| Mill Valley California has a certain cachet. | | | | |
| Over the years it has been home to the rich, | | | | For the patient homebuyer, Mill Valley homes |
| the famous, and the infamous. In the '60s the | | | | designed by well-known architects |
| hippies loved it and, in recent years, the | | | | occasionally come up on the market. Soriano, |
| hip love it. Laid back, but sophisticated | | | | Paffard Keatinge Clay, Daniel Lieberman, Rex |
| with a modern edge, Mill Valley remains a hot | | | | Rathbun, and Francis Joseph McCarthy are all |
| spot in the real estate market, despite the | | | | modern pioneers who contributed to the |
| overall decline in many parts of California. | | | | richness of Mill Valley architecture in the |
| | | | booming age of modernism that began in the |
| What makes Mill Valley real estate so | | | | 1940's and lasted well into the 1960's. More |
| desirable to modern homebuyers? Obviously the | | | | contemporary architectural firms such as |
| proximity to San Francisco is a big draw for | | | | Kappe+Du, Endresware, Ohashi Design Studio, |
| Mill Valley and, indeed, all of Marin County. | | | | and Sheahan & Quandt are also represented |
| Less than 15 miles from the Golden Gate | | | | in Mill Valley real estate. These custom |
| Bridge, Mill Valley is about a 30 minute | | | | homes are not large, but they are smart and |
| commute to San Francisco, which is perfect | | | | well designed. The homes do not come cheap, |
| for those who work in the city but want to a | | | | but they can be considered an investment in a |
| quieter pace for their family life. The | | | | work of art in addition to a home. |
| public schools are excellent, and there is a | | | | |
| wealth of outdoor activities for the active | | | | Nothing is inexpensive in Mill Valley, but |
| family. | | | | everything is relative. For those who dream |
| | | | of owning a home in Mill Valley but find the |
| Another big attraction to Mill Valley is the | | | | designer homes to be a bit too pricey there |
| mild Mediterranean climate. In the winter | | | | are other options. In the hills surrounding |
| temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is | | | | the town, small cabin style homes sometimes |
| abundant - which provides Mill Valley with | | | | come up for sale. Many of these places have |
| its beautiful forested areas. In the | | | | lovely views, a rural feel, and some even |
| summertime, temperatures range between 75 and | | | | have studios. Another relatively |
| 90 degrees and there is little, if any, | | | | cost-effective alternative would be to |
| rainfall. What's not to love about that? | | | | purchase a tear down and put a prefab in. |
| | | | These days prefabs, also called modular |
| If the natural attributes of Mill Valley | | | | homes, are becoming increasingly popular. |
| aren't enough, buyers looking for Mill Valley | | | | They come in many different designs - |
| real estate will find some amazing | | | | including modern, are generally not as |
| architecture. In addition to condos and | | | | expensive as building a house "from scratch", |
| traditional style homes, Mill Valley is rich | | | | and take less time to construct. |
| with mid-century modern design. The | | | | |
| Strawberry Point area has a very exclusive | | | | For now the Mill Valley real estate market |
| neighborhood developed by Joseph Eichler in | | | | remains solid and, with such an eclectic |
| the 1960's. These homes, designed by Claude | | | | background, there truly is something for |
| Oakland, are a bit larger than most Eichlers | | | | everyone. Mill Valley has a lot going for it: |
| and many feature great views of the San | | | | great location, lovely climate, excellent |
| Francisco Bay. You'll also find homes | | | | schools, and interesting architecture. For |
| designed by greats such as Lee Stuart Darrow | | | | $750,000 you can get your foot in the door - |
| and Jon Bolles in the Strawberry Point area | | | | from there, the sky is the limit! |
| of Mill Valley. | | | | |