I’m Michael DiVita (DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655), owner of DiVita Home Finance (DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700) in Tiburon, CA. I’ve been in California mortgage lending since 2000 and founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007. I’m known as a creative mortgage broker: when a bank says no, I find the lender and the loan structure that can say yes. Marin is my home market. Call (800) 239-1103 and I’ll tell you what a specific price point takes to finance.
In spring 2026, the median sale price of a single-family home in Marin County ranged from about $1.37 million in Novato to about $3.4 million in Tiburon and $3.8 million in Kentfield, based on MLS closings. Redfin puts the countywide median for all home types (including condos) at about $1.51 million for August 2026, up 8.6% from a year earlier. With 20% down, most homes in southern and central Marin need a jumbo loan; many in Novato and San Rafael still fit under Marin’s $1,249,125 conforming limit.
Marin Single-Family Median Prices by City (Spring 2026)
| City / area | Median sale price | Closed sales |
|---|---|---|
| Novato | $1.37M | 112 |
| San Rafael | $1.51M | 140 |
| San Anselmo | $1.80M | 56 |
| Larkspur / Corte Madera | $2.40M | 44 |
| Mill Valley | $2.55M | 99 |
| Tiburon | $3.425M | 46 |
| Kentfield | $3.814M | 12 |
Single-family closings March 1–June 1, 2026, from BAREIS MLS data as summarized by a Marin brokerage report (linked in sources). Small towns like Kentfield, Ross, Belvedere and the West Marin villages have few sales, so their medians swing widely. Condos and townhomes in San Rafael, Novato, Larkspur and Sausalito sell well below these figures.
Market Conditions in 2026
- Prices: Redfin reported Marin prices up 8.6% year over year for the three months ending August 2026, with 227 homes sold in August versus 168 a year earlier.
- Speed: in spring 2026, about 77% of single-family homes went under contract within 30 days and, on average, those sold above asking. Homes that sat more than 120 days sold well below their original list price — pricing matters.
- Two markets: southern Marin (Tiburon, Belvedere, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Ross, Kentfield) trades at a large premium to central and northern Marin (San Rafael, Novato), which is where most first-time and conforming-loan buyers land.
Why Marin Prices Stay High
Most of Marin’s land is parkland, open space, watershed or agricultural land — the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Point Reyes National Seashore, Mount Tamalpais, water district lands and protected ranches. Towns are small and largely built out. With very little room to add housing, demand from San Francisco and the wider Bay Area shows up in price rather than new supply.
What It Takes to Buy at the Median
| City | Median price | 20% down | Loan | Est. payment* | Income needed** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novato | $1,370,000 | $274,000 | $1,096,000 (conforming) | ~$8,900 | ~$249,000 |
| San Rafael | $1,510,000 | $302,000 | $1,208,000 (conforming) | ~$9,780 | ~$273,000 |
| Mill Valley | $2,550,000 | $510,000 | $2,040,000 (jumbo) | ~$16,320 | ~$455,000 |
| Tiburon | $3,425,000 | $685,000 | $2,740,000 (jumbo) | ~$21,810 | ~$609,000 |
*Principal and interest at an illustrative 7.00% 30-year fixed, plus property tax at 1.15% of price and $300/month insurance. Actual rates, taxes and insurance vary, and fire-zone insurance can be much higher. **Gross income for a 43% debt-to-income ratio with no other debts. Jumbo lenders also require cash reserves after closing — often 6 to 12 months of payments or more.
Financing Tiers in Marin
- Up to $1,249,125: conforming (high-balance above $832,750). As little as 5% down on a one-unit primary residence; 3% programs up to $832,750. FHA also goes to $1,249,125 in Marin with 3.5% down.
- $1,249,126 to about $3 million: jumbo. Many lenders want 10–20% down, strong credit and meaningful reserves; terms vary widely by lender.
- Above about $3 million: larger jumbo loans, often with 20–30% down and deeper asset documentation.
- Self-employed or asset-rich, income-light: bank statement, asset depletion and other non-QM options — where a broker who can shop lenders matters most.
- Veterans: VA has no loan limit with full entitlement, even in Tiburon.
More detail: jumbo loans in Marin and 2026 conforming limits.
Property Taxes
Under Proposition 13, the base tax is 1% of your purchase price, plus local bonds, parcel taxes and special assessments that vary by city and school district. Many Marin buyers pay roughly 1.1%–1.3% of the price in the first year. Ask for the property’s actual tax bill and add-ons before you write an offer. See my Prop 13 guide.
Fire Risk and Insurance
Much of Marin sits in or near the wildland-urban interface — hillside neighborhoods in Mill Valley, the Ross Valley towns (San Anselmo, Fairfax), Lucas Valley and Novato’s hills, and West Marin villages like Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Inverness and Point Reyes Station. Many insurers have limited new policies in high-risk areas, and some buyers end up with a California FAIR Plan policy plus a separate “difference in conditions” (DIC) policy. Get an insurance quote before you remove contingencies, and build the premium into your budget. See my guides on FAIR Plan coverage limits and FAIR Plan wrap policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in Marin County in 2026?
Redfin reports a countywide median of about $1.51 million for all home types in August 2026. For single-family homes, spring 2026 MLS medians ranged from about $1.37 million in Novato and $1.51 million in San Rafael to $2.55 million in Mill Valley, $3.4 million in Tiburon and $3.8 million in Kentfield.
What is the most affordable place to buy in Marin?
Novato has the lowest single-family median in the county, followed by San Rafael. Condos and townhomes in San Rafael, Novato and Larkspur are the lowest-priced entry points overall.
Do I need a jumbo loan to buy in Marin?
Only if your loan is above $1,249,125, Marin’s 2026 conforming limit. With 20% down, a median-priced single-family home in Novato or San Rafael usually fits under that limit; in Mill Valley, Larkspur, Tiburon, Ross and Kentfield it usually doesn’t.
How much income do I need to buy a home in Marin?
At an illustrative 7% rate with 20% down and no other debts, roughly $250,000 a year for a Novato median home, about $275,000 for San Rafael, and $450,000 or more for Mill Valley. Your actual number depends on rate, down payment, taxes, insurance and other debts.
How do fire zones affect buying in Marin?
Homes in high-fire-risk areas can be hard or expensive to insure, and lenders require insurance before closing. Some buyers need a FAIR Plan policy plus a DIC policy. Get a quote before removing contingencies.
Related Resources
Talk to Michael Directly
DiVita Home Finance | Tiburon, CA | In lending since 2000, founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007. Michael DiVita DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655. Company DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700.
💬 Text: (310) 849-9124
