Issue #23 | May 2026
Greetings | New (Pending) Listing! | Recent Transactions | Venice...Italy! By The Numbers
19 Elena Circle | Terra Linda, San Rafael
Hi Friends, I am thrilled to present my new listing to you: 19 Elena Circle, San Rafael. This Terra Linda treasure is all about comfort and convenience. From the moment you arrive at 19 Elena Circle, the zen-like landscaping front and back immediately sets you at ease and welcomes you home.
As fate would have it, the response was sensational and swift! We were on market 6 days, received 6 offers, and are now pending. All the deets will be available in the June Issue!
Moving on to today's topics:
I recently learned that when embarking on a home remodel project, it's best to alert your homeowner's insurance on the details. If an accident or injury occurs and you haven't done so, it is likely your insurance will not cover the damages, costs, etc.
There's a new program to help make Marin more affordable, now that our average residential home sales price sits at $1,900,000. The Office of Equity and the Community Development Agency are in the nascent stages of establishing the Community Land Trust Network of Marin (CLTN) - a countywide effort to expand permanently affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income households. They’re modeling this after San Francisco’s own Land Trust (SFCLT). A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a nonprofit organization that acquires and stewards land for the long-term benefit of a community. Homes built on CLT land are sold or rented at below-market rates because residents do not pay for the cost of the land, which remains in the trust. It’s the kind of model that we need and will support Marin’s workforce - a mere 36% to 40% of whom can afford to live here - and likely ease your traffic woes at the same time. You may not realize or remember this but land development in Marin sits around 11-18% depending on how you slice and dice it. The remaining 89% to 82% of the land is preserved as open space, watersheds, parks, and agricultural land. Yes, that’s one of the reasons we live here, but it also can be true that there’s certainly room for improvement!
Cheers, Suzanne
BUZZWORTHY HOME SALES | APRIL
Christmas Tree Hill | Corte Madera
Sales Price | $6,500,000
List Price | $5,898,000
Days on Market | 10
1 Offer | Cash
4 Bed 4 Bath
Double Lot
Courtesy of: Dimitri Rigopoulos | MLS: 326023357
Marinwood | San Rafael
Sales Price | $1,910,000
List Price | $1,895,000
Price Per Sq. Ft. | $452
Days on Market | 15
2 Offers
4 Bed 4 Bath
Courtesy of: Ian Ivarson | MLS: 326015864
INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT | VENICE
Mazzorbo | $2,680,000
4300 sq ft | $623/sq ft
As usual, this column features the manifestation of my dream home…Who can resist imagining a quiet and uncomplicated life amidst the 12th century, former monastic complex called Santa Caterina on the Venetian island of Mazzorbo!?
This 5 bed/5 bath marvel was the former home of the monastery’s gardener. Sign me up! I’m no green thumb, but who wouldn’t throw their hat in the ring to own this piece of history on 1.2-acres of walled grounds? It’s been fully restored (2014) by its current owners - with natural materials and leaning into an exposed brick and beam vibe. Anyone need a living room? There’s 3! Plus a commercial grade kitchen and 2 bonus rooms.
What’s going on in Mazzorbo besides hanging out in one of your living rooms enjoying a gentle breeze, you ask? It happens to be the least populated of the islands in a Venice lagoon with neighbors like Murano (glass-makers), Burano (lace-makers), and Torcello (Byzantine mosaics).
The location is so hopelessly romantic, there’s even a wooden footbridge connecting Mazzorbo to Burano. You can also take the ferry to Venice in about 45 minutes if you need some city action. Marco Polo airport is a mere 25 minutes away…by water taxi!!!
Annual taxes run about $2917.
Listing & Photo Courtesy of Paolo Bardin, Venice Sotheby's Int'l
