Marin County Real Estate Market Report
February 2020

Back yard in San Francisco with deck and home in view

My Listing at 1408 Douglass Street in San Francisco Sold in Less Than a Week!

The spring real estate market is about to launch and by all indications it is going to be a very strong season. January is normally a sleepy time of year in the market, but not this January. We saw sales up 7.3% vs. January 2019 and homes in pending sale status up a whopping 10.5% versus the same period last year. Median pricing held about flat, down 0.5% versus January 2019 while inventories declined 25%. 

What Is Driving This Market?

You may have heard there’s a Presidential election later this year, and that brings with it a certain degree of uncertainty. Markets hate uncertainty. I have had more than one seller tell me they think this is the top of the market this year and they want to sell before the anticipated fall doldrums set in that are often associated with elections. Buyers are feeling confident in their employment situation and ready to plan for the future.

In addition, the stock market continues its record march upward, reaching new heights on what seems like a daily basis. There is a direct correlation between the stock market and the Marin real estate market, partly because down payments are often derived from stock holdings. 

It’s a Great Time to Be a Buyer or Seller in Marin

The current market is still technically classified as a “sellers market” but frankly it is a good time to be either a seller or a buyer right now. Buyers will benefit from all the spring inventory that is coming online now — there will be plenty of homes to choose from at all price points. Pricing has flattened out for the most part and while multiple-bid situations do still exist, they are much less common than a few years ago. 

Sellers are still in a position to realize healthy gains if they have held their home for a few years since purchase.

In My World  | Coming Soon

1408 Douglass Street in San Francisco (pictured above)  went into pending status in just one week without ever going on the market. That was made possible through my extensive network of luxury home agents in Marin and San Francisco. Once it closes I will announce the final sales price and other details.

60 Rowan Way, a beautiful home in Mill Valley, will be launching next week. Coming in March are a gorgeous mid-century modern in Fairhills and a new construction jaw-dropper in the Dominican neighborhood of San Rafael. Please feel free to call me at 415-847-5584 if any of these pique your interest. 

I also launched 195 San Francisco Blvd in San Anselmo, a beautifully remodeled Craftsman that has had a lot of interest even before going on the market.The home features a large, level, fenced back yard, and an open floor plan with true indoor / outdoor living. I don’t expect it to last long on the market.

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.

195 San Francisco Blvd. | San Anselmo

195 San Francisco Blvd San Anselmo Backyard Twilight Shot

Marin Real Estate Market Stats: Full Year 2019

Marin county sales by city chart
Marin county 5 year real estate market trends chart

Marin County Real Estate Market Report Dashboards

Marin County Real Estate Dashboard:
Home Prices vs. Same Month Last Year


For sale prices increased by 36.3%


Average sold prices increased by 6.2%


The median sold price was down 0.5%


The average price per square foot sold increased by 0.2%

All information courtesy of and copyright by BAREIS MLS and TrendGraphix.
Dashboard compiled by Thomas Henthorne, all rights reserved.

Marin County Real Estate Dashboard:
Inventory Compared to Same Month Last Year


Number of homes for sale decreased by 25.2% 


Number of homes sold increased by 7.3%


Months of inventory decreased by 31.1%


The average days on market increased by 16.4%

All information courtesy of and copyright by BAREIS MLS and TrendGraphix.
Dashboard compiled by Thomas Henthorne, all rights reserved.

Marin County Real Estate Market Report Charts

(click any slide to enlarge & launch slideshow)

“For Sale” vs. Sold Home Prices vs. Median Home Prices

Marin home prices chart

Marin Home Prices List Price vs. Sold

Marin homes average days on market chart

Marin County Months of Inventory Based on Closed Sales

Marin county months of inventory chart real estate

Average Price Per Square Foot

Marin real estate market report February 2020 price per square foot

Marin County Number of Homes on the Market

Marin county home inventory chart

What This Update Means For You

SELLERS: The sellers’ market of years past is quickly fading away, being replaced by a market that is much more balanced. Buyers are well-educated and the majority in Marin County are working with very experienced and savvy agents who know values and comparative sales (“comps”). Overpricing in a flattening to declining market can be a fatal mistake, causing your property to become stale and languish on the market. Now, more than ever, an experienced agent armed with the latest market facts and trends is critical. REMEMBER THE THREE P’S: PRICE, PRESENTATION, AND PRICE.

BUYERS: For home buyers, the market is improving as more inventory comes online. However, an increasing percentage of homes never appear on MLS as they are sold “off-market” as pocket listings or top agent referrals. Work with a well-connected agent and be prepared to move quickly. Chances are you are looking for the same things most other buyers are also seeking (see my list below.) Set up property alerts on my website so you can immediately see new homes on the market, and make sure you are pre-qualified so you present a compelling offer. (You may wish to read my article Buying a Home in Marin County for more tips and advice.) One other tip: Ask your agent to run aged inventory reports in and above your price range. Sometimes there are some real gems that the market has overlooked due to pricing or other factors. Sellers may not have caught up with the changing dynamics of the market now — and it may take more negotiation than in the past to strike a deal.

If you are a buyer looking only at online portals such as Redfin or Zillow, and not working with a well-connected agent, you’re not seeing all of the homes available in Marin County.

What Are Buyers Looking For Right Now?

In speaking with buyers, they want it all right now, with the following at the top of their lists:

  • Great schools
  • Single-level
  • Easy commute
  • Walk to restaurants and shops
  • Views
  • Quiet streets
  • Remodeled homes in move-in condition

Smart buyers, which is almost all of them, realize they cannot have all of those attributes and buying a home in a market like Marin County is a series of tradeoffs. For example, they may choose to give up walking to restaurants to be in the hills with a view of the bay. In any event, we are seeing buyers that are more tech-savvy than ever and who have done their homework, reading market reports such as this one and spending a lot of time online looking at homes.

I hope you have found my Marin County Real Estate Market Report informative. Please feel free to add your comments, questions or suggestions in the comments section below. If I may be of any assistance in helping you attain your real estate goals, please call or text me at 415-847-5584 and I will be in touch right away.

Would you like to see this data for your town only?

I am also excited to announce that my website now has new real estate market reports by town with more coming soon. Please check these out:

Belvedere Real Estate Market Report

Corte Madera Real Estate Market Report

Fairfax Real Estate Market Report

Kentfield Real Estate Market Report

Larkspur Real Estate Market Report

Mill Valley Real Estate Market Report

Novato Real Estate Market Report

San Anselmo Real Estate Market Report

San Rafael Real Estate Market Report

Tiburon Real Estate Market Report

These are all accessible from the “Market Reports” menu item here on my website at any time.

What do YOU think? What would you like to see in this report going forward? Please leave your comments in the section below.

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