Question: What are the most active communities in the Bay Area, in terms of transactions?

As Bay Area real estate is very localized, my answer to this question will be Marin County-specific. Marin is the second smallest of the nine Bay Area counties (Napa is smaller), with a population of approximately 256,000 and ranked 26 out of 58 in California. However, Marin is ranked in the top two or three of the wealthiest in the state in terms of median income.

Most of Marin’s population is concentrated along the 101 corridor, and the price of homes generally is higher closer to San Francisco in southern Marin. Novato, San Rafael, and Mill Valley have the largest populations.

The 2025 single-family home and condo sales to date per city are: San Rafael (418), Novato (400), Mill Valley (254), San Anselmo (106), Fairfax (82), Tiburon (88), Sausalito (79), Corte Madera (70), Larkspur (51), Kentfield (48), Ross (21), and Belvedere (16), others (76), totaling 1,761 home sales so far in 2025. In 2024 there were 2,040 home sales in the county and 1,993 in 2023.

Today’s market is showing a sharp divide: turnkey homes that match buyer wish lists are selling quickly and often above asking, while others are sitting longer with higher inventory and more extended days on market than we’ve seen in years. Buyers remain focused on remodeled homes with flat yards, walk-to-town locations, and fabulous views — features that continue to drive competition even amid shifting market conditions.

Liz was featured in the SF Chronicle for the weekly real estate “SoundOff” this weekend. The above is her longer answer to the question.