Nestled in the heart of Marin County, the unincorporated community of Kentfield enjoys beautiful weather, large lot sizes, and a highly ranked school system.
“Kentfield has a very traditional feel” and tends to offer larger lots than other high-end Marin markets, said Brent Thomson, a senior vice president at Pacific Union International and branch executive of our Marin County region.
Kentfield’s excellent schools are a major draw. In 2012 Bacich Elementary School earned a state Academic Performance Index score of 944 out of 1,000 and Kent Middle School received a 955.
Home to the College of Marin, Kentfield is a primarily residential community with most business activity centering on College Avenue. The Woodlands Market and Woodlands Cafe are favorite local gathering spots, and the Half Day Cafe serves up breakfast and lunch with indoor and outdoor seating. Residents also dine and shop in nearby San Rafael, Larkspur, Corte Madera, and San Anselmo.
With its proximity to Mount Tamalpais, Phoenix Lake, and Bald Hill, the area offers many opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and running. Depending on traffic, Kentfield is a roughly 10-minute drive from the Larkspur ferry terminal and Highway 101.
Kentfield homes for sale come in a range of styles including Spanish and California ranch varieties. The Kent Woodlands area offers stunning views of Mount Tamalpais and has its own property owners association. In 2011 the neighborhood made headlines when Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and his family purchased a stunning $2.25 million home there.
Kentfield home prices have been rising as buyer demand grows.
In September the median sale price of a single-family Kentfield home increased 7 percent to $1.59 million, compared with $1.49 million a year earlier, according to MLS data. Meanwhile, the months’ supply of inventory – a measure of how quickly the current supply of homes would sell at the present sales rate – dropped 28 percent in September to 2.8 months, down from 3.8 months a year earlier.
“With their charm and tightly knit communities, Kentfield, Kent Woodlands, and Ross are reminiscent of quaint New England towns,” Thomson said. “For buyers seeking an excellent school system and a more expansive setting, Kentfield is a wonderful option.”
(Photo of Bacich Elementary School courtesy of Peter Giordano, via Flickr.)