I sat with the other parents who were all talking about what was going on out in front. It was late as I dashed back to the car to get my camera. I was so taken aback I had to take a pic so I wouldn’t think it was a figment of my imagination. Back in the East Bay we were confronted with hate from the Protection of Marriage Prop 8 folks. It was a mean spirited and an ugly protest with violence. Albeit the protest by the LaRouche protesters was calm and in fact could be called civilized but it obstructed the sensibilities.

I am all for freedom of speech and live and let live but to have those huge posters thrown in our faces at the doors of the Community Center, with the American flags flying all over the place, just hit me the wrong way. To compare Obama to Hitler disgusted me. To have it thrown in my face pissed me off.

I took my pics for the blog, asked for literature and then was accosted by one of the protesters. I tried to have a real conversation simply to find out more about the campaign and Summer Shields but it was for naught. I was talked over and my questions went unanswered.

What I know about LaRouche is that he was an economist , formed the labor party, adopted a far-right neo-Nazi, conspiracy theorist stance. His ideas are racist, anti Semitic and homophobic.  He’s had the Obama/Hitler posters/protesters around for quite a while but what a surprise to see it in Mill Valley.  What was even more surprising to me were the 2 African American protesters that were holding the American flags and the backing of Summer Shields who’s running for congress. Would it be okay to have a picture of Obama in a white cap next to noose hanging from a tree? Same thing, its appalling and inciting.

Although Mill Valley is a bit sheltered it’s nevertheless sad to see this. Made me want to run out and get my picket sign or perhaps get on the bull and shout “Not in our town!” Yet I didn’t. I went back to the baseball game. Sat on the bleechers giving what little time I had to sit there, cheer on and watch my son make his mark at first base.

Homes previewed were

3 Britton Ave, Belvedere Island
2223 Centro East, Tiburon
582 Virginia Drive, Tiburon
7 HillCrest Road, Tiburon
338 Laurel Way, Mill Valley

The following week I previewed 40 Great Circle, Mill Valley. Overall it was a great tour. I mean come on traveling through areas with one lovely home next to the other. What more could you ask for?

On this particular tour the home that did stand out was 3 Britton. OHMYGAWD! The entrance, the kitchen living area open floor plan that leads out to the most fantastic view of Belvedere-Tiburon…I don’t know who would not be happy there. Standing out on the deck overlooking the pool and the bay?

Great place for a couple, single professional that entertains and families big and small. Simply fantastic and it could be yours for a mere $5,050,000.

7 Hillcrest Road in Tiburon was very nice, very big and you feel like you are in a Dynasty house (remember that television series?), grand foyer with half circular staircase. Good views from one side of the house. Downside was on the street side you’re looking at power lines and roof tops. For $2,995,000 I’d personally want unobstructed views however this house is a deal/steal for the right person. The history on this place is it was listed at $4.295M in May of ‘09, decreased to $3.395M 6 months later, ultimately dropped to $2.295M. No movement. A new real estate agent was called in and final list price was $2.295M. Its pending now. The first agent had it on the market 393 days! 2nd agent in after 30 days has it pending. Pricing…its everything.

338 Laurel Way, Mill Valley is located in “Canadian” Mill Valley. Some folks who snub their noses and are ALL about location call this area “Canadian” Mill Valley because they don’t consider the area to be true Mill Valley. Load of crock if you ask me.

If you call Mill Valley home call yourself lucky! Marin County according to Forbes list of wealthiest counties ranked Marin at #18 of the richest counties in the US. I’d say that’s pretty damn good. It’s all good especially when you are looking at a house like 338 Laurel Way. It’s modern European meets Mill Valley. Previously purchased in 1999 for the high $400s (it was on the market for 720 days!),  then rebuilt in 2005.  A big house at 3,084 sq ft. 4 beds, 3 baths, media room, sits on a 1/3 of an acre and has an outdoor spa. What I loved the most is that bedrooms, outside of the master, had sinks and mirrors in each room. Reminded me of when I was a child growing up in Europe. 17 Days on the market and already in “Contingent” status.

The dudd of the week, unfortunately was 40 Great Circle out at Strawberry Point, Mill Valley. I expected a lot from this waterfront craftsmand but I’m sorry I was disappointed. It was choppy and had an odd layout and was outdated.

Loved the fact that it was right on the water and had a small dock but for $5.5M I think its overpriced. If I bought it, I’d gut it and start over. This house could be a beauty with the right vision.

14 Albert Lane
21 Hilarita Ave
25 Presido Ave
34 Cornelia Ave
544 Ethel Ave
550 Ethel Ave
328 Montford Ave

My absolute favorite was 34 Cornelia Ave (see pics below). What an outstanding home. Built in 2003 and 2455 sq ft. All of 3-5 minutes walk to the Depot (town center). The loction was perfect. Meticulously maintained. The detailing throughout the home was simply fantastic. Open floor plan with cathedral ceilings, warp around porch, sauna, office, open living room - dining room - kitchen floor plan, hand crafted cherry hardwood floors. Beautiful and serene. History on this property: listed in 2007 for $2.395M, then $2.295M.  Currently listed for $2.095M.  I’d buy this home in a hot minute.

Next on the list ws 21 Hilarita Ave. What a darling house in the middle of Sycamore/Tamalpais Park border. Charming in fact. Its 2bd/1ba and has a sunroom in the entry. There’s an open living room - dining room. floor plan. Updated and managable kitchen. The bonus to this home is the lovely 1bd/1ba cottage in the back as well as a resident black and white chicken that roams the backyard. Perfect location, close to schools, parks and shops. Listed at $995K.

The over priced pick of the week was 544 Ethel Ave. The lot is great at 9,500 sq ft, all level and with fruit trees but the home would either need to be gutted or torn down. Old, outdated and needs a complete overhaul. Location is nice (a few blocks from the Whole Foods on Miller Ave) but priced at $849K this is not a great buy unless you are prepared to throw in a lot of money into the home or you can talk you way to a steal of a deal.

18. County: Marin County, Calif.

To find out additional demographic information about Marin County you should visit the following,

A Survey of Economic, Social Equity, and Environmental Indicators 

Marin County, California: U.S. Census Bureau State & County QuickFacts

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/06041/html

Marin County School Web Sites

Marin County Office of Education

Marin Pre Schools
Popular school web sites are:
www.Greatschools.net
and
www.Schoolmatters.com

College of Marin Web Site: http://www.marin.cc.ca.us/

Online school for the North Bay: http://insightca.net/northbay/index.asp

To see the full report click on the following link U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: NEW RESIDENTIAL SALES IN JANUARY 2010

1. Not planning up ahead. Instead of buying a house and thinking you can plan after your purchase, investors should concentrate on the numbers and try to make offers on multiple properties. This will ensure a good property that not only matches their investment model but also works out well with the numbers they had planned for.
2.  Believing you can make money quickly. The second major mistake that real estate investors make is to think it is very easy to get rich in real estate. The reality is that investing in real estate is a long term project.
3. Doing it by yourself. To be a successful real estate investor you need to build a team of professionals. This would ideally include a real estate agent, an appraiser, a home inspector, a real estate attorney, mortgage broker or banker, lender.
4. Making excess payments. Paying too much for the properties you buy. Paying too much and locking up all the funds in property deal will leave you with no money to redeem yourself.
5. Not doing your homework. Learn the fundamentals and then venture into investing in properties.
6. Throwing caution to the winds. Investors need to be cautious when making a new deal. New investors often fail in this regard and sign a deal without doing adequate research on the property.
7. Miscalculating money flow. Know your numbers and make sure your team and/or partners do as well.  One of the biggest mistakes investors make is not accounting for all costs and expenses.
8. Lowering the volume. A larger volume of deals or transactions helps in increasing the profits by reducing the impacts of marginal deals.
9. Getting trapped in your own deal. Good investors have several strategies at hand for properties they buy. Understanding what tactics and strategies to use helpsn investor prepare for fluctuations in the real estate market, cuts down on loss and allows you to restrategize when you encounter unexpected situations.
10. Making incorrect estimates. Being able to estimate the cost of an investment property whether holding or flipping is crucial to your success.  You want to make sure you make money not lose it!