It’s Time to Go Downtown in San Anselmo

San Anselmo, in the Ross Valley area of Marin is already a great area.  Ok, I am bias because that is where I live.  But, I live here for a reason.  Similar to Larkspur and Mill Valley, San Anselmo has a great little downtown full of charm and retains the feelings of yesteryear.

Winding along San Anselmo Avenue, the downtown area can be almost divided into two areas.  One that is the heart of the downtown, with boutique clothing shops, restaurants, book stores and the city hall.  The energy fades just west of Ross Ave, where the shops and restaurants just don’t seem to have that zing.  Well, it seems that there are plans to change that. 

The Southern San Anselmo Avenue Vision Committee has grand plans to inject a bit more life into this half, with grand plans for a possible underground garage as well as adding more shops by taking over a lane of Sir Francis Drake.  More details on this ad-hoc committee’s plan is detailed in this recent MarinIJ article. 

Regardless of whether this plan comes to fruition or not, living close to downtown already has its pluses.  Take a look a current listings that will have you walking to downtown San Anselmo in no time:

26 Tamalpais Ave #E - 2 beds, 1.5 baths – $557,000:  This is the lowest price point currently that is walking distance to downtown.  A condo in a small complex with a large patio.  Fairly good size – 1331 SF.  On the market now for 81 days, it’s offering seller financing.  Though maybe a price reduction could be better.  Only a $8000 drop so far.  Probably because the current owner paid $505,000 in 2007.

26 Belle Ave #D – 3 beds, 2.5 baths – $569,000:  A condo/ townhouse less than a block to the new proposed section of downtown with a enclosed garage.  Small complex and probably the best bang for your buck in these parts.

191 Tunstead Ave – 2 beds, 1 bath – $739,000:  Just reduced by $30,000 after being on the market for 14 days, this is a charmer built in the 1920s.   Small home but a decent sized lot offers potential to add – on. 

8 Richmond Rd – 4 beds, 3.5 baths – $2,400,000:  This is a completely brand new house built after a tear down with all the high end touches and right across from the seminary.  On the market for quite some time.  Most recently agent has it listed for 64 days.  Prior to that, the 1st agent had marketed in the neighborhood of $2.6 million.  Quite a high price tag.  The lot and the now demolished home was purchased in 2005 for $950,000, so it looks like there is definitely costs to be recouped here.