• Home
• Listings
  • Search by City
  • Search by Subdivision
  • Search by School
  • Search by Zip Code
  • Search by MLS Number
  • Search by Map
  • Our Listings
  • Sold Properties
• Buyers
  • The Home Buying Process
  • How To Choose A Realtor
  • Marin County Buyers Guide
  • Affordable Marin Homes
  • Foreclosures & Short Sales
  • Marin Lots For Sale
  • Buyer FAQ
  • Investment Properties
  • First Time Home Buyers
  • Marin Mortgage Information
  • Marin Home Inspections
  • Buyer Glossary
  • New Marin Listings
• Sellers
  • The Listing Process
  • How To Choose A Realtor
  • Marin Home Marketing Guide
  • Dangers of FSBO
  • Discount Online Agents
  • Seller FAQ
  • How Much is My Home Worth?
  • Short Sale Help
  • Seller Glossary
• Communities
  • Belvedere, CA
  • Corte Madera, CA
  • Fairfax, CA
  • Greenbrae, CA
  • Kentfield, CA
  • Larkspur, CA
  • Mill Valley, CA
  • Novato, CA
  • Ross, CA
  • San Anselmo, CA
  • San Rafael, CA
  • Sausalito, CA
  • Tiburon, CA
  • West Marin, CA
• About
  • Client Testimonials
  • Realtor FAQ
  • About Frank Howard Allen
  • Contact Us
• Blog

FIND YOUR NEXT HOME by...

CITY

Select a City: No Preference Belvedere Bolinas Corte Madera Dillon Beach Fairfax Greenbrae Inverness Kentfield Larkspur Lagunitas Mill Valley Muir Beach Nicasio Novato Penngrove Pt. Reyes Station Richmond Ross San Anselmo San Geronimo San Rafael Sausalito Stinson Beach Tiburon Tomales Woodacre Choose a property type: All Property Types Business Commercial Lot/Land Multi-Unit (1-4 units) Multi-Family (5+ Units) Mobile/Floating Homes Single Family

What is your price range? No Minimum $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $5,500,000 $6,000,000 $6,500,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,500,000 $9,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,000,000 No Maximum $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $5,500,000 $6,000,000 $6,500,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,500,000 $9,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,000,000

Number of rooms required? Beds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+ Baths 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+

Search Now

SUBDIVISION

Enter a Subdivision:

Choose a property type: All Property Types Business Commercial Lot/Land Multi-Unit (1-4 units) Multi-Family (5+ Units) Mobile/Floating Homes Single Family

What is your price range? No Minimum $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $5,500,000 $6,000,000 $6,500,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,500,000 $9,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,000,000 No Maximum $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $5,500,000 $6,000,000 $6,500,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,500,000 $9,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,000,000

Number of rooms required? Beds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+ Baths 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+

Search Now

SCHOOL

Enter a School:

Choose a property type: All Property Types Business Commercial Lot/Land Multi-Unit (1-4 units) Multi-Family (5+ Units) Mobile/Floating Homes Single Family

What is your price range? No Minimum $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $5,500,000 $6,000,000 $6,500,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,500,000 $9,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,000,000 No Maximum $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $5,500,000 $6,000,000 $6,500,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,500,000 $9,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,000,000

Number of rooms required? Beds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+ Baths 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+

Search Now

ZIP

Enter Zip Code Choose a property type: All Property Types Business Commercial Lot/Land Multi-Unit (1-4 units) Multi-Family (5+ Units) Mobile/Floating Homes Single Family

What is your price range? No Minimum $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $5,500,000 $6,000,000 $6,500,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,500,000 $9,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,000,000 No Maximum $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $5,500,000 $6,000,000 $6,500,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,500,000 $9,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,000,000

Number of rooms required? Beds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+ Baths 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+

Search Now

MLS #

Enter MLS Number: MLS Number: MLS Number: MLS Number:

Search Now

MAP

Select a Starting Point: No Preference Agua Caliente American Canyon Angwin Annapolis Belvedere Berryessa Bodega Bodega Bay Bolinas Boyes Hot Springs Calistoga Camp Meeker Cazadero Circle Oaks Cloverdale Corte Madera Cotati Dillon Beach El Verano Fairfax Forest Knolls Forestville Freestone Fulton Geyserville Glen Ellen Graton Green Valley Greenbrae Guerneville Healdsburg Inverness Jenner Kentfield Kenwood Lagunitas Larkspur Marshall Mill Valley Monte Rio Muir Beach Napa Nicasio Novato Oakville Occidental Olema Penngrove Petaluma Pope Valley Rohnert Park Ross Rutherford San Anselmo San Geronimo San Rafael Santa Rosa Sausalito Sebastopol Sonoma St. Helena Stinson Beach The Sea Ranch Tiburon Timber Cove Tomales Valley Ford Windsor Woodacre Yountville Choose a property type: All Property Types Business Commercial Lot/Land Multi-Unit (1-4 units) Multi-Family (5+ Units) Mobile/Floating Homes Single Family

What is your price range? No Minimum $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $5,500,000 $6,000,000 $6,500,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,500,000 $9,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,000,000 No Maximum $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $600,000 $700,000 $800,000 $900,000 $1,000,000 $1,250,000 $1,500,000 $1,750,000 $2,000,000 $2,250,000 $2,500,000 $2,750,000 $3,000,000 $3,250,000 $3,500,000 $3,750,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $5,000,000 $5,500,000 $6,000,000 $6,500,000 $7,000,000 $7,500,000 $8,000,000 $8,500,000 $9,000,000 $9,500,000 $10,000,000

Number of rooms required? Beds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+ Baths 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+

Search Now

Marin First-Time Home Buyer Guide

Over the past 30 years we have worked with hundreds of first time home buyers and our advice and guidance has garnered a 98% retention rate on all first-time clients. Many of these steps below are very similar to our “Home Buying Process” section but they are even more important for first time buyers. Please contact us for more individual specific information: 

Obtain Pre-Qualification: Meet with a mortgage broker and find out how much you can afford to pay for a home.

Obtain Pre-Approval: While knowing how much you can afford is the first step, sellers will be much more receptive to potential buyers who have been pre-approved. You'll also avoid being disappointed when going after homes that are out of your price range. With Pre-Approval, the buyer actually applies for a mortgage and receives a commitment in writing from a lender. This way, assuming the home you're interested in is at or under the amount you are pre-qualified for, the seller knows immediately that you are a serious buyer for that property. Costs for pre-approval are generally nominal and lenders will usually permit you to pay them when you close your loan.
Continue Reading More Below

Affordable Marin Homes

All Listings	Under $400,000	$400,000 - $600,000
$600,000 - $800,000	$800,000 - $1,000,000	$1,000,000 - $1,250,000
$1,250,000 - $1,500,000	$1,500,000 - $2,000,000	$2,000,000 - $2,500,000
$2,500,000 - $3,500,000	$3,500,000 - $5,000,000	Over $5,000,000

Create List of Needs & Wants: Make 2 lists. The first should include items you must have (i.e., the number of bedrooms you need for the size of your family, a one-story house if accessibility is a factor, etc.). The second list is your wishes, things you would like to have (pool, den, etc.) but that are not absolutely necessary. Realistically for first-time buyers, you probably will not get everything on your wish list, but it will keep you on track for what you are looking for.

Get Representation by a Professional: Consider hiring your own real estate agent, one who is working for you, the buyer, not the seller.

Stay Focused and Organized: Buying your first home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make and the process will be much less stressful if you stay focused and organized. In a convenient location, keep items some of the following items handy to help you jot down notes or ideas:

• One or more detailed maps with your areas of interest highlighted
• Saved searches and listings online and a physical file of the properties that your agent has shown to you, along with ads you have cut out from the newspaper
• A digital camera or camcorder to help refresh your memory on individual properties, especially if you are attending a series of showings
• Town or city guides to cross-reference properties with community details. Look at a potential property as if you are the seller. Would a prospective buyer find it attractive based on school district, crime rate, proximity to positive (shopping, parks, freeway access) and negative (abandoned properties, garbage dump, source of noise) features of the area?

Be Objective: Instead of thinking with your heart when you find a home, think with your head. Does this home really meet your needs? There are many houses on the market, so don't make a hurried decision that you may regret later.

Be Thorough: A few extra dollars well spent now may save you big expenses in the long run. Don't forget such essentials as:

• Including inspection & mortgage contingencies in your written offer
• Having the property inspected by a professional inspector(s)
• Requesting a second walk-through to take place within 24 hours of closing.
• You want to check to see that no changes have been made that were not agreed on (i.e., a nice chandelier that you assumed came with the sale having been replaced by a cheap ceiling light)

Please contact us for custom tailored advice and recommendations.

Return to Top Email this Page Print This Page

© Copyright 2012 Real Estate Webmasters.
All Rights Reserved.

Search Listings

• Search by City
• Search by Subdivision
• Search by School
• Search by Zip Code
• Search by MLS Number
• Search by Map

Featured Communities

• Kentfield
• Mill Valley
• Ross
• San Anselmo
• San Rafael
• Tiburon

Buyer & Seller Resources

• How To Choose A Realtor
• Foreclosures & Short Sales
• The Home Buying Process
• Marin County Real Estate
• Marin Home Marketing Guide
• Marin Short Sale Help

Contact Peter & Karin Narodny

511 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Greenbrae, CA 94904
Phone: 415.925.3287
Fax: 415.461.5414
Email: peter@marinrealestate.net