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Blaine Morris

Blaine Morris is one of Marin County’s top producing Realtors and is a respected leader in the Marin and California Real Estate communities. Blaine is proudly affiliated with Pacific Union International Real Estate in Kentfield. Blaine lives and loves the active Marin lifestyle, and it shows in his Real Estate practice. Always just a phone call or email away, Blaine works seven days a week for his clients, providing them with the utmost in fast and efficient service and follow through. Blaine is consistently ranked among the top Realtors in Marin County.

Fairfax CA Real Estate – 156 Toyon Drive – Just Listed

By Fairfax Real Estate News, Marin Real Estate News

$725,000
4 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms

156 Toyon Drive, Fairfax CA

156 Toyon Drive, Fairfax CA

Spectacular views of Mt Tam and Bald Hill await at this home in the desirable upper Cascades! Nestled on nearly 1/4 acre, this glorious south-facing property offers all-day sun, quiet and privacy.

Soaring open beam ceilings on the main level and surrounding decks allow for easy indoor/outdoor living. This home shows tremendous pride of ownership and meticulous maintenance. You’ll enjoy the silence and birds chirping. You can watch the weather roll across the mountains from your spot next to the redwoods, old oak trees and fruit trees on the expansive grounds.

Adjacent to Cascade Canyon Open Space preserve, this is an excellent home for hikers, bikers, nature lovers. The best of the active Marin lifestyle!

View more about 156 Toyon Drive here:  https://www.yourmarinhome.com/Properties/156_toyon/156_toyon_fairfax.html

Marin Private School Guide – Marin Magazine

By Marin Community News

Marin Magazine just recently published a Bay Area Private School Guide in the September 2010 issue.  The full guide provides articles on how to select a school, preparing for a “shadow day,” tuition shock and a listing of private schools in Marin.

You can buy the full guide on their website for $2, however the Marin private school catalog is available on their website here… http://www.marinmagazine.com/Marin-Magazine/Private-School-Guide/index.php/county/Marin/ .  You can view by the various communities in Marin, tuition range or affiliation.

Fairfax CA Real Estate Market Report – Summer 2010

By Fairfax Real Estate News, Marin Real Estate News

So I ran a bunch of numbers on July 28th, as I had noticed and uptick of sales in hillside homes in Fairfax, and I thought it would be a good time to take stock of the market with a mid-summer report.  I didn’t do anything with the data for a couple of weeks, so I had to run it again today on August 14th.

It’s interesting how little has changed in the last 17 days…shall we call a little bit of consistency comforting?

The good news for you hillside homeowners is that, from my last report on June 11 until now, a bunch of hillside homes have sold.  So far this year, 10 homes that can be classified as “hillside” (as opposed to “hilltop”) homes have sold.  This represents appx 21% of the total homes sold.  When I did my last report on June 11 that number was only 3 homes representing 10% of the market.  The total number hillside homes on the market currently for sale as a percentage of total homes on the market has remained the same:  33%.

So going from a 10% to a 21% share of homes sold is definitely a step in the right direction for the hillside homes. In addition, there have been some more expensive hillside homes sell, including 907 Bolinas Road for $1.065M and 55 Hillside for $799k.  So that’s great news!

The bad news is the continued softness in the prices for hillside homes.  In 2010, the avg cost/sq ft of a Fairfax hillside home is $350/sq ft.  This compares to $437/sq ft in the flats.  So you pay a 25% premium to live in the flats in Fairfax.  Another way to look at it is that you get a 20% discount to move up the hill.

Let’s hope this activity trend continues, as the hillside market represents a third of our market here in Fairfax That market needs to improve for the overall market to improve.  Selling through some of these homes will reduce the inventory and have a positive effect on prices across the community.

Speaking of the overall market, we are at the end of a seasonally slow time. The real estate market in Marin is very quiet over the summer, and it picks up again for our “second season” in the fall.

So far this year, and as I shared in my Spring 2010 report in June, the sales numbersare up and the prices are flat.  Up until today, August 14, we’ve seen 47 single family homes sell in Fairfax.  This compares favorably with the same period last year, where we had seen only 35 homes sell.  So total sales continue to be up, and the number is up 34% over last year.  This number is continuing to improve, as on June 11 the year-over-year sales increase was 30%.

YTD the value numbers are interesting.  For the 47 single family homes sold, the average price is down 4% to $650,000 and the median price is down 9% to $599k.  This does not tell the whole story though.  YTD the average cost per square foot of living space, a very useful metric, is $417/sq ft.  This compares to $442/sq YTD on this date last year, down 6%.

So what gives?

I still say the numbers are flat.

At this point last year, just 2 “big time fixer” (big work needed just to move in) sold.  This compares to 9 houses that I would describe as “big time fixer” this year.  That’s a 350% increase in ‘big time fixers”.  Why all the super fixers?  I don’t know, but it’s important to know that these nine dumpy places have affected the overall numbers.  Keep this in mind.  I still say the market is flat, and more expensive homes are selling much better this year.  Net-net, just not as many nice houses, and this has played out throughout Marin.  These dumpy places really hit the cost of the market.  People with nice houses are keeping them.

One last thing, and that’s distressed properties.  So far in 2010, there have been 6 distressed sales, 13% of the market.  This compares to 3 distressed out of 35 sales total sales, 9%, during the same period in 2009, so those numbers have increased.

Overall, I remain optimistic about the prospects for Fairfax real estate.  There are definitely people out there looking for homes, but they either want a great deal on hopefully a great house.  If the house has some issues, or if it’s on the hillside, the buyers look for huge value.  I see the market remaining flat for prices, and up for total homes sold for the rest of 2010.  I think we might start to see some appreciation in the second half of 2011.

Rates are killer right now, I’ve seen rates for 15-year loans under 4% recently.  If you have not refinanced, don’t miss out on this.

Fairfax CA Real Estate – 454 Bolinas Road

By Fairfax Real Estate News, Marin Real Estate News

Just Sold! Multiple Offers.454 Bolinas, Fairfax CA

This two-bedroom, 1 bath private home overlooking Cascade Canyon in Fairfax just sold for $475,000.  It contained soaring cathedral ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious feel. Updated kitchen and bathroom, bamboo floors and solid construction.

I enjoyed working with our client to sell her home in Fairfax and would welcome the opportunity to speak with you regarding your Fairfax CA real estate needs.  If you are looking for a home in Fairfax or selling your home in Fairfax, feel free to give me a call for any assistance you may need.

Blaine Morris / Frank Howard Allen /415.925.3279

Fairfax San Anselmo PG&E Smart Meter Installation Delay List

By Fairfax Community News, Marin Community News

Many residents in Fairfax and San Anselmo have received letters from PG&E indicating a “smart meter” will be installed at their residence in the next few weeks.

The July 21-27th issue of the Ross Valley Reporter has provided a number at PG&E where residents can be placed on a “delayed action until further notice” list.  The number is 1-866-743-0263.

We gave this number a try and found that we could request a delay on the installation.  However, we were also told that while they would do their best to delay the installation they would eventually install the smart meter unit.  We would also apparently receive a letter prior to the installation with more information.

Read the Ross Valley Reporter article on Smart Meters here.

PG&E Smart Meters To Be Installed in Fairfax

By Fairfax Community News, Marin Community News

If you live in Fairfax, you most likely received a letter this last week announcing the installation of gas and electric Smart Meters in your neighborhood.  This installation will take place over the next several weeks and PG&E claims it will “empower you to take greater control of your energy consumption, use less energy and save money.”

The announcement has sparked a great number of concerns by Fairfax residents and town officials.  The Fairfax Town Council has sent a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission asking for a suspension on the installation until an independent study has been completed on the effectiveness of the meters.  Moratoriums have also been called for by the Marin Association of Realtors and the County Board of Supervisors.

Read more about the Town of Fairfax moratorium here:

Fairfax seeks ban on ‘smart meter’ installations  – 07/08/2010

Fairfax balks at arrival of ‘smart meters’ – 07/19/2010

Read more about the Marin Association of Realtor’s moratorium here:

Marin real estate agents call for moratorium on ‘smart meters

San Rafael CA Real Estate – Coleman Drive Lots

By Marin Real Estate News, San Rafael Real Estate News

New Listing –

Fantastic opportunity for builder/contractor to acquire six view lots in Central San Rafael.

Offered at $950,000.

Coleman Drive Lots in San Rafael

Chula Vista Terrace is a popular neighborhood, close to downtown, Hwy 101, transportation and great schools. Beautiful bay and hill views from top of property, utilities adjacent to property. APN #’s: 011-031-44, 45, 46, 47, 48, & 49

See more details on Coleman Drive lots in San Rafael here.

Fairfax CA Real Estate – New Listing – 19 Manor Road

By Fairfax Real Estate News, Marin Real Estate News
Premium Level Lot in Downtown Fairfax. Nearly 1/4 Acre, All-Day Sun. Rare Opportunity!

Offered at $350,000

Might be the 1st time ever on the market! Premium level property with all-day sun in downtown Fairfax. Nearly 1/4 acre, near library & a few short level blocks to town and schools. Very old house looks better inside than on the outside but best to start over. Survey, plans for new appx 2200 sq ft craftsman-style home included, much of approval process was completed but everything has now lapsed. It is very rare for a large, sunny, level parcel like this to become available so close to town. Just a few short blocks to restaurants, clubs, music, shopping and public transportation. Rare opportunity, great spot, easy access to build your dream home!
Property image for 19 Manor Road in Fairfax CA

See more details on 19 Manor Road here.