Marin County California Real Estate Profiles - Mill Valley

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Mill Valley California has a certain cachet. Over the years it has
been home to the rich, the famous, and the infamous. In the '60s the
hippies loved it and, in recent years, the hip love it. Laid back, but
sophisticated with a modern edge, Mill Valley remains a hot spot in
the real estate market, despite the overall decline in many parts of
California.
What makes Mill Valley real estate so desirable to modern homebuyers?
Obviously the proximity to San Francisco is a big draw for Mill Valley
and, indeed, all of Marin County. Less than 15 miles from the Golden
Gate Bridge, Mill Valley is about a 30 minute commute to San
Francisco, which is perfect for those who work in the city but want to
a quieter pace for their family life. The public schools are
excellent, and there is a wealth of outdoor activities for the active
family.
Another big attraction to Mill Valley is the mild Mediterranean
climate. In the winter temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is
abundant - which provides Mill Valley with its beautiful forested
areas. In the summertime, temperatures range between 75 and 90 degrees
and there is little, if any, rainfall. What's not to love about that?
If the natural attributes of Mill Valley aren't enough, buyers looking
for Mill Valley real estate will find some amazing architecture. In
addition to condos and traditional style homes, Mill Valley is rich
with mid-century modern design. The Strawberry Point area has a very
exclusive neighborhood developed by Joseph Eichler in the 1960's.
These homes, designed by Claude Oakland, are a bit larger than most
Eichlers and many feature great views of the San Francisco Bay. You'll
also find homes designed by greats such as Lee Stuart Darrow and Jon
Bolles in the Strawberry Point area of Mill Valley.
For the patient homebuyer, Mill Valley homes designed by well-known
architects occasionally come up on the market. Soriano, Paffard
Keatinge Clay, Daniel Lieberman, Rex Rathbun, and Francis Joseph
McCarthy are all modern pioneers who contributed to the richness of
Mill Valley architecture in the booming age of modernism that began in
the 1940's and lasted well into the 1960's. More contemporary
architectural firms such as Kappe+Du, Endresware, Ohashi Design
Studio, and Sheahan & Quandt are also represented in Mill Valley
real estate. These custom homes are not large, but they are smart and
well designed. The homes do not come cheap, but they can be considered
an investment in a work of art in addition to a home.
Nothing is inexpensive in Mill Valley, but everything is relative. For
those who dream of owning a home in Mill Valley but find the designer
homes to be a bit too pricey there are other options. In the hills
surrounding the town, small cabin style homes sometimes come up for
sale. Many of these places have lovely views, a rural feel, and some
even have studios. Another relatively cost-effective alternative would
be to purchase a tear down and put a prefab in. These days prefabs,
also called modular homes, are becoming increasingly popular. They
come in many different designs - including modern, are generally not
as expensive as building a house "from scratch", and take less time to
construct.
For now the Mill Valley real estate market remains solid and, with
such an eclectic background, there truly is something for everyone.
Mill Valley has a lot going for it: great location, lovely climate,
excellent schools, and interesting architecture. For $750,000 you can
get your foot in the door - from there, the sky is the
limit!
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