How Local Expertise Helped My Buyers Find an Off-Market Home in San Anselmo, CA

How Local Expertise Helped My Buyers Find an Off-Market Home in San Anselmo, CA

One of the biggest challenges facing today’s Marin County home buyers is simple — there just aren’t enough homes available.

Recently, I had the pleasure of helping a buyer client purchase a home in San Anselmo, California, and their experience represents what many buyers across Marin County are currently facing: motivated families ready to settle into a great neighborhood, but struggling with limited inventory.

It’s also a story that highlights the real value of working with a strong local real estate agent in Marin County — especially in a competitive market.

A Common Marin County Buyer Journey

I was introduced to these clients in September of 2025, and from the very beginning, I knew they would be wonderful to work with. They were level-headed, motivated, and had a clear vision of what they wanted their home search to look like.

Like many buyers in San Anselmo and throughout Marin County, they were focused on:

• Finding a home in a great neighborhood

• Putting down roots for the long term

• Having enough space to grow

We spent several months touring what was publicly available on the market. While some homes came close, the reality quickly became clear — there simply wasn’t enough inventory to meet demand.

Looking Beyond Zillow and Redfin

When the right home wasn’t appearing online, I took the same approach I use with all of my buyers:

👉 Let’s look at what’s not on the market.

I personally reached out to my network of local Marin County agents to ask about any off-market properties or coming soon listings they may have.

Within just a few days — boom — we got a hit.

An agent shared a four-bedroom, three-bath home located in the highly desirable flats of San Anselmo — a fantastic neighborhood known for its walkability, charm, and strong community feel.

It was exactly what my clients had been hoping for.

Navigating a Complex Transaction

The property was tenant occupied, which meant a longer and more complex close of escrow. We were managing timelines between both the sellers and the tenants, which required careful coordination and clear communication throughout the process.

Together, we navigated:

• A 90+ day close of escrow

• Detailed inspection reports

• Coordinating service providers for quotes and repairs

• Negotiations at key milestones in the transaction

My buyers stayed patient and focused on the long-term goal — securing the right home in San Anselmo.

Now that escrow has closed, they are working with the HVAC, plumbing, and drainage contractors I recommended to make a few improvements before moving in.

The Value of a Local Marin County Real Estate Agent

I share this story to highlight one simple truth:

There is immense value in having a great real estate agent in your corner.

Many buyers in Marin County consider going through the process alone, especially with so many online tools available today. It’s easy to assume that Zillow and Redfin show all available homes — but that’s rarely the full picture.

A significant number of great opportunities come from:

✔ Off-market listings
✔ Coming soon properties
✔ Local agent relationships
✔ Proactive outreach

It’s my job to expose my clients to homes the general public may never see.

While this approach doesn’t work every time, my team and I successfully help multiple buyers and sellers each year by tapping into these local connections.

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Marin County?

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in San Anselmo or anywhere in Marin County, I strongly encourage you to work with a well-connected local agent — whether that’s my team or another trusted professional.

My best advice is simple:

👉 Hire someone who puts your interests first — not just the deal.

When you have the right guidance, the entire process becomes smoother, more empowering, and far more successful.

If you’d like to talk about your real estate goals this year, I’m always happy to help.