Raingarden Complete!

After 4 hours of 15+ people working, we have a very large raingarden and beautiful raingarden in the backyard. The workshop was very successful, as each of the participants went home with hands-on knowledge of how to build their own raingarden. We learned how to calculate the size of your shallow depression, depending on the size of your roof (or other runoff source). We learned the best deep-rooted native plants that will improve the permeable quality of the ground. We installed a large galvanized bucket at the base of the downspout to slow and disperse the runoff. Take a closer look at the pictures on our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32887567@N04/sets/72157610546875608/

Raingarden building in Lagunitas

SPAWN is hosting a Raingarden Workshop in Lagunitas on Saturday, November 29.

We will be working through all design elements to build a Rain Garden (in our case, a garden designed to capture and retain stormwater from a roof) at the site of a recently decommissioned residential lawn.
Our Rain Garden workshop will demonstrate how to turn storm-water into a valuable resource serving to both beautify a backyard landscape while also protecting local streams from erosion and flooding by disconnecting impervious surfaces from the storm-drain system.
Reservations required! Space is limited.WHEN: Saturday, Nov 29. 10AM - 3PM.WHERE: Directions provided upon reservation.COST: $35 non-members, $25 members (all proceeds benefit more Rain Gardens!)
To sign up email Paola@tirn.net or call 415-663-8590 x111

**We will also showcase a cistern project that taps into roof-water runoff.

To learn more about the environmental benefits of harvesting rainwater, follow this link:
http://spawnusa.org/cgi-files/0/pdfs/1141687139_Brocks_Article.pdf

Here is another resource for homeowners interested in designing their own raingarden:
http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.rgmanual.pdf

1st Time Homebuyer's Seminar: 12/09/08

The current buyers' market has produced some amazing home values in the Bay Area. If you are considering taking advantage of this buyers' market, or if you'd just like to know what to expect when buying a home, join us for this informal, interactive discussion on the home buying process. We will focus on qualifying for a loan, finding the right home, negotiating the purchase and taking title to your new home.




When: Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 7:00-8:30pm


Where: Old Republic Title Co.


545 Fourth Street


San Rafael, CA 94901


Who: Tam Realty: Sallee Taaffe & Mitch Todd/Realtors


Residential Pacific Mortgage: Nancy Marion/Senior Mortgage Consultant


Old Republic Title Co: Maryanne Cooper/Senior Escrow Officer





All are welcome, but please RSVP as space is limited (and we need to plan for drinks and treats).





Mitch Todd/Realtor


owner, Tam Realty


founder, GreenerMarin


415-259-7082


Mitch@TamRealty.com

It's snowing again in San Rafael, CA

..yup... snow, right outside Tam Realty's office in San Rafael, CA.





The fun for the kids is open Friday, 11/28/08 'till 8:00pm and Saturday, 11/29/08 from 9:00am 'till 2:00pm.
The 29th annual parade of lights starts at 5:30pm on Friday 11/28/08.

More details can be found at the Parade of Lights website.

Mitch Todd/Realtor
owner, Tam Realty
founder, GreenerMarin
415-259-7082
Mitch@TamRealty.com
Mitch@GreenerMarin.com

Lowest priced vacant land currently listing in Marin County!

11/26/08:
Lowest priced land in Marin County! NOW $25,000!!!

Wooded, undeveloped parcel on paved road in the heart of the wonderful San Geronimo Valley (about an hour from San Francisco, and 20 minutes to San Rafael). Buy and hold for future opportunities!

For private showings, please contact me.
Mitch Todd/Realtor
owner, Tam Realty & founder, GreenerMarin
415-259-7082
Mitch@TamRealty.com

Marin County housing market stats: Oct 2008

The media is bombarding us with economic information these days. We see it on the television, read it in the newspapers (does anyone still read newspapers?), hear it on the radio and...find it online!
The thing is, most of the information we receive is macroeconomic in nature. So, for those of us interested in the local Marin County housing markets, I'll will continue to produce relevant sales data and, on occasion, even some predictions - as I have for the last several years.
Following are a few charts which help tell the story of the Marin County housing market through October 2008.

Single Family Home sales in Marin County:
* Year-to-date units sold 22% lower than 2007.
* Average sales price in 2008 5% lower than 2007.

Condo/Townhome sales in Marin County:
* Year-to-date units sold 3% lower than 2007 (and on fire in the 3rd-4th quarter).
* Average sales price in 2008 19% lower than 2007.

TOTAL property sales in Marin County:
* Year-to-date units sold 30% lower than 2007.

Predictions for Q4/08 and Q1/09:
* Condo/Townhome sales will continue to outpace the market as the foreclosed and short inventory continues to be snatched up by 1st time homebuyers and investors. Look for approx. 55 units sold per month through Dec. 08 in Marin. Depending upon the Fed's move to slow the foreclosure rate, we may see a leveling off in this market's unit sales in early 2009. Prices to continue to fall until this leveling off occurs.
* Single Family Home sales will remain weak through the end of 2008. In 2009, expect something of a bump in activity in homes under $1M as 1st time home buyers move in to take advantage of the weakened market. This bump will be in volume, not pricetag. Higher priced homes which have maintained their value better than average, may see a weakening in 2009 as demand is stymied by the activities on Wall Street and the banking industries.

If you want to know what your home is worth in this market, or if you are considering taking advantage of some pretty well priced homes on the market today, please contact me.
Mitch Todd/Realtor
owner, Tam Realty
founder, GreenerMarin
415-259-7082
mitch@TamRealty.com