Where else in the Bay Area can you enjoy golf courses, vineyards & wine tasting, beautiful gardens, great restaurants inexpensively? (Yes, it is all-relative) Of course, I refer to Sonoma County!
If you have not investigated the area just hit the road about 60 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge and start exploring. We only have about 450,000 people in the entire County, have a diverse ethnic population, which means great cuisine, and, still have small towns. Santa Rosa (http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us), the largest community is made up of about 147,000 residents, followed by Petaluma (www.cityofpetaluma.net), and smaller towns quaintly named, Healdsburg (www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us), Sebastopol (www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us), Cloverdale (www.cloverdale.net), Sonoma (www.sonomacity.org), the town of Windsor http (www.ci.windsor.ca.us), Cotati (www.ci.cotati.ca.us) and Rohnert Park (www.ci.rohnert-park.ca.us).
Visit our county website www.sonoma-county.org and read about the latest 2006-7 Economic and Demographic Profile at http://www.Sonoma.county.org/edb/reports.htm thanks to Ben Stone, Director of the Economic Development Board (EDB). He is one of the few Directors that actually uses outside professionals to provide an independent and objective study of the economics conditions here. He is also a great guy to know!
The report tells us some interesting housing “stats.” Scroll to Section 7 and see pgs 78-90 to read all about the real estate market, whether commercial or residential. We have about 191,949 total housing units….very low compared to the other Bay Area cities. Housing starts (housing permits issued) was less than 2000 in 2005 which means that what is here will only go up in value. And No, we are not adding any more land!
The Business Community recently provided a very positive future outlook as reported in the Business Confidence Spring 2007 Report also posted on the EDB website and the local paper, a New Times subsidiary, the Press Democrat http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/NEWS/706010327/1036/BUSINESS01. Also, you need to know that The Press Democrat purchased the local business paper— the North Bay Business Journal (http://www.busjrnl.com/section/businessjournal). Whatever “news” to know is published weekly and is “the” paper for anyone to read that wants to be “in the know”. Thanks to Brad Bollinger, formerly the business editor of the Press Democrat, it has really become a great sponsor of local business interests as well as highlighting the activities of our local businesses throughout the North Bay.
So with interest rates low and sunny weather out there take a look at Sonoma County for a home, second home, a retirement home or for an extended visit.
An example of the best buy is located at 2625 Spring Oaks Drive.
You can walk across the street to the public Bennett Valley Golf Course www.bvgolf.org and play a great round of golf for $23 M-F and $34 S&S. The new $9M clubhouse should be completed this year.
Practice your Fly-fishing at the Galvin Community Park at the Fly Casting Pond. The Russian River Fly Fishers offer a free Fly Fishing Casting Clinic every Thursday from 4:30 until 6 at the casting pond at Galvin Park. From beginners to more advanced casters, here is a great opportunity to improve your casting skills and meet other fly fishers.
Drive down the street to the Matanzas Creek Winery http://www.matanzascreek.com and taste some fine wines or visit their world-renowned estate grown lavender gardens! Or, just
Dine at new great café recently reviewed by our local critic Jeff Cox. He says in his “bite size” review—“ Saint Rose, 463 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa, 546-2459. A tiny place — but most of the food is take-out or catered — that serves up the best-tasting dishes you’ll find this side of the modest prices. Fridays and Saturdays there’s a prix fixe menu for $30 that lays a sumptuous feast before you, everything cooked beautifully and with plenty of careful thought applied. The ingredients are all first rate, the atmosphere cozy and friendly.” Call for reservations…. Tell Mike that Denise sent you…
OR Breathe some fresh air and just relax in your new home!
Call me for your financing options!
Denise Beeson
707 694-6826
www.denisebeeson.com