and they enjoy a lot of outdoor activities from soccer, to swimming, to horseback riding, to tennis, to baseball, .., etc. This is a wonderful and safe town for kids and families 09/11/2007

As of September 7, 2007, 10% of available listings in Novato are in escrow.For the month of August 2007, 42 homes sold in Novato for an average final selling price of $745,913.The average original asking price of these homes was $803,210.It took these homes an average of 92 days to sell.Of the 42 homes that sold, 5 sold AT their original asking price and 4 sold OVER.For more information about this area, click here, or feel free to contact me directly. 09/10/2007

My clients often asked me about the commute situation from Novato to the City (San Francisco)?I live and work in Novato, so I pretty much try to avoid the traffic when I go into the city. If I go to the city outside of the heavy traffic hours, I can be in Outer Sunset (where my sister lives) within 30 minutes, and in downtown, Market street within 40 miuntes if not less. However, my husband commutes to the city every day and he does have to negotiate the heavy traffic. There are several ways to commute to S.F.; by car, by bus or by car then ferry, which is what my husband does mostly. If you drive, you would take 101 South. The traffic backs up a bit where highway 37 merges in from Vallejo, going towards Freitas Parkway in San Rafael, and finally where the three lanes 101 merges into 2 ... 09/03/2007

Novato is an amazing town, located at the foothill of Mt. Burdell, there are lots of dedicated open space and many treasured parks. Hiking and biking trails lace throughout the town, parks and hills.Stafford Lake is a local lake which hosts annual Labor Day firework with a gorgeous golf course nearby. Pioneer Park offers concerts and movie nights during warm summer nights and don't forget the annual San Marin Improvement Association's annual Easter Egg Hunt; Miwok park has a local historical museum and hosts summer programs for kids; O'Hare park is famed for the scenery trails and creeks and is also where local high school rivals San Marin and Novato High have their Red Rock Cross Country race; you often see horse lovers riding their horse next to the colorful peacocks strolling along I... 09/02/2007

We just came back from the Labor Day by the Lake, a tradition in Novato, CA (north most town in Marin). The place is surrounded by gorgeous hills, sparkling lake, marsh, open space, and just wonderful, wonderful people all around. The kids runs free, the adults greet friends, the teachers work hard and are dedicated, hiking, biking trailers all around, sunny, beautiful weather most of the year, ,a 50,000 town but you feel like you know everybody. My friend and I were talking, there is just no better place to bring up a family! I gave up my great IT career after dot.com bust, chose the real estate career so I can stay around town, but I get to volunteer extensively at local high school doing things that help the kids, the teachers and the school. I am surrounded by wonderful people and g... 09/02/2007

As of August 5, 2007 14% of available listings in Novato are in escrow.For the month of July 2007 51 homes sold in Novato for an average final selling price of $$813,528.The average original asking price of these homes was $851,793.It took these homes an average of 69 days to sell.Of the 51 homes that sold, 2 sold AT their original asking price and 4 sold OVER.For more information about this area, click here, or feel free to contact me directly. 08/05/2007

A glance at the Novato Real Estate Housing Market Statistics as of July 25, 2007 From the statistics below, we can see that we are in a Buyer's market other than the bread and butter price range of $600K to $700K - the starter homes in Novato.  For houses close to $1M and slightly higher than $1M, it's amost a Balance market.  We will continue to post the statistics for your information. Category# of Units % Active  % PendingAll SFD's24782%18%CID's11690%10%$0-$500K SFD4100%0%$500,001 - $600K1694%6%$600,001 - $700K3167%33%$700,001 - $800K4484%16%$800,001 - $999,9996578%22%$1M - $1.25M3689%11%$1.25M - $1.5M2677%23%$1.5M+2588%12%Less than 15% in Contract = Strong Buyer's Market 15-25% in Contract = Buyer's Market 25% - 35% in Contract = BALANCED MARKET35-45  % in Contract = Seller's Market... 07/30/2007

Novato home sales and real estate values-have they hit slack tide? That's a tough question. While much of the rest of Marin continues to experience meaningful appreciation and, yes, even multiple offers. Novato home sales are a different story. Of course, Novato homes that are PRICED FOR TODAY'S MARKET, are nicely maintained, updated, and/or located in the most desirable neighborhoods continue to sell (especially those priced under $700,000). Once prices get up above $700,000, however, the percentage of homes in escrow (a good barometer of market strength) dips to about 20% until you get to the $1.5 million price range (at about 13%). These numbers clearly indicate a fairly strong buyers market. Interestingly, homes priced in the $1 million - $1.5 million range are selling at a similar ... 07/22/2007

As of July 6, 2007 17% of available listings in Novato are in escrow, indicating a Buyer's Market.For the month of June 2007, 56 homes sold in Novato for an average final selling price of $844,724.The average original asking price of these homes was $878,458.It took these homes an average of 72 days to sell.Of the 56 homes that sold, 9 sold AT their original asking price and 9 sold OVER.For more information about this area, click here, or feel free to contact me directly. 07/06/2007

As of June 6, 2007 21% of available listings in Novato are in escrow.For the month of May 2007, 62 homes sold for an average final selling price of $789,794.The average original asking price for these homes was $816,257.These homes took an average of 69 days to sell.Of the 61 homes that sold, 12 sold AT their original asking price and 8 sold OVER.For more information on this area, click here, or feel free to contact me directly. 06/11/2007

Novato home sales and real estate values are proving to be somewhat sluggish as we enter the Spring selling season. Novato's homes that are nicely maintained, updated, and/or located in the most desirable neighborhoods continue to sell at a relatively quick pace (especially those priced under $700,000. Once prices get up above $700,000, however, the percentage of homes in escrow (a good barometer of market strength) dips to about 25%.Interestingly, homes priced in the $1 million - $1.5 million range are selling at a similar rate (in terms of percentage in escrow) as those in the $700,000 to $1 million price range. Homes in Novato that sold during the past month (there were 43 home sales) averaged about 65 days on market, for an average price of $882,640 (about $433 per square foot). Cur... 05/14/2007

As of May 4, 2007 21% of available listings are in escrow, which could be perceived as a Buyer's Market--if you look at only that statistic.  However, more factors come in to play, and I am calling Novato a Seller's Market, as Marin County is seeing bidding wars on a regular basis, once again.For the month of April 2007 47 homes sold in Novato for an average final selling price of $788,554.The average original list price of these homes was $814,672.It took these homes an average of 72 days to sell.Of the 47 homes that sold, 6 sold AT their original asking price and 8 sold OVER.For more information about this area, click here, or feel free to contact me directly. 05/06/2007

The level of inventory for single family homes in Novato (North Marin County) has increased steadily over the past several months.  As we get settled into the peak buying and selling season in Marin, Novato leads all other Marin towns in homes for sale with 173 (active listings).  There are 66 properties currently in escrow.  Twenty-seven homes in Novato sold this month as of 4/28/07.  The current absorption rate for homes in Novato is approximately 3.8 months of inventory.  However, close examination of the sales breakdown shows that sales gravitate in the under $800,000 price-range.  Overall, in Novato, the average days on market for homes that sold is 61 days.Of the 27 homes in Novato that sold in the past month, 19 were priced under $800,000, only 3 between $800,000 and $1 million, ... 04/28/2007

As of April 6, 2007 20% of available listings in Novato are in escrow indicating a Buyer's Market.  For the month of March 2007, 42 properties sold in Novato for an average final selling price of $811,117.The average original list price of these homes was $842,770.These homes took an average of 83 days to sell.Of the 42 homes that sold, 5 sold AT their original asking price and 4 sold OVER.For more information on this area, click here.  Or feel free to contact me directly. 04/08/2007

Novato Real Estate Market Overview (Home Sales Market Report 4/1/07)Overall, the market in Novato is gathering momentum.  There are currently 155 active listings (single family homes) for sale (up from 126 last month).  About 1/3 of those are priced under $750,000-making Novato a desirable option for buyers priced out of Central and Southern Marin.  Indeed, 20 of the 40 homes that sold in Novato during the past month were priced at or below $750,000.  By comparison, Mill Valley, at the time of this writing, has just one listing under $750,000.  Nicely maintained and updated homes, located in nice neighborhoods with good schools (and, of course, priced well) are seeing multiple offers and selling quickly.  Multiple offers today, however, does not translate into overbidding as it did a co... 04/04/2007

For the month of February 2007 37 homes sold in Novato.The average original asking price was $777,811.The average final selling price was $732,945.It took an average of 97 days for these homes to sell.Of the 37 homes that sold, 2 sold AT their original asking price and a whopping 12 sold OVER their original asking price.As of March 4, 2007 21% of available listings in Novato are in escrow. 03/05/2007

There are currently 126 active listings (single family homes) for sale.  About 1/3 of those are priced under $750,000-making Novato a desirable option for buyers priced out of Central and Southern Marin (for example, Mill Valley, at the time of this writing, has just two listings under $750,000).  Nicely maintained and updated homes, located in nice neighborhoods with good schools (and, of course, priced well) are seeing multiple offers and selling quickly.  Multiple offers today, however, does not translate into overbidding as it did a couple of years ago.  Buyers are still in the driver's seat for most properties in Novato.  In fact, even in the $600,000 price range, there are homes lingering on the market.Homes priced above $800,000 in Novato, are picking up steam.  Yet, buyers in th... 03/04/2007

Recent news reports in the Marin IJ confirm that the City of Novato is making efforts to normalize the home inspection process.  All homes sold in Novato are required to go through inspections prior to the close of escrow (and sellers are also required to provide a copy of the report to buyers).  These programs are designed to ensure that homeowners (and the buyers of these homes) comply with building codes, obtain permits, etc., with the primary objective being enhanced safety (it is not merely an artifice for revenue generation).While home inspections are not unusual in Marin, Novato's process has occasionally resulted in delays and inconsistencies.  At some points in the past several years while the real estate market was extraordinarily hot with sales totals exceeding any ever exper... 03/01/2007

Overall, the market in Novato seems fairly typical, especially in the bread and butter price ranges (e.g., up to $800,000).  Nicely maintained and updated homes located in affordable neighborhoods with good schools (and which are priced correctly) are seeing multiple offers.  But, even with multiple offers, many times the winning bid (which is not always the highest bid) is for asking price or just above.  And if a home comes on the market at a price that does not represent good value to buyers, that home will likely face an extended marketing period.  Buyers are still in the driver's seat for most properties.Homes priced above $800,000 in Novato, are not selling as briskly.  In this price range buyers are being very picky and the percentage of homes in escrow is very low.  Note that be... 02/13/2007

Each week I select one home that was on brokers' tour in Marin County, California, which I feel really stands out (e.g., winning criteria may include value, unique location, desirable or unusual architectural properties, views, or some other striking feature).  These are NOT my listings, but rather ones that I truly and objectively think have something very unique to offer.  This week's pick:47 Stonetree Lane, Novato  This delightful home is priced at $2,270,000 and has 4 beds and 3.5 baths, with about 3,500 sq. ft.  It is my pick of the week because it is the only one-level home in Renaissance.  It is absolutely perfect for either a young family or retirees looking for a tasteful turnkey home on one level.  Moreover, the lot is largely level and there is a delightful outdoor patio area... 02/09/2007