Marin’s population is growing older, and as Marin realtors we are assisting more clients 65 year and older to find the best living situation. Here are some interesting census numbers for Marin, from ABAG, the Association of Bay Area Governments.
Median Age of Marin Residents
| Year | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2006-08 |
| Median Age In years |
29.8 | 33.7 | 38.2 | 41.3 | 44.3 |
This is almost a 50% increase in the medain age. In the same time span, from 1970 to 2008, the percentage of Marinites who are 65 years and over doubled, from 7.4% to 15.5%.
The Good News
All of us at Madeline Schaider Real Estate—Madeline, Beat, and Alan—have had consistently successful and gratifying experiences helping clients move out of houses that no longer fit their life styles and into appropriate Marin homes or better living situations. In some cases, we help them stay comfortably and safely in their own homes. We have the experience and the patience.
Everyone Wins
We get to be part of their lives and appreciate their rich experience and knowledge. The beauty of Marin has attracted many interesting people over the years, and they remain interesting. Our clients benefit by living better lives.
Success Stories With Seniors
One day in the Corte Madera Post Office, Madeline met Don, a retired and disabled Novato resident. He said, “Would you sell my house? I have been trying to get out of there for 11 years!” Madeline and Beat helped make the house presentable in a few weeks, and quickly received several offers from buyers. Don was finally free, with about 20% more than he expected to get for his house.
Blanche came into our office one day asking for help with a repair to her house. Madeline and Alan looked out for Blanche till her 95th year, helping her stay comfortable in her home. She had been a child genius, traveled the world, acquired two PhD degrees, became the family genealogist, and was a great storyteller. We did not sell her house, but what we received in her friendship was worth more than a commission.
Great Resources for Seniors
A friend and real estate agent in Marin for more than 50 years, Bruce Wrisley, has written the most useful book on housing for seniors. He discusses all of the factors facing seniors and their options, including staying in their home. This is the best book to read if you or anyone you know is facing these challenging decisions concerning where and how to live.
You can order the regular or large print addition “Stay or Move: The Senior’s Housing Dilemma” at Amazon.com or buy a copy locally at the Book Passage in Corte Madera.
Another excellent source of information is the “Specially for Seniors” page at livinginmarin.com. Please send you questions to this blog or contact us at Madeline Schaider Real Estate.
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Good Words From Satisfied Clients
We recently sold a house in San Rafael that clients had inherited from their parents. While the sale was fast, the negotiation for the buyers’ financing took a long time and required exceptional skill and patience. Here is a note from the clients.
“Madeline,
We want to thank you so much for hanging with us and the use of your expertise to get us through this difficult sale. So many of the roadblocks we encountered could have killed the deal, and I really appreciate your confidence and upbeat personality to get us to the final sale.
If I were to create a graph of “expectations”, it would look like a Richter scale reading. So many highs, then lows, etc., all out of anyones’ control. I also want to virtually thank the buyers, who apparently REALLY wanted the house. I hope they are happy with their purchase.
I will absolutely recommend you and your team for any real estate needs that may come my way. You were professional, polished, respectful, and have a great knowledge of the Marin real estate community, not to mention all the ancillary functions (house cleaners, stager, gen. contractor, etc.). I hope you have many more successes.
Again, thank you from all of us!”
Brian, Hilary, and Tyler”
Your blog is fantastic. If I had this information to ponder when I was selling my home, it would have been much easier. As it was, you were excellent in your assistance in selling 1 Freda Lane. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the experience. Also, in my new home, I was able to retain the tax base from my old home, which made it very economical to have stayed in Marin. You assisted with that process. I never felt I was left to my own devices, but had terrific support from your entire team.
Thank you, and great success with the blog.
Judy