The decision whether to try to short sell your home or let the bank foreclose is one that should be made only after consultation with an attorney and tax adviser. Any choice you make will have consequences that are too important to leave to chance. Once you have received professional advice, try to work with your lender toward a modification or other consideration.

The bank will ask for lots of documentation, such as a hardship letter, copies of bank statements and pay stubs, and lists of assets and liabilities. Provide everything they ask for in a timely manner, and keep copies of everything you send them. In addition, keep detailed records of all communications with the lender, such as emails and notes of telephone conversations.

While every situation is different, there are a few reasons why a short sale can often be better than foreclosure:

1. Neighborhood property values are usually better preserved when homes are sold in a short sale rather than taken over by the bank.
2. Your credit rating may take less of a hit with a short sale.
3. You may be eligible for another home loan in a shorter period of time with a short sale.
4. You may be eligible for up to $3000 in relocation costs from your lender.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development website explains several available programs that might offer assistance, and provides a list of approved counselors. Stay away from anyone who contacts you and asks for an upfront fee in return for promises of assistance.

I have worked with many, many sellers who are upside down on their mortgages, and I would be happy to answer your questions or help in any way I can.

Posted by:  Deborah Byrne

Selling your home is a decision that will lead to weeks of preparation prior to going on the market. Preparing your home for the market typically includes freshening up interior and exterior paint, enhancing landscaping, cosmetic repairs, carpet cleaning, removing clutter and staging, and general maintenance and cleaning. However, don’t forget to have your home inspected by a licensed professional home inspector and pest inspector.

Your realtor can recommend a reputable licensed professional home inspector and pest inspector. It’s a good idea to hire an inspector that is reputable and respected in the industry. Like any profession, there are inspectors that don’t do a good job, and repairs that may be overlooked can cause problems in the future.

A home inspection depends on the size of the home and prices typically range between $325 – $500 (more if the home is over 5,000 square feet). Prices may vary if the property has a crawl space, or is a farm or ranch with additional buildings and structures.

The cost of a pest inspection typically ranges from $200 – $300 and will also vary if the property has a crawl space or is a farm or ranch with additional buildings and structures.

It’s a good idea to inspect your home prior to selling because you will know what defects need to be repaired. Typically, Section 1 items that are revealed in a pest inspection should be repaired (dry rot, fungus, termites, wood boring beetles, etc.). Section 2 items are informational items (i.e. tile grout is missing or a tub enclosure needs calk, etc.). Various items may be revealed during a home inspection, however, health and safety issues are items that typically should be repaired (electrical, plumbing, trip hazards, water damage, roof leaks, foundation issues, etc.). Repairing these defects makes for a much smoother sale and the buyer will appreciate purchasing a home that does not need expensive repairs. Many sales fall apart because buyers are fearful of purchasing a home that requires a lot of repairs. It makes sense to inspect your home and make necessary repairs prior to selling so that there are no surprises once you receive an offer. Buyers typically have 10-17 days once an offer is accepted to have the home inspected and if your home is given a clean bill of health there is less of a chance of the buyer backing out of the sale.

A home inspection and pest inspection are usually sufficient. However, if your home inspector reveals a problem with your roof, chimney, electrical system, plumbing, HVAC, etc. you may want to hire a specialist to further inspect the particular issue.

Yes, if you hire an inspector or have copies of inspections from a previous transaction you are obligated to disclose the inspections to the buyer (you may be sued if you fail to disclose inspections or known material facts about your home).

Everything is negotiable in a real estate transaction. If the necessary repairs are too expensive you can lower the purchase price of your home to cover the cost of repairs or you can offer to give the buyer a credit from the proceeds of the sale at the close of escrow. You can also sell your property “As Is” and adjust the asking price based on the cost of repairs. Just remember that cool heads in a real estate transaction will prevail. Working with your realtor, the buyer, and the buyer’s realtor to resolve repairs will usually lead to a successful transaction.

Posted by:  Doug Hecker

Even though the government has stated the recession ended two years ago, don’t tell that to new home builders. The new home housing market has been decimated by all the REO (bank-owned) and distressed properties on the market. In fact, new home permits are at the lowest point since they began keeping such records.

The reason is simple: today, homes are being sold below replacement costs. In fact, they are being sold below the cost of labor and improvements with no value being given for land, which is the only thing we can’t replace! The result is that builders cannot sell homes at what it costs to build them, so they are not building them. This condition will not change until the banks stop flooding the market with distressed properties – which could take two to three years to unwind.

The silver lining is in the tremendous values being offered on existing inventory. Any serious buyer should consider a purchase before interest rates rise, as it is inevitable.

Posted by:  The Duran Group

As we’ve remarked before, one of the benefits of living in the North Bay means not having to travel far and wide for out-of-the-ordinary experiences.

Can’t make it to Kenya but always wanted to go on safari? Just head to Safari West.

Wish you could visit Germany’s famed Bavaria? Head to The Tourist Club on Mt. Tamalpais.

Never made it to Yosemite but in awe of tall trees? Muir Woods is right in our back yard.

The Old Faithful Geyser of California

There’s another treasure hiding in our midst as well, one for those impatient to visit Yellowstone: the Old Faithful Geyser of California, in upper Napa Valley just outside Calistoga – known for its hot springs and mud baths. Yes, the geyser here is a bit like comparing a bonsai to a redwood; nonetheless, it is one of only three geysers in the world that has earned the designation “old faithful” – meaning it performs at regular intervals. Every 30 minutes or so, sometimes every 10 or 20, the Old Faithful Geyser erupts about 60 to 100 feet in the air. It’s really a sight, and the gurgles and steam that warn of the impending eruption are always met with shrieks of glee and excitement from the kids in the crowd.

We should probably mention that this attraction is usually most-appreciated by the young ones in the group. They do get a kick out of the huge bubbles and surprise release of the geyser, plus the grounds have other fun attractions for their age-group: four-horn sheep and Tennessee fainting goats found in a petting zoo.

Mount Saint Helena and the Palisades mountains make up the scenic setting of the geyser, and though also small in comparison to the mountain ranges of the Rockies found in Yellowstone, they are breathtaking and beautiful, and do make you feel as though you’ve traveled far from home.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

As we approach spring, and all its glory – warm and sunny weather, flora and fauna, outdoor activities, an occasional rain shower, weddings, graduations, baseball, and traditionally a good time for the real estate market – is our real estate market poised to spring forward?

Over the past year, generally speaking, the real estate market in Petaluma has stabilized (certain market segments have decreased, i.e. distressed sales, while other market segments have gained some slight appreciation, i.e. those who purchased short sales or foreclosures at discounted prices). A question that I am often asked is “when is the market going to get better?” The answer to that question depends on your situation – if you’re a buyer, the market is definitely better because home prices have decreased significantly since the peak of the market in August 2005, thus making homes more affordable: lower property taxes, which are based on the purchase price, so the lower the home price, the lower the property taxes, and interest rates have been at record lows.

Many first-time buyers became disappointed when the Home Buyer Tax Credit expired in 2010, however, it’s a better time to buy now because home prices are a bit lower, interest rates are lower, and if you compare the cost of purchasing a home now versus last year when the Home Buyer Tax Credit was available, it is financially better to buy now.

Move-up buyers are also taking advantage of lower home prices. Yes, a home in today’s market is quite a bit lower than in 2005, but so is the replacement home that a move-up buyer will purchase once they sell their existing home (if a current homeowner is in a position to hold their real estate and rent it out, hopefully the property will cash flow or break even, then they may reap the rewards in the future if the property appreciates).

Another factor that may help the stability of the real estate market is the potential for a housing shortage. According to Mike Castleman, founder and CEO of Metrostudy, which tracks real-time data of the country’s inventory of new homes, a housing shortage is looming that may soon create a demand for new homes. As explained in this CNN Money article, our nation is facing a historic drop in new construction (new home inventory is currently at less than 25% of what it was during the 2006 boom). He predicts that lower prices will soon drive buyers back to the market, however, there will be fewer new homes for them to buy and it will take builders time to ramp up their construction efforts. During that lull, homebuyers will bid the prices up due to the lack of available inventory.  

Posted by:  Doug Hecker

Spring is officially here, and despite the continued rain and cold we know that sunshine, flowers and butterflies are going to be here soon. Like the weather, the housing market is emerging from this long recession with the promise of recovery on the horizon.

On Wednesday, April 20, the Press Democrat (PD) published the article, “Mortgage Defaults Dip in Sonoma County.” Like the spring we are currently experiencing, the housing market is also throwing out mixed signals to consumers. John Duran, President of the North Bay Association of Realtors’ (Santa Rosa Chapter) and the broker for the Duran Group, believes that the worst of the crisis appears to have passed, but the continued foreclosures, “ feels like we’re banging along in the trough.” According to the PD article, the number of homes being foreclosed upon in Sonoma County is down 2% from last quarter, and 16% from the year previously.

That being said, hang in there, spring is officially here and soon we will all be enjoying the sunshine. Have a great week and a happy Easter.

Posted by:  The Duran Group

Spring is in the air, and the Duran Group, along with the housing market, are starting to feel the pep come back into their step, particularly since Raina is officially back from maternity leave. Kim and John love having her back in the office, but are often more excited now that a certain lunchtime visitor comes in to see Mom at work.

While it was hard for Raina to leave Rory at home, she couldn’t have come back to work at a more perfect time, as the housing market is finally starting to rebound. According to an article in the ‘First Tuesday Online Journal,’ REO re-sales are up to 38%, compared to only 37% last year. In addition there has a been a spike in cash purchases, which according to experts is indicative that investors are optimistic about the recovery in real estate.

As always, the Duran Group is here to take care of your real estate needs. Have a good week!

Posted by:  The Duran Group

Charming Glen Ellen Photo by: Glenn Franco Simmons

Along Highway 12 in Sonoma sits the “Valley of the Moon,” eastern Sonoma’s fabled area made popular by writer and adventurer Jack London, who lived in the region in the early 1900s. At its heart is Glen Ellen, a quintessential California Wine Country village that still retains the natural beauty and charm that London fell in love with a century ago and is a wonderful place to spend a leisurely day.

Enchanting vistas, rolling hills, colorful vineyards and bright wildflowers envelope the town and embrace the stone buildings, crooked streets and old oak trees. It’s no wonder that after traveling the world, London decided to settle on this land.

Jack London’s Cottage Residence Photo by Lance & Erin Willett

London lived in Glen Ellen from 1909-1916, during which he dedicated his time to the development of his passion project, “Beauty Ranch,” now Jack London State Historic Park. The park contains the cottage residence where London wrote, a museum in “The House of Happy Walls,” built inside a Redwood grove, the ruins of London’s dream home, Wolf House mansion, which was destroyed in a fire, and London’s grave site. The park covers over 10 miles of trails that take visitors through meadows and woodlands to these historic sites and offer views of the Valley of the Moon. Nearby Sonoma Valley Regional Park also has hiking and outdoor activities, including dog-friendly trails.

Just south of Jack London State Park is Jack London Village, a small compound of wonderful boutiques and restaurants overlooking Asbury and Sonoma Creeks. For a decadent treat, stop in the Wine Country Chocolates shop and tasting room to sample different truffle flavors such as Orange-Grand Marnier, Champagne and Pomegranate with Orange Blossom Honey.

Jack London Village Photo by Stephanie D.

It wouldn’t be a Wine Country town without wine, and there are several wineries – and worthwhile eateries – located in and around Glen Ellen along Arnold Drive and Highway 12.

Another reason why we love where we live: When a day’s outing allows us to combine stunning scenery, old California charm, and a fascinating insight into the life of one of American history’s most complex and adventurous authors.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Spring is here, and all members of the Duran Group are excited, but especially John. Mainly because on Wednesday nights John and his friends can be found in Sebastopol singing their hearts out with the “Love Choir.” I am sure many readers are curious as to what songs John and the gang may be singing, but the other members of the Duran Group have decided it is best that they not know. This is one of the many things that make living in Sonoma County great: there is literally something for every person to do.

Many people find that when they are looking to buy a home they do not have as much spare time as they would like, as the entire process can be quite time-consuming. That is why we at The Duran Group strive to make the experience as stress-free as possible and we found the article 6 Myths of Buying a Home, published in USA Weekend on March 20, 2011, to be of particular interest to us, and hopefully our readers. 

To summarize, the article says that many buyers believe the perfect home is out there, but it is important to remember that buying a home is “essentially an exercise in compromise” and buyers must choose a few “must have” elements that are necessary for them. It is also important to remember that buying the largest home as you can get shouldn’t be your main objective anymore. Instead, you should focus on how much space you really need to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, not necessarily an excessive one. The last myth addresses the stress inducing offer and negotiation portion of the process. The myth is that “if your offer is accepted immediately, it was too much.” However, the reality, particularly in today’s market, is that buyer’s remorse is common. But if you were comfortable with your offer when making it, then second-guessing yourself is an exercise in futility.

Have a great week!

Posted by:  The Duran Group

With so many reasons to love where we live, there’s often reason to celebrate. Most weekends, especially in spring and summer, you can find a fun festival nearby with a cool local vibe.

We’ve talked about some of the bigger festivals on this list already – the Mill Valley Film Festival, the Marin County Fair, the Sausalito Fall Arts Festival, and Wings Over Wine Country have all been mentioned on our list.

But some of the most entertaining events are the ones that make you say, “Only in the North Bay:” where else can you find festivals celebrating the poultry industry, accordion music, art-from-scraps, healthy living and spirituality, hot air balloons, salmon fishing and mechanical and artistic wonders – all on the same local calendar?

Each April, Petalumans gather to honor their town’s agricultural heritage at the Butter & Eggs Day Parade, featuring the Cutest Little Chick Contest (kids in chicken and egg costumes), a cow chip toss (a nod to a thriving dairy industry that includes Straus Family Creamery, Clover Stornetta and delicious cheeesmakers), and a plethora of activities and entertainment from the town once known as the “World’s Egg Basket.”

If you hear the sounds of polka, Tex-Mex and zydeco off the 101, it must mean the annual Cotati Accordion Festival is in full swing. Featuring musical styles that range from traditional to regional flavors to whacky Rock-pop-San Francisco-mischief music, the festival also provides a dancing tent and a “jam” tent where festival-goers can band together to play their favorite tunes.

Also in Cotati, one person’s junk is another’s masterpiece at Garbage Reincarnation’s annual art-from-scrap competition, Oh Rapture, It’s Scrapture!

For over 30 years, the Harmony Festival, held in Santa Rosa, has been a leading-edge lifestyle festival that celebrates the latest trends in health, music, arts, ecology, and spirituality. In recent years, Harmony has expanded into a major music festival as well, with 2011 drawing popular acts, Primus, The Flaming Lips and Michael Franti & Spearhead.

Further north, in Windsor, look to the skies in June for a colorful parade of balloons during the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic.

The Handcar Regatta takes place in downtown Santa Rosa’s Old Railroad Square and represents a public celebration of kinetic art. Encouraging community participation and human ingenuity, this is an event where participants race their hand-built cars and dress in costume, making for some good old fashioned fun.

The Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival has its origin as a celebration of the start of the Salmon fishing season and the annual Blessing of the Fleet. It is now also a weekend of wine, music and tradition, with bathtub races, a decorated boat parade, and a wooden boat challenge.

With so many unique and wonderful festivals celebrating the things we love about where we live, it’s impossible to pick just one favorite. Luckily, they’re well spread throughout the year, so we don’t have to choose.

Which festivals do you look forward to each year? Let us know in the comments.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Not content to rest on their laurels, many wineries in Sonoma and Napa have expanded their appeal in recent years by offering enticing, innovative attractions. Sure, for many visitors the focus is still primarily red or white, but for those in search of added delights, the options are vast.

Ever tried “Wine Surfing”? If you’re in Bodega Bay on the Sonoma coast, it’s actually a choice. Gourmet au Bay is the coast’s only waterside wine bar. Their Wine Surfing experience includes tastings of three wines, with the glasses held in a specially designed surfboard, and a spot on their bay-front deck to contemplate the bouquet, and the sunset.  

Got the whole family in tow – with no one volunteering to be the designated driver? Not a problem if you head to the family-friendly Larson Family Winery in Sonoma. After sampling their award-winning wines, you can settle in for the night at the Captain’s House, a fully-appointed civil war era farmhouse available as a vacation rental that sleeps up to seven people and includes a gourmet kitchen, flat screen TV, and internet access.

Cornerstone Sonoma Photo by BitBoy

Cornerstone Sonoma, on Highway 121 just before the Carneros Junction – look for the big blue Adirondack chair – presents a myriad of choices for the Wine Country adventurer. After a tasting at one or all of the several tasting venues, you can explore the numerous walk through gardens, designed by world-class landscape architects and recognized in one publication as one of the “1001 Gardens to See Before you Die.” Cornerstone Sonoma also features a cafe, unique shops and galleries, and concerts in the Keating Wines tasting room.

Fountain at Francis Ford Coppola’s Rubicon Estate. Photo by Louis Abate.

For the destination in the Wine Country that is sure to please all ages in the group, the vote goes to the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville. More than forty wines are produced on-site, which can also be enjoyed at the restaurant Rustic, Francis’s Favorites featuring delectable family-style Italian cooking. From the restaurant, you can explore the Movie Gallery with its collection of authentic movie memorabilia, and then head to the park and bocce courts, or one of the nearby game tables for a family championship of checkers or backgammon. But wait, Coppola’s winery also boasts two swimming pools, a sunbathing terrace and cabines that can be rented for the day.

With North Bay wineries like these, being the designated driver isn’t half bad.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live 

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

As Kim Hutcheon of the Duran Group could tell you, raising two kids in the City of Santa Rosa transforms your life into a flurry of activity. Between hockey practice and games, family hikes in beautiful, conveniently located Annadel State Park and bike rides on the many trails, the Hutcheon family is always on the move. As it turns out, they aren’t alone. TIME magazine just listed the City of Santa Rosa as the tenth most active in the nation.

What’s your favorite way to take advantage of the outdoors in Sonoma County?

Questions or comments? Don’t hesitate to contact us: 707.537.2319, or thedurangroup@gmail.com.

Posted by:  The Duran Group

We’ve talked a number of times about how the North Bay is a gastronome’s dream. Whether looking for the best in organic foods, fresh local produce, ethnic cuisine, or unique dining, there are hundreds of options throughout the region to whet your palate. And if looking for specialty items such as cheeses, beer and wine, apples, oysters or olives – yep, we’ve got those covered too.

Thomas Keller’s world-famous restaurant in Yountville Photo by Katie Peek

When it comes to food, few places on earth live up to the excellence served every day here in the North Bay. Rattling off some of the best restaurants in town reads like a Top 10 list from Food & Wine Magazine – The French Laundry, Cyrus, Auberge Du Soleil, Farmhouse Inn, Dry Creek Kitchen…

Though a serious dinner in the North Bay can involve a month-long wait list and a considerable bill, part of the appeal of the region is that you don’t have to go to such lengths to enjoy amazing cuisine. Restaurants at all price levels take advantage of the fresh local meat and produce and serve up remarkable meals. For those budget-minded food lovers who are eager for a special dining experience, they can do so at a fraction of the cost once a year during Restaurant Week, a culinary celebration during which local restaurants create affordable, multi-course fixed price menus. In 2011, Napa Valley participated once again (their “week” is actually a month), Sonoma County hosted their second annual week and Marin County joined the fun for the first time.

CIA at Greystone in St. Helena Photo by B. Reynolds

For those who want to go a step further – who don’t want to just eat at one of the highest rated restaurants in the country – but want to put their Chef’s kitchen to use as well, we have some outstanding cooking schools. The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), widely recognized as the world’s premier culinary college, is located in and around the Greystone Cellars building in St. Helena. CIA at Greystone offers courses for continuing education and career development for professionals in the industry, as well as options for food enthusiasts, including Boot Camps and weekend immersion programs. Ramekins in Sonoma provides demonstration classes, hands-on classes and even courses for kids. Because, let’s face it, our little ones grow up eating hummus, sushi and crab, not just PB&J. And when it comes to those PB&Js? Organic peanut butter and locally jarred preserves on freshly baked bread, of course. Gourmet cooking supply chain Sur la Table hosts cooking courses at their store in Santa Rosa and Cavallo Point, home of the Michelin-star restaurant Murray Circle, offers an ever-changing roster of cooking classes and programs inspired by local flavors.

Celebrity chefs, Michelin stars, gourmet tasting menus, world-renowned cooking courses…a local could take it for granted. Or just sit back and enjoy the meal.

Follow along as the full list unfolds 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

2010 ended with a bang for the Duran Group, as Raina and husband, JP, welcomed their baby Rory on December 29, 2010, who weighed in at 7 pounds and 10 ounces, and measured 21 inches long.

Speaking of Rory, Raina is sorely disappointed that he won’t be anywhere close to riding age for quite some time, as the Duran Group just listed an amazing 41-acre Equestrian estate in St. Helena. For more information be sure to check out our website, www.durangrouprealty.com.

On a more serious front, the Duran Group stumbled across this little known fact, and thought it would be important to share. It’s possible that if you use the same bank for your checking account and credit card or mortgage, the bank can legally pull money from your checking account to pay the aforementioned bills if you are late on your payments.^♦

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us! 707.537.2319, or thedurangroup@gmail.com.

^♦Information obtained from Kris Anderson, Allstate Mortgage Company. Clients advised to check with their own financial institution regarding such a policy.

Posted by: The Duran Group

There’s a special place located about an hour’s drive north of San Francisco where one can walk amongst giants, canoe down a bend, taste local wines, swing from treetops, enjoy quaint Main Streets, visit local shops and galleries and take pleasure in unique festivals.

Photo by Ingrid Taylar

The Russian River, the second largest river in the Greater Bay Area, begins in Mendocino County and winds south into Sonoma County, past ancient redwoods and charming river towns, before entering into the Pacific Ocean along the Sonoma Coast. The river’s path is divided into regions, including the Russian River Valley (upper Russian River) and the Russian River Resort Area (lower Russian River) and by simply following the river’s course you can find many attractions that make Sonoma County such a wonderful home and popular tourist destination.

Photo by Deb Harkness

The Russian River Valley, the largest of Sonoma County’s thirteen wine appellation regions, is home to over 100 wineries and growers who thrive thanks to the rich and fertile soil and an environment ideal for cool climate grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The region is open and expansive with landscapes of rolling hills peppered with wineries. To truly enjoy the area and get a taste of the region, try one of the several driving tours, including a cruise down Westside Road, a gorgeous scenic route between Healdsburg and Guerneville. And if beer is more your taste, be sure to sample the local brews from the Russian River Brewing Company. Special Tip: The annually released, much-coveted IPA Pliny the Younger is available every February for a limited time.  

Photo by Dave Schumaker

For a more family-friendly adventure, the lower Russian River Resort Area offers plenty of play. One can hike through Armstrong Redwoods, canoe, kayak, or wade along the river at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville, tee off at Northwood Golf Course in Monte Rio or go on a sky-high adventure in Occidental. In addition to offering adventure, these eclectic hamlets are ideal for exploring on foot and enjoying the local vibe. A little bit country town, a little bit funky, the main streets offer lots of local color to accompany the unique dining and shopping experiences.

Throughout the year there are several festivals on and around the river celebrating wine, music, and art, including some of our favorites: the Wine Road Barrel Tasting, the Russian River Jazz & Blues festival, ARTrail Open Studios and Pinot on the River.

Whether you go for the wine, the redwoods, the festivals or the adventure, the Russian River is a wonderful place to experience the many things we love about the North Bay.

Follow along as the full list unfolds 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live 

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

As many first-time home buyers enjoy the jittery excitement of purchasing a home in the current buyer’s market, move-up buyers are also enjoying the experienced excitement of upgrading to a larger home. According to statistics, most first-time buyers live in their first home for no more than five years. Typically, a growing family or growing salary is the motivation for an upgrade to a larger home.

In this market of woes and lows, home buyers are taking advantage of soft home prices and historically low interest rates, which is making home ownership more attractive to many prospective home buyers. First-time home buyers are not alone when it comes to purchasing homes — many current home owners are upgrading to larger homes.

In local markets in the Bay Area, move-up homeowners are making purchases in higher price ranges due to foreclosures, short sales, lower prices, and a slow market where sellers are motivated — resulting in good deals. However, as appealing as it may be to upgrade to a larger home, there are some things to consider before upgrading to a larger home:

Why do you want a larger home?

Yes, a larger home has benefits, but is your decision based solely on “getting a good deal”? If your main motivation is to “get a good deal” on home, it may not be the best reason. However, if your family has outgrown your current home, or if you believe that you would enjoy a better quality of life in a larger home, then it might worth considering making the move. Consider your financial situation too — if your salary has increased, this too may be a good reason to upgrade.

Will your current home sell?

The biggest consideration when upgrading to a larger house is the sale of your current home. How is the market in your neighborhood? How long will it take to sell your home? Are you getting a good enough deal on a larger home to make up for the lower price on your current home? Will your current home produce a down payment large enough for the purchase of your new home? If your current home’s value is too low, or if getting loan approval for your newer home depends on selling your current house, you may not even have the option of upgrading to a larger home. 

Do you have enough money to upgrade?

You must consider the additional costs before you decide to upgrade to a larger home. Your mortgage payment, property taxes and insurance will increase, and you will have additional costs associated with the sale of your home and moving. You may also need to buy more furniture and make changes to the home. Your utility bills, landscaping and home maintenance will increase too. If the home is a foreclosure or if maintenance has been neglected, there may be additional costs associated with home repairs.

Will you be disappointed if the home doesn’t appreciate?

Be cautious if you are planning on upgrading to a larger home and taking on increased debt. You may believe that a bigger home will create a larger return on your investment, but, even if you buy at the bottom of the market there is no guarantee that your home will appreciate in value at the rate you expect. The real estate market fluctuates, just like other investments and if you are buying a larger home solely as an investment you might be disappointed. Consider upgrading as a purchase, rather than an investment likely to yield big returns.

Should you upgrade to a larger home?

If you can handle the increased debt, and you think that moving into a larger home will improve your quality of life, or if you have outgrown your current home it might be a good time to upgrade. However, make sure you are prepared for increased costs that come with a larger home, and understand that you might end up with a big purchase, rather than a good investment.

Posted by:  Doug Hecker

In this third and final part of the series “In Defense of Flippers,” I will discuss how the process of buying foreclosure properties and reselling them for a profit can benefit local economies and housing markets.

The Press Democrat article “Flipping Foreclosed Houses” (December 26, 2010) focused on many negative perceptions of the business men and women who flip houses for profit. I do not defend individuals or businesses who act irresponsibly or unethically, and I have no knowledge of the specific examples the author cited. In this series of blogs I am attempting to offer a perspective that was missing in the article and subsequent editorial.

Flipping distressed properties provides real and lasting benefits to the community. As the recession took hold in Sonoma County and people started losing their homes, entire blocks became abandoned, neglected and forgotten. Lawns died, weeds flourished, homes became dirty and rodent-infested, and many were even vandalized. Imagine how you would feel if you took care of your home and your yard, while the homes around you were becoming more of an eyesore and a danger. And all the while, you are seeing home values in your neighborhood plummet.

An investor/flipper buys the property, and now local trades people are working again. Goods are being purchased again. Weeds are gone, replaced by new lawns and flowers. The windows are cleaned and repaired, the exterior is cleaned or painted, and all of a sudden the neighborhood is starting to look a little brighter. A new family moves in, and brings pride of ownership where there was despair.

The investor/flipper resells the home and pays transfer taxes to the county and city. Title and escrow officers, mortgage lenders, home inspectors, and yes, real estate agents, are again gainfully employed. In many cases the profits made from a quick resale are taxed as regular income, further helping the local and state economies.

I hope I was able to shed a little light on this subject, and I welcome your perspective and ideas. Thank you for taking the time to read my comments.

Posted by:  Deborah Byrne

In this second article in a series “In Defense of Flippers,” I will address another allegation made in the December 26, 2010, Press Democrat article “Flipping Foreclosed Houses.” The article stated, “The financial returns can be eye-popping. One investor purchased a Santa Rosa home at auction for $153,575 and sold it 30 days later for $330,000 – a 115 percent markup.”

Yes, that is indeed an enormous profit – if, in fact, it is accurate. I don’t know the specifics of the example noted above, but I can speak to the processes of purchasing and flipping houses and perhaps shed some light on the realities of the business.

Up to one day before the scheduled sale date, banks will publish the list of homes they are foreclosing on. Investors who wish to bid on those homes have just a few hours to search county records to determine whether there are any outstanding liens on the property and if clear title can be conveyed. In a normal sale the buyer purchases title insurance, and the title company will issue a preliminary title report which lists any outstanding liens, easements or other impediments to receiving clear title. In these foreclosure sales there is no time to search title in a manner sufficient to issue title insurance. Therefore, the investors must rely on their quick research and hope nothing comes up later that might impede their ability to resell the home.

In many, if not most, normal sales there is a new lender involved. In foreclosures, it’s all cash. So the investor must be willing and able to immediately present a cashier’s check for the entire amount of the purchase.

At the time of the foreclosure sale, the homeowner or tenants may still be in residence. In many of these cases, the investor as the new owner will contact the occupants and offer “cash for keys,” which is exactly what it sounds like: several hundred to a couple thousand dollars for the occupant to move out within a specified period of time.

When bidding on properties at auction, the buyer often has not seen the inside of the property and has no knowledge of the condition of the home. Depending on the condition of the home, the property rehabilitation may involve a new roof, new paint, repair of dry rot or other moisture related damage, new flooring, cabinets, countertops, plumbing, landscaping, doors, hardware … the list goes on. Obviously, some investors do a better and more comprehensive job than others, but there are numerous costs involved in fixing up a property for resale.

During the rehab process, the investor also incurs carrying costs. They may be making interest payments to a private lender, and they are paying property taxes, utility costs, and sometimes homeowner’s association fees. When the property is ready to resell, they pay real estate commissions, county and city transfer fees, and other costs associated with selling a property.

And when the property is put up for resale, the return they make on their investment is entirely up to the prevailing market. In the case of the original example noted above, the investor’s profit could indeed be north of $100,000. The norm is far less than that, however, and the same investor might barely break even in the next project, or even lose money. But when all is said and done, it is these business people who accept the risk and either reap the rewards or pay the financial consequences.

In the third and final blog in this series, I will address how these investors benefit their communities. Meanwhile, I’d like to add my thanks to Deanna Majcherek of First American Title for her background information from the title company’s perspective.

Once again, I’d like to invite your questions, comments and input into this dialogue.

Posted by:  Deborah Byrne

There has been much in the news recently about the current practice of house flipping – that is, investors who buy properties as they are being foreclosed on the courthouse steps, make some improvements and within a few weeks sell for a profit (Press Democrat “Flipping Foreclosed Houses,” December 26, 2010). After that article was published, several angry letter writers expressed their opinions that those involved in the house flipping business are greedy, immoral, dishonest, opportunistic, and much worse.

This is the first in a series of blogs that seeks to dispel some of the myth and misinformation that is rampant, as well as put into perspective some of the issues raised in the Press Democrat article and subsequent editorial and letters to the editor.

The biggest failing of the article, in my opinion, was to perpetuate the idea that investors (flippers) are responsible for the fact that these homes are being sold at auction. The article focused on a few instances where the homeowners seemed genuinely surprised that they were losing their homes, only to be thrown out on the street by the new owner.

In fact, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the homeowners are aware that a sale date (i.e., foreclosure date) is looming. The homeowners likely have not made any payments in many months, and by law would have received certified letters advising them of the coming foreclosure date. I fully understand that some lenders have not acted honorably or responsibly during the foreclosure process, and I make no excuses for any of them – but to imply that an investor/flipper has anything to do with that process is absurd.

People lose their homes for any number of reasons, as the Press Democrat editorial (“Flipped,” December 29, 2010) correctly stated. But to draw the conclusion that investors are hovering like hyenas waiting to feed on the misfortune of others is just too much of a reach.

In my next blog I’ll explore the process of buying foreclosures at auction, and the risks taken on by the investors.

Your comments and questions are welcome. These are important issues and I invite a dialogue on all sides of the table.

Posted by:  Deborah Byrne

Whether pungent and au natural for dipping or herb or citrus-infused and drizzled over freshly sliced summer tomatoes, specialty olive oils, and their production and degustation, are now almost as much a part of North Bay life as our award-winning wines.

As with our wines, our olive groves thrive on the Mediterranean climate found in the Wine Country, and spoil us with a staggering variety of exquisite products. Today, Napa and Sonoma counties support about 150 olive-oil producers who press their best olives into artisanal oils.

The Olive Press, now located in the Jacuzzi Family Winery on Hwy 121, is a must for olive fans. Co-owned by Deborah Rogers, who was named 2010 Producer of the Year, The Olive Press offers complimentary olive oil tasting, a vast array of award-winning oils, delectable gifts and even harvest tools.

Another destination is DaVero Estate, a family farm in northern Sonoma County. (DaVero’s Dry Creek Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been touted as ‘green-gold love juice’ by chef Mario Batali.) For a taste of their oils, as well as other treats from their farm, you can visit their tasting room in Healdsburg.

McEvoy Ranch, in that curious section of Petaluma considered Marin County, boasts 80 acres of organic olive trees, and offers tours, tastings, and workshops. You can even buy an organic tree to start your own orchard.

Finally, from December through February, you can go wild with all things olive as the Sonoma Valley celebrates the annual Olive Season. There are curing workshops, tastings, classes, olive-themed menus, events such as Martini Madness, live music, family activities, and art exhibitions. For more on top artisan olive oil producers in the Wine Country, click here.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

First there was the Antiques Roadshow on television, planting in our minds that riches may be hidden in our own attics. Then along came websites like eBay and Craigslist, making treasure hunting a breeze – and even a business - for many. However, while you can find great things online with the click of a mouse (vintage dog ashtray or ornate solid brass chicken fighters, anyone?), you miss out on the energy and small-town vibe found at an antique market or shop, not to mention the adrenaline rush as you discover that perfect, once-loved but long-forgotten item that you didn’t know you needed.

For those who seek the charming aromas and hometown feel of shopping for antiques in person, the North Bay offers a treasure trove of options.

Located on Gravenstein Highway in Sebastopol, Midgley’s Flea Market is where the “sharks” arrive when the “doors” open at 6:30 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. This neighborhood flea market has been in operation since the 1960s and, under a blanket of redwood trees and blue skies, you can find household items, tools, collectibles and even fresh produce. While there are some commercial vendors, the best stuff can be found, if you have the patience to look, from the independent neighborhood sellers who are clearing out their garages and attics. And, in return, you just may hear a good story about that lamp, teapot or clock.

Sebastopol is a hot spot for antiquing and a trip down Gravenstein Highway will also yield Ray’s Trading Co, and Trader Bucks, run by a retired San Francisco police officer and known for family heirlooms like Tiffany-style lamps, as well as dining room sets and even toy soldiers. However, the largest selection of items can be found at the sprawling 20,000 square-foot Antique Society, where a collective of 125 antique dealers sell everything from the kitsch to the extraordinary.

Another valuable find is Shoffeits Off the Square in Healdsburg. Also a collective, though with a more modest 30 vendors, the store is owned and operated by three sisters who create a beautiful atmosphere for those seeking collectibles, vintage furnishings, art, jewelry and more.

In Marin County, the antique “mecca” is San Anselmo. Stores like Shadows, Zaragoza, and others clutched along Sir Francis Drake near “the Hub” are must-visits with collections that go way beyond the few pieces that adorn the front display windows.

Also quite noteworthy are the three popular antique fairs:

Petaluma Antique Fair: Held twice a year (spring and fall) in historic Downtown Petaluma with 180 or more vendors offering antiques, collectibles and unique items.

Healdsburg Antique Fair: Annual antique fair held in the Healdsburg Plaza Park.

San Francisco Fall Antiques Show: The oldest continuously operating International Antique Show on the West Coast.

Of course, on any given weekend, you can pop in at the ubiquitous “Estate Sales.” As the saying goes, one man’s junk….

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Many adults and kids in the North Bay have access to some very high tech toys, but few will say no to an afternoon or evening of old fashioned fun spent gliding around a rink.

The Redwood Empire Ice Arena Photo by LA Wad

For those who prefer their skates with blades, Snoopy’s Home Ice – aka The Redwood Empire Ice Arena – is a wonderful charming rink. Part of the complex that includes the Charles M. Schulz museum, the arena, with its Swiss Alps atmosphere, has been a Santa Rosa icon for decades and offers public skating (beginning kids get to scoot folding chairs around to help them stay up), freestyle sessions for the more serious, private and group skating lessons, and birthday party facilities.

If wheels are more your thing, Cal Skate in Rohnert Park is like a blast from the past. One step inside and you’ll be transported to the carefree, low-tech days of the 50s. Skaters can choose in-line skates, or stick with the old fashioned ones. Either way, you’ll find fun music and the special moments from years past, the Hokey Pokey, couples skate, races and more.

Yes, we live in the midst of the world’s High Tech heartland, but we’re fortunate to have places nearby to enjoy simple fun, with no batteries or wifi required.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Whale Watching at Bodega Head. Photo by Cameron Maddux.

Winter is the time of year when many of us take pleasure in staying close to home, snuggling by a fire, and enjoying seasonal traditions. However, for our fellow mammals the Pacific Gray Whale, winter is migration time. From December through May, 20,000 of these majestic creatures swim south from the icy waters of their Arctic feeding grounds to seek refuge in the warmer, sub-tropical waters of Baja, their chosen spot to mate and nurse their young.

While the migration season lasts for several months, February is a particularly interesting time because you’ll begin to see whales heading both north and south. The northbound whales are primarily pregnant mama whales looking to get back to Alaska as the ice begins to break up, while the southbound whales are juveniles who are lagging behind.

This great migration makes for a much-anticipated and awe-inspiring sight off our northern California coastline. There are several viewing sights in the North Bay, the top destinations being Bodega Head in Bodega Bay, Fort Ross State Park and Timber Cove.

For a unique vantage point, several companies offer chartered whale-watching tours for an up-close view of one of nature’s most incredible spectacles. Local fishing boats offer cruises throughout the season and the Oceanic Society has naturalist-led trips as well. In addition to the prolific gray whales, you may also catch a sighting of dolphins, humpback whales, harbor seals and maybe even a blue whale.

Our waters are rich in unique wildlife (in addition to whales, our part of the Pacific is also a hotbed for oysters and abalone) and whale watching is one more way in which we can enjoy these unique surroundings. 

Gray whale. Photo by Ryan Harvey

Some interesting facts about the Pacific Gray Whale:

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Last time we discussed tips for buying real estate during the holiday and winter months. While inventory is down during these times, it can nonetheless be a great time to sell! There is less competition from other sellers, and the buyers out there are motivated. Here are a few more tips:

1. With leaves falling from the trees, and the landscape not in bloom, make sure you keep leaves raked, the front porch tidy, and the front walk swept. Keep that first impression positive.

2. Keep the entry inviting by putting a wreath on the front door and potted plants on the porch. Anything that sets the tone for a warm and inviting entrance into the home will be noticed by prospective buyers.

3. When the days are dreary and overcast, make sure your home shows bright and warm. Consider turning more lights on during the day, keeping window coverings opened, and turning up the furnace a bit. There only needs to be a few degrees difference from the outside temperature to make a big impact.

4. Holiday decorations can be welcoming and charming if not overdone.

5. If your landscape is particularly nice, consider putting out a small book of pictures showing the garden in full bloom. That will help prospective buyers envision the springtime panorama.

No matter what time of year, a good Realtor is an essential part of your strategy when buying or selling real estate. For more tips, or to answer any of your questions, please give me a call.

Posted by:  Deborah Byrne

The holidays and winter months shouldn’t be ignored as good times to buy real estate. In fact, most holiday seasons I stay busy negotiating and closing deals for my buyers. There is no doubt that many sellers take their homes off the market in December and wait for the warmer, dryer springtime to re-list their homes. But if you are a buyer during this time, here are some helpful hints:

1. Don’t be afraid of a little bad weather. Brave the elements and keep looking at homes, and you just might be rewarded by finding the perfect place to hang your hat.

2. Look beyond dormant landscaping. It’s true that homes don’t always look their best when the landscape isn’t in full bloom. But if you learn to recognize some of the plants and trees and flowers surrounding a property, you might soon realize that there is a wonderful garden just waiting to surprise you.

3. Don’t settle for just the currently active listings. Ask your Realtor to check for listings that have been temporarily taken off the market to see if any of them still want to sell. I often contact colleagues about properties that I know are temporarily off the market, and we will set up a special showing to see if the property meets my buyer’s needs.

4. Motivated sellers are often flexible sellers. Sometimes you’ll find that a seller whose home is listed throughout the holidays is a truly motivated seller, and they will entertain a lower offer than they normally would. That’s money in the bank for a buyer who is just as motivated.

5. Hire the right Realtor! An agent who is creative, motivated, flexible and energetic throughout the holiday and winter months can help you find the right home. And remember, as a buyer, you do not pay the Realtor’s commission – our fees are paid by the seller.

For more tips, or to answer any of your questions about real estate, please give me a call. And, by the way, Happy Holidays!

Posted by:  Deborah Byrne

In Reason 72 we talked about all the wonderful North Bay nurseries, as well as the home and gardens of famed Sonoma County horticulturist Luther Burbank. But for those who lack a green thumb or anything resembling a yard, there are many amazing public gardens and unique nature areas to enjoy here in the North Bay.

If you’ve driven through Sonoma along Highway 121, you’ve no doubt noticed the twisted white picket fence and blue Adirondack chair fit for Jack’s Giant. These pieces mark the entrance to Cornerstone Sonoma and the whimsical gardens contained within. Cornerstone Sonoma offers shops, galleries, wine tasting, a marketplace and café, but it’s the incredible garden installations that catch your attention and draw you in. These rotating exhibits are the masterminds of some of the world’s finest landscape architects and designers, each given 1,800 square feet and the freedom to create anything from a tree covered in 70,000 sky-blue Christmas balls, a door that opens to seemingly nothing, a field of plastic daisy pinwheels, or an army of snowmen – part of an annual holiday display. More museum than garden, Cornerstone Sonoma is a unique environment filled with fanciful and surprising delights.

For an escape to Asia, it’s as easy as a trip to Quarryhill, a 20-acre botanical garden in Glen Ellen featuring one of the largest collections of documented, wild-collected Asian plants in the world. Magnolias, dogwoods, maples, birch, roses, lilies, and rhododendrons bloom amongst a landscape sprinkled with ponds, waterfalls, benches, paths and walkways – all set to the stunning backdrop of the Mayacamas Mountains.

The Marin-Bolinas Botanical Gardens in Bolinas are the result of another North Bay resident’s passion for plants. On display in the 14 acres is a children’s garden and over 2,000 species of succulents and euphorbia, collected from the exotic trips of the late Dr. Herman Schwartz.

The Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross offers 11-acres of spectacular gardens. Once privately held land but now open to the public 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, the Marin Art and Garden Center is an important community resource, serving as an event venue and a public park with educational programs. Meander amongst the ancient trees, observe butterflies in the Butterfly Habitat, stroll along the rolling lawns, admire the rose garden, let your kids frolic in the playground or steal a kiss with your sweetheart in the Victorian-style gazebo.

Whether in search of garden tranquility or curious to explore the stunning variety of flowers and plants that have found a home in the North Bay, there’s much to enjoy in these treasured settings.

Other Unique Nature Areas:

The Petrified Forest: Step back in time three million years and explore rocks, minerals, crystals and fossils.

Bouverie Preserve of Audubon Canyon Ranch: A private, non-profit nature preserve known for its amazing spring wildflowers.

The Laguna de Santa Rosa: The largest freshwater wetlands complex on the northern California coast.

Muir Woods and Armstrong Redwoods: Reason 49 on our list of 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live.

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Photos Courtesy of:

Blue Tree by Claude Cormier, Cornerstone Sonoma. Photo by Kellan.
Snowmen, Cornerstone Sonoma. Photo by Michael Risenhoover.
Quarryhill Botanical Gardens. Photo by Rodney Jonk.

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

As we head into the holiday season there is one question many of my buyer and seller clients are asking: Are the holidays a good time to buy and sell real estate?

It’s true that many folks take their homes off the market during the last few weeks of the year. However, buyers who are in the market are motivated buyers, and there is less competition out there for the homes they want to buy. By the same token, sellers who wait until spring will be in competition with dozens or even hundreds of other sellers. By putting your home on the market while inventory is comparatively low, you will be ahead of the curve with motivated buyers.

Life doesn’t hold still while we are doing our Christmas shopping and preparing our holiday dinners. People still need to sell their homes; people are still in the market to buy homes. Stay tuned to future blogs for tips on buying and selling during the winter months. And by the way, Happy Holidays!

Posted by:  Deborah Byrne

In a previous reason, we wrote about the high quality of education found in North Bay elementary and high schools. We are also fortunate, however, to have two excellent universities in our own backyard that offer much to enrich our communities and entice local high school grads looking to stay close to home.

Photo by Nick Young

Sonoma State University (SSU), in Rohnert Park, is said to be the one of the most requested campuses in the California State University (CSU) system and has been named a “Best Value” and “Most Green” College by the Princeton Review. SSU has also been named one of the “most wired” campuses in the nation by Forbes magazine, and has one of the only wine business programs in the country. 

The broader community also benefits from the university. It is home to one of the largest libraries – which is open to the public – in the CSU system and the state of California with more than 400,000 volumes. The library also houses a collection of Jack London’s writings, original letters and memorabilia. Community members can also take advantage of certain courses, lectures, and workshops, and in the near future the Green Music Center, a grand concert hall currently under construction.

Dominican, in Marin, provides college-bound locals the advantages of a small, private university. Serving about 2000 students, Dominican has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top tier of Western Universities for its Master’s program. The charming San Rafael campus offers small class sizes and a diverse faculty and student body.

For the community, Dominican has academic and non-academic courses in their Adult and Extended Education programs, and their award-winning library, with 100,000 volumes, is also open to the public.

Having two high-caliber universities located right in our communities is just another reason why we think the North Bay is such a wonderful place to live.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

We’ve written about the delicious, world-class wines we’re so fortunate to have in our backyard. Part of what makes them so great is the richness of the Wine Country soil, which is, in fact, also well-known and appreciated for another good reason: it makes a marvelous, soothing mud bath. Combined with the waters of local thermal springs, the volcanic ash found in Wine Country soil creates a mud that is said to smooth the skin, relax muscles, calm aches, and improve circulation.

The charming, historic Napa County town of Calistoga is where many head when a day of mud baths and relaxation are in order: the first resort to take advantage of the hot springs was opened there by Sam Brannan in 1860. Today there are over a dozen spa destinations in Calistoga. They bring the ash in fresh every day and mix it with steaming mineral water from a nearby spring, and add peat moss for texture and to help the body float, and aromatherapy ingredients such as lavender or eucalyptus.  

Combined with a massage, a visit to a steam room, and a dip in an inviting swimming pool, the mud baths are just one part of the full package that today’s attractive Wine Country spas offer to de-stress and rejuvenate.

A mediation area at Osmosis Spa, Sonoma County. Photo by Brent Olson

In Sonoma County, the unique treatment is that of the Cedar Enzyme Bath, offered by Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary in Freestone, located just off Bodega Highway en route to Occidental. The profoundly relaxing bath is much like being buried in warm sand on a beach – you are immersed up to your chin in a bed of finely ground cedar, rice bran, and plant enzymes, which create a calming woodsy aroma as the ingredients heat naturally, by fermentation. Osmosis, a true hidden gem yet a Sonoma County favorite and known worldwide, is said to be the only spa in North America offering this treatment.

Whether just eager to try a dip in the mud or in need of a full day of pampering and peace, few places deliver the way our local Wine Country spas do.

Resources:

• Calistoga Spas 
• Solage Spa
• Indian Springs
• Dr. Wilkinson’s
• Sonoma Spa Getaways 

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Explore the North Bay under a canopy of giant redwoods in Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, over coastal hills and sand dunes along Salmon Creek Beach and the Pt. Reyes National Seashore, through a scenic Sonoma vineyard valley…all on horseback.

Photo taken by Juan Luis

Photo taken by Vards Uzvards

Don your flannel shirt, chaps (or jeans) and a helmet and you’re ready to take on the endless resources the North Bay has for all types of equestrians – and our natural landscape provides a stunning backdrop. Depending on where you go, your ride can treat you to sights of grazing cattle, frolicking deer, panoramic views of the ocean, or a valley with blooming wildflowers. With the sounds of trickling creeks under hoof and swooping birds overhead, this unique way to experience nature makes for a truly memorable outing.

Nearby offerings include trail rides, overnight pack trips, professional boarding, clinics and lessons, therapeutic riding stables and summer camps.

Visit a ranch or stable to explore the North Bay by horseback:

Armstong Woods Pack Station, Guerneville

Baywood Equestrian Center, Fairfax

Chanslor Ranch, Bodega Bay

Cloverleaf Ranch, Santa Rosa 

Five Brooks Stable, Olema

Miwok Livery Stables, Mill Valley

Morning Star Farm, Novato

Roche Vineyards, Sonoma 

Victoria’s Fashion Stables, Petaluma

Willow Tree Stables, Novato

See which local parks and recreation areas allow horseback riding:

Marin County Parks & Open Space, Marin County 

Sonoma County Regional Parks, Sonoma County

Learn about Therapeutic Riding:

Equi-Ed, Santa Rosa

Giant Steps, Petaluma 

Halleck Creek Ranch, Nicasio
 

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“I firmly believe, from what I have seen, that this is the chosen spot of all this earth as far as Nature is concerned.” – Luther Burbank

Famed botanist Luther Burbank arrived in Sonoma County in 1875 and dedicated himself to breeding new fruits and flowers. Today, the North Bay remains a land rich in flora. Whether scouring nurseries in search of unique plants to bring home to your own backyard garden or simply admiring the local work of others, the North Bay is a treasure for botanists, horticulturists, and gardeners of all skill levels.

California Carnivores NurseryPhoto by Gwen Harlow

Luther Burbank Home and Gardens Photo by Jeff Tabaco

Baker Creek Seed Bank Photo by Ruth Temple

A trip down many a North Bay road leads to scores of specialized nurseries and a look at Sebastopol alone gives you an idea of the diversity and wealth of resources available. Sonoma Horticultural Nursery specializes in rhododendrons and azaleas. The garden and nursery is open year-round to visitors who are welcomed to get lost in their eight acres of demonstration gardens with over one-and-a-half miles of pathways leading over, under and around ponds, arches, benches and gazebos – you’ll think you’ve stepped into a living Monet.

Sebastopol is also home to Vintage Gardens, purveyor of 2,000 varieties of old and extraordinary roses, including Teas, Hybrid Perpetuals, Damask Perpetuals, Bourbons, Noisettes and Old Hybrid Teas, and one of the more unique nurseries, California Carnivores. This little shop of horrors is the largest carnivorous plant nursery and store in the United States and an extremely popular destination where visitors and patrons can see firsthand how these plants of prey – Venus flytraps, American pitcher plants, sundews, butterworts, bladderworts, tropical pitcher plants and others – feed themselves. The nursery even supplies utensils for feeding and magnifying glasses for an up close view.

Also in the realm of the unique, the Baker Creek Seed Bank in Petaluma offers one of California’s largest selections of organic and heirloom seeds, 1,200 varieties in all. Housed in the historic former home of the Sonoma County Bank, The Seed Bank is one of only three retail locations for Missouri based Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, which runs a huge mail-order business. According to store manager Paul Wallace, Baker Creek chose the location because the North Bay is home to the biggest concentration of its customers, with 50% of California orders coming from a within a one hour radius of Petaluma. Baker Creek is unique for collecting and offering many ethnic varieties of seeds, as well as carrying one of the largest selections of seeds from the 19th century. If you’re looking for Striata D’Italia Squash, Ali Baba Watermelon or Red Ruffled Eggplant, you’re in luck.

To learn more about the man who started it all here in Santa Rosa, you can visit the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens, now a Santa Rosa City Park, and the locale where Burbank experimented with plants for most of his 50-year career. A visit includes the museum (located in the Carriage House), gift shop, and tours of the home, Greenhouse (which is said to have survived the 1906 earthquake without losing a single pane of glass) and more than an acre of gardens. You can even follow along with a self-guided tour on your phone. Here’s a snippet from the Greenhouse tour. The public tour season is from April through October, but the gardens are open year-round. This small gem located in downtown Santa Rosa is a wonderful way to take in a little local history and learn about one of the true Santa Rosa pioneers.

This is just a sampling of what can be found, but nearly every North Bay town has its own specialty, locally-owned nursery for purchasing and learning about plants – and a walk down many of our tree-lined streets shows that Luther’s legacy is alive and well in our front and back yards.

Interested in crops and local harvest? See also:

Reason #66: Hard, Soft, Aromatic, Pungent – and Delicious No Matter How You Slice It

Reason #62: Searching for the Great Pumpkin

Reason #57: Edible Pearls

Reason #55: Apple Delights

Reason #50: Organic at our Fingertips

Reason #48: Fall Flavors in a Glass

Reason #33: Local Harvest

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Sonoma County, most known world-wide for the premium wines it produces, also offers libations in the form of craft beer. Highly respected local brew masters focus on wheat and hops instead of grapes, and serve up beers that rival the taste and variety of the country’s best micro-brewing regions.

Perhaps it’s the area’s rich history in beermaking – once a hop growing region, the area was also home to one of the first American microbreweries, New Albion in Sonoma, and has influenced the California craft beer revolution. Perhaps it’s the presence of an elite wine-making region that inspires our area’s artisans – whether creating beer, cheese, bread or any other culinary delight – to step up their game and produce goods of the same caliber. Perhaps it’s the discerning tastes of our residents, a mix of multi-generational natives and national and international transplants with sophisticated palates and high expectations. No matter the reason, this region is rich in beer bounty.

Russian River Brewing Company. Photo by tkamenick

Lagunitas Brewing Company. Photo by Edwin Bautista

Bear Republic Brewing in Healdsburg, situated smack in the middle of downtown wine-tasting rooms, boasts their Hop Rod Rye, full of floral hop aroma and subtle caramel notes. The Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa uses wine barrels from local wineries to achieve their delicious barrel-aged beer varieties, such as Temptation, a Blonde Ale aged in French oak chardonnay barrels. Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma produces Lagunitas IPA, the best-selling craft IPA in California for some time. Moonlight Brewing in rural Santa Rosa offers neither a tour nor a tap room, but quality brews made from local ingredients, such as Death and Taxes, which can be found on tap in select restaurants and bars. The list goes on: Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol, Dempsey’s Brewery in Petaluma, Sonoma Springs Brewing in Sonoma, Third Street AleWorks in Santa Rosa, Ruth McGowan’s Brewpub in Cloverdale.

In addition to beer, many of these establishments offer tours, tastings, food and live music, such as Lagunitas Brewing Company’s Tap Room and Beer Sanctuary, making for a well-rounded experience and one more thing to love about where we live.

To sample these delicious brews, follow this Wine Country Beer Tour. 

Like to eat and drink? So do we. Also see:

Reason #21: Enjoy a brew with a million dollar view

Reason #33: Local Harvest

Reason #48: Fall Flavors in a Glass

Reason #50: Organic at our Fingertips

Reason #55: Apple Delights

Reason #57: Edible Pearls

Reason #61: Diverse Menus

Reason #66: Hard, Soft, Aromatic, Pungent – and Delicious No Matter How You Slice It

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Imagine an iceberg the size of Mount Everest floating in the ocean with just the top 1/3 visible as the remainder of the iceberg is lurking beneath the ocean’s surface. Now imagine the recent nationwide “Foreclosure Freeze” in comparison to that iceberg – is the “Foreclosure Freeze” just the tip of the iceberg?

Bank of America recently announced a temporary foreclosure freeze in all 50 states until the banking giant determines whether or not its foreclosure procedures are legitimate. Apparently, bank employees were responsible for the practice of “robo-signing” and moving forward with the foreclosure process without verifying information (a robo-signer refers to signing documents without taking the time to properly review them). And now other banks are feeling the pressure to follow Bank of America’s lead. However, Wells Fargo, another banking behemoth, has stated that they will not halt foreclosures to the extent that Bank of America has, and most banks are doing more targeted foreclosure freezes.

Most homeowners, real estate and banking experts, industry analysts, real estate investors, and speculators are pondering the impact of such a large scale “Foreclosure Freeze.” This has created a lot of questions and those involved in real estate, such as homeowners, buyers, and others directly impacted by the freeze want answers.

Why are the banks halting foreclosures?

If you have ever purchased a home, think back to the day that you signed loan documents with your escrow officer — that pile of paperwork seemed overwhelming and by the time you completed signing you probably felt like you just finished an autograph signing session. However, that stack of loan docs is where the problem may have originated.

Basically, banks are having a difficult time proving that they own some of the mortgages they are attempting to foreclose on due to a missing document called an “assignment,” which is a document signed by the seller and buyer of the mortgage confirming the sale. Once the sale was complete, the assignment document was supposed to be attached to the mortgage documents and delivered to the new owner.

However, during the peak of the real estate bubble, banks were producing mortgages in such high volumes that in some cases the assignments weren’t properly executed. The assignments are important because they prove ownership. For most mortgages, the assignments probably exist somewhere and it’s just a matter of tracking them down. However, many mortgage companies have been acquired by larger banks or have gone out of business, which in many cases makes it difficult to find an assignment document (if a bank can’t prove they own the mortgage, how can they foreclose on it?).

If the problem is simply robo-signers, banks will probably resume foreclosures in the near future. However, if the banks cannot find the assignment documents and prove that they own the mortgages it will affect their ability to foreclose on a property.

How will the “Foreclosure Freeze” affect the real estate market?

Speculators and analysts have stated that home prices may increase in the short term as the inventory of low-priced foreclosures are removed from the market. However, home prices will most likely decrease once the banks deal with robo-signers, find the assignments and continue to release foreclosures back on the market. 

The “Foreclosure Freeze” may have a negative impact on the economy if banks scale back lending even more than they already have. If so, it should be a short-term trend until the banks solve the problem and are able to prove ownership of foreclosed properties.

Prospective home buyers should work with a real estate professional to confirm that foreclosed properties on the market are properly documented to ensure that your purchase doesn’t get delayed or lost in the abyss of the banking conundrum.

Posted by:  Doug Hecker

The North Bay is known world-wide for the first-class wines produced here. A natural pairing for wine is cheese, so it’s no wonder we are also home to several fantastic cheese-makers who have a strong local following, in addition to having gained national recognition and accolades. The Marin and Sonoma landscapes are conducive to all types of cheese-making, which allows for the production of such varieties as Cowgirl Creamery’s triple cream sunset-tinted Red Hawk, which harkens the essence of West Marin, to Vella Cheese’s Dry Monterey Jack, aged 7-10 months longer than your traditional Jack for a sweet nutty flavor, to Marin French Cheese Co.’s melt-in-your-mouth Rouge et Noir Triple Crème Brie, which was the first American cheese to beat the French in an international competition for brie cheese.

Much like with wine, the soil, raw materials and the climate add to the unique regional flavors. Local, independent producers take cheese-making to new heights and these artisans have perfected their craft while taking great care of the area, the environment and the materials used, following the cheese from pasture to the market, to create distinctive cheeses that are delicious and full of flavor.

Whatever you crave - a creamy Camembert, luxurious triple cream, bold blue, sharp cheddar or a tawny schloss - here’s where to find the best of the best. Most of these gems can be purchased directly online or found at local farmers’ markets and specialty stores, including Whole Foods, Dean and Deluca, Oakville Grocery and The Cheese Shoppe in Healdsburg.  

Achadinha Cheese Company (Petaluma): Established in 1955 in Bodega Bay before relocating to Petaluma, this family-run goat cheese company supports 1600 goats on 290-acres.

Andante Dairy (Petaluma): Established in 1999 by Soyoung Scanlan, a former biochemist and dairy scientist, Andante uses 100% Jersey cow’s milk, pasteurized goat’s milk from the ranch where the dairy plant is located, and mixed milk to produce the delicious cheeses which are all named after musical terms such as Picolo (a nutty flavored soft-ripened triple-cream cheese) and Nocturne (a slightly tart soft-ripened cheese that takes on a mushroomy flavor as it ages).

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During the month of October, pumpkin patches spring up throughout Marin and Sonoma counties. Whether you just need that perfect pumpkin for the front porch or want to go out for a full day of fun, you¹ll find a wide variety of patches that offer a tremendous array of goodies and activities, in addition to the popular rotund squash.

In the mood for organic pumpkins, gourds, squash, apples and vegetables, or­ even organic ice cream for those warm October days? Visit West Marin’s Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch.

If you want the experience of a real working farm, head to Peter’s Pumpkin Patch at Spring Hill Cheese Farm in Petaluma, where you can pick your own pumpkin, dig for potatoes, taste their freshly made cheese, pet farm animals, milk a cow, navigate the hay maze, and enjoy delicious homemade pumpkin ice cream.

Also in Petaluma, the Pumpkin Fairy Godmother descends upon the Adobe Pumpkin Farm each weekend to sprinkle magic fairy dust, tell enchanting stories and visit with children. This working farm also includes a haunted manor, antique tractor display and many gift shops, including a Christmas Shoppe to get you ready for the next season.

Those looking for a challenging hike might try the 4-acre corn maze at the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch. Although known for its maze, which is personally designed anew each year by Farmer Jim and is also open at night for the truly adventurous, this patch also offers pumpkins, gourds, squash, activities, and special events.

From pumpkins to baked goods to hay rides and petting zoos, October is a great month to get out and enjoy our wonderful North Bay fall weather.

For a list of pumpkin patches in Marin and Sonoma counties, check out the annual roster of pumpkin patches on the Marin Mommies blog.

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Photo Credit: Karen Foley

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Among the many delights in the North Bay is apple-picking: spending a leisurely afternoon with family and friends on a bountiful farm, searching for green and red treasures. For some it’s an annual tradition, heading to one of the many Sonoma County orchards and collecting a bag, a basket or a bushel full of crisp fruit, not to mention the other delectables often available: the scrumptious pies, turnovers, cider, and butter. Two local farms that we love are Chileno Valley Ranch in Petaluma and Gabriel Farm in Sebastopol. Both are organic farms and allow you to pick your own fruits.

The Apple Farm. Photo taken by Brad Greenlee	The Apple Farm. Photo taken by Brad Greenlee

But if you really want to make a day of it, head out along Highway 101 into Mendocino County and visit the idyllic Anderson Valley. For most, this isn’t a likely destination, but the area is full of natural beauty and well-kept secrets. One such secret is The Apple Farm in Philo. More than just a farm, The Apple Farm, which is family-owned by the previous owners of The French Laundry, offers an orchard, guest cottages and cooking classes, in addition to the delicious apples, cider, and foodstuffs that are sold unattended with an honor box – one more example of the relaxed and community-oriented North Bay state of mind.

Once you’ve picked your apples, here’s a great resource for making everything from apple cider to apple bubble bath.

And apple lovers, don’t forget about the annual Gravenstein Apple Fair, “The Sweetest little Fair in Sonoma County,” held every August in Sebastopol. Like Frank Howard Allen, the Gravenstein Apple Fair got its start in 1910, giving it a long and rich history in the North Bay. The Fair, once a simple Apple Show on Main Street, is now a beloved bash that combines celebrating and exhibiting apples with live music, delicious food, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, contests and more.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

It’s Friday and the weekend beckons. Oh, what to do? Where to go? Well, some of us are heading north to Healdsburg. Why Healdsburg? Two answers usually come to mind: Shopping on the square and Shopping on the square.

With boutiques, art galleries, jewelers, an independent bookstore, and gourmet food purveyors, there are plenty of interesting places to while away a beautiful lazy Sunday, whether shopping or just browsing the unique goods.

In addition to the great shopping, there are, of course, many dining options (from delis to bistros to world-class fine dining) and several wineries (it is Wine Country after all).

Photo Credit:  Gord McKenna	Photo Credit:   Gord McKenna

If that’s not enough to draw you to this magical town, just add in the culture - the variety of festivals and the top-notch attractions at the Raven Performing Arts Theater. These finds complete the Healdsburg trifecta.

Want to spend more than just an afternoon? There’s a choice of lodging to suit every mood, from Bed and Breakfasts to Chic Hotels.

Photo Credit:  Healdsburg Magazine	Photo Credit:  Steve Shupe

Picturesque town squares are aplenty here in the North Bay – think the charming plaza in downtown Sonoma, or the lively square in Mill Valley. These wonderful spaces, with their own unique character, serve as a cultural hub. It’s no wonder that a selling point in many real estate ads is “close to town.” For grabbing a cup of coffee, catching up with friends, walking your dog, people-watching, shopping, or enjoying a delicious meal, town squares are the pulse of a community and one aspect we treasure about where we live.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

It’s no secret that California wines are something to be treasured. We have an ideal climate for winemaking, have exquisite vines, and have raised and attracted a serious number of genius winemakers. California is responsible for more than 90% of all wine produced in the US and is the fourth largest wine producer in the world. The Wine Country region – with its beautiful, natural backdrop, and celebrated delicacies and lifestyle – is a top tourist destination. Sometimes it’s easy to take such things for granted.

Photo credit: Romy Schneider

Late summer/early fall is a perfect time to explore the Wine Country – when the air starts to get a little crisp, the leaves are changing to a colorful yellow and crimson, and the flocks of tourists have returned home. This time of year, also known as Crush, is when you can witness first-hand the excitement of harvest season: grape-picking, sorting, crushing and fermentation. Wineries become abuzz with the energy a new vintage brings and the smell of crushed grapes permeates the air.

September is also California Wine Month, a month-long celebration dedicated to the state’s ideal climate for wine, beautiful wine country landscape, talented winemakers, local lifestyle and cuisine, and commitment to sustainability and the environment. To celebrate, many wineries and regional associations offer special events – a list of which can be found here.

But the autumn harvest festivities don’t end there as October brings the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, a three-day celebration featuring wine tasting, chef demonstrations, the World Class Championship Grape Stomp, live jazz, a craft pavilion and more.

So for those still yearning for warm weather outings and the joy of simple pleasures – it’s as easy as enjoying a glass of California wine and savoring the beauty of the North Bay.

In keeping with our “Reasons” theme, here are 10 Reasons to love California Wine.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Recently I attended a 90th birthday party for a woman who raised her family across the street from my husband’s family in San Francisco’s Outer Mission district. Held at a park in Novato, there were more than 100 people attending, including her children and their spouses/significant others, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighborhood friends, and others I couldn’t begin to identify. Growing up within a few city blocks of each other, my Irish husband and in-laws reunited with childhood neighbors from El Salvador, Hawaii, Samoa, China, Mexico, and Italy, to name a few. People who in some cases hadn’t seen each other in decades, immediately bonded over shared memories and experiences.

My childhood was vastly different, but at the same time very much the same. At age 9 I moved with my family to Napa, long before Napa was synonymous with fine wines and chic living. My mother was involved in the exchange-student program through Napa Community College, where she was involved with students from across the country and from Africa, the Middle East and Western Asia. Because they were living so far away from their families, my mother invited them over for all the big American holidays. A typical Thanksgiving or Christmas or Fourth of July included my parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles and about 8 or 10 students from around the globe. Some four decades later, many of these former foreign students are still family friends.

These experiences have taught us that as different as our cultural expectations are, people everywhere really want the same things: acceptance, friendship, respect and inclusion.

Posted by:  Deborah Byrne

The beautiful, diverse geography of the North Bay makes it ideal for a variety of adventures of all types. Though cave exploring doesn’t always spring to mind when considering an outing, the type done in the Wine Country is one of our favorites. No need for headlamps, carabineers, rope, or an REI shopping spree for these cave expeditions: as it turns out, the only thing one needs is a dinner or tour reservation at the right winery.

Photo taken by George DeMet	Photo taken by Q Speaks

Caves are ideal for aging and storing wine because they create the perfect environment of cool temperatures and high humidity. The practice dates back to ancient Rome, at least, and caves have long since been used in Sonoma County and are often stops on winery tours. However, for a unique Wine Country outing, try visiting one of the few wineries that open their caves for a more intimate experience: private tours and special dinners. The caves offer a certain mystique – dark ambiance, natural surroundings, cascading water – paired with candlelight, and of course, the purveyor’s selection of fine wines.

Bella Vineyards Wine Cave  Photo taken by star5112

Gundlach Bundschu: At 2:00pm daily, Gundlach Bundschu offers a Harvest Tour and Cave Tasting. This hour-long experience takes you through their winemaking process and ends with a seated tasting in their barrel cave.

 Jarvis: Jarvis does more than just store wine in caves – the entire winemaking facility is run inside the 45,000 square feet of cave tunneled into the Vacas Mountains and tasting tours are available daily by appointment.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Have you always wanted to know the chemical content of well water? Do you have a crying need to know the top five pests that might harm a Heritage oak? Are you craving a cram course in the finer points of a septic system? Then consider the possibility of owning country property.

Country property can be described as 100 acres of hillside, 4 acres of pasture land, or even a half acre on a well and septic system. Sonoma County has lots of country property – in fact, I understand that more properties in Sonoma County are on a well and septic system than are on public water and sewer. It can be daunting if you are unfamiliar with the concepts, but the rewards of country living can be well worth the extra attention to details. If you have a yen for gardening, a passion for horses, or simply a desire to have a bit of elbow room, country property can be your oasis in a busy world.

In addition to the usual pest and home inspections of residential property, country property may also entail inspecting and testing wells, pumping and inspecting septic systems, arborists’ evaluations of trees, evaluations of hillside soils and stability, confirmation of boundary lines, and investigations of easements, to name but a few. It is generally important to review the permit history with the County, and to understand the zoning restrictions and allowable uses of a particular property. Once you’ve done your homework, with the proper guidance from an experienced Realtor, of course, the satisfaction of living in your own little piece of paradise can be a dream come true.

If you want to explore the option of country property – or any other property in Sonoma or Napa Counties, please give me a call at 707-484-4045.

Posted by:  Deborah Byrne

You may not be aware, but Sonoma County has a fully-functioning airport located in Santa Rosa where you can hop on a plane and head to Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas or LA, without the hassle of dealing with the San Francisco or Oakland airports. While we know there’s more than enough to do right here in our backyard (our 100 Reasons are just a start), it is nice to escape every now and again, and even nicer without taking the Airport Shuttle for two hours or paying for Park n’ Fly.

Aside from catching your flight, the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport is actually a destination in and of itself. You can head over to the Sky Lounge, open 7-days a week, and watch private jets, hot air balloons, helicopters and other aircraft come and go. With an outdoor patio located along the runway, you’ll be up close for the action. And trust us; this isn’t your normal airport fare. The Sky Lounge is an American style steakhouse with a delicious dinner menu, affordable lunch and delightful breakfast. There’s even a raw bar. In fact, the only peanuts you’ll see are the comic strips, statues and other memorabilia decorating the airport in honor of its namesake.

And once a year, aviation buffs from all over descend on the Charles M. Schulz Airport for the Pacific Coast Air Museum’s Wings Over Wine Country Air Show, the largest air show in Northern California. Though a large scale event, the intimate setting means one can easily climb aboard a jet fighter, walk through a massive C-17 transport plane, and get close up to historical aircraft, as well as enjoy kid friendly events and a car show.

In addition to the Air Show, the Pacific Coast Air Museum operates both an indoor museum with exhibits, photos and artifacts, as well as an outdoor museum with contemporary and antique aircraft on display – some of which you can even climb aboard. Docent tours are open to school children and there are also additional classes and activities.

Sonoma County is an amazing spot for those interested in aviation – both the history, as well as modern commercial flights. And if you really want to be a part of the action, you can even attend flight school.

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Photos taken by Jack Snell

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

The California Wine Country is known for world-class winemaking, artisan food purveyors, gorgeous vineyard landscapes and local harvest. However, it’s not all just easy country living, and if you’re looking for a way to cut loose on a Friday or Saturday night, downtown Santa Rosa makes for a wonderful North Bay destination. Also known as the Arts District, this thriving downtown was named one of California’s best mid-sized city downtown areas in 2007. With the many dining, art, and night life options available, it’s easy to see why. On one side of the Mall and 101, you’ll find just about every flavor of restaurant: Thai, Indian, Italian, French, California fusion and more in a picturesque setting with the iconic Art Deco Barnes and Noble building and plenty of shopping.

On the other side of the Mall and 101 is Railroad Square, anchored with the beautiful and historic Hotel LaRose. There are more dining options with award-wining restaurants, plus shopping and entertainment. One great entertainment option is the Summer Nights Street Party, held the first Friday of the summer months. For year-round options, check out Aroma Roasters, which offers café style live music along with killer peanut butter pie and great teas and coffee. Or try the Last Day Saloon, with its club atmosphere that features music ranging from 80s to Rock to Blues.

Both locations offer a charming downtown area with trees, art sculptures, and of course, Snoopy and the Gang.

Hungry the next morning? Be sure check out the Omelette Express, where the humorous gentleman who takes reservations makes the 20-minute wait totally worth it, even before you get to the delicious food.

You can also follow Downtown Santa Rosa on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date with what’s happening.

Do you have a favorite destination in downtown Santa Rosa? Let us know in the comments.

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When the simple question of “Where should we go to breakfast?” comes up, two places come to mind without the slightest hesitation: Dierk’s Parkside Café and Water Street Bistro. If you’re looking for the best breakfast in Sonoma County, look no further than these two local gems.

Dierk’s Parkside Café
I describe this place to friends as “dinner service at breakfast.” It’s an unassuming place, although they have expanded into an adjacent space so it’s not so diner-y as it once was. There’s a counter that looks into the kitchen where you will see the chefs in their kitchen whites—at breakfast! Servers are polite, remember specials off the top of their heads, make great conversation and move gracefully through the place making it so inviting to the breakfast guests. Coffee cups are big with strong, delicious brew.  The food, well, is absolutely amazing. A few items on the recent menu included:

• Warm poached egg salad—two poached eggs on a bed of local mixed greens, chopped bacon, fresh herbs, potatoes, croutons and tomatoes with herb dressing.
• Sonoma Duck Confit with potato hash, scrambled eggs, toast and warm apples.
• Biscuits and gravy
  
• Heuvos Rancheros, oh and ….
• Country Benedict—warm crispy baguette, covered with scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, spinach, oven dried tomatoes and hollandaise—YUM!!!!

Seriously, do not miss this place.

Dierk’s is open 7am-2pm daily; Brunch is served on Saturday and Sundays; Breakfast and lunch served daily till 2pm.

Location: 404 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa

Water Street Bistro
Another favorite, located at the end of Western Ave at Water Street in Petaluma, Water Street Bistro is a homey, hometown breakfast spot with the feel of your mom’s kitchen. Lots of freshly baked pies, quiches, savory breakfast tarts, pastries, and scones are all out on display and not more than an hour or so from the oven. The chef/owner Stephanie decides on the fly what will be on the menu that day and goes with the seasons when it comes to what she’ll be baking that morning. You will always have the freshest and the most delicious meal with anything you order here. Savory or sweet, she’s got something delicious for you to eat. She’s up and at ‘em at 5am and doesn’t stop all day. Situated along the Petaluma River, boaters visiting the area have told me that upon waking in the Petaluma’s turning basin, they thought someone was on board baking right in their galley! Locals and visitors love it. Be sure you have time to savor the experience. It’s a small kitchen space and limited prep area so relax and enjoy.

Water Street Bistro is open Monday-Friday from 7:30am – 3:30pm, and closed Tuesdays. Weekend hours are 8am-4pm on Saturdays and 8:30am-2:30pm on Sundays.

Location: 100 Petaluma Blvd. North – Petaluma

Posted by:  Martha O’Hayer

Photo taken by RobW

This time of year is when Mother Nature puts on one of her most spectacular shows – the Perseid meteor showers, which are predicted to bring as many as 60 or more meteors an hour streaking across the night’s sky during its peak, August 12 and 13. And what better place to watch the show than Sonoma County? With very little light pollution and plenty of secluded beaches, parks and campgrounds, it’s the perfect viewing area.

You don’t need to know a lot about astronomy to watch the shower. In fact, the meteors appear in all parts of the sky and this year’s shower will also peak under a moonless sky, making for an impressive show viewable from most locales. However, our Sonoma County clear, dark sky is sure to present the perfect canvas. So, grab a lawn chair, some caffeine and a blanket, and enjoy the show. The hours before dawn are the most active times, so your best bet may be to find a campground near the beach at Goat Rock or somewhere else isolated from city lights. Need some more tips? Here’s what NASA has to say.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

In the North Bay, our wonderful topography offers an incredible terrain for cycling, running and hiking. In addition, the coastal backroads present terrific routes for day trips by car. Known by many but sometimes forgotten by locals, Highway 1 is a treasure. On a lazy Saturday morning, you can get up, jump in the car (make sure you have fuel), and head out to Highway 1 to enjoy the views and unique sights.

If you want to turn your scenic drive into a day of sightseeing or activities, there are plenty of stops along the coast. Starting in northern Sonoma, you can admire the many “Sea Ranch” style homes in Sea Ranch, known for their modern, sustainable appearance and built to have minimal visual impact on the natural landscape. Fort Ross, celebrating its bicentennial in 2012, is a great stop for history buffs, and both Shell Beach and Goat Rock provide excellent walks and hiking trails. At the right time of year (January through May), you can go whale watching at Bodega Head, as more than 20,000 gray whales migrate past the Sonoma Coast each year.

Oh, and is your journey making you hungry? Check out the dining options on Highway 1 – from Indian food to burgers to award-winning dining – you can find it on this beautiful route.

And if after all this you’re not ready to drive back home, Salt Point offers fantastic camping, and there are a number of quaint Bed and Breakfast options.  

Who needs to get their kicks on Route 66 when you’ve got Highway 1 in your backyard?

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Joe Cool, Game, Set, Match – Made by Frank Howard Allen Santa Rosa agent Jeanie Olson – and one of 94 statues created for a 2007 tribute to Peanuts creator Charles Schulz.

Many of us grew up reading the Peanuts comic-strip. As kids, we all identify with the characters…whether having a Charlie Brown moment when we try but fail again, or dreaming we are Snoopy and setting out on a fabulous adventure. As adults, we see the cast of characters from a larger perspective and understand how they can at once represent our inner child, teach us a life lesson, and make us smile. Peanuts creator Charles Schulz was a genius and brought those beloved characters to life for nearly 50 years. His body of work and the reach he had throughout this world is unparalleled (his Peanuts comic strip was read by 355 million people during its peak and he is the only American comic strip artist to be honored with a retrospective at the Louvre in France).

Which is why it’s no wonder that his influence is felt throughout Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, where Schulz lived and worked for most of his career. The Sonoma County airport is named for him, the library at Sonoma State University is named in honor of Schulz and his wife Jean, and one cannot miss the “people-size” statues of the various Peanuts characters sprinkled around Santa Rosa– but nowhere is his spirit more alive than Hardies Lane, located two blocks from his art studio and home to the Redwood Empire Ice Arena (also called Snoopy’s home ice, Schulz would walk from his studio to the rink for meals at the Warm Puppy Café) and the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, which opened in 2002.

We are fortunate to have this fabulous, dynamite and ever-evolving museum and research center in our community. The museum is small in scale but rich in content; you can walk through at a quick pace or stop to enjoy the nuances. One special treat is the two-story-high mural Charlie Brown, Lucy and the Football, which is a mosaic of a classic Charlie Brown scene made from over 3,000 Peanuts strips printed on ceramic tiles. Another unique item is a wall from Schulz’s Colorado Springs home on which he painted a mural for his daughter in 1951. The wall was later discovered by subsequent owners, resurrected and carefully relocated to the museum. In addition to permanent exhibits, there are opportunities to see other established and up-and-coming cartoonists on the second Saturday of every month. There are also Museum Mondays, which are special mornings for children aged 1-5 that take place the fourth Monday of each month from March through September and every Monday from October through February.

The Schulz family has been so very generous in their support of local efforts in education, the environment and social areas. The museum and Schulz’s legacy are a big point of pride for our area and add to the special quality of where we live.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Oh, the never ending list of things to do, see, hear, eat in Petaluma! Wednesday, August 4 will be no exception. The Baker Creek Seed Bank will host the food journalist Paul Greenberg, author of “Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food” as he discusses his latest book. Notably, this past week, Greenberg’s book was the featured review in Sunday’s New York Times’ Book Review.

Greenberg will discuss his views on the four fish that dominate the food market today. His award-winning books and articles have received wide acclaim and he promises to be a dynamic and thought provoking speaker. Copperfields’ Books will co-sponsor the event and it promises to draw a big crowd. The speaker begins at 6:30 and the event is free.

The Baker Creek Seed Bank opened in June in a historic building in Petaluma, originally home to Sonoma County Bank (circa 1926) and offers one of California’s largest selections of organic and heirloom seeds – 1,200 varieties in all – as well as traditional gardening products. You just have to enter this mammoth building, housing thousands of packets of tiny seeds to get the juxtaposition. Rain or shine, it’s a heck of a good time. According to store manager Paul Wallace, Baker Creek chose to locate to Petaluma because 50% of its California mail-order customers live within a one-hour radius of the Central Petaluma location at E. Washington and Petaluma Blvd. North.

The LA Times and The Huffington Post both cite the unique pairing of a former bank with the location of the seed bank. Even Fast Company, the magazine with a focus on the most creative individuals sparking change in the marketplace, notes that unlike the bank that stood in its place prior, Baker Creek is thriving.

The Baker Creek Seed Bank is at 199 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma, (707) 509-5171. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed Saturday.

Posted by:  Martha O’Hayer

Mark your calendars for yet another outstanding Petaluma Event – the 3rd Annual Petaluma Music Festival, August 7 at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. Get ready for some smokin’ hot bluegrass, blues, rock and shenanigans. This annual event has morphed into a world class music festival featuring local brews, wines and specialty foods as well as a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit Petaluma Schools’ music programs.

The Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds is the site of the event and the entire family is invited. The large grassy area is perfect for picnicking and dancing around to this year’s bands. Some of this year’s line-up includes Poor Man’s Whiskey, the Bay Area’s outlaw blues, bluegrass, folk, punk rockers who have been playing the Festival scene for years. Trombone Shorty, born and raised in New Orleans, brings his own brand of music to the stage this year. He describes his style as ‘supafunkrock’ and will surely WOW the crowd. ALO, are taking a pause as the opening band for Jack Johnson on his world tour and are signed to Jack’s record label, Brushfire Records.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information and a complete lineup of bands and participants, go to petalumamusicfestival.org.

And as always, check out the latest and greatest goings on in Petaluma at visitpetaluma.com.

Posted by:  Martha O’Hayer

I am often asked “what’s it going to take to sell my home in this market?” My answer: take the advice of your local realtor and live by the rule of the three P’s: preparation, price and patience.

Preparation: Much like any profession, i.e. an auto body, paint shop, tax preparer, or a professional athlete, being prepared for the main event is crucial to a successful outcome. An auto body paint shop will not just paint your car the way you bring it to them off the street – they need to perform hours of preparation prior to your car entering the paint boot. The same rule should apply to your home prior to going on the market for sale. Curb appeal is often overlooked because sellers focus most of their attention on the interior of their home.

A fresh or recently painted exterior is very helpful (please consult your local painter on color choices and remember that your selection should be chosen to please the masses – no cotton candy pink, lime green, baby blue or neon yellow, please!). Nicely manicured landscaping with colorful vegetation is very helpful too. Be sure to keep walkways leading to the front door trimmed – it doesn’t help when potential buyers have to fight their way through overgrown landscaping just to make it to the front door. Have your windows cleaned (both interior and exterior sides).

Now that you have curb appeal, you’ll want to keep the momentum going once the buyer steps foot into your home. A clean home free of clutter and personal paraphernalia is the key to your success. Having freshly painted interior walls (or touched-up walls if your paint is in good condition) is very helpful. If you’re going to add color, please consult an interior designer or professional painter (I often see interior paint jobs that “glow” or completely clash causing the buyers to run out of the house like they’ve seen a ghost). Flooring is also important – if your carpet is dated, stained or worn out it needs to be replaced (or at least professionally cleaned). Hardwood is very appealing so even if it needs to be refinished you’ll get a good return on your investment.

Repairs are also important to consider. A pest inspection should be performed and Section 1 items need to be repaired (i.e. dry rot, fungus damage, termites, etc.). A home inspection is not a bad idea either. If you can repair the defects it will make the escrow process a lot smoother (buyers prefer to move into a home that does not have a bunch of repairs that need to be made).

Price: Far too many times I hear the same story from my colleagues – “I spent hours researching the market and providing comparable data to my client and they insist that their home is worth more than the price I have suggested!” Your Realtor should have physically previewed your competition – not just data from the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Often times family members, co-workers, friends and neighbors influence sellers regarding pricing strategy, which leads to an overpriced listing. An overpriced home usually ends up selling for less than a home that was priced by your Realtor because you end up chasing the market down. Pricing your home to sell quickly is key because the longer your home sits on the market the lower it’s going to end up selling. (If you don’t receive an offer in the first few weeks you should consider adjusting the price). Keep in mind that after three or four weeks on the market your home will begin to lose attraction.

Patience: The average sales cycle is about 100 days (from the time your home goes on the market to the time escrow closes). Please be patient and remember that your home will eventually sell. Gone are the days of buyers following the “For Sale” sign installers around and writing offers on the trunk of Realtor’s cars. If your home has curb appeal, is well-maintained and free of repairs, and is priced to sell, it will eventually sell. 

Posted by:  Doug Hecker