Marin Real Estate Blog

Heading into the High Fire Season in Marin County, this seems to be a good time to reintroduce the guideline on how to mow the grass in Marin County, especially the properties that are next to Open Space. 

The guideline was established by the the Marin County Department of Parks and Open Space.

This letter is especially critical at this time of year when fire risk is increasing; especially since Marin county is agian, facing a very dry summer season.

The information below can be found on Marin County website Wildfire Safety Information as well.

Excerpt from Marin County Open Space District:

GUIDELINES FOR MOWING GRASS ON MARIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE DISTRICT LAND ADJACENT TO YOUR HOME

It is extremely important that your clearance work does not start a fire and that you follow the guidelines below:

Confirm that the property you want to mow is owned by the Marin County Open Space District, not your neighbor or another agency. Information on lot lines and property ownership is available at the County Assessor-Recorder's Office (499-7215, or go to http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/AR/main/index.cfm) and the County Community Development Agency (499-6269, or go to http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/CD/main/index.cfm).

• Mow only grass. If you wish to cut brush or trees on Open Space District lands, you will need a permit; please call the District field office at 415-507-2816.
• Never mow under high fire hazard RED FLAG conditions; call 415-499-7191 for current conditions.
• In the heat of summer, mow early in the morning or during the evening when it is cooler and less likely that you could start a fire. Use extra caution with power mowers or other spark-producing tools.
• Keep a 5-pound "ABC" fire extinguisher AND a fully charged garden hose at the work site while mowing or other work is taking place.
• Do not use metal mowing heads on power scythes (weed whips) as they can spark from contact with rocks.
• Make sure spark arrestors are in place and functioning.
• Do not lay power tools in dry grass where hot metals may ignite flammable vegetation.
• Re-fuel tools away from vegetation -- on paved surfaces or cleared areas. Store gasoline away from site.
• If possible, have someone spot you (keep a close watch) while you are working to watch for problems.
• Watch for hikers and other open space visitors; cease work until they are clear from the work area.

Information on the Open Space District is available on the internet at: http://www.marinopenspace.org.

For guidelines on fire protection, call your local fire agency or check the internet:

• Fire Safe Marin
  http://www.firesafemarin.org/
• Marin County Fire Prevention Officers
  http://www.marinfirechiefs.org/prevention
• FireWise
  http://www.firewise.org
• Marin County Fire Services
  http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/FR/main/fire/services.cfm#vmp
• City of Novato Fire Services
  http://www.novatofire.org/default.aspx
• FEMA - Wildfire brochure
  http://www.fema/gov/pdf/hazards/wfie.pdf

We Are What We Learn!  

The long anticipated speech from President Obama to America's Students

The President gives a speech directly to Americas students welcoming them back to school. He emphasizes their hope and potential but makes clear they will need to take responsibility for themselve...

He used his own difficult background growing up as a backdrop and remidnes us how fortunate we all are - look at what he has accomplished from where he was!

It will be awfully difficult for anybody to use hardship as an excuse for not achieving the most they can!

How fortunate those Students at Wakefield High are! Checkk out their Senior Class President, his confidence and smooth delilvery! :-)

 

A semi uneventful but very busy week for the office, with one wonder property on the market - a deliberally priced low REO single family home next to Novato High School, lots of unfinished, unpermitted work.  The property commanded 23 offers in a few short days with several over asking, all cash offers.  Novato realtors are buzzing about this kind of trend for REO offers (other than one extremely low priced short sale home on Leland Drive a while back, none generated as much activity as this house).  

An experienced and knowledgable local Realtor is ultra important in guiding you through this new real estate maze - Check with your Realtor on how to spot, evaluate and make strategic offers in the current market! 

As you can see from the statistics below, percentage wise, there is not a lot of change within a week.  Howeve, the numbers give a good feeling about the market, although unusual, being somewhat stable. 

Novato, and for that matter, Marin county real estate are seeing an encouraging trend of more buyers out looking for homes.  As is the aboe case in mind - there will be 22 ready and willing buyers (many with all cash) for a bargain and yes, they jump on one when they see it!

% pending and Days on Market (DOM) continue to be skewed by the lingering short sale homes that have been in contract for a long time while waiting for lenders approval.  Ask Sylvia to research background of the properties you are interested in! 

Contact me at (415) 717-0293 or at sylvia@SylviaSellsMarin.com to discuss the market and the current trend, get familiar with the buying process, and start hunting for inventories on the market, whether REO, Trust Sale, start home, luxury homes.  Take time to see many homes so you know the right house when you see it!  It's never too late to get ready.      I will be very happy to find the best house / investment property for you! 

It will be my pleasure to serve you!  Good Hunting!

category		Total Units/ In Escrow		% Active		% Pending	% +/- since 04/01/09
All SFD's and CID's		337/163		52%		48% (S)	+1%
SFD's		232/98		58%		42% (S)	+1%
CID's		105/65		38%		62% (S)	+5%
$0 -$500K SFD		48/37		23%		77% (S)	+0%
$500,001-$600K		36/18		50%		50% (S)	-13%
$600,001 - $700K		33/17		48%		52% (S)	+2%
$700,001 - $800K		34/9		74%		26% (B)	+8%
$800,001 - $999,999		37/9		76%		24% (N)	-2%
$1M - $1.25M		20/6		70%		30% (N)	+0%
$1.25M - $1.5M		12/2		83%		17% (N)	-19%
$1.5M+		12/0		100%		0% (B)	-0%

• Buyer's Market  < 25%
• Neutral                25% - 40%
• Seller's Market   > 40%

 

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Sylvia Barry, Realtor, ePRO
Marin Realtor for Marin Real Estate
Marin, San Francisco North Bay
Frankk Howard Allen Realtors
website: www.SylviaSellsMarin.com
Blog: www.AllAboutMarinHomes.com

 MARIN, SONOMA, S.F. BAY AREA REAL ESTATE - Beveldere, Corte Madera, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur, Marinwood, Mill Valley, Novato, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon; Cotati, Penngrove, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa. Starter Home to Luxury Property. REO (Bank Owned), Short Sale, View Homes, Architecural Distictive Homes. Investment, 1031 Exchange. Chinese Realtor.