The steps for determining the value of your home are relatively simple. First, ask yourself why you want to know. If you’re planning to sell, take the issue seriously, and let’s spend the time getting the numbers right. If you’re simply curious and seeking some fun, you can check on Zillow. If you need a reliable number, say so, ask me and I’ll gladly do the work.

Yesterday I received a call about the value of a Mill Valley property. The homeowner told me a rough number would do and gave me the property history and basics. Keep this in mind: Mill Valley is pricey salt and pepper. $5 million mansions next to $800,000 cottages. Mill Valley, an area I know well. Based on what I was told about the property and the motivation in seeking a value, a rough approximation was the first step… so while sending the link, ”view lisitngs” I wrote:

“The properties you’re receiving with this email are based on a MLS radius search of 1/2 mile from your home, homes under 2500 sq ft, lots under 7000 sq ft, prices $1-2M and sales going back 1 1/2 years. The only active listing was 177 W Blithdale … which began at $1.895 and has been reduced. Closest sales are 80 Summit, a short sale, and 260 Lovell, a larger 4BR, which went quickly. Let me know your needs as we can certainly get a better approximation of the value for you.”

Going 18 months back to find similar sales is interesting and needs to be questioned. But we’re dealing with Mill Valley and that information is helpful. And we were clear that the next best step is to refine the numbers by putting the real in real estate by actually visiting the property and spending the time to determine its value.

Posted by:  Tom Verkozen

Brian Moynihan, chief executive of B of A, called 2010 … a year in which the bank had a $4B charge … that’s right, four billion dollars … related to TARP and a write down of $12.4B … mortgage defaults … A year of Necessary Repair and Rebuilding .. and noted that their third quarter write downs for credit cards was $10B … Oh my, oh my.

Let’s take a look , for perspective purposes … at real estate in four local areas: Novato, Mill Valley, San Rafael north (94903) and San Rafael south (94901) ….

Mill Valley has seven of its 20 condos on the market in escrow … just short of half the sales (8) are bank influenced … with six short sales, two bank-owned that leaves a dozen ‘organic’ sales (sorry, organic farmers of America … the term organic is sliding) …. The most expensive condo, 47 De Silva, listed by Lotte Moore … began its listing life five months ago at $1,550,000 (it sold in ’07 for $1,645,000) and is now offered at $1.195M and in escrow … the least expensive condo in Mill Valley is a one bedroom at 554 Seaver offered by Dan and Sandra Fitting at $299,900.

In Novato there are 75 condos available … 27 (more than one third!) in escrow … and of the non-organics, 35 are short sales and 15 bank-owned. One condo, on Center Road, is below $100,000 … while Margaret Dale has 194 Ignacio Valley Circle on the market and in escrow, listed for $499,000 .. this is the most expensive condo in escrow in Novato …. It sold in 2000 for $442,000 … hey, that’s good news! This is an end unit in Marin Glen, Sante Fe Model, three bedroom and it held up well, eh?

In the south of San Rafael there are 45 condos on the market … nearly half of them (21) in escrow … and more than half of them bank-owned or short sales (25) …

In the northern reaches of San Rafael there are 65 condos on the market .. nearly 1/3 in escrow (19) … 23 short sales … nine bank-owned … of note would be 600 Deer Valley, listed by Constance Kirwin at $635,000 … this two bedroom, two bath unit began this incarnation at $825,000 … sold for $465,000 in ’04 …. Interesting numbers … more fun is the condo listed by CJ de Heer at 131 El Condor Court … $650,000 for a very LARGE end unit … went into escrow in no time.

There are bargains to be had … hey, agents and sellers, let me know of them and I’ll shout them out … or …. Hey, if you want to go shopping for a good buy, let me know (415) 257-2039 … but let us not forget that each of these bargains has a story … and we’re living that story ….

Posted by:  Tom Verkozen

Dipsea Trail Sign Photo by Kristie Wells

Dipsea Race Photo by K Gam

Dipsea Trail towards Stinson Beach Photo by Miguel Vieira

Marin Headlands. Tennessee Valley. Muir Beach. Ring Mountain. Baltimore Canyon. Muir Woods. Bootjack. Pantoll. Rock Spring. East Peak. Phoenix Lake. Deer Park. Bon Tempe. Lake Lagunitas. Samuel P. Taylor. China Camp. Big Rock Ridge. Indian Valley. Mt. Burdell. Olompali. Bear Valley. Audubon Canyon.

With over 600 miles of trails and plenty of open space, Marin County is home to one of the finest urban park systems in the world. We’ve talked extensively about things to do outdoors as we’ve gone through our list of why we love where we live: surfing, cycling, golfing, and all the ways to get up and go. We’ve also mentioned some of our favorite recreation areas: Ring Mountain, Muir Woods, and Spring Lake.

But one of the things that we love the most is that if you’re looking for an easy, economical way to exercise, relieve stress, or simply enjoy some fresh air, all it takes is a pair of good running shoes (and no surprise, the North Bay has plenty of places to find those, too – check out Marin Running Company in San Anselmo).

In fact, the North Bay has long been home to a very active running culture. The annual Dipsea Race is the oldest cross-country trail running event – our fellow centenarian will celebrate its 101st run in 2011 – also making it one of the oldest foot races of any kind in the United States. Known for its difficulty and scenic beauty, the race takes off from downtown Mill Valley, goes up three flights of stairs as tall as a fifty-story building, and winds its way up and over majestic Mt. Tam along trails named “Dynamite,” “Cardiac,” “Swoop,” and “Insult Hill,” before culminating at Stinson Beach. However, despite the foreboding names, the Dipsea trail is a favorite amongst hikers and runners year-round and is also the location of the Double Dipsea and the Quad Dipsea races (yep, there and back four times, or 28.4 miles).

There are many other organized races throughout the North Bay. Whether looking for a 5K, 10K, half or full marathons, you can pretty much pin a number on your shirt on any given weekend. Check out active.com and do a search for upcoming races nearby. This is a great resource for runners – and fitness fans in general.

In addition to races, the local running subculture meets in organized clubs, such as the Tamalpa Runners Club whose Saturday morning runs commencing at the Mountain Home Inn are open to non-members – just show up ready to tackle 7-10 miles in those good shoes of yours.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Cannes…Venice…Telluride…Toronto…Mill Valley…

The North Bay is a significant market for independent and international films – which we’ve expounded through our posts Reason 26 and Reason 51. This rich cinematic culture makes this the perfect setting for the internationally acclaimed Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF), now in its thirty-third year. Presented by the California Film Institute and positioned in the fall, post-Cannes/Venice/Toronto/Telluride, and pre-award season, the MVFF, itself a noncompetitive event, has become known as a launching pad for Academy Award campaigns.  

For decades, the MVFF has drawn tourists, locals, film buffs and filmmakers from all over to celebrate the best in independent and world cinema. Highlights for the 2010 Festival (October 7-17) include tributes and/or appearances by actors Edward Norton, Annette Bening, James Franco and Sam Rockwell, and directors Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (“Amores Perros,” “21 Grams,” “Babel”) and Julian Schnabel (“Basquiat,” “Before Night Falls,” “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”). In addition to drawing luminaries from throughout the film world, the MVFF also provides a forum for showcasing the talents of local filmmakers. The 2010 Festival schedule includes 21 films by Bay Area artists.

The 11-day Festival spans venues throughout the North Bay, including its original home, CineArts @ Sequoia in Mill Valley, and the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, making it one of the county’s premier events. With primary locations in two superb Marin County downtown areas, the event is a wonderful way to enjoy cinema as well as the small-town vibe. Take in a pre- or post-film meal at one of the wonderful nearby cafes or restaurants, stroll along the boutique-lined streets, and relish the fact that parking was a breeze.

This prestigious event allows all of us in the North Bay to enjoy a bit of a Hollywood scene (without the annoying paparazzi), screen big-name movies before they hit the theatres, and gain access to films not readily available in wide-release.

Looking for your big break? Call for Entries for the 34th Mill Valley Film Festival will open in April, 2011.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Oh my, oh my … with 106 homes open for brokers in southern Marin, Michelle Barton and I went touring, searching properties for buyers in Mill Valley and Sausalito.

Patricia Navone, Pacific Union International, just brought a wonderful new four bedroom home on the market in Mill Valley’s country club area:  the pristine home at 9 Via Vandyke, offered at $2,499,000. Four Stars.

Now we did see quite a few homes and even a few condos, including 140 Cypress in Sausalito, a three bedroom Whiskey Springs ground level home which was reduced by $40,000, from $549,000 to $509,000. Quite nice. Well done to Azar Riazi of Bradley Real Estate.

Kudos for the best home on tour goes to the stunning custom home with massive views and almost too many refined details to touch in on unless I had all afternoon (check out the 25 pictures by hitting property search on my website and entering the address, 100 Spencer Avenue, Sausalito, or lookie here):

This bedroom in the picture below has a turreted ceiling, stereo speakers and windows with big views and, if you look closely, you’ll see a beautiful chandelier. This entire home, with great attention to detail, has many of the finest light fixtures you may ever see!

Bedroom	This is a sample of the view!

Offered by the ever gracious Louis Silcox and charming Danielle Chavanon of Sotheby’s International, this six bedroom home, which could be seen as a family compound, sold in ’08 for $6.25M, cash, was further improved (ou la la, the colors!) and is now offered for $6.3M.

To see this home, just let me know.  I’d love to return and conquer!

Posted by:  Tom Verkozen

Photo Credit: Ricardo Alcalá

Photo Credit: Darren Kumasawa

Photo Credit: Vicens Vila

Another example of a world-class destination found in our own backyard is Muir Woods. Described by John Muir as “the best tree-lover’s monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world,” Muir Woods is, indeed, a place worthy of admiration but one that often gets forgotten by us locals – unless we have out-of-town visitors to entertain or school-age children in need of a chaperone for the annual school field trip.

When was the last time you visited the centuries-old redwoods? Strained your neck to try and view the tops of the trees hundreds of feet up? Strolled under the lush green canopy and relished the crisp, damp air?

And how much do we locals know of the history behind the stunning national monument found so close to home?

We learned, for example, that in the late 1800s, a 70-foot statue modeled after the Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) was erected in an area of the forest later to be known as the Bohemian Grove.

That in 1905, Congressman William Kent (son of Albert Kent, namesake of Kentfield) and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, bought 611 acres of redwood forest along Redwood Creek for $45,000. To protect the redwoods, Kent then donated 295 acres to the federal government, and requested the area be named after John Muir, the renowned conservationist .

That 1908 was the year President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Proclamation that made the land donated by Kent a National Monument. Roosevelt proposed changing the name of the land to the Kent Monument, but Kent graciously declined and insisted it be named after Muir. (To read correspondence among the three men, click here.)

Still another treasure in our backyard, just a bit farther north from Muir Woods, is the Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve just outside Guerneville.

As with our spectacular coastline, rolling hills, scenic bay, and wine country riches, our majestic redwoods are another reason why we love where we live.

For more details and information about Muir Woods, visit the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Labor Day has come and gone … the kids are settling back in school … the Giants are one back, hoping that Zito will win this one tonight, finally … the season turned, in my mind, when they came back from 0 and 4 to win …. and real estate marches on.

Wednesday is the day of the Marin County southern Marin brokers’ open house tour (there’s also a tour of homes in Novato on Wednesdays). The southern tour includes Belvedere, Mill Valley, Sausalito and Tiburon … today there were 111 homes open, ten in Belvedere …. three of the ten were new to the market … and in Mill Valley there were 17 homes brought on the market in the last 36 hours.

New to the market homes are: 10 Fern Avenue, on the sheltered side of Belvedere, is a sweet two bedroom home offered at $1,495,000 by Jess Pearson of Alain Pinel Realtors; 333 Bella Vista, a dramatic, light, SF view home offered for $3,395,000 by David Kirchhoff of Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International; and the new waterfront home offered by Tracy McLaughlin, Pacific Union International – Morgan Lane at 12 Peninsula Road, close to downtown, for $3,495,000. These homes run around $900 per square foot, in case you’re interested … and then there’s David Ogden’s lagoon home, 8 Windward, just reduced (slightly this time, bigger hair cut last time) which is now $2,295,000.

In Mill Valley there were two condos I just had to see … 2 Swift Court, a two bedroom offered at $535,000 by Tania Reinhard-Miccio of Coldwell Banker, a private two bedroom with a two car garage and 19 Thoreau Circle, a three bedroom end unit listed at $629,000 by Jeff Birkenseer of Frank Howard Allen … and there were quite a few homes to see as well.

I’m searching for an expensive fixer upper and the formerly Matt Cain owned home, 517 Tamalpais, now a short sale is one that I haven’t paid much attention to as it has been in escrow for months … this is a home that rented for $3400 in ’08 after having sold for $640,000 in ’04. It has been on the market for as much as $725,000 … now reduced to $520,000 after a short sale buyer walked … listed by Marty Bautista of Frank Howard Allen.

Another fixer property in Mill Valley was 117 California … a three bedroom, two bath home now listed at $699,000 by Stephanie Wickham Witt of Pacific Union International. This trustee owned home benefited from a reduced price, staging AND a major trimming of the trees since it was last listed in the $700,000s. There’s a lot of value here.

Favorite of the day, 9 Dawn Place, a three bedroom home in the country club hills off of Vista Linda, brought to the market by Alva Falla of Frank Howard Allen for $1,595,000. Marvelous sun, privacy and what a view! Wish it would work for my client who wants land … it has 20,000 square feet, but hey! when I showed up at the ‘Honey Farm’ with nearly an acre, the die was cast. Great home with ranch style living, well staged and ready for a new owner at $1,495,000 … very wonderful.

Bargain …. 195 Buena Vista in Mill Valley, reduced by $200,000 … offered by Noella Fortota, McGuire Real Estate … last sold in ’04 for $1.2M.

And perhaps one of the great homes that isn’t an extreme bargain might render your life marvelous … so, email me, go to my website www.tomverkozen.com or call (415) 637-7974 and let’s have some fun while we shop. There are some great finds out there!

Posted by:  Tom Verkozen

Last week you (hopefully) read here that during the prior week there were 62 new Marin County single family listings brought on the market through MLS. That week, 30 homes closed escrow and 81 were reduced.

This week, the MLS listing numbers are … 63 new listings, 35 closed escrow and 101 homes reduced in price. Aye, activity has increased … or has it? Some wonderful homes are sitting.  I’m showing a client a home tomorrow that knocks my socks off … and showing 122 Alder, again.  The former has sat on the market, being reduced and reduced and reduced … hmmmm … and 122 Alder in San Anselmo’s Yolanda Park is amazing everyone as it has been on the market for over a week and only had ‘I may be writing an offer’ rumblings. Darn!

Let’s look at Marin County price reductions … first, the stunning home at 30 Toussin, Kentfield. This four bedroom beauty, listed by Ann Boucher of Decker Bullock, Sotheby’s International has been for sale for a looong time. (In 2004 it was listed at $9,975,000). Now available at $5,750,000, this home has had offers but you still have a chance … and since May the price has dropped by $1M! 

Of the 101 homes that have been reduced in the past week, five were in San Anselmo, two in Stinson Beach, six in Tiburon, twenty-one in San Rafael and one each in Woodacre and Corte Madera. Oh, about 208 Summit, Corte Madera … it sold for $760,000 in ’07 and has been on the market for over two years … starting at $699,000 this two bedroom contractor’s special is now being offered at $399,000. Oh, find me a contractor with money! 

Belvedere has seen three price reductions in the past week. 16 Eucalyptus, a three bedroom home listed by Max Applegarth, Decker Bullock … this home has been on the market for over a year and is now down by $200,000; 10 Lagoon, a three bedroom home … yes, on the lagoon, has been on the market for 83 days with Patricia Navone, Pacific Union – Morgan Lane (in ’09 it was offered at $2,395,000 but is now $2,019,000, after being reduced this week by $78,000); and 207 Beach, amazing 1900s classic five bedroom home offered by Janet Williamson, Frank Howard Allen, has just slipped under $3M … in ’08 it was offered at $1M more.

So that’s a bit of the numeric description of the activity we’ve seen in the past week, the week before the week before Labor Day.  More to follow … but in the interim, if you’re simply thinking of buying, hey, there’ve been some bargains that’ve slipped away … 20 Marin View, Mill Valley … went to auction. And perhaps one of the great homes that isn’t an extreme bargain might render your life marvelous … so, , go to my website www.tomverkozen.com or call (415) 637-7974 and let’s have some fun while we shop.

Posted by:  Tom Verkozen

Golf is a sport that both the skilled and the novice can enjoy, as so much is about having a way to relax, unwind, socialize and relieve stress – all while enjoying nature in a beautiful environment. Which is why golf courses cover some of the most exquisite landscapes in the world, and Marin is no exception. With eight courses within our county lines, there are plenty of places to sneak away for a round of golf and a break from our busy schedules.   

Much like our cities, Marin County golf courses are varied and all have a unique character. McInnis Park Golf Center in San Rafael is perfect for beginners and those looking to work on their short game. Tucked away in San Rafael and abutting a marsh on San Pablo Bay, it’s not uncommon to encounter pelicans, geese and red-tail hawks along the course. In Mill Valley, the Mill Valley Golf Course is a local institution, having been in place since 1919. Unlike the marsh setting of McGinnis, this course is characterized by majestic redwoods, which make for a more difficult game. However, Mill Valley provides a gorgeous backdrop and you’ll be rewarded with scenic views from atop the second and fourth tees, as well as a view of Mt. Tam from the fourth green. Out in West Marin along Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Geronimo Golf Course is a local favorite. The ridge location offers two faces to the course: the front nine is a sprawling terrain made up of straight, flat holes, while the back nine is hilly and wooded. Accolades for this course include acknowledgement as “Best Places to Play” by Golf Digest, “#1 Golf Course in Marin County” by both the Pacific Sun and the San Francisco Chronicle and “Best Golf Course in the North Bay” by the North Bay Bohemian. 

Other courses in Marin include Peacock Gap Golf and Country Club, Indian Valley Golf Club, StoneTree Golf Club and the private clubs Marin Country Club and Meadow Club.

For young golfers looking to get started in the sport – or hone their skills – there are plenty of youth programs and activities throughout Marin. For kids aged 5-17, there’s the Mill Valley Junior Golf Club, with many benefits including discounted green fees, an introductory golf education and etiquette course, tournaments and free clinics. During the summer months there are several camp programs for kids starting as young as pre-K. If the whole family wants to get involved, San Geronimo has year-round family events like Sunday Family Supper. And for those who just want to play around, you can always visit the family fun center at McGinnis, an elaborate 18-hole miniature golf course, complete with water hazards, gardens and artist designed obstacles, all of which blend naturally into the hillside.

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

The short (there were 90 homes open) real estate broker’s tour of 8/4/10 in Mill Valley was edifying to say the least … first there were two wonderful De Silva Island Drive properties … the two story, 3 bedroom end unit (great light) at 47 De Silva offered by Lotte Moore and Sarah Kowalczyk of McGuire Real Estate for $1,550,000 (on the market last year for $175,000 more) and the one story, two bedroom + den unit at 72 De Silva … listed by Lois Scheinberg with its price slashed by $245,000 … to the same price as 47 De Silva AND its selling commission raised (to 3.5%) … with a private elevator this custom unit shines!

Next to pop up was Pacific Union International agent Matthew Pouliot’s four bedroom + office gated estate on over ½ acre at 332 Panoramic … a stunning home with grand views near four corners, a $100,000 price reduction and a selling commission of 3% … motivated.

Oh, the competition … the wonderful view home in Scott Valley, 14 Albert Lane, a five bedroom home listed by Bruce Berlinger of Bradley Real Estate has been reduced by $200,000 or if it counts, by $300,000 from its last year’s listing (now $544 per square foot) … and Warren Mullen, Pacific Union-Morgan Lane’s three bedroom new home (18’ ceilings) with an office/guest house, on the market for just 2 ½ months, has dropped in price by $300,000 … now priced at $712 per square foot for a great, new home … amazing value … real value … worth seeing.

Then there were two homes three blocks from downtown Mill Valley on Bigelow that Andy Gellepis of Frank Howard Allen’s Mill Valley office suggested I see (thank you, Andy) … the three bedroom home at 21 Bigelow, listed by Tracy McCulloch of Pacific Union-Morgan Lane for $1,760,000 (reduced by $115,000) and now at $657 per square foot … and 25 Bigelow, a 1908 Victorian listed by Debbie Wright for $2,749,000 … a marvelous home that was owned by Andrew Lund, the custodian of Muir Woods … three bedrooms in the main house, an in-law unit plus a beautiful cottage … all together at a per square foot price of $808.

Here we have the best of Mill Valley, motivated sellers (selling is an intrusive process so you gotta imagine that all sellers are motivated or else why would they allow all of us to enter their homes and their lives … ) … many of these homes reduced in price and with higher than the norm commissions … motivating to us real estate agents. If you want more information or want to see one or more of these beautiful homes … or any other homes or if you have a home to sell … you know you can easily reach me at www.tomverkozen.com or (415) 257-2039.

Posted by:  Tom Verkozen

Photo taken by Marilyn Maciel

In 1915, the Hub Theatre opened in Mill Valley and served as a cultural center for the growing small town by featuring silent movies and live vaudeville acts. Since then, the building has taken on a few different forms – including Saturday Nite Movies (the precursor to the Mill Valley Film Festival) – before a revitalization in the early 2000s that gave birth to the 142 Throckmorton Theatre. The nonprofit theater that exists today is beautiful and plays homage to its predecessor with the mission of creating a hub in the center of downtown Mill Valley that promotes the arts as well as a sense of community.

A cornerstone of the theatre for the past five years has been Tuesday Night Comedy: Mark Pitta and Friends. Since launching it has become a staple, drawing people into the historic and intimate theatre each week. The show is a true treat because you never know what you’re going to get. A showcase for up-and-coming comedians, as well as established headliners, the set list goes unannounced and the evening’s mixed bag entertainment can take the form of stand-up, Improv or even musical numbers. It’s a well-known fact that locals Robin Williams and Dana Carvey stop by from time to time – as well as other comedic luminaries such as Richard Lewis, Arj Barker, Hal Sparks, and Kevin Nealon. If you’ve never been, this local gem is worth checking out. In fact, you can stop by Tuesday Night Comedy tonight – doors open at 7:00PM – and you just may be greeted by a surprise guest.

Read what fellow GuideMeHome blogger Andy Gellepis had to say in his post Tuesday Night Comedy in Mill Valley

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Trail leading to the Tourist Club, photo taken by Jennifer Yin

Tucked away on Mt. Tam and overlooking Muir Woods is The Tourist Club, a beautiful Bavarian-style lodge and the perfect place to stop and relax during a long hike. Upon arriving at the club your senses are transformed and you can imagine yourself on a mountaintop in the Alps, stopping at the local inn, complete with lounge decks, picnic tables, a bar, board games, and stunning views. Of course, there is also a wonderful selection of Bavarian and Belgian brews to quench your thirst. You can grab a pint and take it out on the deck where you’ll be surrounded by amazing scenery and tranquility.

Several hiking trails lead to the club. Our favorite route is to start in downtown Mill Valley and take the Dipsea Trail to the Sun Trail. It’s about 45 minutes uphill, but you’ll be treated to beautiful vistas along the way and you can’t beat the fresh air. The Sun Trail then meanders along the hillside before arriving at the club.

Overlook Deck at the Tourist Club, photo taken by Jennifer Yin

Now, before you throw on your hiking shoes and run out the door, you should know that the Tourist Club is actually a members-only club and the San Francisco branch of the worldwide Nature Friends organization. Founded in 1912 by German and Austrian immigrants, the Tourist Club was built by the founders themselves in the style of the old country and is the result of their desire to create a retreat outside of the City where they could enjoy and appreciate nature. The club still enjoys a communal culture and current members volunteer to staff it and participate in work days to maintain the facilities.

Though it is private, the club is open to the public during certain weekend hours (check their calendar before venturing out), as well as during three special Fests held in May (Maifest), July (Sommerfest) and October (Kinderfest). These Fests honor the clubs Alpine heritage and feature authentic German music, food, beer and dancing. Space is limited, so be sure to arrive early to get tickets, as they are only sold at the door.

The US doesn’t have a backpacking culture the way other parts of the world do, but if it did, the Tourist Club would personify that culture. It’s also just great fun to have a little piece of Bavaria right here on our own mountaintop.

Fest time at the Tourist Club, photo taken by Matthew Hickey	Tourist Club,  photo taken by Peter Butler

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

A client requested per square foot pricing information on the Walnut/Sycamore area of Mill Valley, a central, sought after part of Mill Valley with the homes fairly tightly packed together. As a sample I selected a ¼ mile radius of 200 Sycamore.

There were five homes on the market … none in escrow … averaging $635 per square foot and 61 days
on the market. In the past year nineteen had sold … averaging $610 per square foot and 79 days on the market. Of perhaps greater interest were the twelve homes that hadn’t sold … averaging $788 per square foot, 30% above those homes that sold, with the sellers giving up after an average of 77 days.

When pricing homes in the salt and pepper Marin County, where massive homes are found cheek and jowl with small cottages, location still makes a huge difference. Information on Mill Valley homes (price, price per square foot, percentage of sellers who give up, days on market and so forth) varies greatly from the same set of information on Tiburon or Novato. And while towns vary in value per square foot and rate of sales, so do the mini-locations within towns ….

An illustration of this is easily seen when comparing the Walnut/Sycamore results to a ¼ mile radius of 310 Cascade, an area of less density, less sunlight (there are sunny spots but the perception is that much of the area is in shade), with relatively close proximity to town.

There were five homes actively on the market, none in escrow … and only been two sales in the past year … average days on the market for the sales was 270 … the sales statistics were distorted by a home that was abandoned by a builder who asked $1,395,000 and sold for $550,000 after 164 days on the market … yikes! ….

Also of interest in the Cascade sample were the seven owners who’d given up trying to sell after an average of 114 days at an average price per square foot of $700. (The giver-uppers include 310 Cascade, a marvelous home that was priced at $2,695,000 where the sellers reduced the price to $2,345,000 and just now relisted by Karen and Chelsea Hardesty with the enlarged commission of 6% and lower price of $2,250,000).

As another alternative I looked at the ¼ mile radius of a home I sold in the 900 block of West California. Tam Valley is a mixed area off of Loring with a mix of larger homes and some smaller ones. There are ten homes active, two of those in escrow … average cost per square foot of $589 and days on market of 65. In the past year a dozen homes have sold there with an average cost per square foot of $555 (versus an ask of $577), selling in an average of 124 days on market. There were two owners who gave up after an average of 27 days on the market at an ask of $639 per square foot.

Thus we have three great locations in the marvelous town of Mill Valley … Sycamore, with 19 sales at an average per square foot sales price of $610 (and 12 homes that did not sell priced at $788), Cascade with two sales at a distorted price (and seven that did not sell at $700) and Tam Junction with 12 sales at $589 (and two give ups at $639).

Square foot statistics is only one determinate of value, but as my former boss Astrid Trauth used to say, “statistics are like a bikini, what they reveal is interesting and what they hide can be critical.”

Posted by:  Tom Verkozen

The Mountain Play is a wonderful local tradition that brings world-class theatre to the top of Mt. Tam each year, attracting nearly 4,000 patrons per show from all around the Bay Area and beyond. With the venue perched high on a mountain, this is a great way to experience theatre and is unlike anything else around. Ride the bus up, enjoy a homemade picnic and then hike the seven miles back to downtown Mill Valley for the ultimate experience. You can read about one writer’s day atop the mountain in this great San Francisco Chronicle piece. Established in 1913, the Mountain Play is a can’t-miss event each summer.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Often compared to a huge playground, Marin offers a variety of different ways to view, enjoy and experience its natural beauty. One of the more unique options is to set out on a full moon paddle on Richardson Bay. Imagine floating past harbor seals and colorful houseboats with the silhouette of Mt. Tamalpais as the backdrop. Add to that the twinkling lights of the City and the full moon lighting your way for the makings of an evening not soon forgotten. 

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

How often do we hear this phrase? But really, how lucky are we to live in such a wonderful community where we can explore so much open space? If you are looking for something to do outside this summer with your family, friends or sweetie, Summer Newsletter from the Marin County Department of Parks and Open Space has some great programs planned. Oh and what’s even better? Many of them are FREE!

In perusing the Summer Newsletter, I am amazed at all of the beautiful and wonderful walks, hikes, sites and things to do in our area. What little boy or girl could pass up the opportunity to view:

Butterflies in Cascade Canyon in Fairfax, June 9 from 10am – 2pm
or
Blooms and Birds at Deer Park, June 30 from 9am – 2 pm

And check out these really cool “Ranger Events”

Beach BBQ & Kayak Event at Paradise Beach Park, Tiburon
Full Moon Stroll at Stafford Lake Park, Novato
Dog Day at the Park, McInnis Park, San Rafael
A Horseback Ride on Horse Hill in Mill Valley

Again, check the attached guide for dates, times and details and enjoy your summer!

What area attraction are you looking most forward to this summer?

Posted by:  Adrienne Murphy

Having lived in Kentfield for almost 15 years, we normally go out of town on vacation for the Memorial Day holiday in search of a beautiful place to visit and relax. This year, however, we decided to stay home and forget all the traffic jams and instead enjoy Marin County. Sometimes, when you have lived in one place for a long time, you forget the splendor and beauty of what is in your own backyard.

We decided to spend one day this weekend at Muir Woods to hike, lunch and enjoy the beauty of Marin. The majestic Redwood trees that have been there hundreds of years will probably outlive us all in this protected National Park.

For our hike we decided to trek on the Mt. Tamalpais, taking you along wooden bridges across little creeks and waterfalls. The trailside is graced with white and blue irises and hundreds of ferns. The weather is generally on the cool side throughout most of the year, but this day we didn’t need a jacket to make the climb to the top.

It’s great place to bring a backpack and a picnic lunch to stop and drink in all of the amazing beauty that God has put forth on this land. The hike through the redwoods will rejuvenate your soul and mind, as you take time to understand what nature is all about. This day, we didn’t bring a picnic lunch, but instead were rewarded with lunch at one of my favorite spots, The Mountain Home Inn.

Once you reach the parking lot at the top of the trail, you will find the Mountain Home Inn across the street, which is a small hotel and restaurant. Sometimes there can be a wait, but this day we were greeted promptly and taken to our table on the outside patio, which overlooks the other side of the mountain. Here you can savor sweeping views of Mill Valley, Sausalito, Angel Island, and the skyline of San Francisco. It’s always incredible to think that on one side of the mountain you have majestic views of open space and redwoods, giving you the feeling you are a thousand miles away from civilization, and on the other side you can see the sprawling city by the Bay, where hundreds of thousands of people live and work.

Lunch was outstanding. I had a terrific piece of salmon with a fennel salad and potato cake, all for only $18. Savor this with your favorite libation, and you have a perfect reward to a hike into the wilderness.

Take the time to explore the grounds of the Mountain Home Inn to enjoy the serenity of the scenery down below before returning to your easy trek back down to the parking lot.

Sometimes we forget that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world: most people are envious and dream of living in such a glorious place as Marin. You just have to wake up and smell the roses, or in this case the redwoods, to remember to celebrate and enjoy your own back yard.

There’s no place like home, there’s no place like Marin County.

Posted by:  Rick Smith

Many Southern Marin Mother’s Club (SMCC) directors and members got together over the last couple of weeks for a donation drive to help newborns in our community. We asked our members to drop off new or gently used clothing for 0 to 12 month olds at a several Marin locations (Frank Howard Allen – Mill Valley being one of them). On Earth Day, we collected all of the clothing and brought them to the Bay Club of Marin to sort the clothing and make boxes for baby girls and boys. We made 48 boxes! Each box contained clothing items for the first year of a baby’s life. Once we assembled the boxes, SMMC members delivered them to local Marin charities including Canal Alliance, Marin Abused Women’s Services and Family Services Agency of Marin.

Sure, I had other things I needed to do that day. I had an escrow that was going sideways and wasn’t in the best of moods. One of the other volunteer’s father was at Marin General because he had just had a mild heart attack (is there such a thing?). But we all dropped what we were doing and forgot about our lives to help others in our community and we had a great time doing it. Even better, a lot of the members’ children helped to participate in sorting the clothes and making the boxes!

SMMC offers many services to its own members, which is fabulous. But what was so great about this event, is that SMMC offered a way for our members to get together to give back…and not only that, but have fun while doing it. We were helping our community but also creating community at the same time.

Are you new to Marin or new to motherhood? Contact me or leave a comment below if you’d like more info about the great events and services the Southern Marin Mother’s Club has to offer!

Posted by:  Adrienne Murphy

After talking with a client (a former real estate agent) whose family has voted (5 – 0 to sell one of their homes and 4 – 1 to sell the other) I popped out this graph for Victor Maas, who is famous for: ‘Statistics are like a bikini, what they reveal is interesting, what they hide is critical.’ (Click on graph for larger version)

I particularly appreciate Victor’s pithy analysis of this set of numbers representing the February sale of Marin homes over $1M: ‘If only 2% of the homes are selling, it’s the price, stupid.’ Of course Victor always continues to ramble on, ‘wanna be sellers aren’t sellers …. the 12 actual sellers in February were the only ones with a home on the market who became sellers ….’ Sorry, Victor, I know of more sales in the higher ranges than you do.

Finally I said, ‘Enough Victor, enough!’ I was thinking that if 98% of the homes over $1M aren’t selling the recovery will be a long time in coming. And the 4% of sales in Mill Valley that were REOs and short sales in 2008 will have company.

How about …. Good News, always my favorite:

Peter Pickrel, with whom I have an escrow closing shortly, had another sale right away, and so did I. Peter sold a home in my town of Ross and I sold the Stinson cottage, leaving both of us list-less! (List-less is a retired Realtor). Oh well, I thought, there is that client I mentioned who wants to sell … after thinking about it a bit. And two others, also deer in the headlights. Mistake, me thinks, why wait – unless you believe that there’ll only be sunshine from now on!

Posted By: Tom Verkozen