Issue #20 | December 2025
Greetings | Buzzworthy Sales | Community Corner | Marin Giving Tree | Cape Town, S.A. | By The Numbers
Twinkle Lighting's latest holiday design on Tiburon's beloved, historical landmark, the Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum
Hi Friends,
Happy Holidays to you and yours! As my gift to you, we're going to tackle some Title & Trust housekeeping to ring in 2026. And, I'll share the latest sophisticated real estate scams to be informed about.
Many homeowners overlook the details of their living trusts and how they hold title insurance on their properties. Ignoring these can pose serious headaches at a time when that's the last thing you need.
As I've mentioned before - following the recent Southern California wildfires - it's crucial you carry homeowners insurance in the name of your trust, not just your name(s). This is an important step to remember if you create a trust AFTER you've purchased a property. Now you've got your trust, let's say you sell your property and provide escrow with wiring instructions for the sale proceeds to your checking or savings account. Is this account held in the name of your trust? If not, you won't be accessing these funds. You'll need to open or change the bank account in the name of the trust.
In our next scenario, let's say you decide to create an LLC, Corporation or other entity AFTER owning a property. Now you'll need to update your title insurance to reflect the new entity and provide you with appropriate coverage. You may need to purchase an additional policy since the standard ALTA, that covers individuals and trusts, will not protect you once the home belongs to this new entity.
Turning to consumer fraud now...the evergreen problem we can't seem to shake. Here in Marin County we're very lucky to have an entire department dedicated to real estate fraud. While attending a recent Marin Assoc. of Realtors meeting, we were lucky to hear from Marin DA's office Special Investigator, Mark Reischel. I was thrilled to learn that Marin is 1 of 2 counties in all of California that has a dedicated Real Estate Fraud Unit. Mark's purview includes fraudulent transfers of title to real property; recordation of fraudulent real estate documents; and foreclosure and loan modification fraud. You can read all about their work in the Details link below.
The most important takeaway: don't ignore snail mail from the County; it could cost you your home! One of the program's signature policies to protect homeowners from fraud is by mailing a letter any time a deed is recorded to the property.
Cheers, Suzanne
BUZZWORTHY HOME SALES | NOVEMBER
Sycamore Park | Mill Valley
List Price | $2,200,000
Sales Price | $2,500,000
Price Per Sq Ft | $1326
Days on Market | 10
3 Offers (Cash)
4 Bed 2 Bath
Courtesy of: Lucia Annunziata | MLS: 325097254
Birdland | Mill Valley
List Price | $1,895,000
Sales Price | $1,950,000
Price Per Sq Ft | $1334
Days on Market | 5
1 Offers
3 Bed 2 Bath
Courtesy of: Scott Wickham | MLS: 325090329
COMMUNITY CORNER Placemate
If you or someone you know in Mill Valley is feeling the pinch during these inflationary times, or you have extra room and want to support the 94941 workforce, many of whom cannot afford to live in Mill Valley, here’s a great opportunity for you!
The City, through the Mill Valley Community Housing Foundation, has formed a partnership with Placemate Inc. to launch the pilot program “Lease to Locals” where qualifying properties with a monthly rental rate of $1,500 for a room in a shared home and $4,500 for a full private home rental can deliver a grant payment of up to $14,000 in one-time cash incentives.
The program offers property owners in Mill Valley who are not currently long-term renting their housing unit to provide much-needed housing to the people that keep Mill Valley operational - teachers, firefighters, restaurant workers, and the like.
The pilot program lasts 6 months before longer-term funding can be assessed. Don’t delay! Check out the fine print in the Details below.
DETAILS
GOOD TIMES | SUBLIME EVENTS
December 20 | St. Andrews Church, Marin City
And, they’re back! Looking for something enjoyable and fulfilling for the whole family?
Last year’s inaugural event was a blast and a success; help make this year shine.
Can’t make it? Donations are still welcome: along with greenbacks, sought after items like books, games, toys, and snacks are perfect. Check out the poster's QR codes.
Produced by the Marin Giving Tree, the Foundation behind projects such as: quarterly distribution of super-stashed toiletry and essentials backpacks for the unhoused, since 2019. Volunteers stuff and stash over 1200 units per year at St. Andrews Church in Marin City (volunteers are always welcome!).
Everything is donated privately (ie: no grants or funding) and the Marin Giving Tree is not affiliated with any other Marin City or Marin County organizations, so your contributions mean so much more.
You can also email entertainment@caldwellandjones.com to volunteer or donate.
INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT | CAPE TOWN, S.A.
Newlands | $570,000
2150 sq ft | $266/sq ft
I haven’t been yet but have heard so much about the beauty and allure of Cape Town. Here’s your chance to own a piece of (affordable) paradise: this midcentury-modern villa is all about the outdoors: with a pool, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a plant filled atrium, sunlight reins and showcases the setting’s open sky.
A mere 10 miles from Cape Town International Airport, the house is also close to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Newlands Forest, part of the Table Mountain National Park. The nearby village includes bakeries, cafes and schools.
A free-standing fireplace in the living room commands attention and the generously large single-level living includes three bedrooms, a family room and study for everyone to spread out. There’s plenty of bonuses too: air conditioning, an inverter generator, alarm system, intercom and automatic gates.
Annual taxes and levies run $2244 annually.
Listing & Photo Courtesy of Pam Golding Properties
