Monday, August 10, 2026 | Published by Michael DiVita, Mortgage Broker — Tiburon, CA

Welcome to your daily Marin County mortgage and market briefing. Each weekday morning, I put together a quick read on what the markets did, where rates are headed, and what it all means if you’re buying or refinancing a home in Marin. Let’s get into it.

📈 Market Close — August 10, 2026

Stocks closed broadly higher Monday as investors digested Friday’s weak July jobs report and recalibrated expectations for Fed policy. The soft labor data took some pressure off rate-hike odds, giving equities room to run.

Index	Close	Change
S&P 500	7,757.64	+0.6%
Dow Jones	54,036.93	+0.3%
Nasdaq	26,690.62	+1.3%

🏦 Bond Yields & Mortgage Rates

The 10-Year Treasury yield settled around 4.65–4.69% today. The 10-year is the benchmark bond that mortgage rates track most closely — when it rises, so do mortgage rates; when it falls, rates ease.

Today’s 30-year fixed mortgage rates:

Loan Type	Rate (Approx.)
30-Year Fixed (Purchase)	6.50% – 6.75%
30-Year Fixed (Refinance)	6.75% – 6.89%
15-Year Fixed	5.90% – 6.20%

Rates ticked slightly lower than last week following Friday’s soft jobs report. If you’ve been on the fence about locking, today is worth a conversation. I work with 40+ lenders and can shop your scenario in real time.

📊 Inflation & The Fed

CPI Update: June inflation came in at 3.5% (down from 4.2% in May), with core CPI at a more encouraging 2.6%. The August CPI report drops Wednesday, August 12 — that number will be critical for the September FOMC meeting.

Fed Outlook: At its July meeting, the Federal Reserve held rates steady at 3.50%–3.75%. Three hawkish regional presidents dissented in favor of a hike — the most dissents since 2016. The next FOMC meeting is September 15–16, and the market has largely taken a September hike off the table following Friday’s weak jobs print.

July Jobs Report Recap: The economy shed 23,000 jobs in July versus an expected gain of 83,000. Government payrolls dropped over 50,000. Healthcare added just 22,000, below its 12-month average. Labor force participation hit a five-year low at 61.4%. Bottom line: the labor market is softening, which takes pressure off the Fed to hike.

What this means for Marin buyers: A Fed on hold + a softening jobs market = rates that are likely to stay range-bound in the mid-6s for the near term, with potential to ease if inflation continues to cool. If you’re waiting for rates to drop to 5%, that’s a longer game. Locking now and refinancing later may be the smarter call.

🏡 Marin County Real Estate Market — August 2026

Marin remains one of the tightest, most competitive housing markets in the country. Here’s what the data shows as of early August 2026:

Median SFH Sale Price: $1,865,000 (up from $1,802,508 in Q2 2025)
Median Days on Market: 13 days (vs. 17 days a year ago — faster pace)
Active Listings: ~475 properties, median list price $1,299,000
YoY Price Trend: Values modestly softer (-7% per Zillow index) but sales that close are coming in strong
Takeaway: Well-priced homes in desirable Marin locations are still moving fast and above list. This is not a buyer’s market — it’s a rate market. Buyers who get pre-approved and move quickly are winning.

🗺️ Marin City-by-City Market Snapshot

Whether you’re looking in a waterfront community or one of Marin’s quieter valleys, here’s a quick pulse on what’s happening across the county. If you’d like a deeper dive on any specific city, call or text me directly.

Tiburon — Ultra-luxury market, median well above $3M. Demand from SF transplants and tech executives remains steady. Low inventory keeps prices supported.
Belvedere — One of the most exclusive zip codes in California. Few sales but high prices. Buyers typically paying cash or securing jumbo financing.
Mill Valley — Strong demand, lifestyle-driven buyers. Mix of young families and move-up buyers. Homes with canyon or bay views moving fastest.
Sausalito — Unique market — floating homes plus traditional SFRs. Lender restrictions on houseboats; call me if you need a floating home loan.
Corte Madera — Family-friendly, good schools, relatively more inventory than other Marin towns. One of the better entry points in the county.
Larkspur — Charming downtown, good commute access via ferry. Mix of condos and SFRs. Consistent demand.
Kentfield — College of Marin area, high-achieving schools, quiet streets. Luxury move-up market.
Greenbrae — More affordable entry into central Marin. Condos and townhomes available below county median.
San Rafael — Largest city in Marin, most diverse inventory. Terra Linda and Dominican neighborhoods popular for first-time buyers.
San Anselmo — Walkable downtown, antique shops, high livability scores. Competitive for SFRs.
Fairfax — Artsy, outdoorsy community. More affordable than other west Marin towns. Strong buyer interest from younger demographics.
Ross — Tiny, prestigious enclave. Extremely limited inventory. When homes come to market, they go fast and high.
Novato — Most affordable market in Marin. Great for first-time buyers and investors. More inventory than south county. Strong schools in some areas.
Marinwood / Terra Linda — North San Rafael submarkets, good value, family neighborhoods, easy 101 access.
Strawberry — Unincorporated community near Tiburon, competitive and underrated. Great school district access.
Stinson Beach / Bolinas — Coastal/vacation market. Unique lending — fire zone considerations apply. Call me before you make an offer.
Point Reyes / Inverness / Nicasio — Rural west Marin. Beautiful but lender-specific. Some areas require specialty programs.

💡 What Should Marin Buyers Do Right Now?

A few things I’m telling clients this week:

Get pre-approved now, even if you’re not quite ready. In a 13-day-DOM market, you need to be able to move fast. A pre-approval letter in hand is table stakes.
Don’t wait for 5% rates. The math on a $1.8M home doesn’t change as dramatically as you think between 6.5% and 5.5%. Buying now and refinancing later is a real strategy.
Jumbo loans are alive and well. I work with portfolio lenders who have strong jumbo programs for Marin’s price points. Credit, down payment, and asset documentation are the keys.
Bank statement and non-QM loans for self-employed buyers. A lot of Marin buyers have complex income. I specialize in this.

📞 Talk to Michael Directly

I’m a small, family-owned brokerage based right here in Tiburon. When you call or text, you get me — not a call center. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years in Marin.

Marin County Mortgage & Market Update — August 10, 2026