Top 3 Things to Know Before Buying a Home in Marin

Are you thinking about buying a home in Marin County? Of course you are! Marin is not only one of the most beautiful places in the world, but the people are friendly, community-oriented and open-minded. Once you’ve decided to make the move, here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Affordability

Marin is expensive, so it’s important to know which area fits your budget. If you’ve heard about Bay Area real estate, you’ve probably heard about the housing shortage, multiple offers, and buyers paying well over the asking price. These are the realities of our market, and as a buyer it’s best to have this information up front so sticker shock doesn’t send you barreling elsewhere.

The prices are high, but people are willing to pay them not only because the daily benefits of living in Marin are worth it, but also because appreciation is high. It’s not uncommon for us to hear that a client who bought their home for around $100,000 in the ’90s has seen it appreciate to over $1 million.

Each town and city in Marin is unique, and homes carry a different price tag in each. Here is the average price per square foot in some of Marin’s major cities as of May 2020.

2. Specific areas

Maybe you like a town square, or just a cute main street. Maybe you want close neighbors, or some distance between you and everyone else. Each town offers something different, and there is something for everyone. Marin breaks down into Southern, Central, Northern and West Marin.

Southern Marin

Sausalito, Tiburon, Belvedere and Mill Valley. Southern Marin has some of the county’s highest prices. Homes vary: some have gorgeous hillside views, some are in “the flats”, some need updating, some are beautifully remodeled, and a smaller share are newer construction. Sausalito, Tiburon and Mill Valley each have their own downtown, school district and overall feel. Sausalito, Tiburon and Belvedere sit on Richardson Bay and can be a bit foggier, while Mill Valley is woodsy with tall redwoods. Southern Marin is an excellent commute for anyone working in San Francisco: hop on the 101 and cross the Golden Gate Bridge.

Central Marin

Corte Madera, Larkspur, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax and San Rafael. These areas have mature trees, charming downtowns, and Corte Madera Creek running through them. Fairfax is known for its unique, funky vibe and great entertainment and restaurants. Downtown San Rafael is the most urban part of Marin, and the city extends north into Terra Linda and Lucas Valley, famous for mid-century modern homes but less walkable. Eichler and Alliance homes are everywhere there, and you either love them or they aren’t for you! See our Eichler homes board on Pinterest.

Northern Marin

This is Novato, from South Novato to North Novato. Southern Novato is a bit more expensive, with some larger, newer homes. Northern Novato is closer to downtown and has homes with more acreage, even horse ranches. Novato tends to be hotter in summer and colder in winter, so air conditioning may matter to you.

West Marin

The more remote part of the county: Stinson Beach, Muir Beach, Woodacre, Forest Knolls, Inverness, Point Reyes Station, Dillon Beach, Marshall, Bolinas, Nicasio and Olema. If you want to be further from traffic and density, this is the place for you. It’s beautiful, close to nature and has a small-town feel.

3. Marin culture

Each town is unique, so we recommend spending time in your top three areas: hang out downtown and talk to the locals. See how you feel! In general, Marin has a strong sense of community and an emphasis on supporting your neighbors.

Marin is the birthplace of mountain biking and has endless outdoor activities. Mount Tam has miles of hiking trails, and you can spend hot days at the beach. It doesn’t snow here, but Lake Tahoe is a few hours’ drive if you love winter sports, and San Francisco is less than an hour away.