ON THE ROAD AGAIN ... Taking Scoop's (my late father) Chevy from Ocean City NJ to California to our son, Nick, and his wife, Cori Well, the first phase of our trip is over ... we went from Ocean City NJ to Novato CA in 11 days with a two-day non-driving stop in Santa Fe and another 1/2 day at the southern rim of the Grand Canyon ... or a total of 8.5 days of driving out of the total 11.  Could we have made it faster ... yes.  But you need breaks. Our longest driving day was our first one ... 723 miles, our shortest driving days 171 and 147 which were the last 2 days which could have been combined.  Overall, we covered 3,529 total miles in a 2004 Chevrolet that concludes just under 60,000 miles.  We stated with a four new tires and a check-up ... and it was a great trip.  In some ways, I... 12/21/2009

The strong Novato, California real estate market continues on its journey into recovery. The average sales price of Novato homes in November 2009 was $620,851. These homes averaged 79 days on market, were about 2,103 sq. ft., and averaged roughly $316 per sq. ft. Novato's absorption rate (e.g., number of months' inventory of homes for sale based on last month's sales totals) has dipped to historically low levels - a scant 2.69 months worth of available inventory overall (95 single family homes are currently for sale in Novato) . A quick look at the supply and demand curve over the past 2 years is striking - supply is down by 35% and sales are up 42%. No wonder my Novato colleagues agree that it appears our 3+ year bear market in local real estate is coming to an end. The broad based app... 12/16/2009

Novato Housing Market Report 12-09. This report looks at Homes for Sale in Novato California.  It compares the Current Homes for Sale in Novato to Homes sold in Novato in November and October to look at sales trends.  Best Buy in Novato Currently there are 125 Homes for Sale in Novato with an average size of 2460 SF.  The Average List Price is $830,023.00.  The median price is only $719,000.00 which indicates some higher priced homes are pulling the numbers up.  These homes have an average Combined Days on Market of 106. The Novato Homes for Sale priced over $750,000.00 total 58.  The average size of these homes is 3334 SF and the average price is $1,234,419.00 with an Average Combined Days on Market of 104. In October Homes for sale in Novato did pretty good with 76 sold.  The Average ... 12/11/2009

As of December 9, 2009 an impressive 51% of available listings in Novato are in escrow. For the month of November 2009 51 homes sold in Novato for an average final selling price of $523,961. The average original asking price of these homes was $542,042. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $140,000 to a high of $1,395,000. Of the 51 homes that sold (19 of which were distress sales) 3 sold at their original asking price, 22 sold over their original asking price and the remaining 26 sold for less. It took these homes an average of 95 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale through our MLS, click here. To learn more about the area visit my website or contact me directly. 12/09/2009

Novato Open House 12-5-09  1 to 4 PM With a Tropic Front Yard and a Back Yard that has been described as "Like Lake Tahoe" This home is excellent. It offers: Pool Two Decks Game Room Media Room Five bedrooms with a Jack & Jill Suite Hot Tub Gourmet Kitchen Large Park like grounds Flowing Creek Horses OK Large Lawns Could hold RV Parking Classic Hard Wood Floors Grand Fire Place Excellent Schools Attic Fan and so much more! For recorded information and/or an exclusive showing call: 1-800-950-6159 ext 1003 For more photos and information go to: www.2424Vineyard.com   12/03/2009

Built during the Great Depression and named for World War I pilot and hero Lloyd Hamilton, the Air Force base was originally marshland and was soldto the U.S. government for $1. Hamilton Field was designed by Capt. HowardB. Nurse, who created an environment that blended in with the naturallandscape, combining elements of Renaissance, Mission, SpanishChurrigueresque and Art Modern. In 1976, the airfield was closed and the area used as an introductioncenter for refugees from Southeast Asia. Cambodians, Vietnamese andLaotians poured into the base on their way to establishing homesthroughout the United States. Marin MOCA: Start your visit at the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (500 Palm Drive), right in the center of the triangle formed by Palm Drive and South PalmDrive. Originally the hea... 12/01/2009

Novato Home Back on the Market! One of the finest homes for the price is back on the market!  The owner took the home off the market for a short time to upgrade some of the fixtures and do some painting.  This home is excellent.  It offers: Pool Two Decks Game Room Media Room Five bedrooms with a Jack & Jill Suite Hot Tub Gourmet Kitchen Large Park like grounds Flowing Creek Horses OK Large Lawns Could hold RV Parking Classic Hard Wood Floors Grand Fire Place Excellent Schools Attic Fan and so much more! For recorded information and/or an exclusive showing call: 1-800-950-6159    ext 1003 For more photos and information go to: www.2424Vineyard.com   11/17/2009

Novato Open House 11-15-09 Come by 2424 Vineyard Road in Novato on Sunday from 1-4 PM to see an unbelievable home.   Pool, SPA, Corner Lot, almost a 1/2 acre, gourmet kitchen and more.  The property used to be a horse property and can be again. This house is coming back on the Market Monday 11-16-09, but we will have a special preview open house on Sunday November 15 from 1 to 4 PM. This house was fantastic, but has now fixtures and amenities have been updated and enhanced to look and appeal of the home.  I do not even have the new pictures of the inside to show you yet.  For recorded information and/or an exclusive showing call: 1-800-950-6159 ext 1003 11/13/2009

As of November 6, 2009 an impressive 49% of all available listings in Novato are in escrow. For the month of October 2009 a whopping 72 homes sold in Novato, for an average final selling price of $560,843.  (30 of those 72 homes were distress sales.) The average original asking price of these homes was $596,785. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $129,500 to a high of $1,755,000. Of the 72 homes that sold 6 sold at their original asking price and 15 sold over their original asking price.  All others sold for less than their original asking price. It took these homes an average of 94 days to sell. To see everything that is currently available for sale through our MLS, click here. To learn more about this area, visit my website or feel free to contact me directly. 11/07/2009

Leaves are starting to hit the ground as the days grow shorter. But, Novato’s hot market shows no signs of cooling down. In October 2009, 50 Novato, California homes sold, compared with 35 sales in September 2009. Suffice it to say, the Novato real estate market is hot. Entry level home sales have shown sustained strength for the past 6 months. The number of homes actively listed in Novato remains very low compared with the rest of Marin (and the percentage of homes in escrow remains much higher than the rest of Marin). This exceptional demand is based on stunning affordability (homes are selling now for prices nobody could have dreamed of 3 short years ago) and the fantastically low interest rates. While the average sales price of Novato homes rose in August to a remarkable $713,440 (... 11/07/2009

  I am so excited to be going to ActiveRain Camp in San Francisco.  I got an email this morning about it and the next thing you know I am signed up...and with early adopter tickets I got a special price. RainCamp will be held at Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF 1675 Owens St. Suite 251 San Francisco, CA. It's on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 from 9:00am to 4:00pm.  If you live in the Marin/Sonoma County Area and you are going would you like to car pool to this event if so please call toll free 877.267.4649,  This is going to be such an awesome event!!!     11/05/2009

Novato Market Report November 2009 Set down grab a cup of coffee and some No Doze.  You are about to get some numbers to make your head spin and sleepy, unless of course you are excited about the Novato Housing Market and trying to buy or sell a home in that area. The Novato Housing Market offers some of the best buys on Luxury Homes in Marin County with Excellent Schools and a fantastic life style. This Novato Housing Market report looks at single family home sales in Novato and compares September figures to October figures looking for sales trends; and examines at the current Active Novato Housing Market.  As the Novato Housing Market covers a number of Luxury Homes I decided to also take separate looks at homes priced over $750,000.00. In September there were only 36 homes sold in th... 11/04/2009

Some time back we posted a blog about Staging only the Outside of a Home.  We weren't sure if just Staging the Outside would have a big enough impact but the Realtor's seamed confident and that's what they wanted us to do.  The property was large and there was a big back yard.  We brought in serveral pieces to fill the space surrounding the pool. We got a call within a week, the Realtor's told us that within six days of listing the property they got multiple offers and over asking price.  The Realtor's told us that the family that bought it had a little girl around 12 years old that loved the backyard and really wanted her parents to buy the house.  Here are the before and afters: BEFORE        AFTER Before After Some Afters More Afters   Stage with Divine Style will work with you to ge... 11/01/2009

An aging public pool at Hamilton Field, Novato is almost ready for a grand debut after a $5 million renovation. The pool is located across from Hamilton Field's "The Landing at Hamilton" new home development (which is set to break ground in coming months) and the existing neighborhood of South Gate. The renovation was approved unanimously by the Novato City Council in November 2007 and final plans were approved in March 2008. The leaky old pool was not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and access to its bathhouse was restricted by the Marin County health department. The revamped facility at 206 El Bonito Road includes a main pool of 185,000 gallons and a shallow pool of 12,000 gallons. There is new decking, piping, lighting and landscaping plus bathhouses.  Solar power ... 10/31/2009

When your home goes on the market you want it to be the best looking product for the best price, because you never get a second chance to make a great first impression. With 87% of today's savvy buyers searching on the internet to find a home you will want your photos to look great and stand out.  You want your home to be: IMPRESSIVE IMPACTFUL INSPIRING According to the statistics on Stagedhomes.com 94.8 percent of ASP/ASPM Staged homes sell on average in 37 days or less versus 182 days on market for non-staged homes. So if you are listing and selling your home in today's market you want to stand out so your home will sell faster and for more money! How does selling your home faster translate into $$$ and time to you?  Do you want your home to set there or move quickly? Staging your hom... 10/28/2009

Marin County Horse Property - Price Reduced Dramatically If you have not seen this Marin County Horse Property or taken a look at the photos of this Horse Property you need to.  www.2424Vineyard. This property is emaculate with a style and a setting that has been described as "like being in lake Tahoe" or "Being in a National Park."  The Kitchen has been designed and used by a proffesional chef with restuarants in New York and California. The price has been dropped about $100,000.00!  For recorded information and/or an exclusive showing call: 1-800-950-6159 ext 1003 For a full description link here for the Novato Horse Property. 10/28/2009

The first impression when a buyer drives up to your home is critical. Walk across the street and look at it through the eyes of a buyer.  What do you see?  Here are some helpful tips to help you prepare your home for sale. Trim and House Paint:  Take a hard look at the front door and trim.  Give special attention to this because this is where buyers will get their first opportunity to make a close inspection of your home.  Does it need repainting or staining?  Repainting the doors and trim to help make the house look crisp and in good condition is one of the least expensive things you can do to dress up a home. Decks, Porches and Patios:  Sweep all decks, walks, porches and patios and keep them swept.  Remove any moss from all decks, walks and patios.  Decks should be pressure - washed,... 10/23/2009

Tonight in Atlanta, GA a Realtor Panel was held by the Atlanta International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP).  The Realtor Panel was made up of eight of the top Realtor's in the area.  Key note speaker was Barb Schwarz. This was a night to remember, hundreds of Real Estate Professionals in attendance.  The panel spoke on current issues in the Real Estate Industry and how Staging their listings has changed the way they now do business.  They spoke about faster sells and homes that sold with more offers when they were Staged.  Barb spoke about her new book "Staging to Sell in a down market".  She is the creator of Staging over 35 years ago.  She is the CEO and Founder of Stagedhomes.com.  The CEO and Chairwoman of the International Association of Home Staging Professiona... 10/22/2009

This whole week October 19th, through October 23rd, 2009 I am re-taking my Accreditited Staging Professional MASTER Class for continuing ed.  It has been the best week so far.  New and more updated information since my last ASP MASTER's class. It is being held in Atlanta, GA. I am so thankful to be here with the class and of course with Barb our trainer, founder and CEO of Stagedhomes.com.  I have met some of the most amazing women here in the class.  They are so talented and I know they will be awesome ASP MASTER'S.  They will bring honor to the name and to Stagedhomes.com. I hope to continue to stay in touch with each one of them. I am excited to get back to California and share all the new information with everyone.  I will continue to write more as learn more.   STAGE WITH DIVINE ST... 10/22/2009

“Give Yourself a Raise. Move to Novato.”   Entering into the dormancy season for Marin County real estate, it appears that certain “hotspots” remain — Novato is one of them. In September 2009, 35 Novato homes sold, compared with 38 sales in August 2009. The Novato real estate market derives its strength from entry level home sales. The number of homes actively listed in Novato remains very low compared with the rest of Marin (and the percentage of homes in escrow is much higher than the rest of Marin) because of exceptional demand based on affordability and the ongoing fantastically low interest rates. While the average sales price of Novato homes rose in August to a remarkable $713,440 (based in large part to the makeup of sales), that number fell back to Earth in September — $646,389... 10/15/2009