Thorne Home Blog | Marin County, CA

As members of the LGBTQ community, we have come a long way! Housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited in many states, including our state of California. And while this is wonderful progress, it doesn't necessarily mean all members of the LGBTQ community feel safe and comfortable doing things like pre-qualifying for a mortgage and previewing homes with real estate agents. Naomi and I are a married lesbian real estate team. But we began house-hunting as an unmarried couple in 2011 Los Angeles. I remember the feelings of awkardness and discomfort. There was a lot of "Are you sisters?" and "Which one of you is buying?" forcing us to come out of the closet over and over again, watching the reaction of stunned individuals. At this time, gay marriage was not yet legal, so we filed a domestic partnership to receive the benefits of purchasing property together. And in general, it just felt like real estate professionals d...

There's plenty to do in Marin, from spending the day at the beach to hiking on Mt. Tam to hanging out in the downtown shops in one of Marin's many quaint towns. And with any of these activities, you'll need to eat at some point while you're out and about. Our favorite thing to do in Marin is work up an appetite with a long walk in Larkspur and grab lunch at our favorite walkable burrito spot, Burritoville. Here are a few of our favorite tried and true taquerias in Marin County. 1. Burritoville Cafe : This has been a family favorite of ours for over 20 years! As a Redwood high school student, I spent plenty of my time here. And Naomi and I hope our son will have plenty of childhood memories here as well. The menu has plenty to choose from, but my personal favorite is the kids pinto beans, cheese, and rice burrito with a side of their mild salsa. It's the perfect size and perfect proportions. Their seating area is cute and authentic with an awesome train track...

Are you thinking about buying a home in Marin County, CA? Of course you are! Marin is not only one of the most beautiful places in the world, but the people are friendly, community-oriented, and open-minded. What could be better? Once you've decided to make the move, here are a few things to keep in mind. 1. Affordability : Marin is expensive, so it's important to know which area . If you've heard about Bay Area real estate, you've probably heard about the housing shortage, multiple-offers, and buyers paying enormous amounts of $$$ over the asking price of the home. These are the realities of our market, and as a buyer, it's best to have this information up front so that sticker shock doesn't send you barreling elsewhere. The prices are high, but also keep in mind that people are willing to pay these prices not only because it's worth the daily benefits of living in Marin, but also because the appreciation is high. It is not uncommon for us to hea...