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