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
Strong Luxury Home Sales in Marin County
Seven to eight percent of Marin homes sold each year are considered luxury properties. This chart shows that luxury home prices have surged since 2019 (up 18-20% each year in 2020 and 2021), leveling in 2022 and 2023. Since statistics can be misleading and misinterpreted, we checked two indicators of sale price: Median sale price. The median price peaked at $6.6M in 2021 and decreased 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 may 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 tell 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
Splitting Lots in Marin County Under SB9 – What you Need to Know
SB9 allows lot splitting in single-family zones with only ministerial review California Senate Bill 9 (SB9) allows a property owner – if certain conditions are met – to subdivide a parcel in a single-family zone into two lots that can be smaller than the required minimum size (usually 7,500 square feet). SB9 is meant to help ease the state’s critical shortage of affordable housing by encouraging 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 buyer, provides two essential services: Escrow: Escrow is a service which manages 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 accepts Continue Reading
Are You Buying a Condo or a PUD – Why Does this Matter?
Both are Common Interest Developments 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 residential property; for example, building structures, landscaping, and recreational facilities. Mandatory membership of all owners in a Continue Reading