As of September 5, 2008 22% of available listings in Kentfield are in escrow.

For the month of August 2008 4 homes sold in Kentfield for an average final selling price of $1,646,000.

The average original asking price of these homes was $1,766,750.

The range of final selling prices for these homes was from a low of $750,000 to a high of $3,600,000.

It took these homes an average of 77 days to sell.

Of the 4 homes that sold 1 sold at the original asking price and all others sold for less.

For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.

As of September 5, 2008 25% of available listings in Greenbrae are in escrow.

For the month of August 2008 7 homes sold in Greenbrae for an average final selling price of $962,357.

The average original asking price of these homes was $1,000,057.

The range of final selling prices for these homes was from a low of $342,500 to a high of $1,300,000.

It took these homes an average of 52 days to sell.

Of the 7 homes that sold 1 sold at the original asking price and 2 sold over the original asking price.

For more information about this area visit my website or feel free to contact me directly.

As of September 5, 2008 18% of available listings in Fairfax are in escrow.

For the month of August 2008 6 homes sold in Fairfax for an average final selling price of $944,333.

The average original asking price of these homes was $979,000.

The range of final selling prices was from a low of $585,000 to a high of $2,150,000.

It took these homes an avearge of 54 days to sell.

Of the 6 homes that sold, 1 sold at their original asking price and all others sold for less.

For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.

As of September 5, 2008 29% of available listings in Corte Madera are in escrow.

For the month of August 2008 10 homes sold in Corte Madera for an average final selling price of $1,268,150.

The average original asking price of these homes was $1,270,000.

The range of final selling prices was from a low of $585,000 to a high of $4,000,000.

It took these homes an average of 45 days to sell.

Of the 10 homes that sold 3 sold over their original asking price and all others sold for less.

For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.

As of September 5, 2008 16% of available listings in the beautiful Wine Country town of Sonoma are in escrow.

For the month of August 2008 an encouraging 35 homes sold in Sonoma for an average final selling price of $562,140.

The average original asking price of these homes was $616,090.

The range of final selling prices was from a low of $160,000 to a high of $1,330,000.

9 of these 35 homes were distress sales that ranged in final selling price from $160,000 to $455,000

Of the 35 homes that sold 4 sold at their original asking price and 4 sold over their original asking price.

It took these homes an average of 111 days to sell.

For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.

As of September 5, 2008 36% of available listings in Petaluma are in escrow.  This is a refreshing and encouraging trend.

For the month of August 2008 46 homes sold in Petaluma for an average final selling price of $498,526.

The average original asking price of these homes was $530,621.

The range of final selling prices was from a low of $196,000 to a high of $2,407,900.  (Only 2 homes sold for over $1M.)

Of the 46 homes that sold 6 sold at their original asking price and 10 sold over their original asking price.  Another refreshing and encouraging trend.

Of those same 46 homes 22 were distress sales, ranging in final selling price from $196,000 to $941,500.

It took an average of 97 days for all 46 homes to sell.

For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.

Read what one at least one Alaskan thinks here http://mudflats.wordpress.com/

The more you read, the scarier it gets.

And here is another http://theroguewave.blogspot.com/

I pasted in below an email I received this morning for anyone interested in reading about McCain’s choice for VP.  This blog by an articulate Alaskan is definitely worth the read as well.

Dear MoveOn member,

Yesterday was John McCain’s 72nd birthday. If elected, he’d be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for “inexperience,” here’s who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.

Huh?

Who is Sarah Palin? Here’s some basic background:

• She was elected Alaska’s governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.¹
• Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.²
• She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. ³
• Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.⁴
• She’s doesn’t think humans are the cause of climate change.⁵
• She’s solidly in line with John McCain’s “Big Oil first” energy policy. She’s pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won’t be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.⁶
• How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.⁷

This is information the American people need to see. Please take a moment to forward this email to your friends and family.

We also asked Alaska MoveOn members what the rest of us should know about their governor. The response was striking. Here’s a sample:

She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience. I shudder to think that she could be the person taking that 3AM call on the White House hotline, and the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today. —Rose M., Fairbanks, AK

She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She’s a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. She has NO experience beyond Alaska. —Christine B., Denali Park, AK

As an Alaskan and a feminist, I am beyond words at this announcement. Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be. —Karen L., Anchorage, AK

Alaskans, collectively, are just as stunned as the rest of the nation. She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that. She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news. In our office of thirty employees (dems, republicans, and nonpartisans), not one person feels she is ready for the V.P. position.—Sherry C., Anchorage, AK

She’s vehemently anti-choice and doesn’t care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman. McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary. —Marina L., Juneau, AK

I think she’s far too inexperienced to be in this position. I’m all for a woman in the White House, but not one who hasn’t done anything to deserve it. There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain’s part- and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he’ll get our vote by putting “A Woman” in that position.—Jennifer M., Anchorage, AK

So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She’s a global warming denier who shares John McCain’s commitment to Big Oil. And she’s dramatically inexperienced.

In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he’s made a very dangerous decision for our country.

In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain’s vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilyse, Noah, Justin, Karin and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. “Sarah Palin,” Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin

2. “McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate,” NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-4443986-u5PAfsx&t=1

3. “Sarah Palin, Buchananite,” The Nation, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-4443986-u5PAfsx&t=2

4. “‘Creation science’ enters the race,” Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-4443986-u5PAfsx&t=3

5. “Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science,” Huffington Post, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-4443986-u5PAfsx&t=4

6. “McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy,” Sierra Club, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-4443986-u5PAfsx&t=5

“Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past,” League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-4443986-u5PAfsx&t=6

“Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor,” The Times of London, May 23, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-4443986-u5PAfsx&t=7

7 “McCain met Palin once before yesterday,” MSNBC, August 29, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-4443986-u5PAfsx&t=8

Want to support our work? We’re entirely funded by our 3.2 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Fairfax, California is a groovy little town West of San Anselmo and the Marin County seat, San Rafael.  Known for it’s liberal politics, redwoods and oaks, bicyclists (who think they are on the Tour de France) and its diverse and colorful population, often seen wearing tie-dyed t-shirts and burning incense. 

Fairfax is also home to the most night life in Marin County, with quite the variety of small night clubs like 19 Broadway, Peri’s, Café Amsterdam (which is being replaced by a revived Sleeping Lady Café) and don’t forget about the Fairfax Theater.

Before you go and check out all this night life, you are probably going to want to catch a meal at one of the many restaurants like Iron Springs Pub and Brewery, Fradelizio’s, Ghiringelli’s Pizzeria, Barefoot Café, Grilly’s, Pancho Villa’s, Siam Lotus, M&G Burgers, Chad’s Grill and Garden Cafe or Deer Park Villa.

During the day there are some unique shops to peruse like Lola’s Depot, Magpie and Yeah Baby (all three are clothing and novelty stores), Purple Haze Smoke Shop, Sherman’s General Store, The Potting Shed, Fat Angel Bakery, Culture Shock, Frog’s Spa, Revolution 9, Tibet Moon and, of course, there is much more.

In addition to night life, restaurants and shopping, Fairfax also offers many community events throughout the year like the Fairfax Farmer’s Market (which is really more like an event than a market), the Annual Fairfax Town Picnic and Barbecue, the Annual Fairfax Festival and EcoFest, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Bolinas Park, the Annual Good Festival, and there is usually something going on Earth Day as well.  And if that isn’t enough, Fairfax even offers one of California’s finest golf clubs, the Meadow Club.

Let’s face it, Fairfax is very unique.  In fact, they have a bumper sticker that reads “Only in Fairfax” because it just has it’s own special feel and appeal.  There are sites dedicated to photography of it and even Wikipedia weighs in with some pretty interesting stuff.

Wikipedia says:

• In the mid-1960s, a softball game between Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead took place at Central Field, a public downtown baseball field.^[4][5]

• Fairfax’s first constable and Chief of Police, Andy Peri, served from 1925 until his death in 1959.^[6] He used to stand at the Fairfax train platform with a stern look and shake his head “no” at anyone who looked scruffy, had a beard, or might be “undesirable”. (Provided by John & Annette van der Slice).^{[citation needed]}

• Some silent films, such as Broncho Billy shorts, were filmed in Fairfax.

• Irving Berlin used to serenade from a treetop piano at Pastori’s Hotel, formerly Bird’s Nest Glen, the home of Lord Charles Snowden Fairfax, and later known as the Marin Town & Country Club.^[7]

• During prohibition, a rider of the Fairfax Inclined Railway could provide a certain amount of money to the driver and would be dropped off at Berry Trail, a path where lots of speakeasies were located. The speakeasies are now all homes with beautiful views, but at the time, were impossible to see from downtown.

• At one time Fairfax was a common hideout for Mafia on the lam.

• Mayberry on Acid Is a 4min. short that captures the spirit of Fairfax. It is the winner of the Fairfax Film Festival Short Documentary Film Challenge 2007.

Needless to say Fairfax leaves quite an impression.

For even more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.

The Meadow Club as seen from the Bolinas-Fairfax Ridge

One of the things that makes living in the San Francisco Bay Area so great is all the fun things to do around here.  Below is just a sampling for the month of September 2008:

Let’s start with Labor Day Weekend (which does include some days in August):

The Slow Food Nation Celebration of American Food

The Sausalito Art Festival, of course!

The Sonoma Wine Country Weekend

A Bash of Big Hair Bands at Konocti Harbor

Now through September 14 – The last chance to see the Jellies at Monterey Bay Aquarium (they are closing the exhibit)

September 1 - Willie Nelson is at the Napa Valley Opera House

September 2 – 142 Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley hosts Mark Pitta and Friends Comedy Show

September 2 – Downtown Novato Farmer’s Market from 4-8pm

September 2 – Sonoma Farmer’s Market on the Sonoma Plaza from 5:30pm until dusk

September 3 – Downtown Fairfax Farmer’s Market from 4-8pm

September 4 – Downtown San Rafael Farmer’s Market from 5-8pm

September 6 & 7 – The Bay Area Pet Fair in San Rafael is the largest dog friendly event in Northern California

September 6 & 7 – The Northern California Renaissance Fair in Hollister

September 9 – 142 Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley hosts Mark Pitta and Friends Comedy Show

September 9 – Novato Farmer’s Market from 4-8pm

September 9 – Sonoma Farmer’s Market on the Sonoma Plaza from 5:30pm until dusk

September 10 – Fairfax Farmer’s Market from 4-8pm

September 11 – Downtown San Rafael Farmer’s Market from 5-8pm

September 13 – The 5^th Annual Brews on the Bay Beer Festival

September 13 - The Great American Blues and Barbecue Festival in San Rafael

September 13 & 14 – The 4^th Annual Kathmandu Fall Festival at Depot Park in Sonoma

September 13 & 14 – The Northern California Renaissance Fair in Hollister

September 14 - Fairfax’s 3rd Annual Town Picnic and Barbecue from noon to 5pm.

September 14 – The Field of Dogs 2008 Barbecue at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael

September 15 – The 3^rd Annual Tee It Up For CASA benefiting abused and neglected children

September 16 – 142 Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley hosts Mark Pitta and Friends Comedy Show

September 16 – Novato Farmer’s Market from 4-8pm

September 16 – Sonoma Farmer’s Market on the Sonoma Plaza from 5:30pm until dusk

September 17 – Fairfax Farmer’s Market from 4-8pm

September 18 – Downtown San Rafael Farmer’s Market from 5-8pm

September 19  & 20 – The Green Citizen Recycling Event in San Rafael

September 20 – Coastal Clean Up Day in San Rafael

September 20 & 21 – The 52^nd Annual Fall Arts Festival in Mill Valley

September 20 & 21 – The Northern California Renaissance Fair in Hollister

September 21 – The 1^st Annual Chef’s BBQ Cook-off at Morton’s Warm Springs to benefit the Valley of the Moon Teen Center

September 22 – The Marin Shakespeare Company presents Much Ado About Nothing in the Forest Meadows Amphitheater in San Rafael

September 23 – 142 Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley hosts Mark Pitta and Friends Comedy Show

September 23 – Novato Farmer’s Market from 4-8pm

September 23 – Sonoma Farmer’s Market on the Sonoma Plaza from 5:30pm until dusk

September 24 – Fairfax Farmer’s Market from 4-8pm

September 25 – Downtown San Rafael Farmer’s Market from 5-8pm

September 26 - Tiburon’s Oktoberfest on Main Street

September 26 – 28 – The 111^th (that’s right, 111!) Annual Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival – It’s quite the extravaganza!

September 27 – The Northern California Renaissance Fair in Hollister

September 30 – 142 Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley hosts Mark Pitta and Friends Comedy Show

September 30 – Novato Farmer’s Market from 4-8pm

September 30 – Sonoma Farmer’s Market on the Sonoma Plaza from 5:30pm until dusk

 For more information about this area visit my website!