Thorne Home Blog | Marin County, CA

2020 ... So much to say about this past year. But with regard to real estate, it was busy! We are so proud and thankful to have been a part of 21 sales, and nearly $27 million in sales volume. We are living through a time when everything "home" is vitally important and we take that responsibility to heart.  We feel for every person who has been affected by COVID-19, whether it's physical health, mental health, work, financial, relationships, or otherwise. We have had clients grappling with many aspects of this pandemic, and we hope to have provided a little light, warmth, and comfort during these trying times.  Thankfully, we have also seen many positive shifts over the past year. Many of our clients were able to move as a result of being less tethered to a desk chair. Less traffic, fewer commute hours, cleaner hands, more time with family, decluttered homes, more thoughtful live/work spaces, and a chance to slow down for a bit to really consider the important things in l...

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...

You're wondering if it's time to break up with your house and get back out there. You still love your house, but it might be time to assess whether you're still IN love with your house. You have a couple major compatibility issues, and if you've been considering a break-up, there may be something to it in your heart. Consider the qualities of your home. What are its best qualities? What are its worst qualities? Make a simple pros and cons list and be thorough. The best way to see the big picture is to write it all down in plain sight. Are the negative qualities fixable? Are they fixable, but too expensive? Maybe you love your home enough to invest the money. Let's look at an example:   In this case, there is a lot to love about this home! That said, the cons involve location, and feelings of being isolated. So while these homeowners may love their house, it may be worth breaking up for a home in a more community-friendly location with better schools for th...

You’ve been house-hunting for a couple months, browsing photos from all of your listing alerts, and open-house-hopping on the weekends. Nothing has really given you that Marie Kondo spark of joy. Maybe you’re being too picky or maybe you’re emotionally closed off to the idea of packing all those boxes and then unpacking all those same boxes on the other side? Probably not! Trust your gut. If you haven’t felt that spark, then you probably haven’t found the one yet. This is your HOME we’re talking about. It’s a huge decision and it should be made not only by logically checking all the boxes, but by feeling the joy and contentment in your heart. When Naomi and I bought our first condo in Los Angeles and we found out our offer was accepted, we were absolutely over the moon. We couldn’t believe we could own something so beautiful and out of reach. The brick exterior with charming balconies, the open concept layout, the updated granite counters, large bedrooms, and walk-in master closet....

This is probably the most common first-time homebuyer question and it’s probably the question no one really wants to ask out loud. Google search! The term escrow describes the period of time between offer acceptance and when you actually get your keys. This period of time is usually somewhere around 30 days, but it could be faster or shorter depending on the specifics of your situation. This is where the escrow company holds your initial deposit - usually 3% of the purchase price in Marin County, and this is when the appraiser provides the appraisal report, and your lender analyzes your paperwork and gives final approval of your mortgage loan. If you have an inspection period written into your offer, you’ll also use this time to perform all your investigations of the property. This often includes a general home inspection, and a pest inspection (or wood-destroying organisms inspection). Sometimes the seller provides these reports up front so you can review them before placing the...

You may know the most obvious reasons to choose the right mortgage broker. These include getting the lowest interest rate, working with someone who is professional, creative and someone who keeps up with the available mortgage options. These are important factors for your financial future and for your overall escrow experience, which is not to be undervalued. The escrow experience can be highly stressful and overwhelming, so working with an organized broker who is ahead of the potential processing hiccups will be your saving grace. All that said, you will also need a mortgage broker who fits the criteria for getting your offer accepted. In competitive multiple-offer situations, every term in your offer matters. This may be a surprise to you, but sellers and listing agents look for offers with pre-approval letters from certain lenders. Consider being a seller and what you would want from an offer. You would want a sure thing! And that translates into the following: A Quick Close of ...