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Sonoma, CA Real Estate News

By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
I received an email day before yesterday from one of my favorite lenders, Gary Umholtz.  Gary says, "The majority of short sales and foreclosures in Sonoma Valley are with Countrywide.   If you or any of your past clients are in trouble with their Countrywide loan, now is the time to act.  Let me know if I can assist in any way." Here is the article: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Facing a lawsuit over deceptive mortgage practices, Bank of America Corp. is agreeing to pay more than $8 billion to modify hundreds of thousands of loans to keep people from losing their homes. Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America said Monday it will modify troubled mortgages with up to $8.4 billion in interest rate and principal reductions for nearly 400,000 customers of Countrywide Financial Corp., the troubled mortg...
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
Last weekend we had a great weekend.  Saturday we spent the day with my friend Stephanie and Sunday, after lunch at one of our favorite Sonoma Restaurants Deuce, we walked to the Plaza to enjoy the 111th Annual Vintage Festival.  I heard this is the second oldest Festival in all of California.   Of course, there were all kinds of art, wine and food booths Good music too, by different bands and soloists.    There was a grape stomping contest. There was even a mini Mini show.   It was a beautiful day.  Enjoy the photos.  
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
As you will see in the chart below the average sales price in the beautiful wine country town of Sonoma varies widely month-by-month.  The volume is increasing with the REOs being snapped up, often with multiple offers.  Even with multiple offers, however, the average price on these bank-owned homes is far less than what we're used, driving down the average sales price for these past few months.  However, annualized, Sonoma is still looking pretty good. If you are interested, here are some REOs, or you can see everything available by searching our MLS.
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
As of September 5, 2008 16% of available listings in the beautiful Wine Country town of Sonoma are in escrow. For the month of August 2008 an encouraging 35 homes sold in Sonoma for an average final selling price of $562,140. The average original asking price of these homes was $616,090. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $160,000 to a high of $1,330,000. 9 of these 35 homes were distress sales that ranged in final selling price from $160,000 to $455,000 Of the 35 homes that sold 4 sold at their original asking price and 4 sold over their original asking price. It took these homes an average of 111 days to sell. For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.
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By Stephen Cappa, CA BRE# 1215943/01748618
(California Real Estate Loans, dba APMC)
There is nothing quite like the smell of a barbecue. The scent can travel throughout the neighborhood and really activates the senses. Imagine looking over a crystal clear swimming pool with all the kids swimming about. When I think of the great American image that families spend time together and interact with their neighbors, I revel in that feeling i get around Sonoma County. The County Fair gets the spirit going, and when the weather is right, it is high season to travel about, and visit places of great beauty like Bodega Bay. You can do anything and everything you can think up right here in your "own backyard".  It is the right time to be investing in the great county, with good deals to be had in any of the quaint towns. I encourage someone to challenge my ability to find them a h...
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
As you will see in the chart below the average sales price in the beautiful wine country town of Sonoma fluctuates wildly from month to month.  So far this year, even with all the REOs, the average sales price for the first seven months is at a high of $931,799.  People are coming to the table and buying those REOs, and the wealthy continue to love the grand estates.  It's the man in the middle that isn't seeing much action. For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
As of August 5, 2008 only 15% of available listings in the beautiful wine country town of Sonoma are in escrow. For the month of July 2008 an encouraging 30 homes sold in Sonoma for an average final selling price of $812,213. The average original asking price of these homes was $904, 936. The range of final selling prices of these homes was from a low of $262,500 to a high of $3,921,000. It took these homes an average of 120 days to sell. Of the 30 homes that sold 2 sold at their original asking price and 3 sold over their original asking price. 9 of the 30 homes that sold were distress sales. To see everything in the area that is for sale search our MLS. For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.
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As you will see in the charts below the average sales price in the beautiful wine country town of Sonoma fluctuates wildly from month to month.  The number of homes being sold is limping along.  However, if you look at neighboring communities like Petaluma and Novato it looks like there might be light at the end of the tunnel.  Just how far away is the end of the tunnel anyway? For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
As of July 12, 2008 14% of available listings are in escrow in the beautiful wine country town of Sonoma. For the month of June 2008 28 homes sold in Sonoma for an average final selling price of $626,979. The average original asking price of these homes was $666,336. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $260,000 to a high of $1,550,000. It took these homes an average of 64 days to sell. Of the 28 homes that sold 8 sold at their original asking price and 4 sold over. To learn more about this area visit my website or feel free to contact me directly. If you would like to see available homes for sale search our MLS.
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Now, it's only June 29 so this month's numbers are not complete, but I have time to do this right now and probably won't later, so it's getting posted today.  :) As you will see in the charts below, the average sales price for 2008 (so far) is up from last year and years before.  And this includes all the short sales, REOs, etc.  The volume, on the other hand, is less than half of last year's total volume.  Again, the numbers for June have not yet all been reported, and I will update when they are. For more information about this area visit my website or contact me directly.
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
As of June 7, 2008 15% of available listings in the beautiful wine country town of Sonoma are in escrow.  Ahh, it is a beautiful town - with great restaurants! For the month of May 2008 an encouraging 36 homes sold in this town for an average final selling price of $890,716. The average original asking price of these homes was $965,322. The range of final selling prices was from a low of $165,000 (a 2 bedroom, 2 bath bank-owned home in El Verano - what a screamin' deal!!!) to a high of $4,600,000 (an Italian-inspired estate on almost 13 acres on the coveted East Side of town) It took these homes an average of 120 days to sell. Of the 36 homes that sold, 2 sold at their original asking price and 5 sold over their original asking price.  The other 29 homes sold for less than their asking ...
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By Rick Tackett
(Pacific Union GMAC)
If an eclectic mix of architectural styles, residents and cultures sounds like home, then "the Springs" may be the area for you. Just a few minutes north west of Sonoma Square you'll find El Verano, Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs and Agua Caliente along the Highway 12 corridor. View Larger Map Back when ladies wore long dresses and twirled parasols on hot summer days the Springs were a favorite destination for San Franciscans. Over time, some of those visitors built summer cottages and new neighborhoods were born. Today, those original cottages can still be found. While many have been renovated or expanded the casual, unassuming charm is still there. Over the last 50 - 60 years the remaining lands have filled in with small neighborhoods of predominately ranch style homes. Althou...
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By Rick Tackett
(Pacific Union GMAC)
As I mentioned in my prior post, Sonoma's east side is one of, if not the most, desirable location for affluent homebuyers. Homes within roughly 5 blocks of Sonoma Square are on nice size lots and the neighborhoods are beautiful. But what if you're looking for a bigger size piece of property... a half acre, an acre, 20 aces, etc.? No problem, the east side offers that too. In fact, the rural properties east of Sonoma really capture the dream of wine country living. Homes with private vineyards, guest houses, olive orchards, privacy, and some with views to San Francisco.  Unlike properties close to town, rural properties do not have access city sewer lines and most do not have access to city water. For a buyer accustomed to living in a city it creates a little culture shock. The phrase "...
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By Rick Tackett
(Pacific Union GMAC)
If you are a orthodox believer in "location, location, location" then Sonoma's east side may be the neighborhood for you. The dividing line between east and west is created by Broadway, which dead ends at the square at City Hall. The east side is almost all residential and offers a wide variety of homes and lot sizes. Because the area is so popular you should plan on paying a premium for this location. The good news is that premium also works in your favor when you sell. Even in today's sluggish market an east side home with a realistic price can generate multiple offers. What part of the east side is right for you? That depends on your needs. I have created a generalized description of sub-neighborhoods below: The Golden Rectangle  Boundaries: Broadway & Fifth Street East, Spain Street...
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
As of May 10, 2008 only 13% of available listings in the beautiful town of Sonoma are in escrow.  So, HELLO Buyers, we want YOU in Sonoma! For the month of April 2008 only 21 homes sold in Sonoma for an average final selling price of $1,219,656. The average original asking price of these homes was $1,363,490. The homes ranged from a home in a 55+ community at $290,000, to an estate on almost ten acres on the coveted East Side of Sonoma.  (these 2 MLS links are only good for 30 days) It took these homes an average of 184 days to sell. Of the 21 homes that sold, 3 sold for more than their original asking price and all others sold for less. If you would like to know more about this area visit my website, or feel free to contact me directly.
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By Chris Fisher
(Your Virtual Assistant)
Some friends and I recently went on a wine tasting trip in Sonoma.  Our favorite winery was the Robledo Family Winery.  The wines were delicious (I even loved the chardonnay and I usually only drink red).  We were served by one of the Robledo sons, who told us the story behind the name of each wine as well as the grapes used to make them.  There was also a cute little Robledo grandson wandering around and admiring our limo.  This is a charming and inviting family winery.  Mama Robledo is even the one doing the cooking today for the Cinco de May celebration! From the family website:"We think every bottle of wine produced by Robledo Family Winery is a small triumph. The quality of our wine displays viticulturist Reynaldo Robledo's skills of grape culture. He overcame his humble beginnings...
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
As you will see in the chart below, the average sales price for homes in the City of Sonoma varies widely from month to month.  In fact, so far this month (April 2008) the average sales price is over $5M.  That will come down as lower priced homes sell throughout the month.  As far as the number of homes being sold, people are starting to snap up the distress sales, increasing the number of homes being sold -- and driving down the average sales price.  The sooner they sell, the sooner we will return to a more normal market. For more information about this area visit my website, or feel free to contact me directly.
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
As of April 5, 2008 only 13% of available listings in the City of Sonoma are in escrow.For the month of March 2008 an encouraging 30 homes sold in Sonoma for an average final selling price of $662,176.  The average original asking price of these homes was $734,268.  It took these homes an average of 117 days to sell.Of the 30 homes that sold 3 sold at the original asking price and 1 sold over.  All others sold for less.  So, come, name your price and terms.  Let's make a deal.For more information about this area, visit my website, or feel free to contact me directly.
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By Mark Stornetta, Sonoma Valley Real Estate - Own a California Vineyard - 707-815-8749
(Alain Pinel)
Sonoma county Real Estate Market Report 2008 In beautiful Sonoma County there are over 53 miles of Pacific Coastline, 12 miles of San Francisco Bay Coastline, and over 63,000 acres of vineyards. As a child I would travel the two hour distance from Mendocino County to Santa Rosa with my parents for errands or medical appointments.  Later, I was able to convince my parents that I was committed to my piano with regular practice intervals.  (The incentive was if I practiced my piano, I would have to spend less time in the cow barn.)  Eventually, my parents were convinced and this was enough to justify a 2 hour drive to Santa Rosa for a piano lesson.  I loved driving the coastline to Santa Rosa.   Emerald green hills, deep blue Pacific waters, and carpets of mustard blanketing vineyards in ...
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By Kelley Eling, Realtor Extraordinaire
(Fathom Realty Group)
The chart below shows the activity for residential sales in the City of Sonoma from 2001 - present.  As you will see, the prices fluctuate from month to month depending on what types of homes sold in any given month, with the overall average being up, supported by a healthy market in the high end.  The volume, on the other hand, is down dramatically.That said, some of these sellers really need to be rescued.  Check out the distressed sales in the area.  You could be someone's knight in shining armour. If you have any questions about this chart, or this area, just ask.  I'm happy to help.
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