Before you enter the Marin housing market, it is a good idea to take a realistic look at your financial position and find an experienced real estate agent to guide you through what is a surprisingly complex process. Purchasing a home is one of the major decisions you will make in your life. Better to be safe by following these suggestions: Review your finances Unless you’re a cash buyer, you’re Continue Reading
Rent Back Agreements in California Home Sales
What is a rent back? Sellers may want or need to stay in their home after they sell it; for example, they may need more time to find a replacement property or want their children to finish the school year. With a rent back agreement (which may also be called a sale and rent back, a sale-leaseback or a post-settlement occupancy agreement), the buyer allows the seller to live in the house for a Continue Reading
How to Choose a Home Insurance Policy and Get the Best Deal?
Interview with an Experienced Marin Home Insurance Agent We sat down with Garret Goo, an insurance broker at State Farm Insurance who, along with his wife Shere, we’ve been recommending to our clients for many years. They always provide prompt and useful information. Shere has had a State Farm office since 1989. We asked Garret about how to choose a homeowners’ insurance company and for advice Continue Reading
Affordable Alternatives to Single Family Homes in Marin
If you are a first-time home buyer or are otherwise limited by your budget, you have affordable alternatives for a home in Marin County: condos and townhouses. There are lots of advantages to consider. Prices of Single Family Homes in Marin, 2023 Prices of Condos and Townhouses in Marin, 2023 Why Consider a Townhome or Condo? Price You get more for your investment: townhomes and Continue Reading
Free Structural Evaluations for All Madeline Schaider Real Estate Clients
Interview with Robert Ross, Our Structural and Design Consultant Robert Ross, who has many years of experience designing and building homes in Marin County, has worked with Madeline Schaider Real Estate for over 30 years as a structural consultant. In this role, Robert (who is not a Realtor) acts as a trusted advisor, collaborating closely with us to provide advice benefiting both our buyers and Continue Reading
How to Present the Winning Offer on a Marin County Home When There are Multiple Offers
The Marin County real estate market has favored sellers for the last 10 years. This means that buyers usually face bidding on desirable homes, typically those in good school districts, a walk to town, close to San Francisco, and remodeled/in good condition. In multiple offer situations, these houses may sell between 2 to 10% over the asking price. How to win? An experienced, successful agent will Continue Reading
How to Choose a Mortgage Advisor in Marin County and Get the Best Deal
An Experienced Mortgage Advisor Shares Her Tips We sat down with Susan Willis, a Senior Mortgage Advisor at All California Mortgage, who we’ve been happily recommending (along with her business partner Lisa Fonarow) to our clients for three decades. Susan has been in the loan business since 1988 and a mortgage consultant since 2001. We asked her about choosing a mortgage advisor and tips for Continue Reading
History and Prevention of Wildfires in Marin
Marin’s natural beauty can be attributed in part to its wooded slopes and valleys. Given the recent increase in California wildfires, clients often ask us about wildfire hazards in Marin. Although insurance companies have become cautious about insuring homes in the county because of the large fires further north in the state, wildfires have not often occurred in Marin. Most fires were in Continue Reading
Why You Use a Title & Escrow Company when Buying Home
Title and Escrow Services In Marin County, title companies handle title and escrow services needed for buying a home. The company, chosen by the home buyer, provides two essential services: Escrow: Escrow is a service which handles the funds and documents involved in a property transaction. An escrow company is licensed and regulated by the State of California. Escrow begins when a seller Continue Reading
Are You Buying a Condo or a PUD – Why Does this Matter?
Condominiums and Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) are both Common Interest Developments, which refer to types of land ownership. These forms of ownership share certain characteristics: Common ownership of private residential property; for example, building structures, landscaping, and recreational facilities. Mandatory membership of all owners in a homeowners’ association (HOA) which Continue Reading