Should I become a homeowner or should I continue to pay rent? This question continues to be prevalent in today’s market, especially for young people and first time home buyers. Aside from obvious budgetary restraints that prevent one from purchasing a home, the advantages of buying a home now heavily outweigh the disadvantages to waiting and continuing to fill your landlord’s wallet:

-       LOW RATES AND AFFORDABILITY. Mortgage interest rates haven’t been this low in decades. Why would you pay rent when affordability is at an all-time high? Buyers from 2000-2010 would give up a kidney to buy in today’s market instead. 

-       WHERE IS YOUR RENT MONEY GOING? Paying to live somewhere must be treated the same as any other investment. There is no…

Parents are willing to pay more for their kids to attend good schools. In some cases, quality of education is #1 on the list of criteria for buyers looking to invest in real estate. While water views, location, and attractive floorplan are important contributors to market price, a respectable school district might be the most substantial indicator of value and buyer demand. Marin County is no exception to this rule.

Let’s take an example that’s close to home. The Narodny Team just sold a home in San Rafael for $1,800,000. Take the same house, same flat street, same views, same ammenities, and give it a Kentfield address. The house would sell for $2,700,000+. Why? According to the Academic Performance Index, an organization that measures academic…

Are you looking for a way to touch the flavor of the wine country without going all the way to Napa. I know about a hidden treasure. Of course, nothing can replace Napa but if you have kids or restless family members try this one.

Take HWY 37 just inside Novato limits, (about 15 minutes from Mill Valley) then HWY 126 towards Sonoma and Napa. You will pass the Racetrack on your left and then Viansa on your right. Go about another 2 miles and you will see Gloria Ferrar on your left. Go there, sit on the deck, sip champagne and have some small bites.  Next stop is right across the main road at Cornerstone, Sonoma.

There is a wavy, wacky picket fence and a giant blue plantation chair at the entry. You can’t miss it.  There is a lovely deli, an amazing…