Buying a Home in Marin County
Honest advice, deep local knowledge and access to homes that never reach the open market.
What a local buyer’s agent actually does for you
Anyone can send you listings. What I bring is judgment built over 23 years in this market. I know which Belvedere streets hold their value, which Tiburon hillsides have drainage stories, and which Paradise Cay docks can take a real boat at low tide. I’ll tell you when a house is priced right, when it isn’t, and when to walk away.
Before you buy
- A clear plan for towns, schools and commute
- Lender introductions and pre-approval (try my Marin mortgage calculator)
- Early access to Coming Soon and off-market homes
- Honest pricing opinions on every house you like
- Not sure you need an agent? Read do you need a buyer’s agent in Marin and how to choose a realtor
When you find the one
- Offer strategy based on the listing agent and the competition
- Inspection review with realistic repair costs from my contractor team, plus a clear read on what the town requires and who pays for it, like the sewer lateral
- Negotiation that protects you
- A smooth close, and help afterward with the trades you’ll need
Financing, with a mortgage broker in the family
Financing in Marin. Many Marin homes need jumbo financing: the 2026 conforming limit here is $1,249,125, so with 20% down, homes above about $1.56 million usually mean a jumbo loan. My husband Michael DiVita is a mortgage broker and owner of DiVita Home Finance, with access to 40+ wholesale lenders, and he’s a great resource for jumbo and bank-statement loans. Learn more at mycahomeloan.com. In the U.S. on an H-1B, L-1 or O-1? See my guide to buying in Marin on a work visa.
Disclosure: Michael DiVita is my husband. You are free to choose any lender; using DiVita Home Finance is never required, and I receive no referral fee.
Where to start
If you’re new to Marin, start with the town guides. They cover schools, the commute, the restaurants I actually go to, and what homes cost.
How buying in Marin County really works
Buying here isn’t like buying in San Francisco or on the Peninsula, and it isn’t even the same from one Marin town to the next. These are the five things I walk every buyer through before we look at a single house.
1. Get fully pre-approved, and plan for a jumbo loan
Marin County’s median sale price was about $1.51 million for the three months through August 2026, according to Redfin, and in Tiburon, Belvedere, Ross and Kentfield it runs well above $3 million. The 2026 conforming loan limit in Marin is $1,249,125, so most purchases in those towns, and many elsewhere in Marin, need jumbo financing. Rates matter too: Freddie Mac’s average 30-year fixed rate was 7.03% the week of September 24, 2026. Get a full, underwritten pre-approval before you start touring. In a multiple-offer situation, a pre-qualification letter won’t carry the same weight. My Marin mortgage calculator is a good place to start.
2. Start your insurance homework on day one
Homes near open space, in the canyons or close to the Bay can be harder to insure, because of wildfire in the hills and flood risk along the shoreline. I tell every buyer to get an insurance quote during the contingency period, not after. It is one of the few things that can change whether a house works for you at all. My Marin homeowners insurance guide explains the options.
3. Read the disclosure package before you fall in love
Many Marin sellers provide disclosures and inspection reports before offers are due. I read every page with you, and when something worries me, like a retaining wall, a drainage note or an old foundation, I bring someone from my contractor team to walk it so you have a real repair number before you write.
4. Understand how offers work here
Well-priced homes often set an offer date, and in August 2026 about 41% of Marin homes sold above list price (Redfin). That means knowing your number before the offer date, not after. On the other hand, homes that have sat for 30 days or more can leave real room to negotiate. I’ll tell you honestly which situation you’re in.
5. Know the issues that are specific to each town
- Flood zones near the Bay in parts of Tiburon, the Belvedere Lagoon and the Corte Madera shoreline.
- Steep lots in Belvedere, Sausalito and the Mill Valley hills, where retaining walls, drainage and access matter.
- Septic systems and wells in much of West Marin.
- Design review in Belvedere if you plan to remodel.
- Docks in Paradise Cay and Timmers Landing, where permits and water depth at low tide matter.
- School boundaries everywhere. Always confirm the assignment for the exact address with the district.
Each of my Marin town guides covers these in detail.
What homes cost across Marin County
| Town | Median sale price | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Belvedere | About $6.0M | 3 months to Jun 2026 (14 sales) |
| Tiburon | About $3.46M | 3 months to Jul 2026 |
| Ross | About $3.4M | 3 months to Jul 2026 |
| Kentfield | About $3.2M | 3 months to Jul 2026 |
| Corte Madera (94925) | About $2.0M | 3 months to Aug 2026 |
| Larkspur | About $1.9M | 3 months to Sep 2026 |
| Mill Valley (city) | About $1.9M | Aug 2026 |
| San Anselmo | About $1.59M | Jul 2026 |
| Sausalito | About $1.54M | Aug 2026 |
| San Rafael | About $1.3M | Aug 2026 |
| Novato | About $1.1M | Aug 2026 |
| Marin County overall | About $1.51M | 3 months to Aug 2026 |
Source: Redfin. Small towns can swing a lot from month to month on a handful of sales, so I always price from the specific comps. See my September 2026 Marin market report for more.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to buy a home in Marin County?
It depends on the town. Marin County’s median sale price was about $1.51 million for the three months through August 2026 (Redfin), while Tiburon, Belvedere, Ross and Kentfield ran above $3 million. Most buyers here need a jumbo loan, and down payment requirements vary by lender and loan type, so talk with a lender early.
Do I need a jumbo loan to buy in Marin?
Usually. The 2026 conforming loan limit for a single-family home in Marin County is $1,249,125. Any loan above that is a jumbo loan, which most purchases in southern Marin require.
Should I sell my San Francisco home before buying in Marin?
It depends on your finances and the market that month. The common options are a rent-back after you sell, a contingent offer when the market allows it, or bridge financing. I work with your city agent and your lender so the dates line up. My moving from SF guide walks through it.
Is now a good time to buy in Marin County?
The market is active but not frantic. In August 2026, Marin homes sold at about 101% of list price on average, and about 41% sold over asking (Redfin). Well-prepared homes draw multiple offers, while homes that have been on the market for a month or more often leave room to negotiate. The right answer depends on the town and the house, and I will give you my honest read on both.
Sources
Tell me what you’re looking for
Send me a note through my contact form. Even if you’re just starting to think about it, a 20-minute conversation can save you months of searching.