M
arin County's luxury home market has seen an unusually active fall season, with two sales over $10 million closing in November and a record-breaking sale of $23.5 million at the end of September. Agents attribute the surge in activity to economic and political uncertainties that kept buyers on the sidelines earlier this year, but post-Labor Day and especially after Election Day, interest has picked up.

    "This is not your typical fall market," said Shana Rhode-Lynch, a Marin-based agent with Compass. "People are more confident now, and they're coming out to buy." She cited Robert Redford's $4 million listing in Tiburon as an example of the strong demand for high-end homes, noting that four of her clients have requested to see it without even knowing who the celebrity seller is.

    The recent uptick has not led to substantial price gains, according to Tracy McLaughlin of The Agency, who represented buyers on a $12.75 million sale in Belvedere and an off-market deal at $11.25 million in Ross. She attributed the market's "schizophrenic" nature to the dichotomy between turnkey homes that still perform well and those with imperfections or needed work.

    Looking ahead, agents expect interest rates to drop next year, which may help the market recover further, especially in the $3 million and under market. They also advise owners to be more flexible on pricing and consider getting back into the market earlier than usual. With signs of increased inventory on the horizon, buyers at the high end are still struggling to find their perfect fit, with Rhode-Lynch reporting regular calls from agents and buyers searching for luxury homes that meet their criteria.

    The number of pending sales in Marin's $3 million and up range has seen a 27% year-over-year increase, while sales over $7 million have jumped by 72%, according to MLS stats. This trend suggests that buyers are not taking the holidays off from house hunting and may portend a strong spring market.