Marin County Real Estate Market Report
December 2020

Gingerbread house happy holidays marin real estate report december 2020

Wishing You a Very Happy Holiday Season!

Marin County Real Estate Market Report: December 2020

I am pleased to present my final Marin County Real Estate Market Report for 2020, and what a year it has been. As I write this, the pandemic is worsening around the country. Many of us have friends and family directly impacted by the  virus, and all of us are coping with more restrictive shut down orders. My thoughts are with all of you for a safe and healthy holiday season.

In November, we saw a continuation of a multi-year pattern here in Marin County – pricing continues to edge up vs. the same time last year and inventories are down. Overall, the median price increased by almost 15% versus last year to $1.8 million. It seems like only yesterday we passed the million dollar mark and now we are closing in on two million. The number of homes sold in November was up 30% versus November 2019.

Thankful for a Busy Year

Since real estate re-opened in June, I have been busier than any year since I started my real estate career. Fueled by record low interest rates, a booming stock market and the desire for the space that Marin affords, homebuyers have turned out in droves this year.

In November, I helped clients successfully buy homes in Novato and Corte Madera. My listing at 611 Fairway Drive in Novato closed for $3,025,000 which was one of the highest sales prices ever seen in that neighborhood.  setting a new record for that neighborhood. My listing 1932 Las Gallinas Avenue in San Rafael received 6 offers and closed for $1,315,000, well over the listing price. I am happy to help friends and clients find beautiful homes for the holidays!

Early in December, 53 Montecito Road in San Rafael went into pending status, while as I write this 26 El Portal in Sausalito just moved into escrow contingent status. My Mill Valley listing 125 Bayview Drive will also close this month. I will provide more information on these properties in next month’s Marin Real Estate Market Report. 

Keep an eye on my Marin Real Estate Blog for one of my most popular annual features – Marin’s most expensive homes sold in the past year. I always enjoy putting that article together!

What Are The Current Restrictions on Marin Real Estate?

The restrictions on real estate in Marin County were reduced but there are still some restrictions for everyone’s safety:

  • No open houses or broker’s opens are permitted 
  • Homes (both occupied and vacant) may now be shown after prospective buyers review disclosures and sign COVID-19 affidavits
  • Seller may not be at home when it is shown
  • All involved in showings must wear personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, etc) and avoid touching anything (railings, doorknobs, etc)
  • Only two buyers plus one agent may attend showings

How Can I Help?

These reports are a great place to start, but let’s continue the conversation. I am always happy to discuss the market and the best way to approach buying or selling a home in Marin County or the greater Bay Area. Call or text me anytime at 415-847-5584.

Thank You for All Your Support!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for all the support you have shown for my business over the past year. I truly love what I do, and I could not have done it without you.  Thank you.

Marin county real estate market report december 2020

Bay Area Focus: Commentary Courtesy of Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty

Higher Demand Leads the Way

While condo and starter home sales lagged somewhat, hampered by the higher job loss rate for households in the lower half of the income spectrum, demand for homes in the upper pricing tiers more than made up for this sluggishness. Even as some upper income households departed the Bay Area, the potential buyer pool for luxury homes remained robust. Sales activity by households with the financial means to purchase luxury homes accelerated substantially from last year by roughly 83%. The share of luxury homes sold in the last month remained elevated, approximately 15%, compared with the more typical range of 10% in 2019. 

Constrained Inventory Keeps Sales Moving

Despite the strong price gains and households migrating out of the Bay Area, available inventory remained limited. Available homes continued to receive multiple bids in many cases and sold quickly. Approximately 65% of homes sold in November closed for more than the asking price. The median number of days on market throughout the region is approaching the 10 day mark. While many homes sell quickly, a small but growing number of homes remained on the market for a few days longer than expected, potentially indicating that supply and demand are moving closer in balance. As home values increase, a growing number of existing owners may consider placing homes on the market.

Looking Ahead

Sales activity may slow modestly through the end of the year as business restrictions and holiday spending take its toll on home sales. Despite this, homebuyer demand should remain strong, particularly in suburbs and exurbs. Condo sales, as well as sales of lower priced homes in dense neighborhoods, will remain the laggards into next year. As business restrictions are lifted, a modest rebound in activity may be expected, particularly if stock markets trend in a positive direction and the IPO window remains open, creating additional wealth in the Bay Area. Economic activity should trend towards normalcy as vaccine availability increases, bolstering the lower half of the home pricing spectrum in particular as household incomes stabilize. An additional round of stimulus payments could also help bolster demand as well as keep some existing owners in their homes. 

The potential for continued out-migration from the Bay Area will remain a risk in the coming year as will the degree of resiliency regional businesses will display in 2021. As we head beyond the pandemic, the strength of the economy will be a key driver of buyer demand, and the region’s resilient nature and growth industries should pave the way for an expansion during the next few years.

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Marin Real Estate Market Stats: November 2020

Marin county real estate sales by town November 2020
Marin county market trends real estate November 2020

Marin County Real Estate Market Report Dashboards

Marin County Real Estate Dashboard:
Home Prices vs. Same Month Last Year


For sale prices increased by 5.1%


Average sold prices increased by 10.2%


The median sold price increased by 14.8%


The average price per square foot sold increased by 7%

All information courtesy of and copyright by BAREIS MLS and TrendGraphix.
Dashboard compiled by Thomas Henthorne, all rights reserved.

Marin County Real Estate Dashboard:
Inventory Compared to Same Month Last Year


Number of homes for sale decreased by 5.8% 


Number of homes sold increased by 30.3%


Months of inventory decreased by 29.1%


The average days on market decreased by 39.3%

All information courtesy of and copyright by BAREIS MLS and TrendGraphix.
Dashboard compiled by Thomas Henthorne, all rights reserved.

Marin County Real Estate Market Report Charts

(click any slide to enlarge & launch slideshow)

“For Sale” vs. Sold Home Prices vs. Median Home Prices

December 2020 Marin Real Estate Market report home prices

Marin Home Prices List Price vs. Sold

December 2020 Marin Real Estate Market report days on market chart

Marin County Months of Inventory Based on Closed Sales

December 2020 Marin Real Estate Market report months of home inventory chart

Average Price Per Square Foot

December 2020 Marin Real Estate Market report average price per square foot chart

Marin County Number of Homes on the Market

December 2020 Marin Real Estate Market report number of homes for sale chart

I hope you have found my Marin County Real Estate Market Report informative. Please feel free to add your comments, questions or suggestions in the comments section below. If I may be of any assistance in helping you attain your real estate goals, please call or text me at 415-847-5584 and I will be in touch right away.

Would you like to see this data for your town only?

I am also excited to announce that my website now has new real estate market reports by town with more coming soon. Please check these out:

Belvedere Real Estate Market Report

Corte Madera Real Estate Market Report

Fairfax Real Estate Market Report

Kentfield Real Estate Market Report

Larkspur Real Estate Market Report

Mill Valley Real Estate Market Report

Novato Real Estate Market Report

San Anselmo Real Estate Market Report

San Rafael Real Estate Market Report

Tiburon Real Estate Market Report

These are all accessible from the “Market Reports” menu item here on my website at any time.

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