Recently we saw the devastating effects of the earthquake in Haiti…then came Chile…then Taiwan…and just today, a 6.0 quake in Turkey.

Ask yourself: are you ready should a disaster happen in your neighborhood? Could you subsist without outside support for up to 72 hours after a disaster? If you think we live in such a civilized area that surely help would reach us quickly, you must have missed the Katrina debacle.

The truth is, if we have a major disaster, we may need to rely on our own devices for quite a while. And in the aftermath of Katrina, it became obvious that few people were prepared. At the urging of the Belvedere and Tiburon Foundations, a task force was created to address this on the Tiburon Peninsula and the GET READY program was born. Designed by the Tiburon Fire Department, a 2-hour course is offered to teach residents how to better prepare for a natural disaster. This program is ongoing, and is so successful it has been expanded to all of Marin County. To date over 14,000 Marin residents have been trained; over 3,000 residents on the Tiburon Peninsula alone. If you are interested in taking the course, call your local Fire Department. Is it worthwhile? Your life may depend on it!

Helpful Hint #1

Just what do you do with an old, comfortable pair of loafers you can’t bear to throw out?

Answer: SAVE THEM! They should be placed under the bed and left there. In an emergency (most likely an earthquake in this area) your first reaction will be to get up and run. You will need something nearby to get into fast. If you try to escape in bare feet and if there is any broken glass nearby (again most likely) you will be in big trouble. Without your mobility you will be unable to help yourself or your family.

For more information, please visit:

Tiburon/Belvedere: www.getready94920.org

Marin County: www.getreadymarin.org

National: www.ready.gov

Posted by:Jean Cromwell

Despite the ongoing rain, the real estate market has blossomed for spring. This is evidenced by a substantial increase in activity, more listings, more sales, more closings and more traffic visiting our listings at weekend open houses and private showings. This activity is being driven by quality inventory which I define as, well-located and well-priced homes in desirable locations. Inventory as of March 1, 2010 is still running behind March 1, 2009 listings. On the other hand, closings through March 1, 2010 are 258 compared to 193 during the same time frame in 2009. The percentage in contract (number of homes under contract as a percentage of total homes available) as of March 1, 2010 is 41% versus 30% last March 1. These numbers are significant because they reflect the fact that buyers are making offers on our quality inventory this year as opposed to “waiting for prices to drop” last year. This is also an indicator that buyers believe that the market has bottomed out.

 

Frank Howard Allen, Mill Valley is doing its part to launch the spring market with several new desirable properties. Please check out www.226juliaave.com, www.81hillsideave.com and www.378woodside.com. It will be a very active spring. The lower-end of the market is most active right now. However, we are starting to gain some momentum in the $1-plus-million market and even the $2-plus-million market. Stay tuned for further updates on how spring plays out.

Posted by:Andy Gellepis

For potential homebuyers who are still unsure about making a move, the next few months signify a countdown of sorts.

The first countdown is the extension of the federal tax credit for first time buyers (see my previous blog post about this) and the expansion of the credit to include move-up buyers as well, which both expire April 30, 2010. For more information, visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.

The second, and relevant to all buyers, is that the Federal Reserve (the Fed) will soon wind down its program to keep home loan interest rates low.

Here’s how we got to the current low home loan rates: the Fed purchased Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) in 2009; this helped to keep prices of the MBS high and push home loan rates low.

The good news is that the Fed continues that program through March 31, 2010. But…here is the alert. The Fed’s purchase of the MBS peaked in May 2009 at an average of $25 Billion per week. In November, the average dropped to $14 Billion per week. By the end of that month, the Fed had used over 80% of their allocated funds for the program. There is not much left, especially since the tax credit program has added new loans to the pool.

So why sound the alert? As the Fed’s program winds down, we will likely see higher levels of volatility with shifting rates and since MBS will have less support from the Fed (i.e. they won’t be buying them), other investors will have to buy the securities, and as industry observers believe, rates are likely to rise.

The Wall Street Journal published two pieces today on this matter:

From WSJ / Economy: Bernanke: Low Rates Still Needed

From the WSJ Developments blog: Analyst: Pressure Will Build on Fed To Extend Mortgage Program

So what to do? Beat the spring rush, get qualified and buy while home loan rates are at an all time low.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

One of the many reasons that Marin continues to enjoy high real estate values is due to the many county, state and national parks in our area. Marin County is dominated by 70-80% open space, which includes this network of parks, many of which are suffering due to the California budget crisis.

There is a proposed state ballot measure, sponsored by the Marin Conservation League, which would create the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010. The purpose of the measure would be to protect state parks and conserve wildlife where, by law, the funds could only be spent on state parks, urban river parkways, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs. These funds would come from an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge added to the license fee on all California vehicles annually. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would receive free, year-round admission to all state parks. This fee is expected to generate $500 million a year and take the funding of the state parks out of the state general fund.

To learn more about the measure and how you can help gather signatures to ensure its place on the November 2010 ballot, log on to the California State Parks Foundation website. You can also learn more about this issue locally on the Marin Conservation League website or email subvw@yahoo.com.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

In an effort to save paper (and trees) the Planning and Building departments of the City of Mill Valley in Marin County, California, are both Tweeting and using Facebook.

The departments are sending out messages about upcoming meetings, vacancies on the commission and the like. No specific projects are discussed. They also have a joint Facebook page, which provides information about meetings, workshops, applications, etc.

To follow the planning and building in Mill Valley on Twitter, go to twitter.com/mvplanning or twitter.com/mvbuilding.

You can also follow Frank Howard Allen on Facebook and Twitter.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Mention Valentine’s Day and our thoughts turn to cards, chocolates and roses. But have you ever wondered how we came to celebrate this holiday?

According to www.history.com, the history of Valentine’s Day and St. Valentine – its patron saint – is a mystery. Valentine greetings can be traced as far back as the Middle Ages and Valentine’s Day as we know it today has remnants of both Christian and Ancient Roman traditions. To read more on the history of Valentine’s Day, visit www.history.com.

If you are planning on buying flowers this February 14, here are some thoughts to keep in mind. Certainly you can order flowers from an online or 800-number referral service, but you won’t know who is actually filling your order or the quality of the flowers being sent. If at all possible, it is better to order from a local florist – especially on Monday mornings when most flower shops restock. To help you locate one, here are my picks for some of the best florists in Marin:

Sausalito	Nancy Ann Flowers & Balloons (A good source for gardenias)	415.332.6272
Tiburon	Hearts and Flowers	415.435.1971 or 415.388.6660
Mill Valley	Bloomingayles Mill Valley Flowers	415.381.2272 415.388.7781
Larkspur/Corte Madera	Bloomers of Larkspur	415.927.7422
Greenbrae/Kentfield/Ross	Woodlands Floral	415.455.8856
San Anselmo/Fairfax	Bloomworks	415.453.2478
Stinson Beach/Bolinas	Meristem Florists	415.868.0666

FYI….The trick to making cut flowers last longer is to re-cut the stems on an angle before putting them in water; and don’t forget to mix in the flower preservative which came with them. Change the water every other day and wash the vase with soap and water at the same time. If you are out of flower preservative, try this: mix 1/4 part 7-Up with 3/4 parts water and add 2-3 drops of bleach.

For more local resources email me at judy@marindreamhome.com.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

The Home Buyer Tax Credit, initially set to expire on November 30, 2009 has been extended into this year. Additionally, the tax credit has been expanded to include current homeowners looking to purchase a different home. The key points of the tax credit bill is as follows:

• First-Time Home Buyer Credit
  The $8,000 credit is available to first time buyers defined as a person who has not owned a principal residence for three years prior to the purchase. This applies to both parties in a married couple as well. If one spouse has owned a home for three years, but the other has not, then neither can qualify for the credit.


• Current Home Buyer Credit
  The tax credit has now been expanded to include current homeowners who wish to purchase a different home. To qualify for the $6,500 credit, a current homeowner has to have owned and lived in their home for five consecutive years of the last eight. Current homeowners do not need to sell their existing home to qualify for the credit. They may hold onto it as a rental property.


• Timeline
  The credit is available for homes purchased between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Home purchases in a binding contract by April 30, 2010 will qualify for the credit as long as closing occurs by June 30, 2010.


• Income Limits
  Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with joint income up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit. Partial credits are available to single taxpayers with incomes between $125,000 and $145,000 and married couples with earnings between $225,000 and $245,000.

Under the new bill, the tax credit may only be issued for homes purchased for $800,000 or less. The tax credit is a true credit and does not need to be repaid, provided the homeowner stays in the home for at least three years The credit will be paid to eligible taxpayers even if no tax is owed or the credit exceeds the tax owed.

For more details on the Home Buyer Tax Credit email me at jlemarr@fhallen.com.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

As 2009 comes to a close and we look to set our resolutions for the New Year, are you thinking of ideas for sprucing up your home? If you are, REALTOR Magazine, as part of its Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report suggests these big impact, low-cost remodeling projects:

Add or replace tile – By using very inexpensive tile to update a kitchen backsplash or renew the look of a bathroom you can change the look of the room.

Add a breakfast bar – If you have a wall that separates a kitchen from a family room, consider cutting an opening in the wall and adding a counter top to create a breakfast bar.

Install granite tile – Using low-cost granite tiles in place of slab granite counters can add a lot of impact for a fraction of the cost.

Simple bathroom updates – If your bathroom is starting to look its age, consider these simple, low-cost ideas: replace the medicine cabinet and light fixtures, install a new faucet or new vanity. Another idea – install a glass shower door if your bath does not already have one.

Spruce up cabinet fronts – Worn-looking wood kitchen cabinets can be given a facelift simply by reconditioning with oil and updating the hardware. Likewise, painted cabinets can be given a fresh coat of paint – same color or something entirely different!

Replace light fixtures – In the entry, kitchen or bath replacing dated light fixtures can add a new look and feel for not a lot of money.

Hope these low-cost remodeling ideas inspire you. Even these small changes can make a difference in the value and appeal of your home.

Send your ideas for low-cost remodeling projects to me at Judy@MarinDreamHome.com.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

You bet! This time of year is known as Indian Summer – and while the warm weather is still with us, it can be a great time of year to showcase your home, especially in Marin.

Indian Summer is a period of unseasonably warm weather following a cold spell (or a hard frost in other parts of the country with less mild climates). While there are no actual set dates, the warm streaks usually occur during October and November .

The Old Farmers’ Almanac says: Indian summer can occur between St. Martin’s Day (November 11) and November 20. Although there are differing dates for its occurrence, for more than 200 years the Almanac has adhered to the saying, “If All Saints’ brings out winter, St. Martin’s brings out Indian summer.”

And, according to the Farmers’ Almanac, there are two generally agreed-upon criteria for the term “Indian Summer”: Temperatures must be above 70 degrees for 7 days following the autumnal equinox and, in colder climates, it must occur after the first frost.

If you’d like to read more about Indian Summer, this is a fascinating article by weather historian Bill Deedler, examining the history and origins.

While I’m not an expert on the topic, I do know that this time of year brings about beautiful weather in Marin County with no need for sweaters – even in the evening . So if you are debating whether to put your home on the market, now just might be the right time.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Friday evening, October 30, was a magnificent Indian summer night in Tiburon. San Francisco glistened as our backdrop to a wonderful performance by Elizabeth Pitcairn on “The Red Violin.” The Marin Symphony organized this event as part of the Prelude In-Home Concert Series and we were proud to open up 85 Spring Lane for this musical recital. There were 110 guests, most of whom were patrons and supporters of The Marin Symphony. We enjoyed fine wine, superb appetizers and world class music. The Red Violin has inspired many, including Hollywood, which made a movie about it. The Red Violin was crafted in the 16th century and has quite a history. I don’t know all of the details, but I’m told that this violin is worth millions of dollars! Elizabeth played beautifully and everyone was mesmerized by her performance. An eleven-year-old prodigy also played a number on The Red Violin.

The Golden Imperial Burmese teak floors provided great acoustics when combined with our spacious rooms and high ceilings. All 110 guests were seated comfortably for the performance and the patrons were very appreciative and complimentary of the home and the ambiance.

For more details and photos of 85 Spring Lane, go to www.85springlane.com. We have reduced the price from $10,995,000 to $9,995,000.

If you ever have a chance to see Elizabeth Pitcairn perform, JUMP at the opportunity. We all feel blessed to have seen her play. It gave me a whole new perspective on classical music and the violin.

Posted by:Andy Gellepis

Halloween weekend is here and it is time to bob for apples at the neighborhood Halloween party. Not only is it fun and wet, but if you are lucky enough to snag one of those apples, you are in for a delicious and nutritious snack.

Apples have a lot of nutritional value. In addition to being rich in antioxidants (they fight cancer) and phytochemicals (they reduce the risk of heart disease, colon, prostate and lung cancer), apples have no fat, sodium or cholesterol. Oh, and they are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates which give you sustained energy.

So pack an apple in the kids’ lunch or better yet, make a yummy apple crisp with raisins and cranberries for a delicious fall treat.

And now you know that when you hear “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” you should believe it.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

HVCC stands for Home Valuation Code of Conduct . Effective in May of this year, the HVCC was established to change appraiser selection criteria that will help eliminate conflicts of interest on mortgage appraisals. Consequently, many lenders are required to source appraisals through an appraiser network. This is where it is important to use a lender who has more options than just contacting a call center in Minnesota and being assigned an appraiser who happens to be the first to respond and may not even live in the area.

According to the USPAP, Uniform Standard Professional Appraisal Practice, an appraiser should have competency in valuing property in the local market. Unfortunately, under the new HVCC regulation, this doesn’t always happen.

If you are in the market for a new home or are looking to refinance your current home, here are some very important questions to ask an appraiser:

1. Do you have access to local MLS data?
2. How far is your office from the subject property?
3. Are you familiar with the area?
4. When was the last time you were in the area of the subject property?
5. How frequently are you in the area of the subject property?
6. How long have you been appraising?
7. What are your credentials?

And be sure that you know what the following “codes” mean when you ask that last question.

AT: Trainee

AL: Appraiser does not do FHA loans and only loans under $1 Million

AR: Certified Residential Appraiser who can appraise any value

AG: Commercial Appraiser who also can do residential appraisals

If you have any concern about the appraiser assigned to your loan, call the lender and immediately ask for someone qualified to evaluate the property. Any flag at all and you should get reassigned.

Let me know if you have had any bad experiences with the HVCC.

Judy LeMarr, 415 793-5030

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Every year I send out time change announcements to my clients and friends without even thinking about why we change our clocks. This year I got to wondering: Where did the idea of Daylight Saving Time originate? (Yes, it is singular!)

Curious, I decided to do a little research and was amazed at the detailed information I discovered. If you, too, are interested, here are some things I learned from the California Energy Commission Website:

• Daylight Saving Time is observed in most of the United States and approximately 70 other countries.
• Daylight Saving Time has been around since the earliest part of the 20th century and even earlier. However, the American law that causes us to change our clocks did not emerge until 1966.
• One of the main reasons we change our clocks is that it reportedly saves energy. In fact, the most recent change to Daylight Saving Time came as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which, beginning March, 2007, extended Daylight Saving Time by one month.
• Benjamin Franklin first wrote about the idea in an essay titled ”An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light” in 1784. More than a century later, an Englishman named William Willett again suggested the idea culminating in the introduction of British Summer Time in 1916. In addition, recognizing that the nation could save energy, England changed their clocks during World War I.
• In the U.S., Congress put the country on Daylight Saving Time in 1918 for the remainder of World War I in an effort to conserve resources for the war. The law was so unpopular that it was later repealed. At war again, Congress reinstated Daylight Saving Time in February, 1942. It remained in effect until September 1945.
• From 1945 to 1966, states and localities were free to choose whether to enact Daylight Saving Time or not, which resulted in widespread confusion for trains, buses and the broadcasting industry. Congress stepped in with the Uniform Time Act of 1966 which stated that Daylight Saving Time would be consistent across the country.
• Two more changes to Daylight Saving Time dates were later made by Presidents Ronald Regan and George W. Bush.
• Today, Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 AM on the Second Sunday in March and lasts until 2 AM on the First Sunday of November.

So…while I prefer the longer days of summer and will have to bid them farewell until next spring, don’t forget to “Fall Back” on Sunday, November 1, at 2 AM. Oh, and while you’re at it, don’t forget to also change the batteries in your smoke detectors!

San Francisco won big with hosting the 2009 Presidents Cup. The hotels are happy, the golfers are happy and the management of Harding Park Golf Course is ecstatic.

The opening ceremonies took place Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 7) with former Presidents Clinton and George H. W. Bush in attendance. Practice rounds started Tuesday, the only day photos were allowed. I walked in the gate and immediately saw co-captain Michael Jordan sauntering down the fairway with Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker. Michael was the only person allowed to smoke a cigar on the course no doubt.

Adding to the excitement, the Blue Angels are in town for Fleet Week, and you may even catch a glimpse of them as they begin their survey flights and practice in the skies over San Francisco starting on Thursday afternoon.

With a sagging convention and hotel business, the people coming in from other locales such as Texas and Europe (both very foreign) to see the US team challenge the International Team are giving a real boost to the local economy.

And for those of you non-golfers, the International Team is any golfer who qualified who is NOT from Europe. And they get no winnings, other than a LOT of free clothes, golf bags, stuff and hopefully bragging rights. Oh, and they get to donate to their local charity.

Follow the Presidents Cup standings, news and analysis on the official website and stay tuned. It is rumored that President Obama may attend the closing ceremony on Sunday, the 11th.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

It’s that time of the year again when the film world converges on Mill Valley for the 32nd Annual Mill Valley Film Festival. Frank Howard Allen has been a sponsor and supporter of the MVFF for ten years and counting and we are thrilled for this event to be back in town.

The Festival begins on Thursday, October 8, with two opening films (The Boys Are Back and Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire), followed up by an Opening Night party where we’ll be hanging out with invited guests Clive Owen, Scott Hicks and Lee Daniels. The 11-day event continues with a full line-up of movies, parties, tributes, spotlights, and live performances. It is so much fun to discover small independent films that can have a huge impact when they get released. The local restaurants and bars are energized with a little bit of “Hollywood” going on, minus the “LA thing.” There are also seminars for aspiring filmmakers and tributes to many fine actors, writers and directors. This year’s tributes include: Uma Thurman, Woody Harrelson and Anna Karina.

Each year, the stars and film people always seem to fall in love with Mill Valley and Marin – We have plenty of homes to choose from this year, so if you’re in town for the event, think about this: you could be living a fabulous but low key/high quality lifestyle in Mill Valley, and only travel to Los Angeles to make your movies…I’m SOLD !

The MVFF wraps up on October 18 with the closing films (Looking for Eric and The Young Victoria) and a Closing Night party and moonlight cruise aboard the California Hornblower.

Frank Howard Allen’s downtown office is located in the heart of all the MVFF action. We are located at 25 East Blithedale between Sunnyside and Throckmorton and across from Bungalow 44. Please stop in and say hello.

Check out www.MVFF.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

See you at the movies…

Click on photo for larger image

Posted by:Andy Gellepis