Portsmouth Drive

Novato, CA 94949

This is an invitation to share an exceptional Marin sanctuary home.

Exceptional because of its spacious floor plan, peaceful neighborhood, abundant light, modern construction, and the rare feeling of being surrounded by open space while still being only five minutes from 101.

I moved into this single-family home three years ago to create a sanctuary, and it has truly served me well. Now I am looking for the right housemate to share it with.

The space I am offering is available immediately for the right fit.

I am looking for a thoughtful, emotionally mature housemate who is not just looking for a room, but for a calm, beautiful place to call home. Someone who appreciates privacy, beauty, warmth, good communication, and the quiet relief of living with people who are kind, sane, and considerate.

The house is approximately 3,000 square feet, with high ceilings throughout, open views, and a feeling of spaciousness that is rare in Marin housing. The front of the house has all-day southern exposure, and the back of the house has an unobstructed 180-degree view from west to northeast, looking out over miles of open space land with only a few homes visible in the distance.

Five minutes in one direction gets you to the Ignacio on-ramp to 101. Five minutes in the other direction by bike gets you to the San Pablo Bay levee trail.

The space I am renting is the master bedroom suite. (Furnished or unfurnished.) It has a large bedroom, a huge bathroom with a deep bathtub, a shower, a walk-in closet, and a beautiful sunset view. Honestly, the view from the bedroom and bathtub is kind of ridiculous. It can feel a little like Tuscany. The photos show what the room looks like empty and furnished. (Currently an office and guest room).

You would also have full access to the common spaces of the home: the large kitchen, breakfast nook, dining room, living room, downstairs bathroom, backyard patio, art studio / computer workspace, laundry room, loft office / workout space, garage and backyard storage, and a parking spot in front of the house.

I also have a Tonal gym you are welcome to use. Think Peloton for functional strength training. It is incredible.

The home is already furnished and decorated, but I want it to feel like a shared home, not like you are tiptoeing around someone else’s space. I am open to making room for your art, aesthetic, and preferences as we settle into the rhythm of living together.

My schedule is kind of perfect for a shared living setup. My parenting and extended family life are in Marin, and my social and romantic life are in the city. My goal is to spend as much time as possible in the city, up to about 50% of the time. So there will often be stretches when you have the house largely to yourself.

When I am home, my 13-year-old son Puma is usually here too. He lives with me half-time. He is a kind, chill boy who is used to shared living and is usually at school or sports until the evening. Most people really enjoy his company.

You would not be expected to parent him, babysit him, or become his buddy. He is simply a real and respected part of the household rhythm. I will expect him to treat you with the same kindness, respect, and consideration that I would expect from anyone sharing the home.

I am happy for you to meet him before making a final decision.

A bit about me: I am 54, a San Francisco native, and I have been a professional life and business coach full-time since 2010. Most of my clients are CEOs, and I typically work from home on video calls during the day, usually somewhere in the 10–4 range.

I am queer and nonbinary, and this is an LGBTQ+ affirming and inclusive home. The household culture I am trying to create is peaceful, respectful, communicative, and emotionally clean.

I am warm, communicative, direct, and collaborative. I like a home that feels peaceful, beautiful, and emotionally clean.

I am not looking for a best friend, partner, therapist, or emotional caretaker. I am looking for a grounded housemate with whom there is mutual respect, warmth, independence, and enough communication that the household stays healthy.

For me, that means a simple 30-minute weekly housemate check-in and, ideally, sharing a meal once a week. I’ve lived with a lot of housemates and have learned that a small amount of formal connection makes shared living much easier. It gives us a predictable place to bring up needs, frustrations, logistics, small requests, or anything that would otherwise build up silently.

The goal is not intensity. The goal is to keep things clear, kind, and easygoing.

If you are still reading and feeling yourself soften into the possibility, here is what I imagine we may have in common:

You appreciate beauty, space, order, and sanctuary.

You communicate directly and kindly when something is not working. Our weekly check-ins will create a regular, safe place to do that.

You have done enough personal growth work, therapy, coaching, or equivalent life-learning to know yourself and communicate your needs.

You are comfortable in a progressive, inclusive home.

You are comfortable with the rhythm of a home where a kind 13-year-old boy is present half-time.

You want privacy and independence, but not an anonymous or avoidant household.

You are looking for a stable home, not a short-term rental.

A few clear practical things:

Rent is $2,900/month.

Utilities average around $200/month, including internet.

Monthly housekeeper is $100.

This is priced as a premium house-share because it is a premium house-share: a private master suite in a spacious, furnished single-family sanctuary home, with beautiful shared spaces, open-space views, parking, storage, and significant time when you will have the house largely to yourself.

Move-in requires first month, last month, and security deposit.

Renter’s insurance is required.

No pets, unfortunately. The landlord is serious about this one. Trust me, I tried.

No smoking in the house. Patio use is fine.

No illegal drugs. Alcohol use needs to stay moderate and not become a regular disruption to the household. Sanctuary rules.

Cannabis or tobacco use cannot happen in a way that my son sees, smells, or is aware of.

Romantic partners are welcome within clear agreements, but this is not a setup where a partner gradually becomes an unofficial second housemate. Any additional occupant would require explicit agreement in advance.

I am looking for someone who intends to stay at least a year. Life happens, of course, but the intention matters.

If this resonates, please email me with a little about yourself, what you are looking for in a home, your timing, and any questions you have.

The process would be simple: email first, then a video call, then a house visit, then a chance to meet Puma before anything is final. If everything feels aligned, we would check references, your credit score, talk through final logistics, and put our agreements in writing.

If you have read this far, I hope you are feeling some upwelling of inspiration and possibility. I look forward to receiving your email and answering your questions.

Sincerely, Michael

TLDR: I live in the home about 50% of the time, my 13 year old son lives here when I am home. The rest of the time you have the house to yourself.