Marin County Real Estate Market Report
January 2020

Aerial view of 190 Gilmartin Drive in Tiburon

190 Gilmartin Drive in Tiburon Closed on New Year’s Eve for $6,625,000
It Was Great Working With the Sarkissian / Bullock Team on This Deal!

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and re-entry has not been too difficult. The market did not take as much of a pause as it usually does in December – I personally closed deals on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, a first for me. Versus last year, inventories in Marin County were down 18%, median pricing was flat and sales were up about 20%.

My Notable Sales in December

December wrapped up a strong year for me, second only to 2016. I represented a buyer on a large, modern $4.9mm estate in Ross – address withheld to respect their privacy. That one closed on Christmas Eve, then on New Year’s Eve my listing in conjunction with Global Estates at 190 Gilmartin Drive (pictured above) closed for $6,625,000. 

Here Comes Spring!

As I write this, it is a cold winter’s morning and I cannot see much beyond my windows as all of Marin is covered in thick fog. However spring is right around the corner and with it the busy spring Marin real estate season. If my prediction for the full year (below) comes true, this spring will be even more important than others.

I am actively working on a number of listings to present as soon as next week for sellers who want to get a jump on the season. There are plenty of buyers out there — both my own and those who are visiting my website which features new, powerful search tools that allow buyers to set up daily / weekly alerts on new listings, market reports and open houses. Buyers can sign up to receive an automated market report for all of Marin, or just a specific town or towns. In addition, buyers can receive that weekend’s open houses via email each Thursday. 

Just Listed and Coming This Month

1408 Douglass St (see below) is a newly re-imagined modern masterpiece located in the coveted enclave of Noe Valley. Offering 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, an open-concept floor plan, indoor/outdoor flow and captivating panoramic views, it is the perfect marriage of sophisticated style, modern spaces and ultimate privacy.   

195 San Francisco Blvd (also below) is the ideal family home and the epitome of curb appeal located in one of San Anselmo’s premiere neighborhoods.  This beautiful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath craftsman features an open-concept floor plan, 2 family rooms and opens out to a large, level lawn area perfect for play and entertaining. 

What Does 2020 Hold for Marin / Bay Area Real Estate?

I always hesitate to make predictions, joking that my crystal ball is at the cleaners, but there does seem to be a general consensus that we will see a slowdown in 2020. It is an election year and what we experienced in 2016 was the fall market didn’t really happen – all eyes and energy were on the election. I do not know if that will happen again but I would bet on a very strong spring market based on current stock market performance and the strong winter season, then the typical lull in summer and a fall that is slower than 2019. Stay tuned!

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. 

Marin Real Estate Market Stats: Third Quarter 2019

(Q4 Analysis Coming Next Month)

Marin county home prices by town chart
Marin County home prices chart showing 5 year trend

Marin County Real Estate Market Report Dashboards

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


For sale prices increased by 40%


Average sold prices increased by 5.3%


The median sold price was flat


The average price per square foot sold increased by 3.5%

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 17.8% 


Number of homes sold increased by 18.3%


Months of inventory decreased by 31.7%


The average days on market increased by 28.1%

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

Average days on market chart

Marin County Months of Inventory Based on Closed Sales

Marin county months of inventory homes chart

Average Price Per Square Foot

Marin average price per square foot home sales chart

Marin County Number of Homes on the Market

home inventories chart marin real estate market report january 2020

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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