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Update on the Fabulous Twin Cities of Corte Madera and Larkspur!  It is becomming obvious to many that we are one truly wonderful community, and there are some excellent people making important things happen. Larkspur Mayor Larry Chu is brilliantly taking on public pension reform for Marin County, Corte Madera's Michael Lappert is promising to take on "unfunded state mandates for housing development"  (The State wants Corte Madera to add 2000 affordable housing units along the highway.  Is this what we want?)

Real estate values are holding up well here despite the economy.  San Franciscans and catching on that the Twin Cities is the first good weather and the last good commute this side of the city.   

We have a fabulous new listing on Middle Ridge in Mill Valley. Check out this amazong house and property, and then come and see it on Sunday, May 29th, from 1 to 4 pm.  Hope to see you there!

Happy Memorial Day,

Pat Ravasio  

Below photo is the MLS link to 500 Summit Avenue, Mill Valley  $1,380,000
http://norcalmls.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Bareis&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=8asoUeXWyR69g5w0nIrSLGpCVAxiXj%2BhanpFiCHlDL0%3D&KeyRid=1






Great news for Chapman Park, Madera Gardens and old town Corte Madera --  A new Bank of Marin and (hopefully!)  a new coffee/book plaza coming to Town Park on Tamalpais Avenue.

A new Bank of Marin has opened at Park Madera Center, next to the Recreation Center on Tamalpais Drive. Also , the Town Council has recently (as of April 4, 2011) given a group of residents 90 days to come up with a plan for a coffee shop and outdoor plaza opening to the park. This concept, which Chapman park neighbors have been conjuring up for years, is winning positive reviews from town leaders and residents.  Surely it will be one of the prettiest outdoor plazas in all of Marin, being adjacent to a large park, and to Neil Cummins School. Your help is needed to make this happen.  If you know of a cafe operator who would like to open in one of the best locations in all of Marin, get in touch! 

NOTE: Neither Pat nor Bob Ravasio have any financial interest in this project whatsoever.  Pat is spearheading this project out of a desire to improve this blighted shopping center, which the Town purchase with public funds a few years back.  Bob serves on the Town Council of Corte Madera.  Please feel free to get in touch with either of us if you have any questions about this or anything else in our communities.

 

Corte Madera
The Small Town With Everything

 

From the remote wilderness of the mountains and saltwater marshes to the most popular of shops, from Nordstrom to Book Passage -- Corte Madera truly has it all.

This fine small town is an excellent place to call home, with the first good weather and the last good commute this side of San Francisco. Our homes tend to be somewhat more affordable than most other popular southern Marin communities (although Corte Madera is clearly catching up!) and the convenience of life in Corte Madera simply can't be beat.

There was a time when Corte Madera was Larkspur's lowly little step sister, but in the past decade, its beautification projects and rich retail tax base has made Corte Madera the envy of many Marin towns.  Topography plays a key role in making up the neighborhoods, of which these are just a few of the favorites:

Chapman Park & Old Corte Madera.  Located on the west side of US 101, this older part of town features many homes first built in the early 1900's. Originally small summer cottages, many homes in this vintage area have seen much updating and expansion, but the charm of Chapman Park is largely intact.  A great convenient location, just a few blocks from 101 off Tamalpais Avenue ( to the south of Town Park) Just accross Tamalpais is the equally charming neighborhood adjacent to Corte Madera's Old Square, which borders Larkspur.  There are many condominiums close to Town Park, along Pixely and Redwood Avenue.  Expect to pay a minium of the low $800s for a workable family home in this area; and starting in the $400s if you're thinking of a condominium.

Christmas Tree Hill This magical place is surely one of Marin's sweet spots. While the narrow drive up can be harrowing, residents are as mild-mannered as Brits, as they await their turn to take a narrow corner.  Some of the views, the sunlight, the privacy and the natural beauty up here are beyond compare.  Christmas Tree Hill (so named for the way the lights appear on the hil from US 101) is home to many who would like to move up or size down, but are willing to wait for years for the right one to come up right there on Christmas Tree Hill.


Madera Gardens --The level area (or "the flats") bordered by Tamalpais, Madera Blvd, Town Park and Birch Avenues, is home to many of Corte Madera's young families.  Award winning Neil Cummins elementary school is in this neighborhood, as is the beloved Twin Cities Co-op Pre School.  An arial photo of the area is necessary to appreciate how much water front property exists here -- even right across the street from Safeway!  Expert flood and levy control has made it possible to flush the lagoons regularly to keep them filled with nice clear water.  Residents regular boat and swim in these hidden lagoons, and many see this neighborhood as one of Corte Maderas (ney, Marin's) best kept secrets.  If you want level, sidewalk lined streets where the kids can ride bikes and meet lots of new friends, this area is for you!

Bayside Corte Madera -- East of the Freeway lies an area some would not trade for anywhere.  Residents of Bayside Corte Madera love the open feeling over here, especially as the hills climb gently up on Granada and Prince Royal, the views widen, the lots grow somewhat larger,Tiburon becomes the school district, and yet the neighborhoods are still intimate and friendly.

Newer developments at Madera Del Presidio feature good size, more modern family homes for $1.5m .  Mariner Cove, a very actively organized neighborhood on the north side of Paradise Drive features some beautiful properties, very worthy of the annual home and kitchen tours they host.  Recent development of the excellent Paradise Market and Aegis assisted living facility has made this side of town as livable and beautiful as the more densely populated areas on the west side.

If you'd like to know more about any of these neighborhoods, including about houses available within them, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone or email.