Marin Real Estate Market

3-Month Outlook

Winter is coming. What does this mean for home sales?

Winter is widely considered off-peak season for home sales but with rising interest rates and an uncertain market ahead, we expect the winter market to heat up more than usual this year.

Why do home sales typically decline in winter? There are practical reasons for this long standing, historical trend including:

• Holidays: Many homeowners aren’t looking to add “stage and prep for open house” to their to already busy holiday do list. Likewise, many buyers slow their search while juggling their own holiday plans and travel.

• Weather: Unless you’re a highly motivated buyer, house hunting in the rain (or in some parts of the…

Buying a starter home? Here's what you need to know.

Many first-time homebuyers, especially in competitive markets, end up in starter homes as a part of their first foray into the real estate market.

The idea of a "starter home" goes back to World War II. After veterans completed their service, they returned home and took advantage of a provision in the G.I. Bill that guaranteed them affordable mortgages. The increased demand caused a housing boom, specifically for smaller, low-cost homes where the veterans could start their families.

Historically, these properties tend to be smaller in size than one might expect from a single-family unit, but the idea behind them is two-fold: these smaller properties help introduce individuals to the…