Issue #25 | July 2026
Greetings | Marin Neighborhoods | Marin Transactions | Marin City Flea Market | San Rafael's Specialty Markets | Taormina...Sicily ! | By The Numbers
Hi Friends, I hope your summer is off to a great start whether taking some R&R, working in high gear or something in between (like me :) Frankie and I have been busy tooling around Marin, snapping photos of 15 of her cities and towns to create my new Neighborhood Guide! The above pic features Belvedere and if you'd like to see the other towns, click the link below. Please share with anyone you know looking to move to Marin but not sure which neighborhood suits their vibe.
Moving on to some real estate updates of note...
Water Heater & Furnace Changes: as the new year approaches, you'll start hearing a lot about these new laws; rest assured these will ONLY affect the purchase and installation of NEW systems and are not voluntarily required or point of sale mandates (as of yet!):
Jan 1, 2027: as of this date the sale and installation of natural gas water heaters will be prohibited. Electric heat pumps will be the new norm. These run about $1500-3000 installed.
Jan 1, 2029: as of this date the sale and installation of central gas furnaces will be prohibited. Today's cost would run you $4500-13,000 installed depending on the unit.
This will become very important for those buying or selling homes as many older or unimproved properties may need upgraded electrical panels to accommodate these appliances.
MARIN NEIGHBORHOODS LINK
Cheers, Suzanne
BUZZWORTHY HOME SALES | JUNE
Terra Linda | San Rafael
Sales Price | $1,380,000
List Price | $1,499,000
Price Per Sq. Ft. | $752
Days on Market | 44
2 Offers
4 Bed 2 Bath
Courtesy of: Matt Francis & Joni Shepard | MLS: 326033714
Downtown Mill Valley
Sales Price | $5,400,000
List Price | $4,150,000
Price Per Sq. Ft. | $2669
Days on Market | 2
1 Offer | Cash
3 Bed 3 Bath
Courtesy of: Eric McFarland | MLS: 326009114
GOOD TIMES | SUBLIME EVENTS 4th Saturday, Monthly | St. Andrew Church Parking Lot, Marin City
If you haven't heard, Marin's legendary local Flea Market is back! In its heyday, from 1971 - 1995, this was the place to be and became a cultural space for the neighborhood, community at large, local musicians, antique dealers and food vendors. Even Michael remembers driving across the Golden Gate in the 70's to sell his wares from the back of his car! Once a must-see, must-do outing and critical economic resource for Marin City, the event closed when the Gateway Shopping Center broke ground. Thanks to the Rotary Club of Marin City with the support of Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church where the event takes place each month, the Market has been reborn. We can't wait to set up shop and join our neighbors in the coming months.
COMMUNITY CORNER Asian & Mediterranean Food Markets
I had the best time putting together this piece...combining two of my favorite pastimes: shopping for special ingredients and supporting Marin's plethora of small businesses! Hopefully you've heard of or visited some of these gems. Each of them deserves a spotlight of their own, but for now I'll touch on what makes each of them culinary standouts worth your time.
Jasmine has been a mainstay of mine since relocating here in 2012 from Berkeley. The newish owner, Amir, has helmed for two years. Hard to finds include: an array of specialty waters/essences including Hedysarum, Pussywillow, Cardamom, Chicory, Dill Weed, Oregano, Mint, Orange Blossom, Cinnamon and Rose. The lavash and olive sections are my go-to's.
From Jasmine's you can pop across the street to Asian Market and find the amiable owner who fawns over Frankie every time we visit. No stranger to food stuffs, he ran restaurants in San Jose for over 33 years prior to taking the reigns six years ago, from the previous 35-year owners who were family friends. With items from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, India and Indonesia, his favorites are the Japanese candy selection; mine is the jumbo-sized chili crunch. When a recent recipe called for Chinese black vinegar, I knew just where to go!
At the Lotus Market, I am transported back to some of my favorite shopping experiences in Fremont, where Indian markets are aplenty. The family behind the Lotus has been in Marin since the 80's with its eponymous restaurant and added the market in 2020. Upon entering I urge you to begin your shopping experience by ordering and consuming 2 samosas with accompanying dips from the front cashier. Don't miss the large packages of a dozen different organic legumes, fresh produce, and plenty of pashminas!
*Next month's issue will feature some of my favorite San Rafael Latin Markets*
PICS L-R & DETAILS:
JASMINE MARKET | LOTUS MARKET | ASIAN MARKET
INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT | SICILY
Taormina | $2,610,000
2185 sq ft | $1194/sq ft
We have a good friend traveling to Sicily this Fall and Michael and I are manifesting a meet up at some point during his travels so I thought it fitting to feature this gem for sale in the port city of Sicily’s northeast coast - with views of Mt Etna and known for its ancient views. The villa sits on a private park of a quarter acre where almost 1000 sq ft are dedicated to terraces and patios, many of which overlook the Ionian Sea.
The single story stone house was built in 1960 in the town of 10,500 residents. Mt Etna frames the views from the living room that also leads to a courtyard, 2 bedrooms, an office with a fireplace, all with organic materials aplenty: exposed stone walls, terra-cotta floors and wood finishes throughout.
Located in the center of town, the home is expressly reachable by foot from a staircase on the street below. With the closest airport 34 miles away, two ferries are alternate arrival routes.
Annual taxes run about $1508.
Listing & Photo Courtesy of Anna Cozzaglio | Engel & Völkers Taormina Etna
