San Rafael, California’s real estate market continues leaning heavily on foreclosures and short sales for volume. The entry level price band (under $600K) remains at a slow boil with 64% of home are now in escrow, same as last month. Meanwhile, the $600K to $800K price band (a mix of entry level and move-up homes) rose to 38% of homes in escrow from 31% in September 2009). It is no secret that our current real estate environment favors buyers, not only because of the state of the market (e.g., prices back down to 2003 levels in many cases), but also because of superior interest rates, FHA loan availability (allowing purchase loans up to $729,000 with 3.5% down), and a shifting mindset by both buyers (who are ready to pull the trigger) and sellers (who are ready to do what it takes to s... 10/15/2009

As of October 9, 2009 31% of available listings in San Rafael are in escrow. For the month of September 2009 42 homes sold in San Rafael for an average final selling price of $633,508. The average original asking price of these homes was $687,268. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $99,000 to a high of $1,250,000. Of the 42 homes that sold (17 of which were distress sales) 3 sold at the original asking price and 5 sold over the original asking price.  All others sold for less. It took these homes an average of 103 days to sell. To see everything that is currently for available for sale on our MLS, click here. For more information about this area visit my website or feel free to contact me directly. 10/09/2009

So here I am blogging for the second time today and I thought it might be neat to include a video I recently made for posting on various blogs. So here we go:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvPGYn3sht4 Please let me know what you think.. this is my first go at it.   Thank you! Please become a FAN on our page at FACEBOOK or visit our website at www.bradleyrealetate.com Thanks! Melissa Bradley #1 AGENT IN MARIN FOR HOUSES SOLD 1998-2008     09/27/2009

San Rafael, CA’s real estate market is increasingly fueled by foreclosures and short sales. The entry level price band (under $600K) remains extremely hot (84% of such homes are currently in escrow) and the $600K to $800K price band has seen steady activity with 35% of homes in escrow (same as last month). Increased affordability, low interest rates (rates are down from the time of last month’s report), an increased presence of FHA loans, and a shifting mindset by both buyers and sellers, are impacting these price points in a positive manner. Additionally, the $8K tax credit for first time home buyers is likely helping pull some buyers into the fray, despite the income limitations placed on this credit. It will be interesting to see if the government expands the credit to include ALL b... 09/18/2009

As of September 11, 2009 30% of available listings in San Rafael are in escrow. For the month of August 2009 48 homes sold in San Rafael, for an average final selling price of $764,409. The average original asking price of these homes was $830,331. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $165,000 to a high of $2,925,000. Of the 48 homes that sold (9 of which were distress sales) 5 sold at their original asking price and 5 sold over their original asking price. It took these homes an average of 93 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available on our MLS click here. To learn more about this area visit my website or contact me directly. 09/12/2009

The big news in San Rafael real estate this past month revolved around the sale of Carlos Santana’s 1.7 acre, 7,000 square foot estate, which sold for $4.185 million after a short two weeks on the market. Congratulations Carlos! Meanwhile, San Rafael listing prices experienced a brief rise earlier this Summer, but have again begun a downward shift over the past few weeks. By comparison, asking prices in Novato have been rising for several months, leading many to beleive that the bottom has formed in Novato. It does not appear this phenomenon is being replicated in San Rafael. [Click HERE for the rest of this article, courtesy of www.SanRafael101.com.] 08/17/2009

As of August 13, 2009 32% of available listings in San Rafael are currently in escrow. For the month of July 2009 46 homes sold in San Rafael for an average final selling price of $647,638. The average original asking price of these homes was $698,069. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $106,000 to a high of $4,185,000. Of the 46 homes that sold 3 sold at their original asking price and 5 sold over.  All others sold for less. It took these homes an average of 100 days to sell. To search our MLS and see everything that is currently available for sale, click here. For more information about this area visit my website or feel free to contact me directly. 08/14/2009

As Summer sets in, San Rafael CA’s real estate market has slowed a bit. It is increasingly fueled by foreclosures and short sales. The low end (under $600K) remains hot (67% of homes in escrow, compared with 64% in June 2009) and the $600K to $800K price band has seen steady activity with 35% of homes in escrow. Increased affordability, low interest rates (rates are down from the time of last month’s report), an increased presence of FHA loans, and a shifting mindset by both buyers and sellers, are all resulting in a strengthening market. Additionally, the $8K tax credit for first time home buyers is likely helping pull some buyers into the fray, despite the income limitations placed on this credit. It will be interesting to see if the government expands the credit to include ALL buyer... 07/18/2009

As of July 8, 2009 26% of available listings in San Rafael are in escrow. For the month of June 2009 61 homes sold in San Rafael for an average final selling price of $636,049. The average original asking price of these homes was $700,085. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $119,900 to a high of $2,300,000. Of the 61 homes that sold 7 sold at the original asking price and 8 sold over.  All others sold for less.  (19 were distress sales.) It took these homes an average of 90 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale, click here. To learn more about this area, including all the fun things to do around here, visit my website or contact me directly. 07/09/2009

From drab to fab in San Rafael... another Marin home staging success! Picture it SOLD! Home Staging June 29, 2009 Before: All buyers see in this formal living room is the olive green paneling and outdated fireplace. Everyone loves grandma's house but it doesn't scream Buy Me!   After: We added color and jazzed up the space with transitional furnishings. Now, buyers can see this room's potential.   Before: In combination/"multi-purpose" rooms (like this one with family room/eating area), it can be tough for buyers to imagine where the furniture goes.   After: Now buyers clearly can see where everything goes - and can be assured that everything fits!  Plus, adding furnishings with color and texture detracts from the room's brown-and-white color scheme.   Before:  The dining room is clean ... 06/29/2009

Moving into the Summer, San Rafael CA's real estate market is increasingly fueled by foreclosures and short sales. The low end (under $600K) has been hot (64% of homes in escrow). Meanwhile, the $600K to $800K price band has seen a surge in activity with 38% of these homes in escrow, up from 29% in May 2009. Increased affordability, low interest rates (although not as low as they were), an increased presence of FHA loans, and a shifting mindset are all resulting in a strengthening market. Additionally, the $8K tax credit for first time home buyers is likely helping pull some buyers into the fray, despite the income limitations placed on this credit. It will be interesting to see if the government expands the credit to include ALL buyers and increases the credit amount to $15,000 - that ... 06/21/2009

The developers who are redesigning Northgate Mall in San Rafael revealed today four more restaurants that will serve up food in the near future: Tomatina, BJ's Brewhouse, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panera Bread. All four restaurants have signed leases to open at the new Northgate as part of the center's dramatic redesign.  Tomatina, which serves homemade pizza, pasta and salads, is a local Bay Area favorite and Northgate will be its 6th location. It will be the only Marin County location to date. "Northgate shoppers have asked for great dining options, and that's what we're delivering." said Kim Choukalas, vice president, leasing, for Macerich, the owner and developer of Northgate.  "BJ's Brewhouse and Tomatina both will be premier gathering spots for groups of friends and families alik... 06/16/2009

As of June 3, 2009 31% of available listings in San Rafael are in escrow. For the month of May 2009 56 homes sold in San Rafael for an average final selling price of $644,737. The average original asking price of these homes was $706,909. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $92,000 to a high of $1,075,000. Of the 56 homes that sold 5 sold at their original asking price and 8 sold over their original asking price.  All others sold for less. It took these homes an average of 130 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale through out MLS click here. To learn more about this area visit my website or contact me directly. To see some of the fun things to do around here click here. 06/03/2009

San Francisco Bay Area homebuyers looking for an attractively priced mid-century modern home in Marin County with wonderful potential should check out my new, upcoming listing at 847 Pine Ln, San Rafael, CA 94903. Built in 1955, this single-family / single story Eichler home maintains much of its original charm including mahogony walls, hanging globe lights, and a fabulous indoor / outdoor feel. The property features: 3 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms,  a family-friendly floorplan with living room, dining room, and family room, 2-car garage parking, forced air heat, private yard with an amazing array of fruit trees (lemon, peach, persimmon, fig, pineapple / guava, apple, plum, and apriot), and more. Located in the desirable Dixie School District. Easy walk to the Terra Linda Rec Center (& swimmi... 05/17/2009

As noted last month, San Rafael CA's real estate market is increasingly fueled by foreclosures and short sales. The low end (under $600K) is just on fire with "fire sale" prices. We are currently experiencing an amazing 69% pending ratio for homes priced at or below $600K (up from 31% in February). San Rafael's bread and butter homes, priced between $600K and $800K continue selling at a moderate pace with 29% of homes in escrow. Increasing affordability, low interest rates on conforming loans, an increased presence of FHA loans, and a shifting mindset are all resulting in a strengthening market. Additionally, the $8K tax credit for first time home buyers is likely helping pull some buyers into the fray, despite the income limitations placed on this credit. Overall, the number of homes o... 05/15/2009

I just listed a mid-century modern Joseph Eichler home in Terra Linda Valley which will debut this week.   My new listing at 104 Golden Hinde Blvd in San Rafael will be on brokers tour this Thursday and the first public Open House will be held this upcoming Sunday (4/26) from 1-4 pm. Attractively priced at $660,000,  this desirable atrium-model Eichler home backs up to open space and features: 4 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms plus multi-purpose room, Original kitchen and bathrooms, New interior paint, Painted concrete floors throughout (keep as-is or lay your desired floor coverings), In floor radiant heat (copper pipes), newer boiler and hot water heater, Private yard which backs up to open space, 2 car garage parking, Good location in the Dixie School District, Walking distance to shopping, p... 04/20/2009

 San Rafael CA’s real estate market is increasingly fueled by foreclosures and short sales. We are currently experiencing 44% pending ratio for homes priced at or below $600K (up from 31% last month). Although San Rafael’s low end is not as strong as Novato’s, it is certainly gathering momentum. Importantly, San Rafael’s bread and butter homes, priced between $600K and $800K continue selling — 32% of these homes are in escrow (up 1% from February 2009). Increasing affordability, low interest rates on conforming loans, and a general shift in mindset are helping many buyers in the lower price ranges attain home ownership. Additionally, the $8K tax credit for first time home buyers should also help pull buyers into the fray as value priced properties come onto the market. It is a sign of ... 04/17/2009

San Rafael CA’s real estate market is increasingly fueled by foreclosures and short sales. We are currently experiencing 44% pending ratio for homes priced at or below $600K (up from 31% last month). Although San Rafael’s low end is not as strong as Novato’s, it is certainly gathering momentum. Importantly, San Rafael’s bread and butter homes, priced between $600K and $800K continue selling — 32% of these homes are in escrow (up 1% from February 2009). Increasing affordability, low interest rates on conforming loans, and a general shift in mindset are helping many buyers in the lower price ranges attain home ownership. Additionally, the $8K tax credit for first time home buyers should also help pull buyers into the fray as value priced properties come onto the market. It is a sign of t... 04/15/2009

The former home of Southern Rock legend Gregg Allman is being auctioned off on April 21st. This is a big home (a "vacation-like retreat offer(ing) a remodeled 4BR 2.5BA main residence with approx. 2,671 sf and a state-of-the-art kitchen and walls of glass, fabulous guest house with great room and separate BR/BA, former professional recording studio has been converted into multi-use space. Luxurious pool and spa, waterfall, tropical gardens, amazing views, 2000+/- sf decks - all on over an acre private paradise)," according to the description on the auction site. Further, this home was "[b]uilt in 1978, the architectural elements of the home includes exposed cedar ceilings, Brazilian maple hardwood floors and walls of glass. Over one acre of lush landscaping provides an ultimate backdro... 04/14/2009

As of April 6, 2009 28% of available listings in San Rafael are in escrow. For the month of March 2009 34 homes sold in San Rafael for an average final selling price of $500,165. The average original asking price of these homes was $558,387. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $130,000 to a high of $995,000. Of the 34 homes that sold, 3 sold at their original asking price and 6 sold over.  The remaining 25 homes sold for less than their original asking price. These homes took an average of 113 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale through our local MLS, click here. To learn more about this area visit my website or contact me directly. And now, from Marin County's website, here's a shot of San Rafael High School circa 1922: 04/09/2009