Closed Sale Price
$1,842,500
Close Date
October 16, 2023
Neighborhood
Dominican, San Rafael
In a county where the best homes rarely stay on the market long, 58 Rafael Drive is a testament to what makes the Dominican neighborhood one of Marin's most perennially sought-after pockets of residential life.
Nestled in the heart of San Rafael's Dominican area — adjacent to the Dominican University of California campus and embraced by tree-lined streets that feel more like a garden village than a suburb — this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home strikes the ideal balance between mid-century California character and the warmth of a well-loved family residence. Built in 1949 and spanning 1,725 square feet, the home offers the kind of honest, livable space that has always been in short supply in Marin County.
Light pours through the main level, where a remodeled eat-in kitchen anchors the home's everyday rhythm. The living room centers on a fireplace, and French doors in the dining area open to a deck that overlooks the property's most endearing feature: a sunny English garden filled with mature plantings, a lily pond, fruit trees, and citrus — the kind of outdoor space that takes decades to cultivate and is impossible to replicate overnight.
A lower level, accessible from the garage or backyard, provides a generous bonus room and full bath — ideal as a home office, guest suite, or media room. The attached one-car garage includes laundry and storage. Practical updates — a newer roof and replaced sewer lateral — give buyers the confidence of a property that has been conscientiously maintained throughout its life.
Kitchen
Remodeled eat-in kitchen with contemporary finishes and abundant natural light
Outdoor Living
Expansive deck off dining room, sunny English garden with lily pond and citrus trees
Bonus Level
Lower-level bonus room and full bath — perfect for guests, office, or studio use
Location
Walkable to schools, trails, and shopping — minutes to Highway 101 and downtown San Rafael
Fireplace
Wood-burning fireplace in the living room — the soul of the home on foggy Marin evenings
Updates
Newer roof and replaced sewer lateral — the unglamorous improvements that matter most
The Dominican neighborhood is among San Rafael's most walkable and character-rich enclaves. Bordered by China Camp State Park to the east and the wooded hills of the university campus to the west, it sits at the crossroads of suburban serenity and urban accessibility — a short drive to downtown San Rafael's dining and cultural scene, and well-connected to the wider Bay Area via Highway 101.
Location
Market Snapshot · October 2023
Marin County Median Home Price
~$1.8M
Marin's countywide median tracked near $1.8M through Q3 2023, with San Rafael's Dominican area commanding strong pricing due to its scarcity of single-family homes.
30-Year Mortgage Rate
~7.3%
The highest rate environment since 2000 compressed buyer purchasing power significantly, yet well-located Marin homes continued to attract serious, qualified buyers.
Marin Q3 Sales Volume
↓ ~17%
Year-over-year sales across Marin County declined roughly 17% in Q3 2023, driven by a shortage of listings rather than any meaningful drop in buyer demand.
Dominican Area Dynamics
Low Supply
The Dominican pocket of San Rafael sees very limited turnover — homes here rarely come to market, keeping competition elevated even amid broader market headwinds.
Context: October 2023 was defined by a striking contradiction — mortgage rates at a 23-year high, yet top-tier Marin neighborhoods continuing to deliver strong results. The Dominican area exemplifies why: supply in this pocket is structurally limited, the buyer pool skews toward cash-capable and less rate-sensitive households, and the lifestyle appeal — walkable streets, mature gardens, proximity to trails and excellent schools — is simply not replicable elsewhere. At $1,842,500 and $1,068 per square foot, this sale reflects a market that remained disciplined and discerning in equal measure.
San Rafael
Dominican
Marin County
Just Sold
Single Family
2023 Market
