Kirsten Lindquist

While our market in Sonoma County has slowed down for the holiday season, October sales statistics showed some positive news on prices. The following information is courtesy of The Sonoma County Real Estate Market Trends Report:

After thirty-nine straight months where the median price was lower than the year before, it actually broke even in October at $360,000. The median price for single-family, re-sale homes gained 2.6% from September. The average price rose 3.8%, but it was down 2.3% compared to last October.

Sales of single-family, re-sale homes in Sonoma County rose 4.3% from September. Year-over-year, home sales were off 18%. Year-to-date, home sales are up 12.4% compared to last year.

Condo sales plunged, for some strange reason, down 42.9%, year-over-year, in October. Year-to-date, condo sales are up 27.5%. The median price for condos gained 6.1% from September, but was off 7.4% year-over-year. The average price gained 9.7% month-over-month, and was up 2.9% compared to last October.

The time it takes from when a home was listed for sale to when it was put under contract fell two days to 101 days. The average days on market for condos was flat at 90 days.

The sales price to list price ratio for single-family home fell 0.2 of a point to 97.3%. The condo ratio rose 0.8 of a point to 100%. This is probably the reason condo sales were so slow, because owners were holding the line.

The tables below break-out the real estate statistics for Sonoma County and towns/cities.

For more detailed information on particular Sonoma County neighborhoods, contact me.

The Sonoma City Council has taken a stand against parents and other adults who provide teenagers with alcohol at parties. The Council passed a new ordinance that mimics others in neighboring counties, including Marin, where a fine of up to $750 may be imposed on those who violate the rule. For the story, click on this link:

http://www.sonomanews.com/articles/2009/11/20/news/doc4b05fe8ccd780526410984.txt

I think this is a great move on the part of Sonoma's elected officials. Does anyone want to weigh in?

I believe we can and I hope other Realtors agree, given the pressures we face from clients, developers, and our own financial needs and goals. Don't get me wrong: I also believe in property owner's rights. However, I think we need to balance those rights with enforceable guidelines for building. Who wants to see this hillside covered with homes?

I felt like I stuck my neck out today when I sent an email to an architect who will be working with new clients that are planning an addition/remodel of a home here in Sonoma Valley. I'm concealing his name and theirs but am posting the message below:

"Hi (Mr. Architect): Thanks for updating me on your discussions with (my clients.) I'm so glad you agree they are extraordinary folks. Thanks, too, for the invitation to lunch. As to "issues and sensitivities" regarding development in Sonoma Valley....and, actually, throughout the county...there are ordinances that the Board of Supervisors has adopted that clearly spell out what can and cannot be done along ridge tops...and in scenic view-sheds.

There was a recent article in the Kenwood Press that gives a pretty good overview of the issues and concerns of a significant number of valley residents. My mom is quoted and, to my surprise at the time, so was I: www.kenwoodpress.com/pub/a/3996?full=1 .

To clarify my position, it's all about doing what we can as individuals to maintain the natural beauty, and corresponding aesthetic and economic value of what we have here. I'm a bit unusual in that I'm a Realtor who looks at the very big picture rather than short-term profit. We have fragile natural resources and I think we must protect them, rather than build those "monuments to ourselves" that so many folks seem to "need." My passionate desire is to bring people into this amazingly beautiful environment who share a vision of a future Sonoma Valley that bears no resemblance to Tiburon or Belvedere. Otherwise, we lose what we have here and that would be tragic. I'm not a crusader and I'm certainly not naive about client demands and expectations but I do believe we can be influential and educational when it comes to more sensitive development. I hope you understand. I look forward to opportunities to collaborate with you and your firm to help shape the future of Sonoma Valley...and, yes, the county, too. We all need to do what we can.

Thanks, Kirsten."

I would love to get feedback on this post. Can we....should we....try to encourage sensitive development?

I don't work for the Sonoma Valley Visitor's Bureau but I could. My family bought property in Sonoma Valley in 1943. There are four generations of us who call it "home" so I figure I'm a pretty good authority on what's to love about living here. How about a visual? Here's my mom, a retired real estate broker riding yesterday through our gorgeous Jack London State Park:

Nice pic, right? So with this image setting the scene, I'll share my list. I'm borrowing shamelessly from a late night talk show guy, when I say these are my "Top Ten" reasons to consider buying property in the Valley of the Moon:

1) Relaxed Lifestyle

2) Extraordinary Weather

3) Scenic Beauty

4) Recreational Activities

5) Great Food

6) Friendly Neighbors

7) Volunteer Opportunities

8) Active Local Art Scene

9) Close to Major Cities

10) Sustained Real Estate Values

I'll elaborate on each of these in future blogs, and add to the list because there are SO many more than ten reasons to buy a home in Sonoma Valley. Did I forget to mention the 300 or so wineries? Well...that's something for yet another blog.

Have a great day where ever you may be!

We may be hearing folks in Washington, DC say that the recession "is over" but our Sonoma County real estate market is still sluggish. Read on for the latest scoop!

Sonoma County Home Prices and Sales Down in August

The median price for single-family, re-sale homes dropped 1.1% from July. The good news is the year-over-year price decline was down to 4.9%. This is the smallest annual price decline since September 2007. The average price fell 1.3%, and it was down 7.9% compared to last August.

Sales of single-family, re-sale homes in Sonoma County were also down last month, dropping 14.7% from July, year-over-year, were down 7.5%. Year-to-date, home sales are up 21.8% compared to last year.

The time it takes from when a home was listed for sale to when it was put under contract fell three days to 107 days. The average days on market for condos gained 17 days to 112 days.

The sales price to list price ratio for single-family home was flat at 97.7%. The condo ratio rose 1.7 points to 98.8%.

The tables below break-out the real estate statistics for Sonoma County and each city we track. Some cities are not included in the monthly statistics because sales volume is too low to ensure meaningful trends.

August Sales In Selected Sonoma County CITIES/TOWNS
(Single-family Homes)
	Prices	Unit			Change from last year
	Median	Average	Sales	DOM	SP/LP	Median	Average	Sales
County	$359,500	$426,760	370	107	97.7%	-4.9%	-7.9%	-7.5%
Bodega Bay	$720,000	$787,500	4	145	96.1%	3.2%	-8.9%	-33.3%
Cloverdale	$345,000	$347,900	15	190	98.8%	-12.4%	-7.9%	150.0%
Cotati	$387,000	$387,000	2	67	98.0%	-38.6%	-28.4%	-60.0%
Forestville	$285,000	$260,253	7	129	98.8%	31.0%	19.7%	250.0%
Glen Ellen	$1,122,500	$1,390,833	3	244	88.1%	24.9%	89.7%	0.0%
Guerneville	$252,000	$247,022	9	121	94.1%	-17.5%	-25.1%	0.0%
Healdsburg	$427,000	$573,188	16	121	93.6%	-14.4%	-0.7%	77.8%
Penngrove	$760,000	$760,000	1	257	92.9%	-8.2%	-12.6%	-75.0%
Petaluma	$411,500	$450,402	52	118	99.0%	0.4%	-9.6%	15.6%
Rohnert Park	$295,250	$321,489	18	82	103.3%	-15.6%	-10.0%	-50.0%
Santa Rosa	$309,524	$359,208	168	91	99.7%	-9.0%	-11.2%	-4.0%
Sebastopol	$551,000	$575,647	17	108	96.8%	-14.9%	-28.7%	21.4%
Sonoma	$420,000	$506,836	22	119	93.9%	-19.2%	-9.4%	-29.0%
Windsor	$402,889	$401,682	18	83	101.1%	-1.7%	-10.3%	-59.1%

This information is copyrighted by rereport.com and is based on information from BAREIS/MLS for the period January, 1998 through January, 2009.

QUESTIONS? Please contact me: kirsten.lindquist@sothebyshomes.com