Marin Library Children Schedule

Our Marin libraries have so many great childrens activites, I'd thought I'd list the schedule here. You can find many of the Marin Library story times for children in the list below, but be sure to check out the current schedule on the libraries website.

Here is a great link that has most of the story times listed:

Marin Library Story Times:

This is as of 5/31/2010:

SUPPORT OUR LIBRARIES!!!!! And enjoy the great summertime children's events. Keep checking up on the websites - new events and storytimes may come up.

Sausalito Library:
Thursday July 1rst: Wildlife Associates See real animals from the rainforest! 3:00pm
Thursday July 8th: Shadow Puppets Sean Powers! 4:00pm
Thursday July 15th: Magic Magician Timothy James! 4:00pm
Thursday July 22nd: Bees Uncle Jer's Traveling Bee Show! 4:00pm
Thursday July 29th: Come see Daffy Dave the clown! 4:00pm
Storytimes and other programs listed at http://www.ci.sausalito.ca.us/index.aspx?page=517

Mill Valley Library:
Wednesday 10:30 - 11:00 (ages 3-5)

Wednesday 11:30 - 12:00 (ages 3-5)

Thursday 10:15 - 10:45 (ages 2-3)

Thursdays 11:15 - 11:45 (ages 2-3)

Saturdays 11:00 - 11:30 (all ages)

Marin City Library:
Wednesday Jun 23, 2010 1:00pm - 2:00pm The Amazing Bubble Man and his Bubble Show
Thursday Jul 29, 2010 3:00pm - 4:00pm
The Ugly Duckling by puppeteer Peter Brizzi and the P & T Puppet Theater!
Wednesday Aug 18, 2010 3:30pm - 4:30pm Magic Dan

Tiburon/Belvedere Library:
Saturday, June 12, 2pm Mystic Magic with Brian Scott
Thursday, June 24, 11 am Daffy Dave for ages 5 & up
Saturday June 19 at 11 am Bonnie Lockhart- Sing and Dance For ages 0-5
Wednesday, June 23 3pmThe Marin Humane Society with Share A Book- Read to a Therapy Dog for Readers
Baby Bounce for ages 2 and under on Mondays June 21 through August 2 at 10:30 am and 11 am Registration Required
Toddler Storytime for ages 2-3 on Tuesdays June 22 through August 3 at 11 am Registration Required
Preschool Storytime for ages 3-5 on Tuesdays June 22 Through August 3 at 4pm
Lemonade Hour Read Along for ages 7 and up on Wednesdays June 23 through August 4 at 4pm Registration Required

Bolinas Library:
Wednesday Jun 16, 2010 2:00pm - 3:00pm Insect Discovery Lab
Wednesday Jul 7, 2010 10:00am - 11:00am Quack and Wabbit Puppet Theatre
Saturday Aug 7, 2010 2:00pm - 3:00pm Wild Things, Inc.

San Rafael/Civic Center:

Storytime with Miss Kitty
Toddler Storytime: For ages 2-3 from 10:30 - 10:50 am Wednesdays

Toddler Storytime: Thursdays 10:30 - 11:00
Preschool Storytime: For ages 3 and up from 3:30 - 4:00 pm , Tuesdays

Baby time with Sarah Sonnet: (birth to 18 mo) Fridays 10:30 - 11:00

Corte Madera Library:
Wednesday Jun 23, 2010 11:00am - 11:45am The Amazing Bubble Man
Wednesday Jul 21, 2010 11:00am - 11:45am Flute Sweet & Tickletoon
Wednesday Jul 28, 2010 11:00am - 11:45am P & T Puppets present "The Ugly Duckling"
Wednesday Aug 18, 2010 11:00am - 11:45am Daffy Dave's goofy, slapstick Comedy Show

Fairfax Library:
Preschool Storytime, Tuesdays, 11:00 to 11:30 am. Ages 3 and up
Preschool Storytime, Saturdays, 11:00 to 11:30 am. Ages 3 and up

Inverness Library:
Wednesday Jun 16, 2010 11:30am - 12:30pm Insect Discovery Lab
Tuesday Jul 6, 2010 10:00am - 11:00am Quack and Wabbit Puppet Theatre
Saturday Aug 7, 2010 11:00am - 12:00pm Wild Things, Inc.

Novato Library:
Baby Bounce - Ages 6 to 18 months. Thursdays 10:00 a.m.
Lapsit Storytime - Ages 18 to 36 months. Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:00 a.m.
Preschool Storytime - Ages 3 to 6 years. Wednesdays & Saturdays 11:00 a.m.
Saturday Jun 5, 2010 2:00pm - 3:00pm & Saturday Jun 12, 2010 2:00pm - 3:00pm Paws for Reading with specially trained Reading Education Assistance Dogs.

Here is a great link to the Marin County Free Library Children's Book Catalog

May 2010 Marin Real Estate Report

The Marin County, CA Report the week of May 23rd looked at 1199 Single Family Homes on the market. The median price this week is $1,189,797. These homes have been on the market for an average of 55 days. This week median price is $1,189,797. As far as condos, this week looked at 328 condos on the market. The median price this week is $428,239. These condos have been on the market for an average of 94 days. This week median condo price is $428,239. Home prices in Marin County have stayed relatively stable in recent weeks.

If the charts and graphs aren't clear, you can view them here: Marin County Real Estate

The median price for homes went back over $800,000 in April to $865,000. That was good for an 8.1% increase over last April. The median price for condos rose 7.9% year-over-year.

Sales of single-family, re-sale homes and condos continued rising in April, with home sales up 48.6% year-over-year and condo sales up 15.8%.

Year-to-date, home sales are up 54.8% and condo sales are up 14.5%.

For the single family home market there are some encouraging signs that buyers are back in the market. One of the ways we look at activity is to see how many listed homes are in contract at any point in time.

Total number Homes listed for sale as versus total number of homes in contract

One of the best ways to evaluate the market is by looking at how many homes are in contract versus how many are listed. This percentage gives a very quick and dirty view of the health of the market in that particular city and prince range. After reviewing this calculation per city, you also need to drill down into the price segments to see what prices are selling and what priced homes are not selling.

In the charts below you will find a break down by Marin city and price range of how many homes are in contract compared to how many homes are listed.

If this chart isn't clear, you can read a better version here: May Real Estate News

The overall Marin market cooled a bit from last month and edged just slightly into the Buyers Market from last month’s “Balanced Market” category. Even though the inventory has gone up recently, the amount of homes in contract has increased proportionally, which means the overall market has remained decent.


Analysis by Price Range:

Homes priced under $500,000 are selling extremely quickly “Strong Sellers” Market, especially in Novato and parts of San Rafael, often times with cash offers being made by investors. Homes priced from $501K - $749K cooled down a bit from last months “Sellers” Market and are now “Balanced”. All homes priced over $750,000 are in varying degrees of “Buyers” markets, home priced from $1.5M - $1.999 heated up a bit from last month. Note that there seems to be more excess inventory for homes priced over $2,000,000 - $3,999,000 which are in a “Strong Buyers”; Market Homes over $4,000,000 are in an “Extreme Buyers Market”

Analysis by City:

Currently (as of May 28th, 2010), Corte Madera, Greenbrae, and Novato are all in Sellers Market and Novato, not surprisingly as it’s had the largest over all price reduction is close to a Strong Sellers Market. Ross, Belvedere, Sausalito and Tiburon are both in “Strong Buyers” markets, as not many homes have been going into escrow in these towns.. You would also expect that the higher priced communities (Tiburon, Sausalito, Ross, Mill Valley, Kentfield and Belvedere) would show slower absorption of homes through the sales cycle as well as a lower percentage of those in contract.

Marin Foreclosure Data:

Sewer Band - Free Concert in San Rafael on May 18th

on Tuesday May 18, 2010, there will be the 52nd annual spring concert free at the Veterans Auditorian at the Marin Civic Center.

The show starts at 7:30 pm!
10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael

The ever popular Sewer Band shares it's music at with the community in it's 52nd Annual Spring Concert! Think of all the fun of a Marching band but with a band that doesn't march!

Marches, show tunes, big band music, a bit of classical and show musical surprises will be the faire in this fun evening that's guaranteed to leave all in the audience with a song in their hearts!

Bring your family, friends and neighbors and enjoy the free concert!

If you'd like to see some history of the Sewer band, you can go to their website:
The Sewer Band

The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band was formed 51 years ago by Joseph Curatilo, Director of Music for the Dixie School District, and 6 other residents of San Rafael. Their common denominator was the connection of their homes to the same sewer district. One member was handicapped and unable to march so the band used a flatbed truck for parades and still does. Two of the original members still play regularly.

The "Sewer Band," as they're affectionately know here in Marin, performs throughout the year, but the highlight of their season is their free Annual Concert that they present every year on the 3rd Tuesday in May at the Veterans Auditorium in San Rafael.

Hope to see you there!

Mill Valley California

This video clip is too funny. Produced by Francis Ford Coppola, shows Mill Valley at it's finest a number of years ago!

Marin Mammal Center

This seems like a really cool and fun fund-raiser!

For more info you can go to: www.RunForTheSeals.org

THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER'S 26TH RUN FOR THE SEALS

“Run for the Seals” (RFTS) is The Marine Mammal Center's annual fun run/walk and fundraiser. After a one year hiatus, the Center is excited to host the 2010 event and incorporate the event into its new facility that opened to the public in June 2009.

As one of the largest fundraising events in the Center's calendar, all proceeds and funds raised from RFTS, help support The Marine Mammal Center's ongoing work to rescue and treat ill, injured and orphaned marine mammals.

The event is on Saturday, March 13, 2010 in the beautiful Marin Headlands, starting at Rodeo Beach and ending at Bunker Road near the Center’s new hospital and visitor center. This year’s race provides participants with two route options*:

- The original 4-mile race (self-timed); a road and dirt track route through the Headlands (uphill in parts).
- Plus a new 2-mile scenic route overlooking the ocean for those who want a shorter but challenging and
rewarding walk with viewing, refreshment and education stations along the way.

The event is open to all ages and is perfect for runners (casual and pro), hikers, 'baby-joggers' and ‘power-strollers’. There will also be a costume contest and dogs on leashes are welcome too!

After the event, all participants are invited to attend our FUN DAY* which will take place at The Marine Mammal Center. During Fun Day between 10am - 5pm, guests will enjoy food, drinks and tours, and visit booths staffed by our RFTS Community Partners while learning about the important work of the Center.

Awards will be given to the first three adults and children across the 4-mile finish line, and prizes will be awarded to the highest adult, child and team fundraisers.

Green Moving - Marin County

I am always on the look-out for tools and tips for my Marin Real Estate clients and recently one of my service providers: Sean Morris from Moving Mountain Logistics let me know he's partnered with a green moving solution to stop using and throwing away all of those moving boxes.

So, if you are considering a move to Marin County or are just moving locally and buying and selling Marin County Real Estate and are looking for a mover, please be sure to contact Sean from Moving Mounting Logistics!

Moving is not only rated as one of the most stressful and complicated things, but its also one of the most wasteful. The average residential move uses 150 pounds of cardboard to pack all the belongings in the home. Using 150 pounds of cardboard requires one tree, 400 gallons of water, 5 gallons of oil, and 2,500 kilowatts of energy to be manufactured. Even if people reuse cardboard boxes, they have a maximum of 2 additional uses before they become too weak to be used in another move. With 46 million people moving annually in the US and the average person moving 16 times in their lifetime, we are creating a lot of waste that ultimately goes to the landfill and pollutes our planet.

There is now a green solution to pack and move without the waste. ZippGo, a San Francisco Bay Area based company, has created a reusable moving box made from 100% recycled plastic to eliminate the need for the conventional cardboard moving box used by millions. ZippGo rents these boxes for a prices less than the total cost of buying cardboard boxes and they deliver them right to your home a week before your move and then pick them up from your new home a week after you've moved in.

The deliveries are made using trucks powered by renewable biodiesel made from waste vegetable oil which is great for the environment and keeps emissions low. Each ZippGo Reusable Moving Box can be used hundred of times saving hundred of cardboard board boxes over its lifetime and preventing hundreds of pounds of waste cardboard from entering the landfill. ZippGo was created by local entrepreneur Ash Sud when he realized how much waste was being created with cardboard boxes while moving homes within San Francisco.

In order to offer clients a total green move, ZippGo has partnered with Moving Mountain Logistics, the first certified green moving company in Marin. Moving Mountain Logistics owner Sean Morris has been successfully helping people move for the last 7 years. Like Ash, Sean also saw all the waste created during the moving process, and committed himself to reducing and reusing whenever possible to preserve the Earth for future generations.Together, ZippGo and Moving Mountain Logistics provide a total green moving solution for people who want to move waste free while significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

SPECIAL SAVINGS: Moving mountain logistics will even provide a 50% discount off their packing services rate if customers use ZippGo for their moving boxes.

ZippGo: www.ZippGo.com / 800-723-7017
Moving Mountain Logistics, Inc.: www.TheEasyMove.com / 415-382-8826

Marin County Property Taxes

County of Marin Tax Reassessment

OK, this really irked me. I just received the following letter in the mail from an official looking Law Firm, I'll copy the letter at the bottom of this post. People are soliciting to help Marin Homeowners have their property tax value reassessed and will charge 40% of the amount saved!!!

This is horrible. I especially feel for elder homeowners who will fall for this horrible scheme.

Attention All Marin Homeowners: do you know that there is NO COST or FEE to have Marin County reassess your property value on which it bases your property taxes?

YES, property values have gone down and it is likely that you can have your property taxes reduced, especially if your purchased your Marin Real Estate near the height of the market (2005). You may have even received a letter from the County with a reassessment, BUT it may still be possible to have your homes value assessed even lower.

All it will take will be a few minutes to fill out the County of Marin Tax Assessors Request for review of Assessment Form

All you need is 3 home comps from homes that sold no later than March 31, 2009. I would be more than happy to pull comps for you (at no charge) so you can fill out your own form.

Here is the information you will need for the form:
1. Owners Name
2. Property address
3. Property type
4. Current assessed value
5. Homeowners opinion of current value
6. Comparables (comps) of 3 properties which support the lower valuation (email me for help with this, I'm happy to help you find 3 Marin Home Sale comps

According to the tax form, you must have this form post-marked by December 31, 2009.

Here is the link to the form on the Marin County Website so you can do this yourself for FREE:
County of Marin Tax Reassessment Request

COPY OF LETTER I RECEIVED
"Colligan & Associates
1592 Union Street, Ste 488,
SF, CA 94124

Dear Liz:

My preliminary research has uncovered a possible over-assessment by the County on the above-referenced property. I appeal tax assessments for property owners on a success-only fee. My fe is Forty (40%) percent of any savings for the coming year....

Many California property owners believe that their assessments are set by Prop 13 (true) and can't be appealed (untrue). I have successfully appealed thousands of assessments since 1987. Enclosed is my contract for you to sign if you want me to appeal your assessment. Sign it, return it in the enclosed envelope. Unless I win you a tax reduction, there is no fee of any kind.

Sincerely, Terrance M Colligan"

40%!!! My goodness. This could be hundreds or thousands of dollars that the Marin homeowners should keep, not some crafty attorney!!

Please everyone. Forward a link to this post to Marin Homeowners who might possibly get taken advantage of!

How is the Marin Real Estate Market Doing?

View the HTML Version of the October 2009 Marin Real Estate Report.

The Marin County, Single Family Home Real Estate Report this week looked at 1100 homes on the market. The median price was $1,264,493. These homes have been on the market for an average of 100 days. As far as the condos report this week, there were 287 condos on the market. The median price this week is $447,808. These condos have been on the market for an average of 140 days.

September 2009 Closed Sales Single Family Residences
	Days on Market	List Price	Selling Price
Average	107	$1,108,397	$1,067,263
Median	71	$825,000	$815,000

September 2009 Closed Sales Condos
	Days on Market	List Price	Selling Price
Average	107	$399,079	$385,051
Median	94	$385,000	$389,500

If you would like to see how many current homes are listed in each town/zip code in Marin, what the median price is, square foot is, how many have just been listed and the average days on the market, please click on the following 2 reports:

Single Family Homes Report for Marin week of 10/11/09

Condo Report for Marin, week of 10/11/09

Below you will find a break down by city and price range of how many homes are in contract compared to how many homes are listed.

Analysis by Price Range: For the first time in almost two years years, the overall Marin is in a “Balanced Market” category, but this is a bit misleading. Even stronger than last month’s “Strong Sellers” the very low end of the market (homes priced under $500,000) is actually in a “Extreme Sellers” market, and like last month homes priced from $500,000 - $749,000 are in a Sellers Market which tips the overall averages. Homes priced from $750,000 - $1,490,000 have heated up a bit to a “Buyers Market”. Homes priced from $1.5M - $4M are in a “Strong Buyers” market.

Analysis by City: In the low-end market in Novato and some parts of San Rafael multiple offers have been the norm. (as can be seen by the fact that Novato is now considered to be in a “Strong Sellers” category). Keep in mind that these multiple offers and the sellers market is in the low end, where there have been numerous foreclosures and short sales. It’s very interesting to note that this month Corte Madera has really heated up to a Strong Sellers Market, as 50% of all available homes are currently under contract. ,Tiburon seems to be in the worst shape of all the cities, as only 8% of all available homes for sale are in contract, making it an “Extreme Buyers Market.” The Middle to high end of the Marin market is s still challenged, as there is a lot of inventory and it’s harder to get Jumbo loans.

If you are looking to sell your home, know that it MUST be well-priced and show in pristine condition! That’s where a good Sellers agent comes in, you need advice to help you get the house ready as well as stage/prepare it for showing. Let me know if I can help you devise a strategy to sell your home. My last 3 listing have all gone into contract the first week after I listed them! Yes, in this market! It is possible to sell your home!

It is interesting to note that number of expired listings have increased. Home sellers who are not seeing offers or who are seeing offers below expectations are taking their homes off the market.

MARIN HOME (CONDO + SFR) SALES STATISTICS - BY CITY AS OF 10/14/09
City	Total	Active	Number in Contract***	Percent in Contract*	Type of Market* (See Key)
Belvedere	42	37	5	12%	Strong Buyers
Corte Madera	42	21	21	50%	Strong Sellers
Fairfax	51	32	19	37%	Sellers
Greenbrae	49	38	11	22%	Buyers
Kentfield	42	31	11	26%	Buyers
Larkspur	39	32	7	18%	Strong Buyers
Mill Valley	182	141	41	23%	Buyers
Novato	330	152	178	54%	Strong Sellers
Ross	31	26	5	16%	Strong Buyers
San Anselmo	102	70	32	31%	Balanced
San Rafael	336	219	117	35%	Balanced
Sausalito	80	61	19	24%	Buyers
Tiburon	68	90	8	8%	Extreme Buyers
Others	105	88	17	16%	Strong Buyers
Total Marin 10/14/09	1529	1038	491	32.11%	Balanced
Total Marin 8/19/09	1533	1070	463	30.2%	Buyers
Total Marin 7/23/09	1533	1097	436	28.44%	Buyers

MARIN HOME SALES STATISTICS - BY PRICE RANGE AS OF 10/14/09
Price	Total	Active	Number in Contract***	Percent in Contract*	Type of Market* (See Key)
$100,000-$499,999	303	130	173	57%	Extreme Sellers
$500,000-$749,999	360	199	161	45%	Sellers
$750,000-$999,999	281	215	66	23%	Buyers
$1,000,000-$1,499,999	234	185	49	21%	Buyers
$1,500,000-$1,999,999	118	104	14	12%	Strong Buyers
$2,000,000-$2,499,999	71	61	10	14%	Strong Buyers
$2,500,000-$2,999,999	52	44	8	15%	Strong Buyers
$3,000,000-$3,999,999	43	38	5	12%	Strong Buyers
Over $4,000,000	66	62	4	6%	Extreme Buyers
Total	1528	1038	490	32%	Balanced

*Key to market type:
0% - 10% of Homes in Escrow: Extreme Buyers	36% - 45% of Homes in Escrow: Sellers
11% - 20% of Homes in Escrow: Strong Buyers	46% - 55% of Homes in Escrow: Strong Sellers
21% - 30% of Homes in Escrow: Buyers	56% - 100% of Homes in Escrow: Extreme Sellers
31% - 35% of Homes in Escrow: Balanced Market

**Based on information from Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. (BAREIS). Information has not been verified, is not guaranteed, and is subject to change and is based on one period of time.”

***Includes all: Sale Pending & Contingent properties

The Marin real estate market is very hard to generalize. It is a market made up of many micro markets. For complete information on a particular neighborhood or for an evaluation of your home's worth, call me. If I can help you devise a strategy, call or click the buying or selling link in the menu to the top.

If you know of anyone who would like to receive this monthly newsletter or is thinking of either buying or selling a home please let me know. I’d love your referrals!