Marin encompasses 530,048 acres and is home to 252,409 lucky residents as of the 2010 census. If you wanted to buy all 79,086 parcels, the assessed value is over $40 billion.

People typically divide Marin geographically into the mostly undeveloped west and northern Marin, and the eastern Highway 101 corridor where most of the homes are located. West Marin is home to Pt. Reyes, Golden Gate National Rrecreation Area, Muir Woods and large agricultural parcels affording vast open spaces. But even along the eastern and southern areas, there are hundreds of acres of open land. Of course, part of what keeps Marin desirable are our strict development standards preserving our spectacular natural landscapes. So while there is a bounty of open land, the opportunity for building a new home takes care and consideration.

At any time there are about 200 vacant parcels for sale in Marin. As of today there are 149 properties listed for sale on the Marin Multiple Listing Service as “active” and there are easily 50 more for sale via other avenues.

This year’s land market has been fairly consistent with a dozen or so new properties coming on the market each month, and 2-6 selling each month.

Prices remain historically low both for properties listed for sale, and those actually being purchased. The chart below is skewed by a $51,000,000 listing in February. However, even without that one parcel, we see that most properties that are selling are at the bottom of the price range. The average asking price is in the $500,000 to $800,000 range and the average properties purchased are in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range. This indicates there may be opportunities at the upper end of the market, where there are fewer buyers.

To better understand Marin pricing, I refine the two major submarkets into the typical west and north Marin in one subgroup, however I place southern Marin and the beaches into another. This is because in north and west Marin the asking and purchase prices rarely exceed $10 per square foot, while southern Marin and beach properties are typically around $50 per square foot.

North and west Marin include: Bolinas, Fairfax, Fallon, Inverness, Marshall, Nicasio, Novato, Olema, Pt. Reyes, San Geronimo, San Rafael, and Tomales.

Southern Marin and beaches include: Belvedere, Corte Madera, Dillon Beach, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Muir Beach, Ross, San Anselmo, Sausalito, Stinson Beach, and Tiburon.

I benchmark prices in each subgroup, fully aware that every property is unique and there is a range of properties in each subgroup. So even if I find a southern Marin property asking $20 per square foot, it isn't necesaily a bargain. Marin is distinctive unlike much of the rest of the country where neighboring lots may be identical. In Marin the topography, accessibility, and views may vary dramatically from one parcel to the next, creating large price differentials. And while properties in, for example Mill Valley, cover quite a range of terrain, micro-climates, topography, and proximity to the Depot, it’s all good. Some people want the views from Mt Tam, others want to walk to town, but everyone enjoys the temperate weather and excellent schools.

To research individual properties for sale click on one of the towns: Belvedere, Corte Madera, Kentfield, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Ross, Sausalito, Tiburon, or all Marin.

The information provided here is deemed accurate by the writer but it is not guaranteed.