Sonoma County Blog December 12, 2023

News You Can Use and Market Reports December, 2023

Dear clients and friends:

Happy Holidays! Our monthly blog includes Area Reports for all of Sonoma County and Market Reports for the Sonoma Coast and more.

California’s Home Insurance Market: When we’re getting ready to put a property on the market, we research potential insurers. When we’re representing buyers on a purchase, we make sure one of the first due diligence steps is obtaining insurance quotes. You’ve probably heard a number of major insurance companies have pulled out of the California insurance market or are not writing new policies. Some site existing laws that have been on the books since the 1980’s that put limits on insurers in the state. The Govenor has declared a “state of emergency” regarding this insurance crisis, so hopefully, things will change for the better, but it may take a lot of time.  It is important to look at your own property, since many insurance companies are conducting random inspections looking for even minor issues by which they can justify the non-renewal of current policies. These items include tree limbs touching or near roofs, older roofs, moss on roofs, wood stacked up near house, and yard debris.

Real Estate Snapshot: This fall interest rates jumped to their highest point in 23 years, but they saw a near record decline after the Fed extended their pause on raising its benchmark rate. The Federal Reserve kept rates steady in the December meeting, with some indication that rate cuts may be coming in 2024.  The housing market typically begins its big, holiday slowdown in mid-November. Sonoma County continues to have historically low levels of available homes for purchase.  Our most recent listing in Northwest Santa Rosa was snapped up and closed quickly for over the asking price. And our ocean view listing in Jenner received two offers and is in contract.

We owe our success to our wonderful clients, friends and family for referring us to their friends, family and co-workers. THANK YOU for helping us help others with some of the most important transactions of their lives.

We love what we do. We were honored to work with so many wonderful people this year. Here’s our featured SOLD properties for 2023.

SONOMA COUNTY COMMUNITY AREA REPORTS

Here are the November 2023 reports analyzing data as it affects these specific market areas. The Market Summaries below offer a look at sales activity for the prior month and year, along with current and past year-to-date statistics. The graphs cover several different aspects of the real estate market. Note how some of the graphs break out trends by price increments. Please contact us if you would like more information on the current market.

COASTAL MARKET REPORTS

Below are links to our Coastal Market Reports ending November 30, 2023. Each of these market reports include Active, Under Contract and SOLD properties for the last 12 months. A Market Snapshot is followed by a Market Summary, then the Local Inventory shows full details of every property included in that report.

If you’re thinking of selling or want to know your property’s value, we’d be happy to provide you with a free in-depth analysis, share our exclusive marketing plan and consult on pre-market improvements.

If you’re looking to purchase a property in Sonoma County, we have the tools to help you achieve your real estate goals. Just give us a call or text us at (707) 206-2109. Or email Laura@LauraRichards.Net. We love hearing from you!

Do you want to receive a report for a specific ZIP CODE? Sign up HERE for “Neighborhood News”.

If you want to explore ALL Sonoma County properties currently on the market, click on SONOMA COUNTY PROPERTY SEARCH. Let us know if you would like us to set up a Custom Search that gets emailed to you daily. Here’s a link to OUR BIO. Here’s OUR ACTIVE LISTINGS. Here’s OUR SOLD PROPERTIES.

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS

‘Tis the season to celebrate local ag.

Throughout the season, Farm Trails will be featuring special holiday offerings from Farm Trails members, including farm-fresh food and drink for your holiday meals, unique ag-centric gifts, and local wreaths and decor. Enjoy festive holiday experiences, such as cutting your own Christmas tree, taking a wreath making workshop, going on a farm tour, and lots more. Visit FARMTRAILS.ORG for details.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Bodega’s Saint Teresa of Avila looks like something out of an old-fashioned Christmas card during the holidays. Ansel Adams immortalized the church in a photograph, and it was famously featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.

This month: DECEMBER: Here’s the link to the WINTER Activity Guide

Everyone is sure to find something to enjoy in this handy guide – designed to help you plan a most memorable season! 

Enjoy the bounty of our county: Share your experiences with us or news we can use, we love hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Laura Richards & Kent Byers
Global Luxury Specialist, Broker Associate
Mobile: (707) 206-2109
Email: Laura@LauraRichards.Net
CalBRE #01354895 & CalBRE #01013997
Website: SONOMACOUNTYHOMES.NET   Like us on FACEBOOK 
“The Pacific Ocean in Your Front Yard, Wine Country in Your Back Yard!
Laura Richards & Kent Byers