Another year comes to a close but there’s time for one more market report before we celebrate the holidays. I would like to take a moment at the top of the report to thank you all for your support this year — it was one of my best ever — and to wish you a very happy holiday season. 

In November we saw median pricing that was flat to last year, while inventories were down about 32% vs. the same month in 2018. We ended the month with 340 active listings in MLS compared to 398 in November of 2018. I would classify the market as very strong.

In my business, this has been one of the busiest fall seasons I can ever remember, and it has barely slowed down as we reach the first week of December. I helped my client secure and close on a great view condo on De Silva Island in Mill Valley this week.  As I write this, I have other clients that just went into escrow on a beautiful estate in Ross.

Thomas in the News

I was recently quoted in a couple of articles in the San Francisco Chronicle. In the first one “Good News for Bay Area Homebuyers: Your Time is Now” I made the point that this can be a great time of year to buy a home. Why? While there’s less inventory, there’s also less competition from other buyers and sellers tend to be very motivated to sell. The school calendar removes many buyers from the market right now — and those that do not have to worry about that are at a distinct advantage this time of year.

The second article was headlined “$85M Marin County Compound for Sale May Shatter Local Records” and is about 36 Glenwood Avenue in Ross, which if it sells anywhere near the asking price will be the most expensive home ever sold in Marin County. 440 Golden Gate Avenue in Belvedere holds the current record, having sold for $47,500,000 in August 2015.

Now is the Time to Plan for the Spring Market

Do you think we real estate agents go into hibernation as the winter rains begin to fall? Not this year! I am already actively working with a number of clients to line up staging and preparation to sell their homes in after the new year and into the spring. I also have several listing presentations in the coming week. It is always a good idea to get a head start on strategizing when and how to best present your home for sale before everyone gets booked up.  . 

My buyers have saved searches on my website and are monitoring the market to educate themselves on what they like. I am already actively working with clients on preparing their homes for launch next year. If you are considering a move next year, let’s talk soon about the best strategy.

Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty Expands Further Into Silicon Valley

Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty (“GGSIR”) announced it will acquire the assets of Peninsula-based real estate brokerage Today Sotheby’s International Realty. The announcement marks another growth moment for GGSIR, the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier brokerage and its further expansion in Silicon Valley and the Peninsula. The offices and agents are the latest additions to GGSIR’s unified network serving Wine Country, Marin County, the East Bay, San Francisco and now deeper within the Peninsula and Silicon Valley. GGSIR will add the offices of Burlingame, Redwood City and San Carlos, and over 80 agents, to its existing Silicon Valley offices in Woodside, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Los Altos and Los Gatos.

Let’s Talk About the Marin Real Estate Market!

These monthly Marin County real estate market reports are a great place to start to learn more about the market. Let’s continue the conversation — I am always happy to discuss the market, and the best way to approach it whether you are a buyer or a seller.

To those who read this report each month, thank you for all your support of my business. I couldn’t do it without you. Call or text me at 415-847-5584 anytime.