Slacker Shack
Slacker you say? How about this Marin gem:
"Gorgeous views of marsh"...ok, that I believe. There's just nothing quite like breathing in marsh gas and the smell of decaying sea life in that black mud. Mmmmmm.
"Unique community along corte madera creek"...uh, that's one way to put it I suppose.
"Adjacent to wildlife area"...I would have to say you are more than just adjacent to a wildlife area... you are sort of in it.
This one comes in with 1 br 1 ba, 861 sq ft, built in 1984 (I guess the previous house sank or was swept away in a storm). Asking $549,950.
If you think that picture is funny, just wait until you hear how the listing agent pimps this one:
"Waterfront living with private boat dock"... is that what that box precariously perched at the end of this property is called?Waterfront living with private boat dock. Gorgeous views of marsh and mt. Tam. Unique community along corte madera creek. Adjacent to wildlife area. Easy distance to ferry for commuters
"Gorgeous views of marsh"...ok, that I believe. There's just nothing quite like breathing in marsh gas and the smell of decaying sea life in that black mud. Mmmmmm.
"Unique community along corte madera creek"...uh, that's one way to put it I suppose.
"Adjacent to wildlife area"...I would have to say you are more than just adjacent to a wildlife area... you are sort of in it.
This one comes in with 1 br 1 ba, 861 sq ft, built in 1984 (I guess the previous house sank or was swept away in a storm). Asking $549,950.
posted by Marinite at 11/27/2006 05:32:00 PM
26 Comments:
There's just nothing quite like breathing in marsh gas and the smell of decaying sea life in that black mud
I'll comment here because I live nearby. These shacks are commonly named "arks", as they're ersatz houseboats run aground. Their foundations consist of 4x4s driven into mud, and winter rains/tides often bring the water level close to their floors. As you can guess, the mud isn't too secure, and these structures shift slightly each winter. They're shacks at any price, and you'd spend a fortune on a good rebuild because it would involve ships and helicopters.
Regarding the marsh gas--that's simply a byproduct of an estuary, with few threats. Personally, I'd be more concerned about trace metal runoff from serpentine rock in Bel/Tib.
I'd be more concerned about trace metal runoff from serpentine rock in Bel/Tib.
Wow! I sense a little jealousy here...Come On!!
Wow! I sense a little jealousy here...Come On!!
Wow, you know a lot about me. I'll guess you know about Marin's cancer cluster too, and possible explanations. There's many other reasons to stay away from homes on serpentine, no matter where they're located. Consult USGS for more info.
I suppose Bel-Tib can be nice, but I already live on the bay with fantastic views.
"Waterfront living with private boat dock"... is that what that box precariously perched at the end of this property is called?
I thought it was a chicken coup at first glance then I noticed the stilts. Is this unique community where the teachers and firemen, er firepersons, live in Marin? I heard that they got housing assitance up there.
I just want to punch the realtor and the asshole seller in the face! Could things have gotten any more ridiculous?
I hope Greenspan is happy that he ruined life for so many americans and have punished people who save money.
i give up!
liz
That's one uv the fanciest outhouses tacked on the back that I've ever seen!
marin_explorer, concerning your health concerns, serpentine containing rock formations in the Coast Range of California often contain veins of asbestos.
marin_explorer, concerning your ongoing health concerns, I would not drink milk from Marin as it has been proven on this blog that mad cows have taken all available land for building.
Hehe...thanks for everyone's concern. Really, this whole point began with the "marsh gas" issue, where I merely noted its actual environmental effects are minimal. You really need high concentrations of HS2 to pose a health risk, such as around volcanic eruptions.
So the real question is why anyone would part with $550K for some sticks in shifting mud!
hey it's good to see you back... :D
This is possibly the worst property you have posted and I've been reading since last winter.
Can someone post the link to the listing, I really want to go to the Open House. I am serious. I am just guessing, but I don't think I am going to find granite counters in this one. I am also curious about the driveway situation.
This is possibly the worst property you have posted and I've been reading since last winter.
No kidding--I think that converted garage in Inverness is a better structure. Anyone who lives there faces a battle with the elements each winter to keep their home intact. I live on the other side of Piper park, and see what they go through each winter.
I am also curious about the driveway situation.
There are no driveways. These "homes" are accessed by a narrow boardwalk through wetlands. Residents use a parking lot up to 1/4 mile away from their front door.
Ah, yes. That Inverness garage (aka "house") is my all time favorite. I wonder if it ever sold. I haven't been out there for eons...
I'm a Realtor and I just discovered this website for the first time. I read the comments and was taken aback. Why would someone want to "punch the Realtor in the face"?
This is not my property but I still see that as a ridiculous reaction.
This home is in a community in Corte Madera where many of the homes look like this. It wouldn't be my choice to live in one of these but there are some people who see this kind of home as superior to living on a street with sidewalks. They even like this chicken shack look. Not my cup of tea but who am I to judge how other people choose to live?
As for the price, the market sets the price. An owner tells their realtor what to price a home. A realtor obviously makes suggestions based on prior sales, market conditions, etc. but the seller ultimately decides on the price. After that, the market chooses the actual price. If this price is wrong, the market will inform the seller by not buying it.
Given that very simple set up, why would someone reading this website want to go to an open house and physically harm someone? Is that a joke? Instead, that person should go see the house and, if they disagree with the price, make an offer based on what he or she would pay. If the owner agrees with your estimation, you've got a deal. If not, you can dicker back and forth until you come to an agreement. Or not.
But if you're going to open houses just to 'look' and get 'angry' at prices, you sound like you're one step away from a crazy person walking the streets with a grocery cart yelling at pedestrians and muttering.
A sophisticated home shopper understands the system and leaves anger and love aside. It's business.
Do you go to Starbucks and get furious over what they're charging for a cup of coffee? Does the price of Krispy Kremes send you into a rage at the grocery store?
If so, I think you should grow up or get therapy.
Dear anonymous self-proclaimed Realtor person -
I have never advocated going to an open house and punching the seller and/or agent in the nose nor take any other such violent action.
The purpose of this blog is to point out, hopefully in a humorous way, the utter absurdity of the real estate bubble in general and the Marin real estate market in particular.
You can go on all you'd like about how the markets are supposed to work in theory. If the real estate markets were truly free markets, then your points would be valid. But as it is, we do not have a free market.
Also I should say that comparing the price of coffee to the price of a house is more than just a little unfair but the sort of thing I would expect from a vested interest. Houses, places where people live and what communities are made of, are a bit more important than coffee.
Dear Anonymous Host of a blog about real estate bubbles and the 'absurdity' of the Marin market,
Let's have a dialogue.
First, a few easy questions about you so that we are on equal footing.
1) What is your line of work?
2) Do you own property in Marin? (Important since you have called me a "vested interest".)
Sincerely,
Anonymous Self-Proclaimed Realtor Person (you can call me 'Realtor Professional' for short. Or simply 'Jane' would be fine.
1) What is your line of work?
2) Do you own property in Marin? (Important since you have called me a "vested interest".)
I'm sure Marinite can answer for himself, but why should any of us divulge that information to you? (As if that matters) If I don't recall, you mentioned you were a realtor--nobody asked you for it.
That local realtors would have a vested interest in Marin's market is a real shocker. I just assumed those constant comments like "Marin real estate never goes down", and "buy now before you're priced out forever" were done on my behalf for climbing the property ladder. If their optimism got out of control, it's understandable. However, the market may soon dictate a different approach, and perhaps at little more transparency?
I'd like to have a dialogue, a true back and forth. I promise not to utilize any logical fallacies. The two simple questions stand.
just for the record... i am NOT going to ANY open houses and punching anyone! I'm not even going to any open houses and being snotty! ok???... im not crazy.. i just mentioned punching someone to register how frustrated i am with the whole housing market and the whole messed up system.
ok? NOT crazy!!! just pissed off!
liz
liz -
Don't worry about it. It was obvious that you were not serious.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Attacks against me are one thing. Attacks against other readers will get your comment deleted (like the one above).
Anon self-proclaimed realtor --
If you can't play fair then don't play at all.
You are incorrect in accusing me of attacking you or another reader. I did not write any comment that was deleted and I don't what you're talking about.
I only wrote my initial post and two additional posts in which I asked you to answer two simple questions:
1) What is your line of work?
2) Do you own property in Marin?
Please don't accuse me of something I did not do. I'm still waiting for your answers.
Sincerely,
Jane
Sorry. I must be getting my anons mixed up. My mistake.
This just confirms to me that people in California are indeed insane. Cali is a great place to live! No place is so great as to make paying those kind of real estate prices logical.
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