Marin PoS

The Ultimate Marin PoS

2009-08-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

I just had to make one last post to this blog as it is now clear to me which sad-excuse-for-a-must-have-Marin-abode is the ultimate Marin PoS. It is The Boat Garage (Inverness, CA 94937; MLS# 20834427) which has graced the pages of this and my main blog many times in the past.

The following snippet of the current write-up is priceless, classic realtor/agent rubbish:

This is an extremely rare opportunity to own PRIME BAY FRONT REAL ESTATE!! Priced for a quick sale!!!

"Extremely rare"? "Priced for a quick sale"? You don't say? Then riddle me this: why has the price for this PoS been essentially unchanged for roughly three years and it has effectively been on the market (it's DOM) for four years? Hmmm?

Goin' to Hell in a Bucket

2006-12-16T11:36:00.000-08:00

Former grateful dead retreat! (in the early 1970's). This is a very unique and private estate type lot on just over 1 acre of land (1.13 acres)in novato heights. Perfect opportunity to complete a major remodel and build your dream house. 2 story home currently undergoing major renovation. Already stripped and demo'd to the studs. Views, pool site, privacy, oaks, very unique.

So in other words, someone who "drank the koolaid", who fell hook, line, and sinker for all this pro-housing bunk, basically got caught with their pants down and are now trying to dump this loser POS on the next Greater Fool before they were able to even complete the desperately needed major renovation work. No doubt these sellers are singing to themselves “Every silver linings got a touch of grey...I will get by, I will get by, I will get by, I will survive.” But it seems to me, to paraphrase The Dead: "you're goin' to Hell in a bucket so enjoy the ride".

Thanks to the reader who found this one.

Testing the Greater Fool Theory in Mill Valley

2006-12-10T20:02:00.000-08:00

2 br 1 ba, built 1929 in Mill Valley along noisy E. Blithedale. $749,000. But don't worry because the listing agent assures us that it is quiet inside -- they never lie and they always have your best interest in mind. And if you don't buy it, some Greater Fool will so you better rush before prices drop any further.

How Stupid is the Average Marin Buyer?

2006-12-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

You must see the inside to truly appreciate this cozy home!

That's because this place is a pit.

2 br 1 ba, 819 sq ft, built 1962 in San Rafael. Leave your brain in the dog dish, bring your $559,000, and this dump is all yours. Not sure? Just ask any Marin realtor; they'll tell you about how special we are, why this is really such an incredible place to raise the kids, and anything else you want to hear. That's the thing about Marin realtors, they kiss up so well. I predict that after they've been disintermediated they will all become therapists.

Paying More for Less in Mill Valley

2006-11-29T17:54:00.000-08:00

...Adding to the ambience inside are many of the original finishes...

Yes, in other words not much has been done to this Mill Valley POS. It comes in at 2 br 1 ba, 971 sq ft, built in 1925. The "wishing price" of $899,000 puts this one well into POS territory as that works out to about $926/sq ft.

Is it just me or does it seem that in Marin the smaller the house, the greater the $$$/sq ft statistic? If so, why are people willing to pay a premium for smaller? I mean, this is America! Supersize me for chrissakes!

Thanks to the reader who found this one.

Ickler!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-11-27T18:10:00.000-08:00

Unbelievable but true!!!!!!! Reduction to $880,000-fantastic for buyers in upper lucas valley- have not seen a price this low in years--will not last!!!

"Unbelievable but true!!!!!!!"...Is that why it has been on the market for 167 days and it still hasn't sold? Because of the unbelievable price reduction? Puhleeeze. It hasn't sold because it is an overpriced Eichler. Now I admit I am being a bit unfair here. I mean, we don't hold it against pugs for being ugly because they didn't choose to be pugs after all. Same goes for Eichlers.

Price Reduced: 08/02/06 -- $949,000 to $924,900
Price Reduced: 09/13/06 -- $924,900 to $912,000
Price Reduced: 09/20/06 -- $912,000 to $899,000
Price Reduced: 10/19/06 -- $899,000 to $880,000

Anyway, this 'unbelievable deal' in San Rafael comes in at 4 br 2 ba, 1756 sq ft, built 1962...hey, wait a minute. Those are some pretty good stats on this house. So what gives? Oh, right...it's an Eichler.

And I think someone should inform the listing agent of the danger of over using exclamation points.

Slacker Shack

2006-11-27T17:32:00.000-08:00

Slacker you say? How about this Marin gem:

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. Gorgeous views of marsh and mt. Tam. Unique community along corte madera creek. Adjacent to wildlife area. Easy distance to ferry for commuters

"Waterfront living with private boat dock"... is that what that box precariously perched at the end of this property is called?

"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.

Novato "House Has No Value"

2006-10-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

House has no value, but if you can clear the land, build your dream home in a beautiful novato location. Major work, not a weekend project!

Hmmm... "clear the land" + "build your dream home" = "not a weekend project". I am so glad that I can rely on the acumen and clarity of thought of Marin real estate agents to let me know that building a home is not a weekend project. Otherwise, I might have hurt myself.

"House has no value". Finally, the truth. And that must be why there is no photo for this one. This house-of-no-value comes in with 3 br 1 ba (each of which has no value), 1280 sq ft of no value, built in 1926. Since there is no value you would think it would be asking something close to $0 but you would be wrong; it's asking just $499,000. Thank goodness they are not asking for a half mill because then it would be overpriced.

"a beautiful novato location". I admit I am not all that familiar with Novato but judging by this Google Map image it does not seem to be located in such a beautiful location...smack dab in the middle of the Novato flats:

Update: So I did the blogger thing and drove out there and took this pic of the house:

The New Chic in Fairfax

2006-10-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Come to Marin and live the Mac & Cheese lifestyle. All you need is a tiny cottage with all the lifestyle clichés and you're set. Like this one. Marin cottages are the new chic, the new in-thing. Thanks to the housing bubble in Marin we find that living below one's means is the New Cool. Never mind that's it's more requirement than option. Ignore those troublesome psychologists and what they say about rationalization and cognitive dissonance.

This Fairfax POS is perfect for those of you who want to pretend that you cannot afford a real house. It comes in with 2 br 1 ba, 858 sq ft, built in 1920. It's got french doors, hardwood floors, yadda yadda, even a gated entry (for all of that 4487 sq feet of lot). But in order to give the appearance of living below your means while not really doing so you have to expect a steep price and that's why this one comes in at $795,000 ($927/sq ft).

POSs Like This Make Me Mad

2006-10-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

This 1 br 1 ba, 700 sq ft POS is in San Rafael. They are asking $559,000 which works out to about $800/sq ft. I don't know about you but that seems like a lot to pay for a yellow box with an old roof and with a tiny-arsed garage with one of its walls falling down. But hey, that's just me. What do I know? It's Marin after all and everyone wants to live here, right? Marin is the only place on Earth that is not an "armpit" or so they say. That means you just have to forget about how much stuff like this costs...you know, bring your bucket of money and box of stupid, shut the F up and suck it up like recent Marinites before you. And I'm sure the real estate agent who is peddling this thing off to the "lumpinvestorate" has a whole laundry list of reasons why this is the perfect Marin starter home for that young family.

Rustic POS

2006-10-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

Major project! Nice location in idyllic west marin. Like a lot with some prep work done. Septic system done with permits for repair. Foundation repair done with permits. Expired roof permit. Needs roof! Has full basement.

It is sometimes quipped that out in West Marin people are, shall we say, a bit "rustic". Yeah, that's it. This Lagunitas POS is so rustic that you have to sleep and do-your-business out of doors -- it comes in with 0 ba 0 br, 1086 sq ft, and is asking $339,000 making this the cheapest "house" currently for sale in Marin.

(Sorry about the bad pic; it is the only one offered; I guess it did not occur to the agent to actually photograph the house in question.)

Destroy the Comps in San Anselmo

2006-09-28T13:25:00.002-07:00

44 years young and never on the market before!

All that means is that you can low-ball this San Anselmo POS (3/2, 1200 sq ft, built 1961, asking $799,000) to death as the current owners can afford deep price cuts. This is the perfect opportunity for someone to destroy the comps.

Great-Home-Fixer-Rebuild in San Rafael

2006-09-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

This is a great home in a good location. Fixer or rebuild.

Ok Mr. Real Estate Man, I believe you, what ever you say. Here's my bucket of money and over there is my box of stupid. And are these things ever not in a great location? Just wondering.

This Great-Home-Fixer-Rebuild in San Rafael comes in at 3 br 1 ba, built 1900, 1104 sq ft, and is asking $700,000. I cannot for the life of me think of a better way to spend $700,000. Really.

Funky But Livable

2006-09-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

Dynamic duo!! Live in one side and rent the other! Cute stand alone 1914 circa house on quiet lane. Sunny flat lot, tons of parking, funky but livable and very loveable. Not permitted second unit, easy conversion back. 2nd unit is adorable and private, updated kitchen and bath. Take it to the next level and build up, many possiblities for builder, buyers, etc. Check it out!!!

At least it's livable. This POS is in Kentfield and comes in with 2 br 2 ba (I guess one of each in each unit), N/A sq ft, built 1914, asking $619,000.

Kentfield POS For You Condo Losers

2006-09-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

In the heart of kentfield, down a little lane sits this 1 bedroom, 1 bath clean, cute little stand alone cottage. Keep as is or develop into something bigger. Great light, private, wonderful country sink in kitchen, enclosed sunroom possible second bedroom currently being used as storage. Sizable laundry room. Close to all conveniences. A must see for condo buyers, developers....

All you Marin wannabes now listen up. This POS is your only chance to be part of the Kentfield elite. And you loser condo folks? Now you can be a real house owner of your own. 1 br 1 ba, N/A sq ft, built in 1920. Asking $595,000. No worries. Really. It's good.

Uh, It's In San Rafael, How's That?

2006-09-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Looking for potential? Great opportunity for your buyers to see this charming cottage being sold as is. Current owners using possible second bedroom as dining room. Sun room or office, utility room plus one car garage and lush garden areas make this a hidden treasure. Close to downtown, dominican univ, bus plus easy access to 101. Bring all offers!

This "hidden treasure" (or is that "golden turd") in San Rafael comes in at 2 br 1 ba, 703 sq ft, built in 1930, asking $535,000. This just came on the market so you better rush. Don't be priced out of the market. Get in now or you may never be able to. Just bring your bucket of money and your box of stupid and you're good to go.

Size Doesn't Matter in Marin

2006-09-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

A reader brought this Mill Valley POS to my attention (thank you). All I can say is: 2 br 1 ba, 903 sq ft, built in 1948, asking $849,000 ($940/sq ft). The listing agent even has the audacity to proclaim that this POS is "perfect for entertaining". Ha! Yes, maybe for three guests. The system is so out of whack. Why would anyone want to reward these people by paying that obscene price? Well, that's just me.

Marin's new motto should be "Size doesn't matter".

(Sorry about the bad picture. It was the only one that I could find that showed anything of the exterior of this cottage.)

What a Deal in Mill Valley

2006-09-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Wow, marvelous mill valley for less than $700,000...Great home, great price!!

2 br 2 ba, 1104 sq ft, built in 1980. Sits practically on top of Shoreline Hwy. Asking: $699,999. If they had asked just $1 more then it would no longer be a "great price". These are truly some savvy Marin sellers.

Affordable Housing, Marin Style

2006-09-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

I've blogged this one before. It's the cheapest property currently listed in all of Marin; this is what is meant by "affordable housing" in Marin. Your kids will love this place. For some reason it's been on the market for 157 days now. I don't understand why. Really, this is such a sweet house by Marin standards. The asking price hasn't been reduced in all this time and for good reason...this place rocks.

Sow's Ear in Mill Valley

2006-09-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

Lot...S of potential for this major fixer turn-of-the-century cottage.Not for the meek...Chance to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse.

This $650,000 (asking) "sow's ear" is in...you guessed it: Mill Valley. It comes in with 1 br 1 ba, 909 sq ft, built in 1909. No upgrades or lifestyle clichés, obviously; it's a pig after all.

Mill Valley Artist's Shack

2006-09-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

Artist's cottage on sunny, street to street lot with panoramic views. Good neighborhood and location, brick fireplace. Living room, dining and kitchen upstairs, bedroom and bath downstairs.

1 br 1 ba, 1070 sq ft, built 1920, asking $550,000 in Mill Valley. Are there really any artists left in South Marin? There used to be tons. So if this shack is for artists, then by the looks of it I would say it was built for "starving" artists. But if you can pay that asking price, then I guess we have to redefine what we mean by "starving". And what's this? No extra room for the artist's workshop? What kind of "artist's cottage" is this?

Sausalito Fixer

2006-09-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

Fixer with tons of potential...

This Sausalito fixer comes in with 2 br 1 ba, 935 sq ft, built in 1904. It's been on the market for 56 days. Price Reduced: 09/02/06 -- $698,000 to $675,000. If you are thinking about buying this POS to live in, then you had better interview your potential new neighbors as it looks like you have about two feet of separation between houses. Heck, on the left side it looks like there is only just enough space to accommodate that smoke stack thingy sticking out of the side of the pinkish-brown house. And it looks like you have scaffolding going on there on the other side.

Mill Valley "Heart Throb"

2006-09-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

Little city farms heart throb on approx. 1/4 acre flat, private, fenced lot. 1 bd, 1 ba home w/brick f/p in living room & attached 1-car garage plus serene separate un-permitted cottage has sleeping loft with view.

This 1 br 1 ba, 856 sq ft, built 1948 POS truly exists in fantasy land given that the asking price is $1,100,000. That's $1285/sq ft! So leave your brain behind and bring just your throbbing heart and a fat stack of cash for this Mill Valley joke.

Below is a shot of that un-permitted "cottage". But isn't the main "house" a cottage? If so, then this is really a glorified shack:

Thanks go out to the reader who brought this POS to my attention.

Mill Valley Possibilities Pt. 2

2006-09-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

I originally blogged this Mill Valley POS back in mid-May, 2006. Back then it was listed at $625,000. It was taken off the market and is now back (oh boy!) with a new price tag of $615,000. Same house (nothing has been done to it during the last four months), same write-up (I guess the realtor thought she had a real winner with the original write-up), but a new -1.6% drop in the asking price. Wow, that's a really generous price reduction Mr. Seller. How about getting real?

It's a good thing I noticed this otherwise unsuspecting people might think this is a new listing with none of that 228-days-on-market stigma thing.

Uncle Ben Lives in Novato

2006-09-05T19:42:00.000-07:00

Bring your imagination & contractor tool belt to make this bungalow yours. Beautiful level lot, mature trees, backyard privacy, borders a quiet lane & diablo ave.

This looks like Uncle Ben's Cabin. I think I can even see the moonshine jug. And the contrast between the picture of this Novato POS and the agent's write-up is laughable. It comes in at 604 sq ft, 2 br 1 ba, built 1935, asking $510,000.

There's been a large spike in the number of new listings following Labor Day, 2006. So I expect there to be a lot of new Marin crap out there to blog.

Precarious POS On A Stick

2006-08-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

It's been much too long since my last POS post. No, there is no shortage of POSs in Marin as there has been a huge number of new listings; I've just been lazy. Then again, nothing is moving and I'm sick to death of looking at the same list of Marin POSs for sale. One thing I have noticed is that many of the newer listings do not have pictures attached and way more than enough time has elapsed for the agents to update the listing. Maybe this blog is having an effect; maybe agents have been shamed into hiding the true POSness of their listings and so don't want to show a picture. Or maybe not.

Anyway, this POS in Sausalito was sent in by a reader (thank you). It comes in with 2 br 1 ba, 1040 sq ft, built during the 1920s. This is the actual picture you see on the agent's web site:

Looks nice. The interior is really nice too. But the reader who sent this in took this picture of the back end:

You gotta love those stilts. And one of the stilts comes with its own home-made staircase. To where? Who cares? How cool is that! The kids will love it.

So many houses in Marin are propped up like this one but rarely do you get to see pictures of them. One good mud slide, e-quake and you can ride your POS down the side of the hill. In Marin that's called "hill surfing". Heck, even a stout wind would do it. Or maybe stacking up all your crap on one side of the house would do it too. Or maybe jumping up and down a lot...

And for this precarious POS you just need to put $895,000 on the line. Seems like a safe bet to me. Not!

Commonplace Mill Valley POS

2006-08-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

Just listed charming wood & glass secluded home desirable homestead valley.Remodeled w/fresh inside paint,carpets and mostly newer windows,new bath & kitchen appliances/shiny new tile.Spectacular views.Private road.Has a sunny separate area (studio style)w/separate entrance below main house.Not zoned as sep.Unit.Adjacent to acres & acres of wooded open space/hiking trails.This has not been on the market for many years & is unique & special.

This Mill Valley POS is not terribly "unique & special" as like many POSs in Marin it is small (2 br 1 ba, 1000 sq ft) and old (built in 1968). And I'm sorry, but being near open space does not make it special nor unique because most of the houses in Marin are near open space. And the upgrades are cheap as hell so they don't make it "unique & special" either. And, unfortunately, the price is not all that special at $898,000. In fact, this POS is so commonplace that I don't even know what distinguishes it enough to use as a title for this post.

Sorry about the bad picture, but this was the only one that shows the house; it looks like the agent used her cell phone camera.

One of Many POSs in Mill Valley

2006-08-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

Opportunity for the right buyer who is looking for mill valley. A 3 bedroom, 2 bath home plus 1 bedroom 1 bath non-conforming rental unit. Foundation work required on the house with estimated from $150,000-$250,000. The house has not been tagged. Owners can live there but work should be done on the foundation before the next rainy season. Lots of upside in the neighborhood. Lockbox, go direct

This $599,000 Mill Valley POS comes in with 3 br 2 ba, 1536 sq ft, and a very pointed roof (and what the heck is going on there to the left of the main entrance?). At least it hasn't been "tagged" yet. Phew, what a relief. Otherwise, we might have to question our assumptions.

"Lots of upside in the neighborhood". Uh, "upside" what? Lot's of recent upside down buyers? Lot's of people with upside down priorities? Everyone in this neighborhood has to build up because of the 45 deg slopes? No doubt what the realtor meant was "upside potential" which implies that this is a whole neighborhood of POSs (not very surprising for Mill Valley, especially up on the mountain). Misery loves company don'tchyaknow.

So let's say some fool buyer pays the $599,000 asking price and then ends up paying an additional $150,000 to $250,000 to fix the foundation. (As the existence of toxic loans attests, it is clear that there are a lot of mathematically-challenged buyers out there so... that's a total of $749,000 to $849,000.) What are you left with? You are still the proud owner of one ugly-arsed Mill Valley POS in a whole neighborhood of POSs. The only difference is hopefully your house won't slide away next winter.

New ZipRealty Feature

2006-08-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is not a POS post. I just wanted you to know of a new feature offered by ZipRealty.com:

Customer Home Reviews – customers can now post home reviews on any home they see for sale on our website. So far, we have had a pretty healthy number of reviews coming in from our clients. We have seen things from comparable sales, estimates from Zillow, and qualitative reviews of homes (roach-infested, etc…). Reviews are based on curb appeal, interior appeal, neighborhood, and an overall rating. Customers can also provide their own comments.

So have at it. Let these Marin sellers know what you really think of their POSs.

Power to the people!

San Anselmo Afterthought

2006-07-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

$995,000. 2 br 1 ba, 1078 sq ft, built 1926, San Anselmo.

What more can I say other than that garage door on the left looks like it is not meant to be used.

On second thought, it looks like the owner of the green house to the left had some extra space on this lot that he didn't know how to use so he drove down to some pissy town along the southern border of the US, transported the nicest house he could find to San Anselmo, and dropped it on this lot as an afterthought.

InvestuDownStarter POS in Mill Valley

2006-07-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

Great starter home, investment property or down-sizer.

Is it just me or does it strike you as a bit irresponsible to still be pimping houses as "investment properties"?

Anyway, this 3 br 1 ba, 1028 sq ft, built 1944, Mill Valley POS thinks it's worth $925,000. That walkway isn't what you think it is; it's not cracked concrete. No, it's Italian marble hewn by hand with a silver spoon and hand polished using Chinese silks, transported the "old way" all the way to America in a horse-drawn cart (don't ask me how). And that brown, excrement-colored stuff is really hand-picked, dried, ground wine grape skins all the way from France.

Mildew-Green in Fairfax

2006-07-28T13:33:00.000-07:00

Please, someone buy my 810 sq ft, 2 br 2 ba, Fairfax 1930s-era POS for $440,000. I don't want to be owned anymore by this "ownership society" and I gotta get out before my POS slides down the 8280 sq ft of 45 deg. lot. Please. Anyone? Oh, and those cables can be used to swing to safety in case of emergency but I think the buttressing will hold.

Small Ross Cabin for People with Resilient Self-Esteem

2006-07-24T20:21:00.000-07:00

This Ross cabin comes in at 1 br 1 ba. Asking $995,000. Nice interior though...all 690 sq ft of it. But hey, it's all about the neighborhood, right? So you can own the smallest POS in the hood surrounded by a bunch of multimillion dollar houses. People with an inferiority complex are not recommended to buy this one.

Pricy Ugliness in Novato

2006-07-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

What's so special about this Novato POS? It comes in at 3 br 2 ba, built in 1954, 1650 sq ft and asking $685,000. The interior is updated but nothing fancy certainly not by Marin standards. So what's the deal? I guess what made me post this was the ugliness factor and price combination.

The Mouse Hole

2006-07-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

1 bedroom, 1 bath plus storage/guest house. Early stinson beach cottage. Affectionately called the mouse hole fixer upper in desireable beach area. Conventional septic system.

Quick! Run, don't walk! This is your one and only opportunity to buy the Stinson Beach "mouse hole". What are you waiting for? What, it's a POS you say? Are you nuts? This is Marin, MARIN! Everyone, ev-re-one wants to live here. So what if it's a 1 br 1 ba, 374 sq ft cottage (built 1934) on the verge of falling over asking $685,000 ($1832/sq ft)? In Marin, the house doesn't matter; no one buys for the house. Besides, living in a small place is so chic now don't ya know.

Mill Valley Proof of a RE Bubble

2006-07-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

Appeal, location and opportunity! Wonderful home or investment property or weekend get-away. Fabulous views of the bay and bridge. This one level home has great light, open beam ceilings, new carpet, large deck, covered parking and extra storage. Great lot with level yard area.

A dear friend of mine, who lives in the neighborhood of this 1 br 1 ba Mill Valley house, knew the lady who lived there and recently passed away. I was visiting the other day and so we decided to walk up to this house and look around.

Truly, this place is a dump. It is incredibly small (we estimate less than 600 sq ft of living space). It is nothing. It is a box. Nothing has been done to this house other than the heirs have cleaned it up (the lady had piles and piles of junk all over the place; accumulated stuff from over the years) and fixed the plumbing and the septic system. Not shown in the picture, attached and to the left, is the one car carport.

It was originally listed at $1,100,000 and now is listed at $999,000.

You really have to see this place in person to get a grasp of how ludicrous that asking price is and how small 600 sq ft really is; looking at a picture just isn't enough and in fact the picture makes this POS seem larger than it really is. A million dollars is a mind boggling amount of money to pay for something like this.

If ever there was proof of a housing bubble in Marin then this would have to be it.

(Incidentally, in case you are wondering why the lady didn't just sell the house a few years back and move and live her last few years "in style": my friend, who has lived his whole life on that street and who lives practically next door to this POS, told me that she said "it's paid for and it's my home, not an investment". That is an indication to you readers of the sort of people who used to live here (in Marin) in much greater numbers -- down-to-earth folk whose lives were not dominated by money or get rich quick schemes or displays of wealth.)

(Also, there is a house just like this one, except it's grey, to the left of this yellow one. These two houses appear to have been built by the same person. They are very close to each other and there is no wall or fence separating the two properties. In fact, they are so close to each other and essentially identical in style that it really looks like they were originally built on the same lot, possibly as rentals.)

(Further, you can only just barely see the bridge in the "view" that the realtor makes such a woop-de-doo about. The view is dominated by two large trees (not Redwoods but of similar height and girth) that have been allowed to grow to such a height that you can no longer see much of the view anymore. As time passes it is unlikely the view will improve as my friend says the owner of the two trees has no intention nor requirement of either topping them or cutting them down. So, if you buy this POS for the so-called view, then plan on enduring months if not years of dispute with one of your neighbors who has already been through it a few times with other neighbors.)

Über-Cottage in Fairfax

2006-07-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

This is a very cute, tricked-out cottage near the fairfax/san anselmo border. There's a real nice front porch and yard. The house shows very well!! Flash hot water system, heated bathroom floor, solar powered attic fan. Outbuilding for office or storage, plus small garage.

A "tricked-out" 1 br 1 ba, 629 sq ft cottage? Whatever... $599,000.

Take her for a spin.

Requiring a "Hardy Soul" in Larkspur

2006-07-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

If you missed it the first time...Bring your handiest of ment, your contractors, your hardy of soul to this listing. Needs major work or tear it down and bulid your dream home..Tucked away in madrone canyon..Nestled on a peaceful lane. Check with the city of larkspur with all questions regarding set backs and variences...

Well, shiver me timbers and slap me a couple of times because I guess I "missed it the first time". This Larkspur POS comes in at 2 br 1 ba, 690 sq ft, built in 1913, and is asking $575,000 (price reduced 8% from original listing). At least you can leave the respirator at home when entering this POS. But please do not forget your "handiest of ment" or your "hardy of soul".

Kentfield Biohazard

2006-07-09T18:34:00.000-07:00

You probably won't find any pictures of this Kentfield POS on any online listing; I had to go up there and take these pics myself (click on either for a larger view). It comes in with a respectable 3 br 1 ba, 1861 sq ft, built in 1958. Asking $599,000. Now before you go and tell me that this does not qualify as a Marin POS, read the realtor write-up first:

Major fixer with mold problem. No open houses or broker's open. Viewers required to wear respirator mask & sign hold harmless statement. Sellers say tear it down. Contractor report will be available by 7/9. The good news is that the location is convenient & in one of marin's best school districts. Charming neighborhood of interesting homes. You can make this one fun too!

Yes, this Marin house requires a respirator to enter. You can see the yellow "do not enter" tape in the following picture circled in red.

And I love the realtor optimism "You can make this one fun too!"; as if the biohazard nature of this POS wasn't exciting enough.

A Great Ending POS in San Rafael

2006-07-09T11:02:00.000-07:00

This 2 br 1 ba, 703 sq ft San Rafael POS (built 1930) is asking $549,000. Here is the realtor write-up:

Charm and walk to town location make this cute 2br 1 ba home an exceptional opportunity. Currently br used as dining room - front sun porch, lr with fireplace, small back porch or utility room, lush gardens and foliage make this a gardener's delight. One car garage and lots of adjacent storage. Opportunity is knocking - great starter property - write your offers

I see nothing "charming" about this place. Again, "charm" is a realtor code word for "tiny" and "no upgrades to speak of".

The point of interest here is "Currently br used as dining room". You see, tiny Marin POSs like this (and many that grace this blog) are all that most people can afford nowadays. But buyers want to live in a more normal house; you know, one with a dining room as in this example. So they have to make a single room dual-use -- a bedroom/dining room combo in this case.

That is just plain pathetic. You buyers should be demanding more. At least boycott housing for a while.

Next thing you know people will be spouting at parties, etc. about how living in a small house like this is the current trendy/desirable thing to do.

Oh, and I cannot pass on the "great starter property" comment. The phrase "starter property" is being used here like "starter car". A starter car was that beater car you drove when you were a kid so as to learned how to drive. Your parents figured if you dinged it or worse, then no great loss. There is no such thing as a "starter house" as it doesn't make any sense to "practice" owning a house.

No, what this realtor really means by "starter property" is simply a first-time purchase. Most first-time purchases are made by young couples who want to start a family. This POS is totally inappropriate for young couples planning to have kids. I'm sorry, but calling this POS a "great starter property" is irresponsible IMO.

If anything, this POS should be described as a "great ending property" as it would be perfect for someone who has retired, the spouse has passed on, and the kids are living their own lives somewhere else (almost certainly not in Marin as they probably could not afford it anymore).

The Red Door of Sausalito is Back

2006-07-07T10:37:00.000-07:00

This Sausalito POS is back on the market with a new picture and a new tight-arsed Marin price reduction of a whole 1.7%. I guess they couldn't sell it the first time and so they relisted it as a "new listing". Proof-positive that the days-on-market statistic that realtors like to use is pure, unadulterated BS.

Anyway, it still comes in at 1 br 1 ba, built 1948, 528 sq ft, 1045 sq ft lot, and one very red door. At the new asking price of $639,000 ($1210 per sq ft.) this is yet (again) another glaring example of how worthless your money is in the Marin real estate market.

Update: I'd also like to point out that of all the houses that ZipRealty says are currently on the market within my search price range of between $100K and $10 million (n > 700), this POS is the smallest in terms of square footage.

Patriotic Banana Belt POS in Stinson Beach

2006-07-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

A classic stinson beach hill property. Incredibly peaceful as well as, spacious. The lot has views of the foot hills behind stinson beach. There are two cabins on the property.The property is centrally located in one of stinson's banana belts. A great place to garden! This property has great potential.

I didn't know Stinson had banana belts and I am not even sure what that means. Don't step on the peels? Anyway, this completely not updated 3 br 2 ba house was built in 1914 and comes in at 1198 sq ft. Asking $1,315,000 or $1098 per sq ft. of banana belt goodness.

Living Large with a Capital "L" in Novato

2006-07-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

Contractor's special! Black point approx. 1/2 acre property w/ bay views...

No picture of this Novato POS I'm afraid but at 1 br 1 ba, 520 sq ft (built 1920, 5000 sq ft L-shaped lot) it can't be much to look at anyway. And with an asking price of $499,000 it comes in at $960 per sq ft. placing it well within Marin POS territory. Another perfect Marin "starter home" for that young family so desirous of upward mobility.

Marin Headlands POS

2006-07-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

The realtor write-up says it all:

This is a must see!!! First time on the market. This wonderful starter home is located in the prestigious Marin Headlands. Sturdy construction (in places 5' thick concrete walls, 3" thick metal doors), fabulous views, good bones -- lower levels can withstand high altitude, high yield saturation bombing and tunneling ensures safe evacuation for your family in case of emergency. Needs a little TLC so be sure to bring your contractor. Excellent starter home for a young family. Don't pass this one up. Price is only $1,999,000.

Living the Dream in San Anselmo

2006-07-03T17:59:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in that picture is a house (2 br 1 ba, 1050 sq ft) for sale for $889,500 and I don't think it is either one of the two 10'-by-10' sheds.

I think the realtor's write-up for this San Anselmo POS demystifies why some people are willing to pay ungodly amounts of money for a Marin POS:

Cottage hidden in garden at rear of lot. Approx 1050 sf 2br 1ba on large flat approx 7800 sf lot. Unique opportunity to live in a desireable area of san anselmo. Short, flat walk to town. Remodel or build your dream home. Price $889,500

The key is "...desireable area of...". It doesn't matter how bad the place is; it's all about perceived prestige. Never mind the fact that anyone can call anything prestigious if they want. You can be living in a total dump and be living the dream. As a friend of mine said "even a turd is golden if it was dumped in Marin".

Surrealistic POS in Lagunitas

2006-06-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

1 br 1 ba, 672 sq ft, built 1949. Asking $575,000. I want to say it looks like an outhouse in a state park except that this Lagunitas POS comes with its own outhouse. I'd really like to meet the person who actually thinks something like this is worth over half a million dollars; I think I could use them as the basis of a lucrative pop-psychology book or two.

And what's up with the realtor posting this picture of a stone chicken?

We have truly entered the surreal.

The New Math for the Mathematically Challenged in Corte Madera

2006-06-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

1 br + 1 ba + 921 ft^2 + Corte Madera + built 1931 + no" lifestyle" upgrades = $749,000.

Sausalito POSs

2006-06-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

Two enchanting updated cottages (on one lot)...[realtor BS]... The back cottage is approximately 128 years old & the front is 5approx 53.

So these Sausalito POSs consist of two 1 br 1 ba cottages, each approximately 878 sq ft. One was built in 1878 and the other in 1953. The lot is 8,000 sq ft. No details vis. "updating" so I guess all that it means is that the 19th century water well, oil lamps, horse tie-ups, etc. have been replaced with their more modern counterparts, say 1970s era. Asking price is $1,295,000. That's $737 per square foot (total). I guess mom and dad could live in one and junior in the other cottage. Or raze the place and build a McMansion on it for another million.

Overgrown San Anselmo Cottage

2006-06-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

Original 1913 cottage, rare opportunity for creative buyer to remodel or build your dream home...[realtor BS]...Strictly as-is sale.

Yup, all original vintage 1913 cottage, 2 br 1 ba, 1173 sq ft located in San Anselmo. Asking $719,000.

Butt Ugly Townhouse in "Prestigious" Marinwood

2006-06-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

This is one ugly townhouse. It is within beer-can-throwing distance to the 101 so it is great for those of you who like to hear freeway noise and breathe exhaust soot. But what do you care? It's Marin! And I'm sure you can find a realtor who will assuage your lingering doubts (you know, those unfortunately very faint, nagging voices-of-reason in the back of you brain which, if you are seriously considering paying anything close to the full asking price of $585,000, has shriveled into a dried-out husk) and assure you that this is a great starter home for any young family; they always are.

Brings Out the Sarcasm in Fairfax

2006-06-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

Built in 1920 . 1 bedroom 1 bath. Beautiful setting but home needs fair amount of repair. 994 sf in this charming cottage if you have the talent to restore this beauty...

Located in Fairfax. Asking $565,000.

Judging by the pictures, all of the fixtures are vintage 1920s and are showing every one of their 86 years worth of use.

She's Gonna Blow in Fairfax

2006-06-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

This Fairfax POS was mentioned in the comments section of the previous post. It comes in at 2 br 1 ba, 960 sq ft, built 1923, 0.44 acre lot. It is described by the realtor as a "fixer". Asking? $525,000.

Here is what one reader who visited this POS had to say:

We just viewed this property today, the entire foundation is sliding off the hill, retaining walls bursting etc. the *hidden* second unit has been condemmed by the city of Fairfax (yes it is that bad) red tagged and about to slide down the hill behind.

The smell of sewer was very strong inside, I was genuinely too fearful to walk out on that deck, you could feel it flexing underfoot.

The realtor showing this property genuinely looked embarrased when we walked in.

And another:

"I was genuinely too fearful to walk out on that deck"

I had a similar reaction from that photo--a plywood deck? That lot may be .4 acres, but how much of that is useable?; getting permits from Fairfax is another issue. Definitely another PoS candidate.

Thanks for pointing this one out.

Update: Here is a shot of that lovely deck; yeah, sure, this is worth every penny:

I Thought Versailles Was in France or Something?

2006-06-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

Update: Price Reduced: 07/10/06 -- $5,900,000 to $4,950,000
Also, Zillow.com's "zestimate" puts it at $1,687,970.

This POS is in Belvedere and was sent to me by a reader (thanks!). I decided to post this one just in case there is anyone out there who thinks I have been discriminating against very expensive Marin POSs.

This one comes in at 5 br 6 ba, 2113 sq ft, built in 1955, and sits on 0.67 acre. It is asking $5.9 million. The realtor write-up goes like so:

The most exciting .67 acre estate to come on the market in decades. Dead flat, largest lagoon lot, 1BR/2BA main house, 2BR/2BA guest house, caretakers quarters with two BR/BA suites, pool, Versailles-like formal gardens. PRIVACY! AMAZING!

0.67 acre does not constitute "an estate" in my book nor does it imply 'amazing privacy'. Furthermore, I've been to Versailles and I can tell you from first-hand experience that only with the wildest stretch of the imagination does this POS resemble this:

Nor does its garden come anywhere close to those of Versailles:

I'm all in favor of community pride and all, but this comparison just plain smacks of Marin arrogance or realtor naiveté.

And how much do you want to bet that this POS is sitting on a liquefaction zone?

Buy an Urban Legend in Sausalito

2006-06-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

This Sausalito POS comes in at 1 br 1 ba, 1334 sq ft, asking $699,000. According to the realtor write-up:

The horn house this building is purported to have been brought around the horn in the late nineteenth century. Very special fixer with a lot of history.

Hey, I've got a house that was assembled by hairless albino Borneo pigmies who were brought here by chance when they got sucked up a water spout and who subsisted on only Marin's cockroaches. Really. And it's a steal at $400K.

Dinky, Blue Mill Valley POS

2006-06-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

This tiny Mill Valley POS comes in with 2 br 1 ba, 958 sq ft, 1,002 sq ft lot (!), built in 1971, and is tightly crammed in with a bunch of other houses. If you don't value privacy then this POS is for you. And it comes with most of the "must have" lifestyle clichés that you would expect in yuppidy South Marin. Asking $629,500.

Dark and Dreary Update

2006-06-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

Just an update, but Dark and Dreary in Larkspur is still for sale; I've been watching it all these months and (like so many POSs that grace this site) it never seems to go away (which is ironic given all of the "intangibles"-based arguments that were offered in that thread). ZipRealty indicates that it has been on the market for 174 days which sounds about right since I first blogged it in December, 2005.

The price of this POS has been reduced twice (it is currently asking $598,000). Why hasn't it sold? Probably the reason why it hasn't sold is because the total price reduction amounts to a paltry -4.3% Who are the sellers trying to kid?

This property is a good example of seller stubbornness resulting in no sale. This property should serve as a warning to those sellers who do in fact want to sell their property -- lower the price, do it soon before the property sits on the market too long; if it still doesn't sell, then lower the price again; repeat until sold. Don't end up being like other fool sellers who chase the market down.

San Rafael Crack House

2006-06-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

Absolutely nothing, nothing, has been done to this San Rafael 3 br 2 ba, 1288 sq ft POS. The sellers won't even bother watering the grass. Yet they still have the audacity to ask $699,000. When will the madness end? When will buyers be discriminating? I guess when money is earned again.

F-ing the Buyer in Fairfax

2006-06-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

I am posting this one just to spite the seller of this Fairfax POS because of the insultingly small price reduction of 0.4% Yeah, four tenths of one percent. They're gaming the system I'd guess.

It comes in at 3 br 2 ba, unknown square footage (but it looks really small), unknown build date. Currently asking 1,034,000. It's been on the market for just 32 days.

Vertiginous POS in Fairfax

2006-06-02T12:46:00.000-07:00

I just love the desperation in this write-up:

Run!Now $659,000!A $70,000 price reduction from original price,which you all thought a good price!What a buy!Charming home(not a condo! Writer or artist, a romantic get-away!A sun-filled zen retreat...

The price has been reduced three times and it's been on the market for 60 days and still no greater fool to unload on. 2 br 1 ba, 1286 sq ft, built in 1981. Asking $659,000. Asking tomorrow...?

"which you all thought a good price". Huh? If this POS has not been able to sell, then who exactly are you referring to? Must be other realtors.

"Charm" Means San Anselmo POS

2006-06-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

Wow move in condition at this great price!! Charm charm and more charm...

"Charm" = small
"charm" = very small
"and more charm" = it's a POS

This San Anselmo POS comes in at 3 br 2 ba, 980 sq ft, built in 1944. How do you get three bedrooms along with everything else into 980 sq ft? And what are those trees hiding? Well, at least this one isn't being described as a "starter home". Asking $719,000.

Flood-Safe Shack in Mill Valley

2006-05-31T10:53:00.000-07:00

Enchanting homestead hideaway. Quiet & secluded location at the end of a cul-de-sac. This charming home, on the market for the first time, sits high above a seasonal creek on a large, mostly level lot...Fantastic starter opportunity.

I think this is the smallest Mill Valley POS yet. It comes in with 1 br 1 ba, 988 sq ft (big lot though at 10,500 sq ft), built in 1955. Yet another write-up that hints at being flood-safe (I see a trend starting). At $729,000 the only thing going for it is the lot.

Lacking Merit in San Rafael

2006-05-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

One level 4 bedroom 2 bath home with hardwood floors, fireplace, dining room,two car garage and great layout. Close proxmity to china camp and open space. This property does not require flood insurance. Great opportunity for first time home buyer.

What grabbed my attention by this San Rafael POS was not so much the picture of the structure itself but the fact that the realtor decided to post pictures of the China Camp State Park sign, a picture of the Civic Center, etc. In other words, for $669,000 this POS can't sell itself on its own merits.

Old Blue-Collar Tract POS in San Rafael

2006-05-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

Wonderful home with some deferred maintenance-3be/2ba with original hardwood floors, detached two car garage and large back yard. Close to jcc, local k-8 school, open space, farmer's market. Great for first time buyers in marin county.

This San Rafael POS (3 br 2 ba, built 1953, 1542 sq ft) makes me sick just looking at it. I mean, you can see the stains and cracked stucco even in the picture. No upgrades whatsoever. The kitchen cabinets (as well as the carpets) are some sickly yellowish-green in color. The stove looks like it dates from the 1950s. The bathrooms? 1950s era. The junk-filled backyard is a muddy mess where even the grass struggles to hold on to dear life. And for this heap of ugliness you have to pay $645,000. That's six-hundred-fourty-five-thousand dollars, not pesos, but dollars.

It's an old blue-collar tract home and it should be priced like an old blue-collar tract home.

It really bothers me when a realtor says about a POS like this "Great for first time buyers in marin county". No, I'm sorry, but that is just plain BS. Am I the only person who sees a problem with this? No first time buyer wants to buy a wreck like this for that kind of money. Why are we now at the point where the first time buyer has to buy a joke of a house like this for such an astronomical amount of money? This sort of POS should be marketed towards people who make it a business of tearing down crap like this and building something better in its place; it should not be marketed to first time buyers who in all likelihood want to start a family. Would you want to start a family in this POS? Would you have wanted to have been raised in a POS like this?

Folks, it's time to stop the madness. Only you can do it and it has to be a collective effort. Boycott housing for one to two years.

Brown Box in San Rafael

2006-05-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

Wonderful opportunity to find home with large patio, close to shopping and transportation at this price. Hardwood floors, 1-car garage great starter home. Views and light, large terraced garden.

What the heck is up with this San Rafael POS? This must be the ugliest thing ever. No upgrades whatsoever. "Wonderful opportunity to find home with large patio"? Huh? Is a large patio what we are to aspire to? Yeah, a large patio, like that's on the top of my list when buying a house.

Anyway, this piece of brown ugliness that is in need of a flush comes in at 2 br 1 ba, 784 sq ft, built in 1963, asking $599,950.

But in all seriousness, the sad thing is that there are people who buy stuff like this for these prices and think they are somehow special. The joke's on such people I'm afraid. You see, Marin County makes the rest of the country look better. So you live in what is (locally) considered to be an average house in Minneapolis (or where ever) and maybe you are feeling a bit despondent about it. Don't! It could be worse --> you could be holding a mortgage for a POS in Marin.

Novato Possibilities

2006-05-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

Wonderful starter home or great opportunity! 2 bed 1 bath original home with detached garage close to downtown novato. Home boasts original charm throughout, with room to grow comfortably. Charming landscaping, mature trees and shady covered porch are only part of what makes this home shine. Home sits on a huge, level downtown lot, on a quiet street, with the possibility for development or a granny unit. The possibilities are endless!!

"Starter home", "charm", "possibilities" -- all realtor buzzwords for "POS". This thing definately does not "shine" unless buyers are willing to lower their standards of what constitutes a home. At 2 br 1 ba, 980 sq ft, built in 1951, no "lifestyle upgrades" at all, and asking $599,000 it's a true POS.

Mill Valley Possibilities

2006-05-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the lousy photo quality; the realtor obviously does not know how to effectively use a camera.

Here is the realtor write-up:

Great possibilities in mill valley. This home is currently configured as two unwarranted units. Situated on a lovely level lot. Each unit consists of one bedroom and one bathroom, fireplace, and decks. Explore the potential!

Two unwarranted units in an ugly-arsed structure (built in 1958). No granite or marble countertops, no uber-appliances, nada, zip, zilch. In Mill Valley, $625,000 just buys you "possibilties".

Stinson Beach Tree House

2006-05-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

I just had to post this one because it is 1 br 2 ba. Two (full) bathrooms for one bedroom? Only in Marin does stuff like that make any sense. As for the rest...995 sq ft, built in 1923, asking $895,000 ("as is" sale). And it is not even near the beach.

Shack On a Stick in San Anselmo

2006-05-16T15:44:00.000-07:00

Another Marin POS fan sent this one in. The write-up for this San Anselmo POS goes something like this:

Blah blah blah needs some definite TLC blah blah blah

This picture was taken by the reader who had this to say:

You had asked if I had any pictures of the San Anselmo wreck that I saw on Sunday. I had to go by that area today so I snapped a couple of pictures. I tried to take it from the side because it is on these ~scary~ looking stilts and looks like it will blow down in a stiff breeze! This architectural wonder is $699,000.

The side wood thingy is leaning dangerously to the left. The for sale sign says view, but it is in the woods. Hmmm, I think if you were standing on the roof with a telescope you could see hills…

This shack on a stick comes in at 3 br 1 ba, built in 1965, 1536 sq ft. Asking $699,000.

Kentfield Trailer

2006-05-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

This is what the realtor says:

Lrge, charming 2br 1b family home on large lot. 1 blk from bacich elem. Dual pane windows lets in lots of light. Lrge, eat in kitchen w.Hardwood flrs. W/w carpet throughout. Fireplace in lr. Beautiful brick patio and yard w. Gorgeous rose garden. Drip system. 1 car garage. Top of the line engineered soundwall keeps sfd traffic to minimum. Home may be expandable to within 6' of fence according to seller. (buyer to verify with bldg dept).

Yeah, sounds like the greatest thing ever. Why would anyone dare to think otherwise? This is what the reader who sent in this POS says:

I toured it last Spring when they were trying to sell it for $750k. Believe me, it's a double wide moblie home disguised as a house.

The low-down on this Kentfield POS: 2 br 1 ba, 1270 sq ft, $968,000.

Mill Valley Outhouse

2006-05-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

"Fixer upper on great lot in the sycamore park area. Property to be sold as is."

That's all the realtor said in the description. If she was my realtor I'd fire her for sure. Unless they are not paying her the 6% commission then I guess it is ok. I mean, if it was me I'd write something along the lines of:

"Run-down, dilapidated, ugly-arse Mill Valley POS "charmer" chic-pied-terre needs a truckload of TLC or else needs to be razed before you can even think about moving your family into it even if you have to live on Top Ramen and/or PB & J for many years to come then don't worry, be happy because they aren't making any more land don't you know and you don't want to be priced out forever because everyone wants to live here and besides I know a lender who can get you an affordable mortgage no matter what your situation even if you are a dead homeless person."

A POS like this only goes to show that if there is any value in Marin property it is in the land. But then, why do Marin condos and townhouses cost nearly as much? Just goes to show that buying real estate in Marin is most definitely not a rational process and the buyer's money apparently has little value (it's a borrowed/inherited vs. earned thing). Anyway, this POS is in Mill Valley, 1032 sq ft, 3 br 1 ba, built in 1942, and is asking $849,000.

Butt Ugly in Mill Valley

2006-05-12T15:45:00.000-07:00

I am posting this Mill Valley structure just because it is so butt ugly, it "needs tlc", and the fact that the asking price has been reduced 10%. A few more of those and the 35% correction (at least) will be complete. Boycott RE for a while longer... Anyway, current asking price is $983,000 for 4 br 3 ba, 2068 sq ft, built in 1962.

Ignore the Bars on the Windows in San Rafael

2006-05-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

This San Rafael POS comes in with 2 br 1 ba, 1,086 sq ft, built 1933. Ignore the bars on the windows. It is described by the realtor as "a fixer" if you can believe that. Ignore the bars on the windows. I mean come on, this is to die for in Marin. Ignore the bars on the windows. Anyway, this picture is conveniently cropped to hide the fact that this tiny POS is squeezed between two other buildings with about three feet of separation between each. Ignore the bars on the windows. Asking a pittance really...just $625,000. Ignore the bars on the windows.

Just a Roof in San Rafael

2006-05-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

According to the realtor:

San rafael fixer-3b/2ba needs everything except roof is newer & hardwood floors under carpet seem in good condition. Brick fireplace in lr with insert & detached two car garage. Some cracks in walls & ceilings due to typical settlement in area...Perfect starter home, needs work...

So, for $645,000 you are basically getting a roof and maybe some floors because everything else needs to be replaced. That's considered the "perfect starter home" in Marin. Typical young families are not welcome here.

Stucco Box in San Rafael

2006-05-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

No lifestyle upgrades whatsoever in this San Rafael POS. All you get is 2 br 1 ba, 1310 sq ft (built in 1948), a cubist's architectural design, and a bill for $709,000.

"House Must be Removed" in Tiburon

2006-05-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

This Tiburon POS must be really, really nasty. Why else would the realtor write "Value in the lot.....House must be removed.....Opportunity knocks!.. "? At least the realtor had the good sense not to list a picture of the house itself which, by the way, comes in at 3 br 2 ba, 1542 sq ft, unknown build date, asking $899,000. LOL!

San Anselmo Haunted House

2006-05-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

$899,000 and this 1904 "haunted house" in San Anselmo could be yours. Now, just imagine how much a real house in Marin would cost you; you know, one you could actually live in. People, get a clue already. Don't be fools. Don't listen to the fork-tongued realtor's salesman-speak. That seemingly seductive and flattering smooth-talk is designed to separate a fool from his money. Don't be that fool (there are enough here). Thanks to the reader who sent in this "find".

No Place to Sleep in Lagunitas -- Update

2006-05-04T14:11:00.000-07:00

The realtor removed the picture that I used in "No Place to Sleep in Lagunitas"; the one with the "No Trespassing" sign hanging from the rope across the "driveway". It was replaced with these winners. LOL! I'll never understand the mind of a Marin realtor.

Vacation Rental in Stinson Beach

2006-05-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

This Stinson Beach vacation rental comes in at 2 br 1 ba, 1008 sq ft, built in 1958. At an unfathomable $2,950,000 asking price you'd expect at the very least to get some granite countertops and stainless steel über-appliances or something along those lines, but no such luck. So for $2,927 per sq ft what do you get? The beach and this hard-sell:

Watch the sunsets from this charming beach house in private gated community of seadrift. Lowest priced oceanfront in seadrift. Great weekend home or investment property with good rental history in a popular vacation rental destination just 25 miles from san francisco. Great location with expansion possibilities. The perfect jewel..It will never be this affordable again to own on the beach...

The realtor is really working it in that write-up don't you think? I mean, for that asking price you would think the house would sell itself. Oh, I forgot, people don't buy houses in Marin for the house. Silly me. And you gotta love the way she pimps every possible angle on this vacation rental and can still close with "It will never be this affordable again to own on the beach".

Mill Valley Disconnect

2006-04-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

Here's a sorry Mill Valley POS (3 br 2 ba, 1216 sq ft, built in 1953) that is described by the realtor as "a fixer" and that will cost you $825,000:

Here's what you get for a similarly located house near Seattle, WA (3 br 2 ba, 3205 sq ft, built in 2006) that comes with all the lifestyle upgrades that you could possibly imagine for $819,500:

Duh!

Cashing Out in San Rafael

2006-04-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

This thing looks like one of those nicer cabin thingys at some large national parks. Anyway, this POS in San Rafael comes in at 2 br, 1 ba, unknown square footage, built in 1956, and is asking $685,000. The sale is contingent on the current owner closing escrow on his new house (I called the realtor and the assisstant said the current owner is moving out of state...cashing out of the insanity here I guess...good for them).

Oozing Insecurity in Mill Valley

2006-04-22T21:52:00.000-07:00

Somewhere under all of that overgrown foliage is a Mill Valley POS. It comes in at 888 sq ft, 2 br 1 ba. At the laughable asking price of $965,000 you are looking at $1087 per sq ft. Here's the realtor's write-up:

Incredibly charming updated cottage in serene idyllic setting. Living room is quite large with windows on 3 sides, fplc & deck. Bath has claw foot tub (w. Shower)and wainscotted walls. Country ktchn+dining area also ooze marin charm. Plenty of outdoor space plus storage shed & fort. Very sweet home on sunny lot surrounded by upscale properties.

Let's dissect this one, shall we:

"Charming" = POS.

"Cottage" = tiny POS.

"Idyllic setting" = overgrown. Not to be removed as that is what is holding the place together.

"Ooze Marin charm" = now we know what disease has infected Marin buyers (although in damp south Marin mold comes to mind).

"Fort" = a place to hide out and shoot looters when the economy crashes.

"Surrounded by upscale properties" = that would be your (the buyer's, the wannabe's) insecurity and feelings of inadequacy as you come to realize you bought the neighborhood POS.

Visionless Bones in San Anselmo

2006-04-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

There's just no end to the overpriced crap in Marin. Here is a San Anselmo POS (2 br 2 ba, 1116 sq ft, built 1940) that'll cost you $639,000. Don't let those fancy doodad support thingys and the white picket fence fool you. The best the realtor could muster was "Fixer! Got the bones...Needs the vision...Creekside property". Yeah, right; let's hope the buyer has enough vision to see that this is a POS. If not, they had better buy flood insurance this time.

Underwater in Kentfield

2006-04-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

Here's a 3 br 3 ba house in Kentfield (built 1955 and remodeled in 2003) for $975,000. Looks pretty nice, right? Come on, it's Kentfield...yuppie central...if you can live there then all your friends, acquaintances, business contacts, etc. will worship you, right? That's Marin's notion of respect after all. But check out this bit from the realtor's write-up:

Flood damage has been removed reconstruction to be done by buyer as is sale...

In case you haven't been paying attention, Marin has very recently been subjected to huge amounts of rain. There have been numerous floods all over the county and a whole lot of property damage as a result. This POS is one of the casualties of the floods. But instead of forking over some cash to repair the flood damage (they must have been one of the surprisingly numerous Marin residents who didn't think flood insurance was worth it), these owners are choosing to cash-out now. Why? Maybe they know that we are at the top of the market and it is all down hill from here so it isn't worth reinvesting in this house to fix it back up to the way it was? Or maybe they're just another bunch of financially stressed Marin wannabes who got over their heads (and for a while literally underwater) and cannot afford to fix the house? Or maybe they were going to move anyway.

"Me Tarzan, You FB" in Novato

2006-04-21T16:31:00.000-07:00

This 2 br 2 ba Novato POS (1098 sq ft, built 1949) is so crappy the realtor doesn't even want to show you a picture of the structure. Instead all you get to really see is the overgrown "tropical jungle yard". I bet you didn't know that Novato is in a tropical zone, did you? Do 4" cockroaches come with that too?

Here's the write-up:

Great fixer-upper! Small cottage with great protential. Privacy and tropical jungle yard.

That's all she wrote. Oh, yeah, and for this tropical "paradise" you have to fork over $565,000.

Hey, all you insane FBs out there who are buying all of this Marin crap: I'll soon be running psychotherapy sessions out of my house specifically for poor SOBs just like you. I may even make you famous and post about you. You know, a case study like Freud's Anna O. Putting one's insecurities, fears, and failures on public display is quite therapeutic you know.

Contractor's Special in Stinson Beach

2006-04-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

This Stinson Beach POS (2 br 1 ba, 855 sq ft, built 1940) proves its POSness (despite being near the beach) by the fact that it has been on the market for 240 days straight and its price has been reduced 12% from $850k to $750k and still no takers. Perhaps the fact that the realtor describes it as a "contractor's special" has something to do with it. And is that outdoor dining area set up on the driveway or what?

No Place to Sleep in Lagunitas

2006-04-13T16:55:00.000-07:00

This POS is way the heck out in Lagunitas and comes in with 0 br 1 ba (that's not a typo, we're talking no bedroom... zero, zilch, nada), unknown square footage, unknown build date. Despite all these unknowns the original owners are still quite certain it is worth every penny of the $290,000 asking price making this perhaps the cheapest "house" currently on the market in all of Marin County. But hey, it has "mature vegetation" all over the place and at least the "original buildings [still] stand". What a deal.

Here is the realtor write-up for a good laugh:

Down a quiet lane, a long-loved property awaits a new era after 100+yrs of original family ownership. It's a half-acre+/- creekside lot w/mature vegetation & privacy; super location for new home. Original buildings stand but are in complete disrepair. Do not enter buildings; see w/agent. All info on requirements & possibilities for redevelopment of property must be verified by buyer. Sellers & agent do not guarantee anything. Sale to be as is.

This thing has "been in the family" for over 100 years and they are selling now? Gee, I wonder why?

Please, Please Buy This San Rafael POS

2006-04-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

I didn't find any good pictures of this San Rafael POS. It comes in at 858 sq ft, 2 br 1 ba, built in 1961. Asking $499,000. What really got my attention was the realtor write-up:

Estate sale/as is/rear deck needs work, enter at your own risk. Home needs work but has potential. [Realtor BS] Offers if any on 4/21.

"Offers if any"...WTF!?!

Very Small Sausalito POS

2006-04-10T17:21:00.000-07:00

This may be the smallest one yet. This Sausalito POS is 528 sq ft (the lot is smaller than most houses at 1,045 sq ft!), 1 br 1 ba, built in 1948. Asking $650,000. That's $1,231 per sq ft. LOL! Just enough room for you and your dog and maybe a plant. From what I hear people are being forced to buy smaller houses in Marin than they really want due to rising interest rates so this one must be really, really desirable.

Blah in Mill Valley

2006-04-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

A reader sent in this total fixer with this comment:

Check out 27 Locke Lane...2 bedroom, 1300 sq ft, nearly 80 years old and falling apart. The lot is a weed choked mess. Asking $1.2 [million] and the realtor says "Value is in the land". $1.2 mil for a lot in a blah area of Mill Valley?

Skinny POS in Corte Madera

2006-04-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

This is the rear view of this POS in Corte Madera just to show how skinny it is. It comes in with 2 br 1 ba, unknown square footage, and was built in 1906. Entering the house from the front requires climbing a staircase. Asking $699,000.

'RTFRs Before Making Offer' in San Anselmo

2006-04-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

Built in 1931, 2 br 1 ba, 1350 sq ft POS in San Anselmo. Asking $649,000. The realtor's write-up reveals it to be the POS that it is:

Contractor's delight...Grandma's sweet cottage in a delightful neighborhood needs some work...Please read pest and home inspection reports prior to making offer...This home has loads of potential...

Any grandma's out there with a spare $650K? Oh, I'm sorry, this is what today's Marin professionals have to look forward to. I forgot.

Le Petite Beige Bungalow in San Anselmo

2006-04-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

2 br, 1 ba, 891 sq ft POS in San Anselmo; built in 1924. There's no realtor write-up to make fun of so I will have to provide my own:

Come live the sought after Marin POS lifestyle in this charming, cozy, le petite beige bungalow in San Anselmo. Never mind the big, fat, black power lines running right over the le very narrow and overgrown back yard. Perfect for young families with fewer than two kids or who like to double-up in the beds or even the loser professional who is only making a high six-figure salary and cannot afford a real house in Marin but nevertheless must be able to brag about living in Marin. The fresh coat of paint and the sagging, gray planter make this well worth the $729,000 asking price. Be sure to stock up on the Top Ramen and PB & J.

Dust-Colored POS in Novato

2006-04-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

This 1 br, 1 ba Novato POS comes in at 678 sq ft. Built in 1935. Asking $619,000 LOL! That's $913 per sq ft. And what do you think of those stone pillars?

Condomania in San Rafael

2006-04-01T11:52:00.000-08:00

The realtor write-up for this San Rafael dump (2 br, 1 ba, 1152 sq ft, built in 1909) just goes to show that condomania is alive and well in Marin:

Contractors!! Build 4 condos here. Has design board approval. . . Geotechnical phase 1 complete. Acoustical study complete. Ready for tentative map. Minor subdivision, exempt from most restrictions.... May be able to have more units but this is a good plan. Tear down the house to build. Value is in the land. House was rented for $1300 monthly but condition is poor... Condos will be 1 bedroom,with garage. 3 over 900 sq feet. 1 over 600 sq ft.

So how much for a turn-of-the-century San Rafael POS? $699,000 asking. What a joke! Welcome to Marin. Now go home. You tried. You looked. And the rational part of your brain said "Are you freakin' crazy or what?" And your Id said "Buy it, you know you want to, you know you want to be one of the wannabe Marin aristocracy." Listen to your inner Einstein and not your inner Freud.

Novato "Junktique"

2006-04-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

Ahahaha! Welcome to the Marin POS lifestyle where you must mortgage yourself to the eyeballs just to live in Marin. We are a county of speculative fools. This Novato POS comes in with 2 br 1 ba, 945 sq ft, built in 1953, brick foundation. The realtor write-up is classic:

One person's junk'' is another's antique''. Check out this home with potential: bring your contractors to this fixer. This is a probate with no court confirmation. Home has been added onto and may be bigger than original tax records. One car garage with 6800 sq. Ft. Lot and built in 1953 on tree-lined street in good location [realtor contact info deleted].

Of course, if it was priced appropriately, say $100K, then it wouldn't be a POS at all. But at an eye-popping $500,000 asking price, it's my latest Marin POS entry.

PoS for a Young Family in Corte Madera

2006-03-30T09:52:00.000-08:00

This Corte Madera bungalow was built in 1914; 3 br 1 ba, 930 sq ft. The realtor write-up claims it is the "Best price in the area. Perfect for a young family". So this is the best price you can hope for in Corte Madera and it is what those Marinites consider to be perfect for a young family. Now you know. If you desire to live the Marin PoS lifestyle and want to have a young family, well, this PoS is what you get. And it will cost you $849,000. This is what the market has been reduced to. Shameful.

'Cozy Fixer' in San Rafael

2006-03-29T14:37:00.000-08:00

This 2 br 1 ba, 988 sq ft 'cozy fixer' (i.e., PoS) is in San Rafael. It's a "Cozy cottage with amazing views. Living rm with fireplace. Living rm and bedrooms have access to outside area. Built-ins provide additional storage. Outside storage area. Two car garage. Located in a quiet country setting this fixer has great potential. " I looked at the picture of the view and it is quite a stretch to describe it as "amazing". Otherwise, this PoS sounds pretty mundane to me. I mean how remarkable is access to the outside, a storage area, some built-ins, a fireplace? And is that gravel on the roof? The realtor dares not show any pictures of the interior. Gee, I wonder why? Asking $689,000. Ha!

A Most Lovable PoS

2006-03-27T17:23:00.000-08:00

Love your PoS. Embrace it. Become one with the Marin PoS lifestyle. This 2 br 1 ba (built 1925), 976 sq ft stucco PoS is described by the realtor as "Classic downtown mill valley bungalow...A most lovable home with lots of potential". 'Lots of potential' -- all that has really been done to it is a fresh coat of paint. Asking a jaw-dropping $1,099,000. That's $1,126 per sq ft for a "bungalow". The amount of rationalization and self-justification that must accompany paying this kind of money for so very, very little must be staggering and would no doubt result in the publication of a number of peer-reviewed academic articles in prestigious journals.

Booger Green in Corte Madera

2006-03-25T12:33:00.000-08:00

...3br/1ba home. 2+ car garage. Lots of windows. New deck, roof and exterior paint. Small, private yard... Good bones, needs updating...

Doh! What am I missing here? This "good bones" (not even "nice" bones mind you), ugly-arsed, booger green, in 'need of updating' PoS is asking $925,000!? Again, the "I'm eating ramen and PB & J every day, but at least I have a house" mentality comes immediately to mind.

Piece of Stuccoed Shister in San Anselmo

2006-03-25T12:17:00.000-08:00

This tiny arsed, stuccoed PoS is in San Anselmo. 2 br 1 ba, built in 1947, 1011 sq ft. It's been taken care of; the interior is pretty nice, nothing fancy, but you can tell that the person who lived there actually cared about the place enough to replace stuff that needed replacing (unlike this PoS). But I'm sorry, at $829,000 this is definitely a PoS. And by the way, in Marin, if it's made of stucco then it is looked down upon by Marinites as being "low class" (which is why, IMO, southern Marinites are pretty much agreed that all of Novato is a "pit" where the riff-raff are kept at a distance from the real classy folk). So keep that in mind if you just have to live in Marin and end up buying something like this.