Real Estate News Nuggets | Mill Valley Sales | Dress-Up With Vintage Ruse | Indian Cuisine | Twinkle Time! | By The Numbers
Hi Friends, hopefully this photo isn't illicting PTSD in those of you living in Marin County...for those who don't live locally, this is what we call King Tides. These seasonal phenomena are tied to the moon's cycles and coupled with our projected El Niño winter and climate change, they're becoming a bit more dramatic and unavoidable. It's imperative you plan for these occurrences, especially since they're predictable. Here's a tide calendar that I encourage you to bookmark if you live or visit anywhere in Marin County so you'll be prepared and can plan in advance for an alternate route. Pro Tip: our next high tides arriving just in time for Thanksgiving week!
As we move into the winter months, I like to remind my buyers that now is the time to kick it into high gear. Most people are distracted - the end of daylight savings, Thanksgiving, the holidays, hygge - which could result in less competition. Double-edged sword means there may be less homes for sale, but will likely remain a "buyer's market" rather than a "seller's market." If someone is choosing to sell between now and March, odds are there's an underlying reason in play - death, divorce, downsize or relocation - and multiple offers are less likely to occur.
PS: I'm so pleased to report San Rafael's Measure W was rejected by voters who would have seen their city transfer tax increase by 400% making home buying and selling that much more unaffordable. And across the state, Proposition 37 passed. This will help qualified buyers to overcome two significant challenges facing them: the down payment and the shortage of homes available to purchase.
Cheers, Suzanne
MILL VALLEY HOME SALES | OCTOBER
This 1914 Bungalow home, in the desirable 'Mill Valley Lumber Yard' neighborhood (aka: mere blocks from downtown Mill Valley) was last month's talk of the town, garnering 10 offers and joining the 1-million-over-the-asking-price trend we've been seeing on many local properties. Sitting pretty at 11 Grove Street it was priced at $2,495,000 and sold over $1.3 million beyond its asking price!
Here's a snapshot of the most popular properties that sold in Mill Valley during October (aka multiple offers). Fun fact: only 3 of the 33 properties that closed in October were cash; the rest were loans!
COMMUNITY CORNER VINTAGE RUSE | Tam Junction, Mill Valley
Dedicated readers may remember the first time I featured Vintage Ruse (Issue 17). How can I stay away when owner Jules Mercer keeps on delivering the goods! Tyler and I mosied over recently in search of holiday event garb and had the best time playing dress up - it spawned the seeds of the perfect experiential gift giving idea!
Every year it’s the same challenge: the same people, the same hunt for something new. And if there's kids in the picture, they grow up, things matter less and memories matter more. When your loved ones already have everything they want, what can you give that says “thank you” or "Iet's celebrate"? Give them a night they'll talk about for years. Vintage Ruse is your one-stop-shop, literally, for any gift-giving occasion or monumental event.
Introducing...
Vintage Ruse: The Ruse Night Shop. Sip. Sing.
Picture this: your friends walk into a vintage store and are handed a drink and a mission. Find the look you will wear tonight. An hour later, everyone is dressed head-to-toe in something no one else owns, and the party moves to the event space, where dinner, drinks, and karaoke are waiting. That is a Ruse Night. We handle the theme, the racks, the menu, and the mic. You just show up and play dress-up.
It is a party, a shopping trip, a styling session, and a photo shoot in one. Nobody else in town can offer it, because nobody else has the racks. Perfect for these moments:
Sweet 16s + Milestone Birthdays
Bachelorette + Bridal Parties
*Girls' Nights, Friend-Group Reunions, "Just Because" Celebrations
*Corporate Team Outings + Client Appreciation events
*Holiday Parties + Halloween Gatherings
*Fundraisers + Club Events
When you're ready to start planning, contact Jules via vintage@vintageruse.com or 415.350.4396.
Photographs by Stefanie Schwartz
Available to book for your Events, Portraits, and Dress-up Parties
stefaniejstudio.com | 415-335-3694
It's TWINKLE LIGHTING season!
This is our 13th year bringing dazzle and delight to your favorite towns and cities throughout Marin, and we love being out in our communities lifting spirits and bringing the holiday cheer. There's still time to get on our calendar for the 2026 Season - residential installations begin at $1800 and include Michael's custom design, leasing our commercial-grade, LED products (lights, wreaths, garlands, stars oh my!), the installation, timers, any servicing and takedown beginning January 4.
Check out our work at twinklelighting.com or call 415.380.1988
*New clients can mention this post to receive a first-year 10% discount
GOOD EATS: INDIAN CUISINE
Mill Valley + Sausalito
Every winter as the temperature drops my taste buds crave Indian comfort food and my nighttime dreams are of aromatic curries and golden triangles of crunchy pastry filled with steaming potatoes and peas, bathed in my favorite spices and herbs. Here are my top standouts in Southern Marin: Mill Valley's Prabh Indian Kitchen and India Palace; and Sausalito's Sartaj India Cafe.
Beloved for its ambience and comfort, Prabh can't be beat. It's located in downtown Mill Valley and many a Twing-Baum family celebration has taken place inside the warm and cozy house, complete with a fireplace and large patio. Favorite dish: Fish Korma.
What India Palace lacks in ambience and location (inside the Travelodge on Redwood Hwy/Frontage Road, parallel to the 101 fwy), it delivers in gracious hospitality and very good food. Their vast array of Indian breads will fill you up fast, so be sure to pace yourself and leave room for other dishes. Favorite dish: Royal Feasts, where you can sample breads, appetizers, mains and all the sauces, family style.
Dash over to Sausalito for the sumptuous Sartaj - Tyler's personal favorite of the bunch. Sartaj has a generous outdoor patio for the requisite people-watching along Caledonia Street. Their culinary focus centers on the Punjabi region in North India and Nepal and they even serve breakfast. Founded in 1996, Sartaj completed a makeover last year practically doubling in size. Favorite dish: Butter Chicken.
