Allison's Blog

Downtown Mill Valley's Dark Windows Are Opening Smallest First

Cream clapboard cottage porch with a green glazed door, divided-light windows and an autumn Japanese maple beside a concrete garden path.

Corte Madera's Parks Are Picking Up the Lunch Shift This Fall

A shaded cottage porch with white posts, gray siding and broad steps opening onto a flagstone garden approach beside a maple and sword ferns.

Who Holds the Keys on Magnolia Avenue This Fall

Cream-sided cottage porch with divided-light windows, sandstone approach and a red-leaved Japanese maple.

San Anselmo Dropped Its Resale Inspection. Here's What Sellers and Buyers Still Have to Handle.

Ivory cottage dormer with paired divided-light windows above a weathered cedar-shingle roof, beside a live oak branch.

Ross Doesn't Have a Town Square. It Has Eleven Acres and a Barn.

Closed French doors with narrow sidelights in a shingled cottage facade, above a bluestone landing edged with ferns.

San Anselmo Avenue Is Covering a Full Day Again, After Paid Parking Ended

Shingled cottage with a deep porch, blue-green door, curved stone path, and Japanese maple arching over the entry.

The Three Doors on College Avenue That Run Kentfield's Week

Three stone-walled garden terraces descend beneath oak and bay trees, with a Japanese maple beside the stone steps.

Greenbrae's Missing Bridge Is Back, and It's Changing How the Neighborhood Gets to Dinner

Moss-jointed flagstone path beside a shingled cottage, with a divided-light window and clipped hedge opening.

The New Names on Bridgeway: What's Actually Opening in Sausalito This Year

Stone stairs climb between fieldstone walls under an oak canopy, with a cedar-shingled house at the landing.

Belvedere in August: A Quieter Art & Garden Center, a Louder Sunday at the Park

Paneled study with white oak bookshelves flanking French doors that open onto a clipped green hedge.

Fairfax in August: The Ordinance, The Wednesday, and A Town-Wide Picnic Turning 20

Mudroom with oak bench, hanging hat and throw, slate floor, open Dutch door, and hedge.

The Art of Downsizing: What I Learned Moving My Mother Into Assisted Living

Allison Salzer | 07/13/26

Old black-and-white photographs and portrait cards stored in a worn wooden box.

Setting Your Beneficiaries Up for Success

Allison Salzer | 04/1/26

What Every California Home Owner Should Do Now

Wooden house and family figures beside a key and two house-shaped pieces on a tabletop.

Real Estate Doesn't Hibernate

Allison Salzer | 02/1/26

Tan A-frame house with a snow-covered deck among tall pine trees.

Tiburon Summer 2026: A New Hand at 5 Main Street and a Street-First Season

Covered loggia with an oatmeal armchair, indigo pillow, terracotta lemon tree, and clipped hedge.

Mill Valley Summer 2026: A Denser Downtown, A New Food Map

Bluestone terrace beside a cedar-shingle cottage, with open French doors, an oak canopy, and a potted lemon tree.

Corte Madera For Families: Parks, Paths And Daily Life

Craftsman cottage with a deep front yard, coastal plantings, and a sidewalk approach.

Is Larkspur’s Condo Market Right For You?

Shared condo courtyard with landscaped walkway and refined townhome exteriors.

Pre-Sale Renovations That Elevate Ross Estates

White kitchen with honed marble surfaces, brass fixtures, and daylight.

What Daily Life Looks Like In San Anselmo

Craftsman cottage porch entrance framed by curated planting in morning light.

San Rafael Waterfront Vs Hillside Homes Explained

White living room with tall French doors opening onto a terraced hillside garden.

What Outdoor-Oriented Buyers Love About Novato

Craftsman cottage with a deep front yard planted with drought-tolerant landscaping.

Kentfield Or Ross For Your Next Move?

Shingle cottage with a symmetrical porch, specimen plantings, and a bluestone-gravel path across the lawn.

Living Near Magnolia Avenue In Larkspur

Cedar-shingle cottage porch beside a bluestone entry walk and curated garden plantings.

Sausalito Hillside, Marina, Or Houseboat Living?

Cedar-shingle cottage above a hillside drive court, with a lower garage and bluestone stairs beside a stucco retaining wall.

Novato Trailside Living: Neighborhoods Outdoor Lovers Prefer

Garden path beside a cedar-shingle craftsman house, with divided-light windows and native-leaning plants.

San Anselmo's Sleepy Hollow Vs Downtown Lifestyle

Backyard lap pool beside a bluestone terrace and cedar-shingle cottage with divided-light French doors.

Selling A Legacy Estate In Ross: Strategy And Timing

Formal living room with a marble fireplace, French doors, and a planted terrace beyond.

San Rafael 94901 Vs 94903: How The Markets Differ

Mid-century entry court with a teak door, post-and-beam corner, full-height glazing, and drought-tolerant plants.

Is Corte Madera The Best Marin Base For Commuters?

Craftsman garage and porch with cedar shingles, permeable pavers, and curated planting.

Selling In Greenbrae To Buy Again In Marin

Shingle cottage with white trim and centered porch, beyond a bluestone-gravel path and coastal plants.

Preparing A Belvedere Waterfront Home For The Market

Living room looks through French doors onto a teak deck beside a seawall.

Mill Valley Micro-Neighborhoods: How Each Pocket Lives

Modern wood-and-glass house with a reflecting pool and fire pit at sunset.

Belvedere Luxury Listing Strategy: Our Concierge-Led Plan

Modern living room opens onto a waterfront terrace with a dock and distant mountain range.

Novato Open Space Living: Trails, Parks, And Daily Life

Modern glass house and furnished deck overlook a sunlit hillside, winding path, and distant mountain.

Do Bay Views Command A Premium In Sausalito?

Modern waterfront home with a pool and terrace overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay.

Bridge Loans In Greenbrae: How They Work

Modern wood-clad house with broad steps and landscaped garden overlooking a calm bay.

Eichler Homes In 94903: A Buyer’s Guide

Modern single-story home with a reflecting pool, landscaped garden, and mountains in the background.

L.O.V.E - Framework

Allison Salzer | 09/23/25

Go-To Rules for your Search - Part II

Silhouetted people form a heart around the setting sun.

80-10-10 Rule

Allison Salzer | 09/2/25

Go-To Rules for your Search - Part 1

Black shoes face two white arrows pointing in opposite directions on a gravel path.

Destination - Bay Area

Allison Salzer | 10/13/25

Bay Area Migration Trends

Map of the United States showing dashed routes converging on Marin and San Francisco.

UNLOCKING THE SECRET OF OFF MLS LISTINGS

Allison Salzer | 01/14/25

Pop-art woman holding a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture.

MARIN MARKET WINTER UPDATE

Allison Salzer | 11/28/24

30 Day Rewind

New to Ross—Maison Marin, featuring evergreen foliage and hanging brass bells.

Days are Shorter, Days on Market Longer: Navigating the Fall Real Estate Market

Allison Salzer | 10/23/24

Leaf-strewn road winding through a dense forest of golden autumn trees.

30 Day Rewind - October 2024 Marin Market Report

Allison Salzer | 10/22/24

Home Sales - October 2024

Wooden garden gate marked 9 opens onto a leafy gravel path beside a covered porch.

30 Day Rewind - October 2024 - 3M+ Marin Market Home Sales

Allison Salzer | 10/22/24

October 2024

Greenbrae bay view across wooded hills and homes, seen from a balcony.

Home Improvements

Two people paint an interior room, one on a stool and the other seated on the floor.

Minimizing Capital Gains when Selling - Tip 1

Allison Salzer | 01/24/24

2-out-of-5 Rule

Woman with braided hair writing on a tablet beside an open laptop.

Buying Commercial Property for Beginners: How to Start

Allison Salzer | 01/5/24

A Beginner's Guide to Informed and Rewarding Investments.

Glass-walled meeting room with a wooden table, burgundy chairs, and an exposed concrete ceiling.

Best ROI Home Improvements for Your Home

Allison Salzer | 01/1/24

Boost your home's value with these top ROI improvements.

Swimming pool and modern home surrounded by hedges, with white lounge chairs on the deck.

10 Things to Consider Before Buying a Vacation Home

Allison Salzer | 12/14/23

Balancing dreams and practicality: Navigating the purchase of your dream vacation home.

Aerial view of a wooded estate with a swimming pool, pergola, and expansive lawn.

When Is The Best Time To Sell A House?

Allison Salzer | 09/30/23

Harnessing seasonal advantages: Maximize your home sale returns.

Aerial view of a hillside home with a landscaped patio and swimming pool.

California Modernism

Allison Salzer | 05/6/23

Two Wonderful Listing in Marin

Open-plan living room with exposed timber beams, a fireplace, and garden-facing windows.

How to Confidently Choose a Real Estate Agent to Work With

Allison Salzer | 01/8/23

Research, review, and compare contenders to find the right agent for you.

Three adults discuss a clipboard at a table, with a laptop and small potted plant.

Why Listing Your Home on MLS Matters

Allison Salzer | 12/6/22

Sellers should take advantage of this powerful tool.

Hands use a laptop displaying a large house, with a smartphone and potted succulents nearby.

8 Foolproof Tips to Successfully Stage Your Home

Allison Salzer | 11/22/22

Get the most out of your listing through staging.

White two-story house with an attached garage, landscaped yard, and tall palm trees.

What Season is Best for Selling Your Home in San Rafael?

Allison Salzer | 10/17/22

Listing your home in the best season for the area is vital.

Person holding a house key and a small red-and-white model home.

What Are Your Priorities When Buying Real Estate in Marin County?

Allison Salzer | 10/10/22

Consider what Marin County has to offer you.

Light blue two-story house with a bay-window tower, upper balcony, and brick steps across a sloping lawn.

What It’s Like Living in Some of Marin County's Best Neighborhoods

Allison Salzer | 09/14/22

San Rafael, Mill Valley, and Ross are all distinctive, upscale coastal communities with features that allow newcomers to feel at home as soon as they unpack their bags.

Aerial view of a Marin County waterfront town, with hillside homes and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.

Overcome These Obstacles When Selling Your Home

Allison Salzer | 08/17/22

Preparation and appropriate pricing are challenging, but getting it right will save time and maximize return.

Hillside home with a swimming pool, expansive deck, and mountain view.

8 Trending Floor Plans in Marin County

Allison Salzer | 07/22/22

Indoor-outdoor living, spa-inspired spaces, and rooms that spark joy are trending in San Rafael and other Marin County cities.

White two-story house with palm trees, clipped hedges, and a gated driveway.

10 Kitchen Updates for Your Ross Valley Home for Sale

Allison Salzer | 07/6/22

A small change goes a long way when upgrading your Marin County home for sale.

Modern kitchen with a marble island, pale wood cabinets, and black pendant lights.

Top 6 Things to Look for in Marin County Open Houses

Allison Salzer | 05/20/22

Use the following tips at every open house to ensure you secure the best Marin County home possible.

Bright kitchen with navy lower cabinets, brass fixtures, and two people examining the cabinetry.

Interior Renovations to Make in San Rafael This Season

Allison Salzer | 05/5/22

Spruce up your San Rafael real estate with these contemporary home renovation ideas.

Modern kitchen with a large white island, brass stools, and views of a landscaped hillside.

How to Know When You’re Ready to Invest in a Home

Allison Salzer | 01/26/22

Savings, employment, and future plans all come into play when investing in real estate.

A couple smiles behind a house-shaped keychain as keys are handed over.

From Craftsman Bungalows to Modern Mansions: 6 Marin Architectural Styles

Allison Salzer | 01/20/22

Open, ornate, or straightforward, Marin has a lovely assortment of home styles from which to choose

Modern home with stone cladding and illuminated windows at dusk.

7 Key Things To Know When Staging Your Home for Buyers

Allison Salzer | 12/21/21

If you’re staging your home to sell in a competitive market, pull out all the stops to gain a winning edge and position your home to sell

Living room with a white fireplace, wicker armchairs, white sofas, and a potted orchid.

Ways to Optimize the Sale of Your Home

Allison Salzer | 10/1/21

Tips and tricks for successfully selling your house in the San Rafael area.

A hand holds metal keys and a small house-shaped keychain beside a door lock.

Marin County Real Estate - November 2020

Allison Salzer | 09/28/21

The long-term median sales price chart below is similar to those for counties around the Bay Area.

Large oak tree shading a golden hillside in warm, hazy sunlight.

Marin County Real Estate - December 2020

Allison Salzer | 12/30/20

A Strange Year Begins Winding Down

Curved stone amphitheater seating beneath trees in a wooded outdoor setting.

Marin County Real Estate - January 2021

Allison Salzer | 09/28/21

Pandemic, shelter in place, mass unemployment, terrible financial hardships for many residents.

Rugged coastal headland with a winding footpath above the ocean.

Marin County Real Estate - February 2021

Allison Salzer | 09/28/21

Strong Finish to 2020 & Heated Start to 2021

Cyclist in a blue jersey rides a country road, with two riders following and rolling hills beyond.

Marin County Real Estate - April 2021

Allison Salzer | 09/28/21

Golden Gate Bridge above a green hillside, with San Francisco’s skyline across the bay.

Marin County Real Estate - May 2021

Allison Salzer | 05/30/21

Comparing Jan-Apr 2021 with Jan-Apr 2020

Grassy hillside path overlooking a bay and distant wooded hills.

Marin County Real Estate

Allison Salzer | 09/23/21

May 2021 Report

Grassy hillside trail and rocks overlooking a bay and rolling coastal hills.

Where is the Money Coming From?

Allison Salzer | 07/3/21

Hands hold paper cutouts of a house and dollar sign against a blurred green background.

How to Buy and Sell Simultaneously

Allison Salzer | 06/12/21

What buyers and sellers need to know before they attempt to buy and sell homes at the same time

Two-story shingle-style house with white trim, detached garage, and landscaped corner garden at dusk.

Downtown Mill Valley's Dark Windows Are Opening Smallest First

Corte Madera's Parks Are Picking Up the Lunch Shift This Fall

Who Holds the Keys on Magnolia Avenue This Fall

San Anselmo Dropped Its Resale Inspection. Here's What Sellers and Buyers Still Have to Handle.

Ross Doesn't Have a Town Square. It Has Eleven Acres and a Barn.

San Anselmo Avenue Is Covering a Full Day Again, After Paid Parking Ended

The Three Doors on College Avenue That Run Kentfield's Week

Greenbrae's Missing Bridge Is Back, and It's Changing How the Neighborhood Gets to Dinner

The New Names on Bridgeway: What's Actually Opening in Sausalito This Year

Belvedere in August: A Quieter Art & Garden Center, a Louder Sunday at the Park

Fairfax in August: The Ordinance, The Wednesday, and A Town-Wide Picnic Turning 20

The Art of Downsizing: What I Learned Moving My Mother Into Assisted Living

Setting Your Beneficiaries Up for Success

Real Estate Doesn't Hibernate

Tiburon Summer 2026: A New Hand at 5 Main Street and a Street-First Season

Mill Valley Summer 2026: A Denser Downtown, A New Food Map

Corte Madera For Families: Parks, Paths And Daily Life

Is Larkspur’s Condo Market Right For You?

Pre-Sale Renovations That Elevate Ross Estates

What Daily Life Looks Like In San Anselmo

San Rafael Waterfront Vs Hillside Homes Explained

What Outdoor-Oriented Buyers Love About Novato

Kentfield Or Ross For Your Next Move?

Living Near Magnolia Avenue In Larkspur

Sausalito Hillside, Marina, Or Houseboat Living?

Novato Trailside Living: Neighborhoods Outdoor Lovers Prefer

San Anselmo's Sleepy Hollow Vs Downtown Lifestyle

Selling A Legacy Estate In Ross: Strategy And Timing

San Rafael 94901 Vs 94903: How The Markets Differ

Is Corte Madera The Best Marin Base For Commuters?

Selling In Greenbrae To Buy Again In Marin

Preparing A Belvedere Waterfront Home For The Market

Mill Valley Micro-Neighborhoods: How Each Pocket Lives

Belvedere Luxury Listing Strategy: Our Concierge-Led Plan

Novato Open Space Living: Trails, Parks, And Daily Life

Do Bay Views Command A Premium In Sausalito?

Bridge Loans In Greenbrae: How They Work

Eichler Homes In 94903: A Buyer’s Guide

L.O.V.E - Framework

80-10-10 Rule

Destination - Bay Area

UNLOCKING THE SECRET OF OFF MLS LISTINGS

MARIN MARKET WINTER UPDATE

Days are Shorter, Days on Market Longer: Navigating the Fall Real Estate Market

30 Day Rewind - October 2024 Marin Market Report

30 Day Rewind - October 2024 - 3M+ Marin Market Home Sales

The Economics of the Fall Real Estate Season

Turn-Key Luxury Still Reigns

Minimizing Capital Gains when Selling - Tip 2

Minimizing Capital Gains when Selling - Tip 1

Buying Commercial Property for Beginners: How to Start

Best ROI Home Improvements for Your Home

10 Things to Consider Before Buying a Vacation Home

When Is The Best Time To Sell A House?

California Modernism

How to Confidently Choose a Real Estate Agent to Work With

Why Listing Your Home on MLS Matters

8 Foolproof Tips to Successfully Stage Your Home

What Season is Best for Selling Your Home in San Rafael?

What Are Your Priorities When Buying Real Estate in Marin County?

What It’s Like Living in Some of Marin County's Best Neighborhoods

Overcome These Obstacles When Selling Your Home

8 Trending Floor Plans in Marin County

10 Kitchen Updates for Your Ross Valley Home for Sale

Top 6 Things to Look for in Marin County Open Houses

Interior Renovations to Make in San Rafael This Season

How to Know When You’re Ready to Invest in a Home

From Craftsman Bungalows to Modern Mansions: 6 Marin Architectural Styles

7 Key Things To Know When Staging Your Home for Buyers

Ways to Optimize the Sale of Your Home

Marin County Real Estate - November 2020

Marin County Real Estate - December 2020

Marin County Real Estate - January 2021

Marin County Real Estate - February 2021

Marin County Real Estate - April 2021

Marin County Real Estate - May 2021

Marin County Real Estate

Where is the Money Coming From?

How to Buy and Sell Simultaneously