Marin County Real Estate Market Report
August 2024

August 2024 Marin real estate market report

In August we saw the median home price decline slightly 3% to $1.75 million and there were 377 homes on the market, up 16% from July of 2023. Days on market ticked down 7% to just 38 days.

There is a new sense of optimism in the Marin county real estate market and we are all feeling it. Buyers who have been on vacation this summer are contemplating pre-holiday moves, and sellers know that once interest rates start ticking down there will likely be many more homes on the market to compete with theirs. The stock market seems to have calmed down – for now. The greatest uncertainty is the dire situation in the middle east, which as of this writing appears to be headed for a broader conflagration.

In August we saw the median home price decline slightly 3% to $1.75 million and there were 377 homes on the market, up 16% from July of 2023.

New MLS Rules Took Effect August 12th

Effective August 12th, the Multiple Listing Service serving Marin County, BAREIS, will be removing any mention of buyer broker commission compensation on all listings. Agents will no longer be allowed to mention what the seller is offering to the buyer’s broker on MLS in public or private remarks nor can they include website links or documents on MLS that include information about seller compensation to the buyer’s broker. 

 

Agents can mention compensation to the buyer’s broker in other marketing and on websites if sellers choose as long as it is not linked to MLS.

The new rules which have taken effect are a result of the National Association of Realtors settlement a few months back.

 

Also prior to an agent showing your property (or any other property), the agent will need to have a signed Buyer – Broker Agreement with their client.  Part of this Buyer- Broker Agreement is the agreed upon commission that the buyer agrees to pay their agent/brokerage should the seller not agree to pay all or part of the buyer broker commission. 

This is a continuing story and will be the subject of a future article in my Marin Real Estate Blog.

Coming Soon!

I have a gorgeous vintage home with modern updates in the coveted Forbes neighborhood coming to the market in just a few days. Stay tuned!

Also launching in a few days is a beautiful contemporary home in Fairhills offering panoramic views.

I also have a beautiful historic home on just over an acre located in the Winship Park neighborhood of San Anselmo that will be coming on the market in later this month.

And finally, I am  working on a great home in the Tam Valley area of Mill Valley which offers a great floor plan, a large back yard and views. This home will be coming on the market later in the Fall.

Price Improvement in Country Club

I just announced a price improvement for 378 Margarita Drive in San Rafael’s Country Club neighborhood last week. It is a spectacular Country Club gated estate offering complete privacy and stunning panoramic views, situated on two acres of very private land. Offered exclusively for $2,695,000 – click here for more information.

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How Can I Help?

While the market is shifting, there are many opportunities out there for smart buyers and sellers. Let me help pave the road to success for you!

These market 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. 

If you have any questions about the market or are considering your next real estate move, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, let’s make your real estate goals a reality. Call or text me anytime at 415-847-5584.

Check Out My Sizzle Reel!

From the Golden Gate Sotheby’s Bay Area Market Report…

UPSWING IN SUMMER SALES

The housing market headed towards the end of summer on a positive note with home sales on the rise. The recent drops in the mortgage rate helped some buyers to come off of the sidelines and more homes put on the market gave these potential buyers more options. The SF Bay Area economy continued to expand, particularly with stronger hiring in the inland counties, though the tech sector remains somewhat of a drag on economic performance. Hiring was up while unemployment trended lower even as some firms announced additional rounds of layoffs. Recent losses in the stock market may constrain some housing activity in the near term, though overall equity indexes remain positive for the year.
Bay Area Real Estate Listing Volumes Up July 2023 to July 2024 chart

MORE TO CHOOSE FROM

Available inventory continued to increase with nearly 6,500 homes available for sale in July. This was an increase of nearly 3% from June and 33% from one year ago. The greater availability of homes for sale is a positive for potential buyers and yet active listing volume remains lower than market equilibrium. Inventory increased at the greatest rates in Alameda, Napa, San Mateo and Sonoma counties. On the other hand, the number of available homes decreased in Marin, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties.

DEEP DEMAND PUSHES SALES

Sales activity increased slightly in July with more than 3,800 homes sold across the SF Bay Area, a positive sign following the modest dip in June. Compared with one year ago, roughly 18% more homes sold, an indication both of the depth of housing demand in the region and that buyers will respond as mortgage rates come down. By county, the most significant increases in activity from the previous month were in Alameda, Napa, Santa Cruz and Sonoma counties. Sales volume increased for the sixth-consecutive month in Sonoma County, the longest such streak in the region.

STOCK MARKET MAY BE SLOWING HIGHER END SALES

Sales velocity at the upper end of the pricing spectrum slowed in July after a strong showing during the previous three months. The weaker stock market as well as tech industry performance may be coming through in slower sales of higher-priced homes. In San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, sales of homes priced greater than $5 million declined substantially in July. Throughout the SF Bay Area, sales of the most affordable homes continued to outperform. During July, sales of homes priced less than $1 million increased by nearly 10%. Many of these buyers are sensitive to fluctuations in the mortgage rate, and recent decreases in rates improved affordability for these households.
Chart SF Bay area houses selling above asking price July 23 to July 2024

MOST HOMES SELL ABOVE ASKING

In July, more than 55% of homes sold above the list price. Though this was down from the last few months, the elevated share underscored the volume of potential buyers that desirable neighborhoods can attract. By county, more than 60% of sales were higher than the asking price in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. For homes that sold above the list price across the SF Bay Area, sales closed on average at a 9% higher price. Sellers received even greater premiums in several counties, including Alameda County with a 12% premium, San Francisco with 17% and San Mateo County at 11%.

HOMES STILL MOVING QUICKLY

Buyer competition persisted even as the rise in inventory brought more choices in most neighborhoods. The average time on market increased slightly to 26 days, an increase of roughly 2 days from June yet more than 2 weeks faster than the beginning of the year. Though the average marketing time increased in most counties, homes sold more quickly in Napa, San Francisco and Santa Cruz counties in July. 

LOOKING AHEAD

The resiliency of the SF Bay Area housing market continues to stand out from metropolitan areas across the country. Should mortgage rates continue to edge lower, the number of potential buyers will grow as more households seek homes in desirable neighborhoods while the increased activity should encourage more trade-up buyers to list their current homes for sale. As we continue into the second half of the year, buying activity should persist and home prices should remain higher than last year. Unlocking homeowners who are ready to buy larger homes or move to better neighborhoods but are held captive by their in-place mortgage rate will remain key for the long-term health of the housing market.

Please click here to read the full report.

What My Clients Are Saying…

Price Improvement!

378 Margarita Drive | San Rafael

378 Margarita Drive in San Rafael view of Mt. Tamalpais at sunset

Spectacular Country Club Gated Estate Offering Complete Privacy and Stunning Panoramic Views

Exclusively Offered for $2,595,000

Coming Soon

Gorgeous Remodeled Home in Forbes Neighborhood of San Rafael – Stay Tuned!

Beautiful Historic Home on Just Over an Acre in San Anselmo’s Winship Park Neighborhood!

Beautiful Contemporary Home Offering Panoramic Views in Coveted Fairhills

Marin Real Estate Market Stats

Marin county sales by city chart july 2024

Marin county real estate market trends chart July 2024

Marin County Real Estate Market Report Charts

(click any slide to enlarge & launch slideshow)

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

Marin County real estate market report August 2024 home prices chart

Marin Home Prices List Price vs. Sold

Marin County real estate market report August 2024 days on market chart

Marin County Months of Inventory Based on Closed Sales

Marin County real estate market report August 2024 months of inventory chart

Average Price Per Square Foot

Marin County real estate market report August 2024 average price per square foot chart

Marin County Number of Homes on the Market

Marin County real estate market report August 2024 number of homes 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.

Marin County Realtor Thomas Henthorne headshot

About the Author

Thomas Henthorne is consistently top-ranked, award-winning real estate agent in Marin, helping people buy and sell homes for almost a decade. He writes the #1 real estate blog in Marin County and is a frequent speaker on panels at industry gatherings.

He may be reached at 415-847-5584.

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