RETURN TO HOMEAre you thinking of living in Western Sonoma County, CA? A conversation with Cary Fargo of the Wine Country Group by Better Homes & Gardens Realty, Sebastopol, California.
Sebastopol, ten minutes west of the county seat of Santa Rosa, and intersected by the minor state highways 12 and 116 is the larger of several other villages in the immediate area, notably, Graton, Occidental, and Freestone. The area was settled primarily by those that didn’t strike it rich in the California gold rush of the 1850s, and were attracted by its temperate weather and rich soils suitable for agriculture.
For most of the twentieth century the local economy was dominated by logging and diverse agricultural endeavors, especially apple farming in this immediate area. Much of the timber (redwood and fir) that rebuilt San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake came from the lushly forested hills west of Sebastopol. Wine grapes are currently the area’s largest legal agricultural product.
The Town
Five miles inland from the spectacular Sonoma County coast the terrain turns to gentling rolling grazing land, typically occupied by cattle or sheep. The area is only about an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge, and is a popular tourist destination. It is near the heart of the local wine industry, with numerous world-class tasting rooms, and not far from the resorts of the Russian River. There are thousands of acres of pristine parkland readily accessible within a reasonable distance.
Attractions
For an area with a relatively small population, it teems with culture. Local and “name” musical artists make the rounds here from their bay area performances, and we are privileged to have a large population of artists and musicians. Small theatre productions are excellent and ongoing. Foodies will find excellent restaurants supplied by small local organic growers.
Economy and Prices
The demographics of the area are mixed, although many younger families have until recently found the area somewhat difficult to afford. The upside to the recession and decline in property values is that many can now afford homes that weren’t able to in the past. The median price range in the area has probably dropped from $695,000 to $495,000 in the past several years. Many people move here for the quality of the local public schools, with a lot of positive parent and community support. In addition, there are a plethora of alternative and charter schools.
Going Green
Many are also attracted to the area by its environmental consciousness. Sonoma County itself is in the top few counties in the state in terms of its reduction of material to landfills. Building codes are slowly evolving to consider all of the environmental impacts of building and development of any sort. Strict and enforced land use rules have made the area one of the slowest growing in the county. We like to think of ourselves as the kinder, gentler Berkeley.
Bottom Out
I don’t think prices have particularly bottomed out, especially with the recent turmoil in the financial markets, but only time will tell. People that want to sell their homes are well advised to present them in as pristine and as well maintained condition as they can to increase their likelihood of a smooth and positive selling experience in this competitive market.
Personal Experience
I personally moved to the area to attend Sonoma State University several decades ago (I won’t say how many precisely) and fell in love with the natural beauty and culture of the area. After a decade or so working in home building, I evolved into real estate sales, reasoning that my brain would probably outlast my vertebrae. It is useful past experience in dealing with houses, land, and the issues involved in appraising or maintaining them, all of which I can pass on to my clients.
Cary and his business partner, Doug Schaeffer have been serving West Sonoma County Real Estate needs for well over 50 years combined. They know the area inside and out and are unsurpassed in their local knowledge of the RE market, the microclimates and open space issues. Both are stewards of the land, and as a team, contribute to the West County community and act as Mentors to new RE Agents.
Contact Cary:
Cary Fargo
Wine Country Group Realtors by Better Homes & Gardens.
DRE #00773675
7300 Healdsburg Ave. Ste. B
Sebastopol CA 95472
Direct: 707-824-4507
Cell: 707-484-6158
Fax: 707-829-5028