Q4 2018: See what's happening in the Marin County Real Estate Market

While 2018 home sales activity in Marin County generally maintained a steady momentum, the pace of sales slowed in the fourth quarter, with most price ranges posting fewer transactions than at the same time last year. However, sales of homes priced between $2 million and $3 million posted a solid gain compared with the fourth quarter of last year.

Meanwhile, the inventory of homes for sale finally showed a steady increase in the second half of the year, following a year and a half of annual declines. Most of the housing-supply gain was for homes priced below $2 million, although higher price ranges also showed improvement.

However, buyer trepidation intensified amid uncertain political and economic events, financial market volatility, and trade-war concerns. Buyers were far less likely to engage in bidding wars -- particularly for more affordable homes -- and paid slightly smaller premiums compared with the fourth quarter of last year. More sellers sold their homes below asking price, and although price reductions were more common than they were last year, Marin County sellers fared relatively well in that regard compared with some other Bay Area housing markets. Consequently, appreciation reversed from a rapid increase seen earlier in 2018, ending the year with median prices 9 percent above 2017.

Looking Forward: While the jump in mortgage rates early in 2018 and the aforementioned uncertainties held back some buyers, recent weeks showed favorable trends, which may help restore confidence.

WATCH THE VIDEO RECAP:

Home Prices

Up 3.5% since Q4 2017

Inventory

Up 5.8% since Q4 2017

Days on Market

60 on average for listings sold this quarter

Sales prices

100.23% of asking prices listed this quarter

THE MEDIAN HOME

The Compass Q4 sale closest to the Marin County median price of $1,325,000

223 Orris Terrace, San Rafael, CA 94903

4 Beds / 2 Total Baths/ 1,785 sqft

Sale price:
$1,302,777

THE HIGH END

The most expensive home sold in Marin County by Compass in Q4

13 Britton Avenue, Belvedere, CA 94920

5 Beds / 4 Total Baths / 3,980 sq ft

Sale price:
$4,125,000

MARKET STATS OF NOTE

Data provided by local MLS. Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

Defining Marin County: Our real estate markets in Marin County include the cities of Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, and Tiburon. Sales data in the charts includes single-family homes in these communities.