Another success from the Foundation Team – this time through leasing agent Michael Kass. Another well-qualified tenant in need of a rental here in Marin found us online, so Michael showed her a couple homes that met her criteria, she offered on the one she liked and the rest is a done deal. 3,300 sq ft in Hamilton rented for $3,600/month for 2 years. Good job everyone!     01/15/2012

As of January 9, 2012 46% of available listings in Novato were in escrow. For the month of December 2011 57 homes sold in Novato (31 of which were distress sales) for an average final selling price of $459,619. The average original asking price of these homes was $488,253. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $112,000 to a high of $1,375,000. Of the 57 homes that sold 7 sold at their original asking prices and 11 sold over their original asking prices. The remaining 39 homes sold for less than their original asking prices. It took these homes an average of 128 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale through our MLS click here. To learn more about this area feel free to contact me directly. Stafford Lake in Novato by Kelley Eling, Marin County ... 01/11/2012

  Rented November 2011, an immaculate 3 bedroom townhome for $2895 in the desirable area of Hamilton Park in Novato.  Leasing agent Rone-iff here at Foundation Rentals represented the owners and located qualified tenants for this lease.  Congratulations to the tenants on their new home, enjoy - we're pleased to have been of service. 12/12/2011

As of December 9, 2011 47% of available listings in Novato are in escrow. For the month of November 2011 49 homes (24 of which where distress sales) sold for an average final selling price of $454,353. The average original asking price of these homes was $482,808. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $62,000 to a high of $1,225,000. Of the 49 homes that sold 2 sold at their original asking prices and 8 sold over their original asking prices. All others sold for less than their original asking prices. It took these homes an average of 130 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale through our MLS click here. To learn more about this area in general, search more around this blog, visit my website, or contact me directly. Grant Avenue in Novato as s... 12/11/2011

As of November 8, 2011 a whopping 46% of available listings in Novato are in escrow. For the month of October 2011 52 homes sold in Novato (24 of which were distress sales) for an average final selling price of $435,402. The average original asking price of these homes was $464,981. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $75,000 to a high of $1,060,000. Of the 52 homes that sold, 2 sold at their original asking prices and 9 sold over their original asking prices. These homes took an average of 131 days to sell. To see everything that is currently for sale in our neck of the woods click here. To learn more about this area in general, search more around this blog, visit my website or feel free to contact me directly. Patio in the early evening at Las Guitarras in Novato by Ke... 11/09/2011

Much like August 2011, Novato, CA home sales continued to surpass expectations in September 2011, which is traditionally a very slow month for closings in Marin County. Indeed, buyers continue to move very quickly on well-priced and/or unique real estate opportunities. The average sales price of Novato homes has swung wildly this year from month to month. For example, the average sale price in June was $626K. In September it was $530K. September’s trades averaged 117 days on market, were about 1,870 sq. ft., and averaged roughly $258 sq. ft. Novato’s  absorption rate (e.g., number of months’ inventory of homes for sale based on last month’s sales totals) continues to hover in historically low territory with just 3.39 months’ worth of available inventory overall (112 single family homes ... 11/08/2011

As of October 12, 2011 a whopping 45% of available listings in Novato are in escrow. For the month of September 2011 56 homes sold in Novato (26 of which were distress sales) for an average final selling price of $433,071. The average original asking price of these homes was $472,966. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $110,000 to $1,050,000. Of the 56 homes that sold, 5 sold at their original asking prices and 12 sold over their original asking prices. It took these homes an average of 122 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale through our MLS click here. To see some of the many fun things to do in our neck of the woods click here. To learn more about this area in general search more around this blog, visit my website or contact me directl... 10/21/2011

"Can Potential Buyers see the Value in your home? ~ ACTIVERAIN has the Answer" Can buyers see the full value of a property when it's for sale?  We certainly hope so...  that is definitely what we are looking for each time a for sale sign is put in the front yard.  What connects a buyer to a home?  Is it the color of a house or how many bedrooms the house has?  It's not one, two or even three things that draw a buyer in and keep them lingering...  and wanting to put in an offer.  Price and presentation are two very important factors with the sale of any home.  As it is with a car as well...  only your home is your largest investment and the one with the greatest return!  You would certainly make your car that you are selling look it best and give it a competitive price if you hope to sel... 10/18/2011

As of September 14, 2011 40% of available listings in Novato are in escrow. For the month of August 2011 57 homes sold in Novato (18 of which were distress sales) for an average final selling price of $452,255. The average original asking price of these homes was $481,609. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $125,000 to a high of $1,075,000. Of the 57 homes that sold 3 sold at their original asking prices and 6 sold over their original asking prices. It took these homes an average of 89 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale through our MLS click here. To see some of the fun things to do in our neck of the woods click here. To learn more about this area in general visit my website, search more around this blog or contact me directly. 09/17/2011

A gorgeous, custom home in Novato with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms with a pool rented in August 2011 for $3500. Listed and rented by broker Christopher Barrow and rented by our leasing agent Rone-iff Carr. Thank you to the owner for listing this home with us - we've done four rental transactions together and hope to continue to do more! 09/06/2011

All this talk about BofA Short Sales I had a Short Sale a number of years ago in Novato, CA. It was actually a pretty popular listing and had a lot of interest. I marketed it well, on Century21.com, Trulia, homes.com, Zillow, and lots of other sites. We had a lot of agents showing the home, and received a number of over-asking-price offers. The sellers selected one, and we were off to submitting the offer and all supporting documents to Bank of America. This was before BofA's Equator web site, so everything had to be faxed in. Three times. Finally received confirmation that all required documents had been received. Things went back and forth. Updated pay stubs and bank statements were constantly requested. Long waits between each request. Also had a 2nd loan to deal with. I have to give... 08/14/2011

As of August 6, 2011 36% of available listings in Novato are in escrow. For the month of July 2011 46  homes sold in Novato for an average final selling price of $528,872. The average original asking price of these homes was $570,766. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $125,000 to a high of $1,470,000. It took these homes an average of 119 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale through our MLS click here. To see some of the many fun things to do in our neck of the woods click here. To learn more about this area in general search more around this blog, visit my website or contact me directly. View from the Hilltop in Novato by Kelley Eling, Marin County Realtor   08/08/2011

Home Staging Success Story - 8/2/11 I have such a passion for Home Staging and enjoy every project that I receive.  Each home I stage is customized for that particular home, the area the home is in and for the potential buyer that would be interested in the home. One of the nicest things that happen when I stage a home is when I hear back from the Homeowner and or the Realtor with a nice compliment or a kind word or two.  Recently I heard from one of the homeowners after I staged their second home.  Here is what the homeowner said.  "Linda, I just wanted to tell you that I was blown away at what an incredible job you did staging my home.  She also said, that her Realtor had her office come through the house and she had received lots of compliments about the staging.  The homeowner went ... 08/02/2011

Price Reduction - 25 Balra Dr. Novato, CA 94947 - Home for Sale -  8/1/11 This delightful 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 1947 square foot home has been nicely remodeled with newer floors, cabinets, vanities, jetted tub, stainless appliances, lighting, windows and doors!  An attractive floor plan features a remodeled kitchen and breakfast room opening to living room, dining area and large backyard. The living room has a beautiful granite wood-burning fireplace with gas starter.  All four bedrooms are on their own wing and are more spacious than expected with lots of light.  The private low-maintenance yard offers space for gardening, a play area, barbeques and a sparkling in-ground pool, perfect for hot summer days!  This gorgeous home is situated on a corner lot with spectacular views and locat... 08/01/2011

Price Reduction - 25 Balra Dr. Novato, CA 94947 Home for Sale This delightful 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 1947 square foot home has been nicely remodeled with newer floors, cabinets, vanities, jetted tub, stainless appliances, lighting, windows and doors!  An attractive floor plan features a remodeled kitchen and breakfast room opening to the living room, dining area and large backyard. The living room has a beautiful granite wood-burning fireplace with gas starter.  All four bedrooms are on their own wing and are more spacious than expected with lots of light.  The private low-maintenance yard offers space for gardening, a play area, barbecues and a sparkling in-ground pool, perfect for hot summer days!  This gorgeous home is situated on a corner lot with spectacular views and located in So... 07/22/2011

"Home Staging Tips ~ What's your Opinion?" As a Home Stager many times while previewing a clients home I am asked my opinion about their home.  Home Stagers are trained to see a home with buyers eyes and are able to see things that possibly a homeowner who lives in the home might not see.  One of the questions I was recently asked was, do I need to remodel my bathrooms?  The home was vacant and was built in the 50's and had a beautifully remodeled Kitchen.  The bathrooms were in fantastic shape.. it was hard to believe their age.  They were very well cared for. In my opinion... there was no need to invest in remodeling the bathrooms.  They could be Staged to look great and the investment in staging this home would be much less then the investment in remodeling.  Here are some before and... 07/19/2011

As of July 6, 2011 36% of available listings in Novato are in escrow. For the month of July 2011 64 homes (28 of which were distress sales) sold in Novato for an average final selling price of $486,066. The average original asking price of these homes was $531,694. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $70,000 to a high of $1,350,000. Of the 64 homes that sold 2 sold at their original asking prices and a whopping 15 sold for more than their original asking prices. It took these homes an average of 102 days to sell. To see everything that is currently for sale through our MLS click here. To see some of the many fun things to do in the area click here. To learn more about the area in general search more around this blog, visit my website or contact me directly. Dr. Insomnia'... 07/08/2011

276 San Carlos Way, Novato, Ca wil be open Sunday, July 10th from 2 to 4. Come by and see this beautiful home listed for $479,900. This home features hardwood floors and new interior paint throughout. It has four bedrooms, two baths and per public records is 1,882 square feet, built in 1965 with a 8,233 square foot lot.  To see pictures please go to my web site, www.dareweb.biz. If you can't make the open house, please give me a call, 415-513-7300, for a private showing. Connie Medeiros, Broker #00682423 07/08/2011

Does your City require an inspection before you sell your home? Surprise!! Oh wait ... when you are selling your home surprises are the worst thing in the world. Imagine your home is on the market, you receive a purchase offer and accept it. Then the buyer's agent asks for the City inspection report for their review. The what? What are you talking about? Well, some Cities require a mandatory re-sale (also known as point of sale) inspection prior to the sale of a home. One such City is Novato, California. If done correctly, the seller or seller's agent fills out Novato's "Application for Residential Property Inspection and Report". The application and payment (currently $274 for a single family residence, $236 for a condo) must be received by the City before they will schedule an appoint... 06/28/2011

This was originally posted on May 21, 2011 Novato.Patch.com While dramas are playing out on different stages, and emotions run high in Novato causing much debate and anguish among Novatans on issues related to safety, schools and the city, a handful of volunteers quietly ran one of the most successful fundraisers for Novato schools. With 257 registered riders from 16 public schools and 2344 donors; the Tour of Novato and FunFair fundraiser, held on one glorious April day, raised over $93,000 for Novato public schools! It was quite an amazing sight witnessing the excitement going on around the registration table.  Riders signing in, taking off for a fun and healthy hour or two to fundraise for their schools.  Bicycles, unicycle (one), double bicycles, bicycles with backseat and trailers;... 06/26/2011