Russian River Area

Just Listed! Rare Riverfront Home with Private Summer Dock ?

Rare Riverfront Home with Private Summer Dock! An idyllic oasis just west of downtown Guerneville. With vintage flair and tasteful updates, this .26+ acre parcel delights in so many ways: dinner on the deck overlooking the river,  an evening hot tub privately located under the stars, views from nearly every room, an expansive usable lawn area lined by mature landscaping,  fruit trees, a path down to your private riverside deck with a summer dock overlooking the heart of Russian River fun. There are so many ways you and your friends and family can enjoy the Russian River lifestyle. Please watch our Property Video below and visit the Property Website for more details on this lovely Riverfront Home.   ...

The Magic of Mustard in the Vineyards

The Magic of Mustard in the Vineyards: Every year, towards the end of winter, many Sonoma County vineyards come alive with a brilliant carpet of mustard beneath the bare grapevine trunks. The first time someone sees the landscape, it's mesmerizing. Mustard is more than just a feast for the eyes, it's a feast for the vines. It thrives just until bud break, when it is turned under to mulch and provides valuable nutrients to the emerging grape plants. To view the mustard, simply pick an area that's deeply populated with wineries and vineyards, and look out your car window. [embed]https://youtu.be/5r5Foh6uga4[/embed]...

Russian River Home Sales Report

[caption id="attachment_1723" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Russian River Views from Forestville looking North"][/caption]The Russian River area of Sonoma County extends from Forestville, which lies between Sebastopol and Healdsburg, through Guerneville and Monte Rio to Duncan's Mills near the coast in Jenner. It also includes tiny Rio Nido, Camp Meeker and the rustic hills and forests of Cazadero. It is a very diverse area with more than its share of towering redwoods and river beaches. Historically a summer playground for San Francisco, the river also is a full time home to many. Homes can be more affordable here. Recently the river market was slower to react to the housing crisis, but saw its share of foreclosures and distressed properties later on. Aa elsewhere, inventory is declining as sales volume improves. One thing I'd like to point out with these charts is that many of them show the number of bank-owned properties that have sold as a percentage of the overall market. This would be true for any of the sales reports I have posted. Russian River Home Sales Report ...

The Most Beautiful Time of the Year in Sonoma County Could be Now

Typically we think of springtime or summer as the most beautiful time of the year but for all of October and now November  here in Sonoma County wine country of Northern California it feels like right now is the best time of year.  We had some early rain (after six typical dry months) in September.  The grass has gone from golden brown to emerald green.  The vines and trees throughout the county are turning red, gold and orange.  The skies have been brilliant blue and the weather has been delightfully warm but not too hot.  LOVE IT.  Maybe that is part of the reason why the real estate market has been so active this fall.  Much busier than the typically busy summer months.  Perhaps it is 30 year fixed rate mortgages at 4 percent?  Ten year fixed jumbo loans at 3.75%!!! Perhaps it is health of many tech companies and startups in Silicon Valley and San Francisco.  Who knows for sure but it has been a great time to be showing and selling property and out and about on these beautiful days.  Has kept me away from the blog for a bit.  I apologize, and I am back! [caption id="attachment_1326" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="A brilliant November day and old vine zinfandel in the Russian RIver Valley appellation of Santa Rosa, Ca"][/caption]...

Russian River Area Homes in Short Supply, but a Relatively Stable Market

As I reach Post 6 of this series looking at housing inventory trends around Sonoma County, I am struck by how relatively stable pricing has been in the Russian River area, from the farms of Forestville to the Redwoods of Guerneville and Monte Rio to the ocean at Jenner. Prices have always been lower "on the river" and the median has declined only 3% over the past two years, from $326,500 to $317,000. It hit a low of $190,000 in February and March of this year. Again-this probably has to do with an increase in sales in the mid and upper ranges after an almost exclusive focus on the low end of the market. Unit sales hit a two year high of 30 units in June of 2009 after a low of 8 last November, 2008. Unit sales usually are in the teens and twenties. Months supply of inventory is down to 3.6 from 5.8 two years ago. It did hover around 17.5 months last year at this time however. ...

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