Novato Real Estate

Some have long considered Novato to be Marin County's overlooked treasure.  The cities of Tiburon and Belvedere have the cachet of exclusivity.  Sausalito has its floating homes.  Mill Valley is, quite simply, Mill Valley.  But Novato, until recently, has been somewhat disregarded. This is, however, no longer the case. BusinessWeek recently named Novato as the "best affordable" suburb in California, recognizing the value for the dollar that Novato offers.  

Novato is Marin County's largest city.  It is also the northernmost and the fastest growing. Commerce is alive and well in Novato.  It is home to the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company and U.S. corporate headquarters for Birkenstock as well as Smith & Hawken.  The Buck Institute for Age Research is also located in Novato in a stunning building designed by well known architect I.M. Pei.    

Despite all the business and growth in Novato, the city manages to maintain a rural atmosphere.  It is surrounded by some of the best and most easily accessible open spaces in Marin County, and has some truly wonderful hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails.  Because of the recent building boom, real estate in Novato is probably a bit more affordable than in other parts of Marin.