Kirsten's Sonoma Real Estate Blog

What Are Sonoma Real Estate Buyers Waiting For?

Sonoma real estate buyers have slim pickin's right now.  We currently have 210 active residential listings.  That's about 60% of the inventory we typically have this time of year---the "hot" spring selling season.  Of those listings, 16-17% are distressed sales.  These are properties that are either bank-owned or short sales.   Looking at the stats a different way---80-84% of properties listed are non-distressed.   Many of them are listed at the lowest prices for Sonoma real estate that we've seen in 7-8 years.

With all the headlines about bank-owned screaming deals, buyers seem to think they can scoop up real estate at bargain basement prices just about anywhere.   This is not the case everywhere and especially not so in Sonoma Valley.   Demand for properties here is always strong..even in a weak economy.  We're in the ""wine country" .  We are within an hour of San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, and just a few hours from the Sierra Nevada Mountains with some of the best year ‘round outdoor recreation in North America.  Our market is small and about 80% of purchases are made by residents from the greater Bay Area.

Here's some more inside info for Sonoma Real estate buyers:  properties don't turn over very quickly here.  This is an area where folks buy for the long term and that often means the properties pass from generation to generation.  There's a lot of equity in Sonoma Valley real estate.  Families have deep roots here, including mine.  My grandparents bought their property in Glen Ellen 1943.  It remains in the family today.

The vast majority of Sonoma property owners don't have to sell and many won't in this market.   That means inventory will remain limited.  So the message to buyers is this:  if you are looking for Sonoma real estate today, and you see something that strikes your fancy, make an offer now.    Sonoma real estate prices and values will rise again.   I think it will happen sooner than many anticipate.  So what are Sonoma real estate buyers waiting for?  I'd love to know.

Sonoma Mountain Ranch for Sale - 3200 Sonoma Mountain Road

It's not often that there's a Sonoma Mountain ranch for sale and rarely anything as heavenly as 3200 Sonoma Mountain Road.  This mostly pristine 128+/-acre property sits at an elevation of 2300 feet.  It is surrounded by much bigger parcels including Jack London State Parkto the west and nearly 300 acres of open space, known by old timers as the Stevenson Ranch, purchased by Sonoma County in December of 2008.

I actually had the tremedous honor of representing the county in the acquisition of the Stevenson Ranch.  There was great personal satisfaction for me in preserving this property for the enjoyment of future generations.  My mother and uncle rose their horses on the Stevenson place when they were kids in the late 1940's.

3200 Sonoma Mountain Road is the parcel just to the south of the top of Sonoma Mountain.  The natural beauty almost overwhelms the senses; the views take your breath away.  The property has a 1988 contemporary home on it built in the Bauhaus style.  There's a 5+/-acre award-winning vineyard, a lake, and acres of open meadows and indigenous forest land.  So much more can be said to describe this place but I'll let the the pictures tell the story instead.

3200 Sonoma Mountain Road is listed for $3,495,000.  Please call, text, or email me for more information.  It would be my pleasure to arrange a private showing of this heavenly spot on Sonoma Mountain...just for you.