Marin Area Index

Contact Peter & Karin Narodny

If you have any questions or need more detailed information, please feel free to contact us via phone at 415.935.3287 or fill out the form to let us know how we can help with your real estate needs.

Office Location 511 Sir Francis Drake, Blvd,
Greenbrae, CA 94904
Phone: (415) 925-3287
Fax: (415) 461-5414

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


528 Search Results Found. Showing Results 1 - 16.

Classic view
Thumbnail view
1 2 3 4 33 »

2nd Huge Price Reduction!! Build your own masterpiece nestled in a quiet redwood grove, within...

Price: $700,000
City: Mill Valley
Property Type: Lot/Land
MLS ID: 20909780

NEW PRICE on this pristine home! Stunning kitchen w/slab Calcutta marble counters, cherry cabinets,...

Price: $700,000
City: San Anselmo
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Property Type: Single Family
MLS ID: 20925138

Two Charming quintessential cottages on one lot,each having their own private mature gardens.Both...

Price: $699,000
City: San Rafael
Property Type: Multi-Unit (1-4 Units)
MLS ID: 21006782

Charming Sun Valley duplex. Each unit offers 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Shared 2 car garage...

Price: $699,000
City: San Rafael
Property Type: Multi-Unit (1-4 Units)
MLS ID: 21003186

Large and livable duplex walking distance to down town and blocks from Gerstle Park. Kitchens...

Price: $699,000
City: San Rafael
Property Type: Multi-Unit (1-4 Units)
MLS ID: 21005415

Unique triplex fully rented, which is part of a 6 building complex. This is the only triplex...

Price: $699,000
City: San Rafael
Property Type: Multi-Unit (1-4 Units)
MLS ID: 21001257

This is the absolute perfect location! Close to the town of Larkspur, all schools, parks, bike...

Price: $699,000
City: Larkspur
Property Type: Lot/Land
MLS ID: 20928311

Lovely 3 level townhome blocks from downtown Larkspur. This townhome features laundry inside...

Price: $699,000
City: Larkspur
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 3
Property Type: Single Family
MLS ID: 21007253

Distinctive and luxuriously refined 2 bedroom/2 bath waterfront condo exemplifies perfection....

Price: $699,000
City: Tiburon
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Property Type: Single Family
MLS ID: 21005650

Beautiful Marin Lagoon home with mahogany wood floors, kitchen with Corian counters, granite...

Price: $699,000
City: San Rafael
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Property Type: Single Family
MLS ID: 21006276

View home in beautiful Marin Country Club. Large entry into dramatic high ceiling home. Living...

Price: $699,000
City: Novato
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Property Type: Single Family
MLS ID: 21006203

Spacious 2 Story Home in Sun Valley! 4 bed 2 Full Baths + 2 half baths, Living Room w/Fireplace,...

Price: $699,000
City: San Rafael
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Property Type: Single Family
MLS ID: 21005803

Classic Ranch with Enchanting Back Yard has been beautifully kept by the original owners for...

Price: $699,000
City: Fairfax
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Property Type: Single Family
MLS ID: 21004888

Beautiful home with Redwood siding in sought after San Anselmo neighborhood. Light and bright...

Price: $699,000
City: San Anselmo
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Property Type: Single Family
MLS ID: 21004206

Reduced to sell immediately! This Contemporary home has wonderful southern exposure with dramatic...

Price: $699,000
City: San Rafael
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Property Type: Single Family
MLS ID: 21003393

Gerstle Park Charmer. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths plus den and detached cottage perfect for home office...

Price: $699,000
City: San Rafael
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Property Type: Single Family
MLS ID: 20927983
1 2 3 4 33 »

Last Updated: 2010-03-18 18:08:52


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.

My Account

Log in, to view your saved searches and add to your favorite listings.

Sign Up Here For Your FREE Account

... So You Can:

  • View detailed property information
  • Print detailed property flyers
  • Save your searches & favorite homes
  • Inquire about a private showing
  • Map individual property locations
  • Share your favorite homes with friends