Homes & Happenings

in Marin County

I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones well. The devastating fires in Los Angeles have been a sobering reminder of our vulnerability. Like many of you, I am deeply saddened by these tragic events. Many of us have friends or family in Los Angeles.

Architectural Digest’s West Coast Editor, Mayer Russ, said it perfectly. “Our homes are the frameworks we erect to give our lives structure, meaning, and beauty.” 

Over the past two weeks, I have spoken with several clients and friends about making our homes and neighborhoods more fire-safe. Below are several resources that you may find helpful. Home hardening is the new sexy must-have.

Fire Safe Marin:

I proudly support this outstanding organization. Fire Safe Marin offers invaluable resources to educate and assist homeowners in protecting their properties. LINK

Products to Enhance Home Protection:

FrontLine Wildfire Defense: This company installs and monitors exterior sprinkler systems to protect homes from wildfires. It offers pretty impressive technology and the potential to safeguard properties. LINK

Brand Guard Vents: These vents help prevent embers from entering your home, a critical step in wildfire defense. LINK

Honda High-Pressure Water Pump with Fire Hose: A reliable solution for those looking to add a layer of fire protection to their homes. LINK

Insurance Pro Tip:

Review your policy to ensure proper coverage. If you hold the title to your home in the name of a trust or LLC, confirm that the entity is named as an “additional insured.” Your insurance broker can guide you through this process.

I am preparing exciting new listings for the market. I will share more about them next month. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or if you’d like more information on the topics mentioned.

The Fed held its benchmark rate steady, with interest rates dipping below 7%. Stock markets remain high but volatile, and consumer confidence is uncertain about the future. A devastating climate disaster struck, with far-reaching human and financial consequences. Meanwhile, political turbulence nationally and internationally continues to unfold, with unclear impacts on society, the economy, and housing markets.

Freddie Mac’s January 2025 research paints a positive outlook for the U.S. economy and housing market. Cooling in the labor market may ease inflation pressures, while higher mortgage rates are expected to stabilize. As homeowners adjust to this "new normal," more inventory could enter the market.

Locally, 2025 kicked off with the usual new year rebound. New listings and contracts are rising from December lows and will likely increase further. In the Bay Area, spring often brings the hottest market conditions and, typically, the year’s highest median home sales prices.

Looking for a primary residence, second home, or investment property outside of Marin? I am connected to some of the best agents in the country and would love to help you to find the right match and make an introduction for you!

There is a brokenness out of which comes the unbroken, A shatteredness out of which blooms the unshatterable.

There is sorrow beyond all grief which leads to joy, And a fragility out of whose depths emerges strength. There is a hollow space too vast for words.

Through which we pass with each loss, out of whose darkness we are sanctioned into being. There is a cry deeper than all sound

Whose serrated edges cut the heart as we break open To the place inside which is unbreakable and whole,

While learning to sing.

— Rashani

Chinese New Year Parade

San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade is the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside Asia and a top global event.

Dinner & Show with Pete Floyd

Pete Floyd, an 8-piece NorCal Pink Floyd tribute band, has been captivating sold-out audiences since summer 2021.

Marin Magazine: February 2025

For more exciting events in Marin this January, visit Marin Magazine!

Marin Helps LA Fire Victims

Marin businesses are stepping up to aid those displaced by LA wildfires. Here’s how you can help.

Alert System Apps in Marin

Stay informed and prepared with emergency notification apps and alert systems for fire safety in Marin County.

35 BERNARD STREET, MILL VALLEY

5 BD 3.5 BA 2,723 SF $3,995,000

Welcome to 35 Bernard Street, a remodeled 5-bed, 3.5-bath home near downtown Mill Valley. Features include a chef’s kitchen, media room, Tesla solar, EV charger, metal roof, 2-car garage, landscaped yard, and proximity to top schools and parks.

I am busy preparing homes for the Spring market. Here is a sneak peek to a couple of them...

Large family home with views!

This very special home has been completely remodeled with 6 beds & 4.5 baths, located on over half an acre, fully landscaped & with a large level lawn.

Downtown Mill Valley!

Beautifully remodeled home with 4 beds plus office & studio in a magical & private setting with serene outlooks and walk to town location.

Anatomy of a transaction:

95 Eldridge Ave

A step-by-step look at the successful sale of 95 Eldridge Ave, from pricing to closing.

Sellers tend to pull back investing in their homes in a higher interest rate market.

The inclination is to not spend money to get a higher price as sellers fear that they may not get offers.

Having worked in three prior challenging markets, I can tell you without doubt that it is critical to invest in pre-listing prep for your home in this market and ANY market.

My formula provides a 3 times return on investment for cosmetic improvements that create immediate equity for you as a seller.

A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is set up to restrict access to an individual’s credit report.

The freeze can be set up with one, two, or all three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, Transunion). The freeze prevents creditors, including mortgage lenders, from viewing a credit report ordered either as a soft or a standard request.

These are often initiated when there has been some type of security breach and the creditor that had data stolen offers to pay for a credit monitoring service.

Many buyers forget that there is a freeze in effect with one or all the bureaus and must scramble to figure out how to have their profiles unfrozen temporarily so that a report can be retrieved.

As you can imagine, this can cause delays in the loan process. Always a good idea to remind buyers to check their status and plan ahead before applying for a loan or a pre-approval.

Want to be in the know?

Visit my website to see my current listings and sold homes, as well as many testimonials, my newsletters,

and more!

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Sharon

Kramlich

415.609.4473

sharon.kramlich@compass.com

sharonkramlich.com

DRE 01184449