Marin County Real Estate Market Report
February 2021

Marin county real estate market report February 2021 key statistics

Marin County Monthly Real Estate Market Report: February 2021

Normally January is a very quiet month in real estate but not this year. We saw the number of homes sold in January 2021 up 52% vs. January 2020, with the median pricing increasing by 20% during the same time period. Home inventories continue to be a challenge, down by 9% against an already low base. Asking prices surged even more, up 32% vs January of last year.

Pre-approved buyers are out in full force, not waiting for the official start to the spring season, while some sellers wait on the sidelines, unsure of the logistics of selling a home during a pandemic. While it is unlikely the old model of brokers’ and buyers’ open houses will return anytime soon, the good news for sellers is that buyers who tour homes are serious and have in most cases been pre-qualified.

If you have questions about the process of buying and selling during COVID-19, please call me at 415-847-5584 and I’ll be happy to walk you through the process.

My New Listings Available and Coming Soon

I just launched 12 Castlewood Drive in San Rafael’s beautiful Glenwood neighborhood. It is a new construction modern farmhouse built by one of Marin’s pre-eminent builders as his own residence. Offered at $2,645,000, the 4 BR/3.5 BA home has a large level backyard, gorgeous high ceilings and single-level living. There’s a great spot for a pool which the planning department has already approved.

922 Ventura Way in Mill Valley is just listed and already in escrow. I knew this one would not last long – panoramic views and a great location at the very attractive price point of $1,595,000.

Coming soon is 1100 Cabro Ridge Road in Novato, a grand 7,600 square-foot estate with top-of-the-world views, situated on 11+ acres. Soaring ceilings, grand entertaining spaces, and a beautiful pool area worthy of a boutique hotel, this one must be seen in person. Exclusively offered for $4,675,000.

I am also excited about 101 Chula Vista Drive which is coming soon in San Rafael. This beautiful home was custom built in 2001 and offers over 4,100 sq ft of living space on over an acre!

As always, thank you for your continued support and referrals.

What Are The Current Restrictions on Marin Real Estate?

The restrictions on real estate in Marin County were reduced but there are still some restrictions for everyone’s safety:

  • No open houses or broker’s opens are permitted 
  • Homes (both occupied and vacant) may now be shown after prospective buyers review disclosures and sign COVID-19 affidavits
  • Seller may not be at home when it is shown
  • All involved in showings must wear personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, etc) and avoid touching anything (railings, doorknobs, etc)
  • Only two buyers plus one agent may attend showings

How Can I Help?

These reports are a great place to start, but let’s continue the conversation. I am always happy to discuss the market and the best way to approach buying or selling a home in Marin County or the greater Bay Area. Call or text me anytime at 415-847-5584.

From the Golden Gate Sotheby’s Market Report…

Market Movement in Spite of Challenges

The pandemic continued to weigh on economic activity even as optimism grew that a smooth vaccine rollout would allow additional businesses in the region to reopen. While the events of January 6 in Washington, D.C. cast a pall on the nation, the orderly transition to a new administration gave some hope that the potential for a return to business as normal at some point this year remained a possibility. Fueled by low mortgage rates and strong consumer preference for larger living spaces, the regional single family home market continued to accelerate.

Sales Historically High Despite Seasonal Slowing

January home sales are often sluggish, driven by seasonal factors including households spending during the holidays or delaying large purchases until after income tax season. In January, sales volume slowed somewhat due to typical seasonal patterns, but primarily as little available inventory left potential homebuyers with few options. The surge in pricing in the second half of 2020 also kept ownership out of reach for many households. Though migration out of the Bay Area has impacted some neighborhoods, and the number of closed sales decreased in all counties, sales velocity throughout the region remained elevated relative to historical norms.

In January, sales volume declined for the third-consecutive month to 3,394, a drop of 31% from December. Despite this decrease in the pace of sales from the previous month, activity remained much higher when compared with more typical January figures the last five years. With buyers in the market facing limited opportunities, well-priced listings frequently received multiple offers above the asking price. In January, the share of sales closed above the list price remained greater than 60%. With limited for-sale inventory, sales greater than asking should remain the majority for the next several months.

Once forbearance programs end, some distressed opportunities may come to market, loosening for-sale inventory to provide a better balance between supply and demand. Similar to the pace of sales, the median home price in January declined slightly as seasonal factors combined with affordability constraints to reign in price appreciation. Compared with December, the median price decreased by 2.1%, following a 3% decline in December. The monthly median price declined slightly in most counties, with the exception of San Francisco, Marin, and Santa Cruz counties, as well as Solano County where the median price was stable.

Looking Ahead

During the next several months, the regional economy should continue to improve, albeit at an uneven pace. As business restrictions are slowly lifted by state and local governments, and vaccine distribution accelerates, the region should begin to trend towards a more normal state of activity. As households that temporarily relocated during the pandemic return to the Bay Area, demand for housing of all types should increase. While mortgage rates should remain low through the rest of the year, price gains will continue to reduce affordability.

The lower range of the pricing spectrum may continue to lag the broader housing market this year, as lower income households have been disproportionally impacted by the pandemic-related job losses and home values continue to price many households out of ownership. Gains in the stock market and potential for high profile IPOs in 2021 bode well for the luxury housing market in the Bay Area. While the pandemic dictated the pace of the housing market for the last year, as the virus is brought under control, the housing market will see a return to more traditional economic drivers and seasonal fluctuations.

Marin county real estate market report February 2021 key statistics

Now Available

12 Castlewood Drive | San Rafael

12 castlewood drive san rafael just listed banner

Newly-Constructed Modern Farmhouse in San Rafael’s Coveted Glenwood Neighborhood

1100 Cabro Ridge | Novato

1100 cabro ridge road sneak peek sign

Private Ridgetop Estate with Captivating “Top-of-the-World” Views

922 Ventura Way Mill Valley in escrow graphic

Marin Real Estate Market Stats

Marin County home sales by town January 2021 chart
Marin county real estate market trends January 2021 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 31.9%


Average sold prices increased by 2.4%


The median sold price increased by 20%


The average price per square foot sold increased by 7.6%

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 8.9%


Number of homes sold increased by 52.4%


Months of inventory decreased by 38.8%


The average days on market decreased by 40.3%

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 real estate market report January 2021

Marin Home Prices List Price vs. Sold

Marin real estate market report February 2021 days on market chart

Marin County Months of Inventory Based on Closed Sales

Marin real estate market report February 2021 months of inventory chart

Average Price Per Square Foot

Marin real estate market report February 2021 price per square foot sold chart

Marin County Number of Homes on the Market

number of homes for sale marin county chart

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.

Marin County Realtor Thomas Henthorne headshot

About the Author

Thomas Henthorne is consistently top-ranked, award-winning real estate agent in Marin, helping people buy and sell homes for almost a decade. He writes the #1 real estate blog in Marin County and is a frequent speaker on panels at industry gatherings.

He may be reached at 415-847-5584.

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