Top Decor Trends for Home

If you enjoy changing up the decor in your home, spring is an ideal time to refresh your style. 

Here are the latest trends that are gaining popularity. Some are quick and easy to implement while others entail more of a remodel. 

Black & White

Black and white minimalist decor is on the rise, replacing the bright, busy patterns that were all the rage a few years ago. If black and white isn't your thing, muted colors are also a top decor trend.

Matte Finishes

Oxidized metals, chalk-like finishes and matte finishes are the texture du jour.  Metallic was a huge trend and matte blends beautifully with luxe gold, silver and copper so feel free to mix and match!

Lightyears-Caravaggio matte gray pendant light.

Textiles

Remember macrame? Well, thanks to Coachella's bo-ho chic style, macrame textile objects are now being incorporated into living spaces, especially on pillows, outdoor hammocks, bedding and towels.

Marble Accents

Small touches of this luxurious stone in the form of planters, clocks, coasters, candleholders and other decor items are being used to imbue sophistication and class.

Gray Hardwood Flooring

Offering an almost whitewashed appearance, gray hardwood flooring is unexpected as a floor color but it too adds sophistication and class to any space. 

Farmhouse Kitchens

A blend of both modern and rustic, the farmhouse kitchen is inviting and simple. They can and do include high end materials and fixtures but tend toward a minimalistic design and simple hues.

Marin Market Update First Quarter 2016

We love the spring selling season. Excitement about new listings, the surprises of what goes into escrow immediately and what sits on the market. What's around the corner, and will there be more? Yes, of course there will, but let’s not count on a huge influx of inventory. Inventory has always been scarce in Marin, so a word of advice… if you're out shopping and you see something you like, grab it! 

The topics du jour amongst my colleagues is "are buyers willing to pay more?", “how high will they go?” Or, "have they hit their limit?” The answer to everything, obviously, is "it depends." The under $1 million market is white hot, with 139 properties selling thus far in the first quarter of 2016. We can even say the same about the market up to about $1.5 million. That seems to be the point where buyers become a bit more selective with the “days on market” increasing. Not slow, per se, but buyers are more willing to kick the tires a bit to make sure the value is there and that they're not overpaying.

Fun fact: According to the local MLS, the highest-selling home this quarter in Marin was 20 Glenwood Avenue in Ross, which sold off market for $15,000,000!

Yes, price increases can be a bit frightening. Any time home prices hit new highs there is a fear that it's all going to come crashing down. But, if you look at historical figures, that's just not the case. Housing prices in Marin have continued to rise over the years, as we can see from the graph below. Sure, we've had dips and surges of activity based on extreme market forces and supply and demand, but invariably housing prices continue to rise. Marin has perhaps increased at a more modest rate than San Francisco and the Peninsula, but still prices have risen. The first quarter of 2016 was no exception.

Single Family Houses Sold in Marin from 1965 to 2015

Overall, the first quarter of 2016 showed a median single family home sales price increase of 9% compared to quarter one of last year ­– from $1,025,000 to $1,115,000 – while the number of sales declined by 13%.

On the other end of the spectrum, single family homes in Belvedere, Fairfax, Greenbrae, San Anselmo, and Stinson Beach have seen median home price appreciation north of 7% quarter-over-quarter. Sausalito had significant price appreciation at 73% though the sample size of homes is still relatively small. Corte Madera’s growth shows a dramatic 29% price increase, but only half the number of homes sold compared with quarter one of last year. San Rafael maintained its large number of homes sold from the previous year’s first quarter, where we see healthy price appreciation at 19%. Novato, on the other hand, sold 90+ homes in the first quarter but price growth only rose 4% compared with the same period last year.

Single Family Houses Sold in First Quarter 2016 vs First Quarter 2015

As of this writing, there are currently 269 single family homes and 75 condominiums on the market in Marin (344 combined). In the first quarter we saw a minor decrease in inventory (383 sold in Q1 2015, versus 335 in 2016) and a 4.5% price increase in homes sold in Marin (single family and condominiums combined).

Marin remains a coveted place to call home with a plethora of financially capable buyers seeking homes. When a property with obvious value hits the market, it's a no-brainer for buyers. When a more complex property comes on – maybe not as many comps, a unique home with unique attributes, etc. – it takes buyers a little longer to ponder. Not a bad thing, they're just taking it all in. Of course, as in any market, overpriced homes won’t garner the same attention, and may continue to sit until they eventually sell for less or they’re taken off the market.

In the luxury market, properties in the $3-5 million range are averaging 100 days on market (twice as long as last year), while properties over $5 million are sitting for half that time. As could be assumed, inventory in the $3-5 million range was markedly less this quarter compared to the first quarter of 2015. However, homes sold over $5 million was at exactly the same number.

Trends of Homes Sold in Marin in Varying Price Ranges

Buyers are getting more judicious in their search, looking for the perfect home. As a result, they are willing to wait for that right home to come on-market before placing any offers.

Last October CAR predicted a more modest overall increase in housing prices for 2016, which has been evident thus far. Can we expect them to stabilize or decrease? Conventional wisdom says yes, because as we've mentioned before this is a cyclical business; there will always be fluctuations. However, buying for the long-term in Marin could never be a more sound investment, especially in the land of Mt. Tam, our beautiful Bay and a quality of life that is unmatched anywhere! According to CoreLogic, San Francisco's housing market may actually be undervalued, so the seemingly high prices in Marin may continue to rise.

The local economy continues to prosper, with recent unemployment figures clocking in at 3.3% for the Bay Area. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that US Venture Funds have collected about $13 billion in the first quarter, the largest total since 2000. It is anticipated that there will be a number of technology IPOs this year, depending on stock market volatility, and that always has a trickle-down effect for Marin and the rest of the Bay Area.      

While "all cash" purchases still exist, many buyers want to conserve their cash, meaning more and more buyers are utilizing a mortgage as part of their home purchase offering. We are seeing lots of bridge financing for buyers so they can make a solid offer on a home without first selling the one they live in. Some buyers are also getting hard-money loans for the purchase and then writing "all cash" offers only to refinance once they become owners. They are doing what is necessary to make their offers as competitive as possible and this sometimes includes up-front inspections or even, though not recommended, non-contingent offers (meaning buyers will take the house "as is" without inspections or without thoroughly investigating the property).

If you're thinking about selling your property we recommend getting a pest and even a contractor's inspection ahead of time. Providing buyers with as much information about the house upfront will allow them to place an offer based on the knowledge you've provided without having to guess. It's just a better approach overall than risking a potential non-disclosure issue down the road.

Whether you're buying or selling in Marin County, The Costa Group is here to provide you with expert advice on the best approach to your unique situation. 

San Francisco Market Update April 2016

The overall Q1 2016 median sale price rose six-percent quarter-over-quarter to $1,160,000, while the number of sales declined by twelve percent. The top ten percent of the market (> $2.325MM) saw five-percent growth in the median sale price, and properties in this category took about a week less to sell than the overall market. On the other end of the spectrum, single family homes in the Southwest section of the City have seen median home price appreciation north of 25% quarter-over-quarter.

The local economy continues to prosper, with recent unemployment figures clocking in at 3.3%. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that US Venture Funds have collected about $13 billion in the first quarter, the largest total since 2000. It is anticipated that there will be a number of technology IPOs this year, depending on stock market volatility.

Median Sale Price     

March 2016 Median

Median Neighborhood Values

March 2016 Top Five Sales

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San Francisco Headlines

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Cow Hollow Condo Offers Incredible Rooftop Views

If you're looking for great rooftop views of Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands and the Bay, this Cow Hollow condo at 2916 Fillmore is the place to be. With only 6 residences, this condominium affords a perfect location as well as peace and quiet.

The unit itself is on the ground floor of the 1906 building and offers 1,074 square feet of living space in the 2 bed, 1 1/2 bath residence. Gorgeous hardwood flooring, in-home office and modern kitchen as well as a ideally situated with an abundance of shops, bars and eateries. 

The stunning views offered from the rooftop deck.

If you're interested in scheduling a private showing of this or any other property in San Francisco or Marin County, contact The Costa Group.

Construction Commences on $6 Billion Treasure Island Redevelopment

One of the largest mixed used projects in the Bay Area, the $6 billion redevelopment of Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island has kicked off with initial infrastructure work. This includes demolition of 40 existing buildings as well as creation of new roadways, utilities and parks. The first phase will include approximately 2,100 residential units, up to 500 hotel rooms and 90 acres of parks, built on 45 acres of Treasure Island's western shoreline and the 80-acre Yerba Buena Island.

Vertical construction of new housing could begin in 2017, beginning with around 250 townhomes on Yuerba Buena Island, followed by 400 to 500 units in four to five story buildings on Treasure Island. The project's planned 8,000 residential units are expected to be constructed over the next 10 to 15 years, depending on market demand.

Mill Valey's First Tuesday Artwalk

Tomorrow evening, April 5th from 6 to 8pm, the Mill Valley Arts Commission is holding one of it's premiere events, the First Tuesday Artwalk.

As the name suggests, the event occurs on the first Tuesday of each month in Downtown, City hall and the Community Center. A variety of talented local artists of all ages will exhibit their works. The artists' works will remain on display throughout the month of April until May's event.

Mixed media by artist Tricia George graces the cover of the First Tuesday Artwalk Program.

April First Tuesday Artwalk Exhibit Guide

Click here to be directed to City of Mill Valley's site where a downloadable guide is available.

Schedule of First Tuesday events:

• April 5th
• May 3rd
• June 7th
• July 5th
• August 2nd
• September 6th
• October 4th
• November 1st
• December 6th

The Mill Valley Arts Commission endeavors to enhance the cultural life of the community by promoting the visual and performing arts through a variety of events. In addition to the First Tuesday Artwalks, the Commission also sponsors Concerts in the Plaza, Comedy Night and the Paint Off events.

14 Paint Colors That Make Rooms Look Larger

Just like furnishings, materials and artwork, paint gives our home a very specific feel and ambiance. A crucial part of our decor, paint color conveys personality, warmth, and can lend a feel of spaciousness or make a room feel dark and closed in.

Pros in the know including designers and top paint companies like Benjamin Moore have insights into colors that have both staying power and the ability to make rooms look larger.

1. Light colors & neutral tones are perfect options for small spaces but if you choose a bold color, offset it with softer tones for furnishings an accessories.

Best All-Around Colors

2. Paint the walls and trim the same tone in small rooms that don't have much natural light. This minimizes 'breaks' by offering one consistent color palette. It can also make ceilings look higher.

Colors for Both Walls & Trim

3. Bold accent colors can be used to make spaces feel cozy and intimate. The hues you use depends upon the 'feel' you're trying to achieve, be it warm, relaxed, energetic.

Bold Accent Colors

4. The key factor in choosing the perfect palette for your home is how much natural light each rooms receives. The lighter the color, the larger and brighter the room will appear. In general, the less natural light, the lighter the hue. If your goal is to boost the feel of spaciousness, opt for bright colors with a light reflectance value higher than 50. These reflect more light than they absorb, making that tight space feel more open and airy.

Colors to Create Illusion of Spaciousness

These classic colors are sure to enhance the rooms of your Marin or San Francisco home! 

Article excerpt from Huffington Post.

2 San Francisco Neighborhoods Named Best in America

According to a recent study conducted by Trulia, both Excelsior and Noe Valley were ranked high on the 'live well' index.

Trulia took into account practical items such as health care access and good schools and amenities like access to shopping, restaurants, parks and trails. 

Neighborhoods with the best amenities

Neighborhoods with the best family amenities

Home to many urban professionals, especially young families, Noe Valley is known for its classic Edwardian and Victorian architecture. Often referred to as 'stroller town', it's proximity to Twin Peaks partially blocks the coastal fog and wind, making it sunnier and warmer than surrounding boroughs.

The Excelsior district is located along Mission Street and is comprised of many sub-boroughs including Mission Terrace, the Outer Mission neighborhood, Portola, and Crocker Amazon. It is one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco and is known for being the home of Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead.

If you are thinking of making a move to San Francisco or anywhere else within California or the United States, The Costa Group can help. With business partners around the country, we are a one stop shop and can help with all things real estate, no matter your final destination!

Marin County Continues Its Reign as Healthiest in State

Since 2009, Marin County has been found to be the healthiest in all of California. The ranking is conducted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and compares counties against over 30 different factors that influence health. These include:

• Health care access
• Life span
• Quality of life
• Healthy behaviors
• Socioeconomic factors
• Physical environment

"Community investments such as reserving land for open space and social norms around healthy eating and staying active have helped Marin maintain our ranking," states Dr. Grant Colfax, director of Marin County's Department of Health and Human Services.

For all major categories except physical environment, Marin ranked either first, second or third best in the state. Fewer Marin County residents per 100,000 die before age 75 than any other county with significant data. Marin's rates of adult smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and teen births are all below the state average. 

In the health care category, Marin residents' access is above the state average. Marin County also ranked second to San Francisco with its 150-to-1 ratio of mental health providers and it ranked third in the state with its 930-to-1 ratio of dentists.

If you're interested in buying a home in Marin County, The Costa Group can help.

The History Behind the Names of San Francisco's Neighorhoods

San Francisco is a mere 49 square miles but is bursting with culture and diversity. The city's numerous neighborhoods each have their own distinctiveness, and for many, that also includes the uniqueness of their names. SFGate recently offered a glimpse into the history behind some of the neighborhood monikers that we found very enlightening. Below are a few of our favorites.

Noe Valley

Victorian homes in Noe Valley. Image courtesy of Creative Commons, author Allan Ferguson

This sunny enclave on the city's south side is named after Jose de Jesus Noe, who was given a large stretch of land by the Mexican governor of California in 1846. Noe started selling parcels in 1851. His rancho included what's now today Noe Valley, the Castro and Glen Park.

Tenderloin

There are multiple urban legends explaining the name behind this downtown area. One such story is that police officers assigned to this area in the 1930s received more pay and they named the neighborhood after the finer cuts of meat they could afford. Another explanation is that it's the "soft underbelly" (like the cut of meat) of the city. And many sources indicate the name was taken from a former red-light district in New York. 

Potrero Hill

This sunny residential neighborhood known for its skyline views used to be an open hill of shrub and grass. In the late 1700s, Spanish missionaries named the area ‘Potrero Nuevo’ (which translates to 'new pasture') after the land on which they would let their cattle graze. 

Cow Hollow

Cows actually did roam in what is now the boutique-lined Union Street. This ritzy neighborhood tucked between Russian Hill and the Marina District gets its name from the dairy farms located in the neighborhood. The industry peaked in 1880 when 38 farms were helping feed the growing city. 

Russian Hill

Throughout the 19th century, Russian merchant and military ships made stops in San Francisco. There are references in old newspaper articles about crew members being buried in a cemetery at the top of what's now known as Russian Hill. In the Gold Rush era, settlers discovered the cemetery gravestones inscribed in Cyrillic. The graves were eventually removed but the name stuck.

The Embarcadero

Embarcadero is derived from the Spanish verb embarcar, which means 'to embark,' and embarcadero means 'the place to embark.' This reference is fitting because, before the construction of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges in the 1930s, the waterfront along San Francisco Bay was a bustling port with boats ferrying 50,000 people to town on a daily basis.  

Looking to buy but are wondering which San Francisco neighborhood best fits your lifestyle? The Costa Group can help you find the perfect contemporary condominium in SOMA or a classic Victorian in Noe Valley.

Warriors Arena-Breaking Ground in Early 2017

The Golden State Warriors have plans to construction a shiny new arena designed to seat 18,000 of its fans. The arena will be coupled with an entertainment center and office complex in San Francisco's Mission Bay district. Though there are a few lawsuits hoping to derail their plans, the Warriors are forging ahead.

Plans for the new arena were announced in May 2012. Originally, the Warriors new home was to be built on Pier 30-32 but that location was quashed. In April 2014, the team purchased a 12-acre parcel in Mission Bay, formerly owned by Salesforce.com. 

Rendering of the Warrior's new Chase Center area in MIssion Bay.

In April, the Warriors will host a meeting with potential subcontractors and they plan to officially break ground on the development in the first quarter of 2017. The $1 billion development, named the Chase Center in January 2016 as part of a 20-year naming agreement with JP Morgan Chase, will be driven by a joint venture between Clark Construction and Mortenson. If the projects begins on time, the doors should open in 2019. If the project is delayed, the Warriors will likely have to play their 2019-2020 season outside of San Francisco.

Initially established in Philadelphia in 1946, the Warriors have called the Bay Area home since the 1960s and have played their home games in Oakland since 1971. They have won 4 NBA championships.