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