Issue #19 | Nov 5, 2025
Greetings | Buzzworthy Sales | SF/Marin Food Bank | Mill Valley Library Book Sale | ICB Artist Open Studios | Auckland, NZ | By The Numbers
Hi Friends,
Welcome Fall, though you wouldn't know it from the photo above...that's our happy place in Hvar, Croatia. After our month's long chill fest across Croatia, Slovenia and one day in Trieste, Italy, we are recharged, reinvigorated and ready for realizing all our hopes and dreams for 2026!
If you haven't given it a thought yet, I highly recommend taking some time to contemplate and set your own goals - for me, it takes the pressure off and allows me to feel like I am steering my ship.
On to real estate...What's been going on? It's feeling a lot like a buyer's market for some time now, and especially the last few weeks.
Case in point: check out these stats over the last 7 days of Marin county single-family home listings: 41 price reductions, 29 withdrawls from the market, 16 expired, and 5 temporarily removed listings!
The tea leaves are telling us now is a great time to buy.
I often advise homebuyers to maximize their leverage by purchasing real estate during Marin's shoulder season - late October to late March - if they have extra patience. Yes, there will be less inventory which usually leads to basic supply/demand economics; however, during this time period buyer's will have the purchase power due to the likelihood that outside pressures are dictating the home's sale - think: death, divorce, downsizing, to name a few.
If you'd like to discuss this strategy in more detail, let's catch up over some hot cider or spiked egg nog; my treat!
Cheers, Suzanne
BUZZWORTHY HOME SALES | OCTOBER
**Sold by Yours Truly! I am thrilled for my first-time-homeowner clients**
Downtown Fairfax List Price | $835,000
Sales Price | $901,000
Price Per Sq Ft | $1126
Days on Market | 7
3 Offers
2 Bed 1 Bath
Courtesy of: Charlynn Baumsteiger | MLS: 325072107
Spring Street Valley | Sausalito
List Price | $1,495,000
Sales Price | $1,515,000
Price Per Sq Ft | $1062
Days on Market | 18
5 Offers (Cash)
2 Bed 1 Bath
Courtesy of: Chris DeNike| MLS: 325080326
Homestead Valley | Mill Valley
List Price | $689,000
Sales Price | $809,000
Price Per Sq Ft | $481
Days on Market | 8
11 Offers (Fixer)
2 Bed 2 Bath
Courtesy of: Ben Klugman | MLS: 325081801
Madrone Canyon | Larkspur
List Price | $1,695,000
Sales Price | $1,700,000
Price Per Sq Ft | $799
Days on Market | 38
1 Offer
4 Bed 2 Bath Courtesy of: Narodny Team | MLS: 325079161
GOOD GIVIN’ | A WORTHY CAUSE SF/MARIN FOOD BANK
By now, most everyone should be aware of the games being played by the Federal Government in allowing millions of American citizens to go hungry. As of this writing, a federal judge has ordered the release of SNAP's 'rainy day' reserve funds so people benefiting from food assistance will not go hungry at this time. That doesn't erase the trauma, stress and pain by all who suffered knowing that they couldn't provide food for the coming days, weeks, possibly months for themselves and their families.
There are 90,000 families in San Francisco and Marin that rely on the SF-Marin Food Bank. That's one in four of our friends, family and neighbors who experience food insecurity. Now more than ever, this 38 year-running non-profit could use all our support.
Here are a few ways you can help, whether it's your time, money or advocacy, all are welcome! Imagine being able to help others as you start planning your Thanksgiving Day plans.
Cash Donations: www.sfmfoodbank.org/donate.
Volunteer Opportunities: www.sfmfoodbank.org/volunteer. November and December are the busiest volunteer months of the year. If you don’t see a shift please check back regularly as new volunteer opportunities are always in the mix.
GOOD TIMES | SUBLIME EVENTS
Dec 2 & 6 | Friends of MV Library Book Sale
Mark your calendars for the next quarterly in-store book sale at the Friends of Mill Valley Library Bookstore!
You'll find exciting new merchandise just in time for all your holiday gift-giving. In addition to our existing merch (tees, from onesie, youth, adult sizes S - XL, aprons, totes, mugs, journals, & patches), we have new bespoke 'Mill Valley Library' offerings you'll fall in love with!
Items include a large, sturdy, canvas book bag - with a zipper & pocket - a plush and cozy zippered hoodie in dark blue and an adorable mini-magnet for your collection.
Shop in person December 2 & 6 or 24/7 at our online site: www.friendsmvl.org
GOOD TIMES | SUBLIME EVENTS
Nov 14-16 | ICB Artists Collective Open Studios
Sausalito's iconic ICB building has been a long-time client of Twinkle Lighting - have you seen the dramatic holiday blue lights surrounding the entire circumference of the historic beauty? The Industrial Center Building originally operated as a WWII shipyard 'Mold Loft' when it was built in 1942.
These days there are over 100 artist's studios within and this year's annual holiday open studio (50 years running!) is slated for November 14 - 16.
ICB's vibrant community includes artwork across every medium - abstract paintings, photography, sculpture, textiles, printmaking, mixed media, and more.
Due to climate change and those pesky king tides that put the ICB parking lot underwater (literally), they've decided to move up the dates of the highly anticipated event. I love these dates even more since it provides for early holiday shopping opportunities (and a check-in at my favorite Heath Ceramics, across the street!).
The event has something for everyone: a chance to walk amongst its historic hallways; meet & greets with local artists and shopping direct so all monies go to support the artists and their craft.
The Deets:
VIP Preview: Nov 14 | 5–8 PM
Open Studios Weekend: Nov 15–16 | 11 AM–5 PM
*Featured painting by Gordon Studer
INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT | AUCKLAND
Queenstown | $3,300,000
5683 sq ft | $580/sq ft
If you’re a fan of down under, here’s a 5-acre estate on New Zealand’s South Island that offers access to suit everyone’s desires: Lake Hayes Walkway (5 mile loop around a lake); Arrowtown for gold-digging enthusiasts (circa 1862), or winter skiing at The Remarkables (a popular mountain range 15 miles away). If you prefer to nest at home, you'll find ponds, gardens, open fields and a fire pit.
Built in 2004, the 4 bed/4 bath rustic lodge with an exterior built from stone and macrocarpa (a local cypress tree), boasts single-level living with pano views of the Crown Range. Annual property taxes run $6,260 annually.
Listing Courtesy of Oliver Road Luxury Real Estate
MARIN REAL ESTATE REPORT
Weekly Stats Ending October 31
Michael's 'Tool Shed' will return in 2026!
For now, it's all hands on deck for the Twinkle Lighting Holiday season.
If you or your business are interested in custom lighting design & installation
for the season, we'd love to hear from you!