Marin County California Real Estate Profiles – Fairfax CA

As the last suburban outpost before the San Geronimo Valley, Fairfax California has been described as "the gateway to West Marin". Only about 30 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, Fairfax boasts the best of everything. Access to the city is easy, outdoor recreation is just beyond the back door, and the climate is the pleasant Mediterranean weather that Marin County is so famous for.

Fairfax CA is one of Marin County’s most liberal communities, and the laid-back attitude and family friendly atmosphere make it a fun little town for visitors and residents alike. Some suggest that time stopped in the ‘60s, and that is part of what makes the town so interesting, newly hip, and relevant. Residents aren’t afraid to speak their minds, and Fairfax takes pride in being a progressive, politically active town.

Downtown Fairfax California is pedestrian friendly and full of shopping, informal restaurants, a five-screen cinema, and clubs that offer live music almost every night. The biggest weekend of the year is in June when the summer months are kicked off with the Fairfax Festival, a two-day extravaganza full of fun and excitement. Visitors and residents alike gather to enjoy a parade, food, drink, and live entertainment. Throughout the summer the weekly Farmers Market is a gathering place for the community. A favorite, year round venue is the very eclectic BookBeat, a place that moves beyond being a bookstore with its organic café, regularly scheduled live entertainment, Open-Mic Nights, poetry/book reading, and book signings.

With a network of hiking and biking trails leading from town to nearby recreational areas, Fairfax is a Mecca for outdoor sport enthusiasts. In fact, Fairfax California is the birthplace of the mountain bike and some of the best riding in the state can be found in the surrounding hillsides. Also nestled in these hills are parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, and several lakes that are popular with the fishermen of the area.

Real estate is still affordable in Fairfax CA – at least within Marin County parameters -- and housing options are varied. Architectural styles range from old and dilapidated to slick and contemporary – and everything in between. Multi-million dollar estates, quaint cottages, traditional single-family homes, ranch-style houses, and condominiums represent the rather interesting and diverse real estate choices available in Fairfax. For the do-it-yourselfer, many of the older homes offer an excellent opportunity to get into a home in Marin County at a reasonable price by buying a fixer and putting in a little elbow grease. For those wanting a custom home, Fairfax California is one of the areas in Marin where lots and acreage are still available.

With the real estate market being somewhat volatile and difficult to predict, timing the purchase of a new home can be tricky. However, the real estate market remains solid in Marin County and somewhat slower sales give buyers a slight advantage – for the moment. Now might be the time to consider buying property in beautiful, open-minded, community-oriented Fairfax California.

About the Author
Renee Adelmann is a Realtor and Certified EcoBroker who specializes in Fairfax CA real estate.