Boar Statue in Sonoma Valley Wine Country  We've seen a number of boar statues on our travels, most of them in Italy. One was a very cool looking (as far as boars go) stuffed boar outside a butcher shop in the Piazza della Cisterna in San Gimignano, a very charming hill town in Tuscany and well worth a visit (we even had a boar dish at a local restaurant there, a common food in that area). We saw another in the town square in Greve in Tuscany, and no doubt others I am forgetting. This boar statue was at a beautiful winery in the Sonoma Valley about 7 years ago - I believe it was the Viansa Winery. 08/17/2017

How Far Would YOU go for a Wine Tasting?  We enjoyed 2 wonderful days exploring Napa and Sonoma wine country back in 2010. It wasn't nearly enough time, but we covered a lot of territory and enjoyed some terrific wineries.  The Larson Family Winery is located on Sonoma Creek in Sonoma, down a country lane. We were greeted by this sign a short distance before the winery came into view and had to chuckle. 04/20/2017

There is always something fun to do in Sonoma, even when it's raining. And it rained pretty much all day yesterday. Which meant it was a perfect day to undertake a Sonoma wine country tour. We joined a group of 10 people. One coupled hailed from New York City, so they were struggling with the time zone change. Another came from Los Angeles area, there was a guy from England who now lives in Austin with his girlfriend from San Francisco, and I think the last couple were from around these parts. You know how it is when you live somewhere and you never go to visit the things that area is known for, right? Like the guys from New York City had never been up in the Empire State Building. Heck, until I went back to Minneapolis a few years ago, I had never toured the Foshay Tour, either, which ... 11/30/2014

How many meals on Thanksgiving can one person consume? I hope never to have to answer that question again because it is becoming apparent to me that the older we get, the less we can eat. Why, yes, my eyes are bigger than my stupid little head. And I could have very easily not walked by the dessert smorgasbord more than once, too. But for some reason, we thought we should make reservations at two separate restaurants for two meals yesterday, just in case we don't starve to death. You can read more in my personal blog today about our Thanksgiving trip in Sacramento Real Estate and Sonoma Square Portals. 11/28/2014

Hope to see more of you tomorrow night hosted at the Remax Gold office in Napa Debbie Kalfas     From the Office of: Napa RE/MAX Gold    Address: 802 Vallejo StreetNapa, CA  94559                     E-Mail: Contact Me                                         Debbie, is an inspiration and you can meet our entire team she has put together to help the victims of the 2014 Napa earthquake.  Of course, I'll be there, along with Thomas Micheletti of C2Financial, and the rest of the team. We will continue to hold these informational meetings every Wednesday evening from 7-9 pm until everyone has the opportunity to get the information to correct the issues with their homes caused by the earthquake.  I saw a home today that had a number of cracks in the sidewalls and bottom of a swimming pool att... 09/16/2014

Seems like it  keeps growing... one day we heard there were 200 and the next day it as 617, now it is over a thousand and that may not be the end. I know I just found a crack at my house and I'm located fifteen miles away from the epicenter less than ten miles as the crow flies. It is a small hairline crack but it wasn't there before the quake.  Some of the damage is severe but most of the damage seems to be fallen fireplaces, in some cases fireplaces that should have been removed after the quake of 2000 per one of the victims.  Our Napa Earthquke Workshop seems to be a big hit We are actually helping people now and it feels great. We are anxious to get the next one going to help more people. We now have just over 200 that we are following up with to see what can be done for each one on... 09/06/2014

What's My Sonoma Valley Home Worth? July 2014 Single Family Residences:60 - Number of SFR's sold in July79 - Average Days on Market$759,500 - Median sales price$1,019,444 - Average sales price1889 - Average square footage$528 - Average price per square footSonoma Valley, like many areas in Sonoma County, has experienced a low amount of inventory which has driven Single Family Home prices up 90% in the last 24 months. As of this writing, the absorption rate is 2.7 (months), meaning if no new listings were introduced to the market, there would be no homes left for sale within 82 days. The absorption rate, which is the # of properties currently available compared to the average # of sales in previous months, is the indicator of whether we are experiencing a buyer or sellers market. We are ... 08/22/2014

FHA 203k and mold issues in Sonoma Mold can become an issue anywhere but this particular issue came up in Sonoma. there is rarely an issue that can't be repaired. Though I have seen three homes in my career that were burned in place due to mold issues. This home was being shown with the mold removed as seen in these photos        Most mold issues can be repaired and quite nicely.  If you have a listing that has mold issues, it is simply an FHA 203k or FNMA HomeStyle loan, it is not a lost cause and we can bring that home back into production. Your home inspector NEVER kills a deal, they merely help you identify when the financing should be 203k. 06/13/2013

Sonoma County luxury homes and estates offer beautiful settings and a great value in Wine Country.  There are currently 25 Sonoma County properties on the market with an asking price over $3,500,000.  Hat tip to Santa Rosa, CA for leading the list with a home offered at $10,750,000.   Here are the Sonoma County Top 10 luxury homes and estates offered for sale as of March 29, 2013.    Click on a property’s Address to view photos and detailed information.   BENNETT VALLEY RD, SANTA ROSA, CA 95404   $10,750,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 full | 1 partial Sq. Ft.: N/A     CRYSTAL SPRINGS CT, SANTA ROSA, CA 95404   $8,950,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4 full | 1 partial Sq. Ft.: 6,200     BENNETT VALLEY RD, SANTA ROSA, CA 95404   $6,995,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4 full | 2 partial Sq. Ft.: 7,500... 03/29/2013

Sonoma County luxury homes and estates offer beautiful settings and a great value in Wine Country.  There are currently 17 Sonoma County properties on the market with an asking price over $3,500,000. Here are the Sonoma County Top 10 luxury homes and estates offered for sale as of February 27, 2013.    Click on a property’s Address to view photos and detailed information.   Top 10 Sonoma County Luxury Homes and Estates   BENNETT VALLEY RD, SANTA ROSA, CA 95404   $10,750,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 full | 1 partial Sq. Ft.: N/A       840 SHILOH OAKS, SANTA ROSA, CA 95403   $6,950,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4 full | 2 partial Sq. Ft.: 10,000       5626 VINE HILL RD, SEBASTOPOL, CA 95472   $4,700,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4 Sq. Ft.: 7,400       790 SHILOH CYN, SANTA ROSA, CA 95403   $4,5... 02/26/2013

Sonoma County vineyards produce some of the finest California wines and provide some of the most beautiful scenery in Northern California. Here are listings of Sonoma County agricultural land and vineyards for sale as of February 15, 2013.  Click on a property’s Address for more photos and detailed information.   2449 NELLIGAN RD, GLEN ELLEN, CA 95442                 $7,500,000 134.23 Acres 5,847,059 ft2                     11450 LOS AMIGOS RD, HEALDSBURG, CA 95448                 $4,595,000 201.10 Acres 8,759,916 ft2                   20019 20501 COLEMAN VALLEY RD, BODEGA BAY, CA 94923                 $4,450,000 754.80 Acres 32,879,088 ft2                   7000 WEST DRY CREEK RD, HEALDSBURG, CA 95448                 $3,695,000 14.00 Acres 609,840 ft2                   8400 FRANZ VALLE... 02/15/2013

Sonoma County luxury homes and estates offer beautiful settings and a great value in Wine Country.  There are currently 14 Sonoma County properties on the market with an asking price over $3,500,000. Here are the Sonoma County Top 10 luxury homes and estates offered for sale as of January 31, 2013.    Click on a property’s Address to view photos and detailed information.   Top 10 Sonoma County Luxury Homes and Estates   CRYSTAL SPRINGS CT, SANTA ROSA, CA 95404   $8,950,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4 full | 1 partial Sq. Ft.: 6,200       840 SHILOH OAKS, SANTA ROSA, CA 95403   $6,950,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4 full | 2 partial Sq. Ft.: 10,000       5626 VINE HILL RD, SEBASTOPOL, CA 95472   $4,700,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4 Sq. Ft.: 7,400     790 SHILOH CYN, SANTA ROSA, CA 95403   $4,50... 02/14/2013

Sonoma County luxury homes and estates offer beautiful settings and a great value in Wine Country.  There are currently 14 Sonoma County properties on the market with an asking price over $3,500,000. Here are the Sonoma County Top 10 luxury homes and estates offered for sale as of January 31, 2013.    Click on Location to view a property’s photos and detailed information.   Top 10 Sonoma County Luxury Homes and Estates City List Price Bed/Bath Sq. Feet Acres Location Santa Rosa $10,750,000 4/2.5 Note 1 428 5525 Bennett Valley Road Santa Rosa $8,950,000 4/4.5 6,200 187.50 1888 Crystal Springs Ct Sebastopol $4,700,000 4/4 8,306 55.26 5626 Vine Hill Road Santa Rosa $4,500,000 5/5.5 6,640 10.51 790 Shiloh Canyon Sonoma $4,500,000 4/3.5(2) 4,130 5.01 17410 Norrbom Road Santa Rosa $4,495,000 ... 01/30/2013

Breakfast With Santa November 25th 2012 - Sonoma, CA     Are you looking for an opportunity to spend some quality time with Santa? The Girl Scouts of Sonoma have arranged for Santa to have breakfast with you and his elves! Activities include a sing-a-long, story time with the elves, arts & crafts, and other fun stuff! Remember to bring your camera to snap a photo with Santa!   BREAKFAST WITH SANTASunday, November 25th from 8:00AM to 2:00PM St. Francis Solano Catholic Church469 3rd St. WestSonoma, CA $8 Children 3+, $6 Adults/Seniors       *all activities are included with child admission 11/24/2012

Sonoma County luxury homes and estates offer beautiful settings and a great value in Wine Country.  There are currently 14 Sonoma County properties on the market with an asking price over $4,000,000 (down three from last week). Here are the Sonoma County Top 10 luxury homes and estates offered for sale as of November 7, 2012.  Visit our Wine Country MLS Search page and enter the property address to view the MLS listing for each property.  Contact me if you have any questions or if I may assist with your search of Sonoma County luxury homes, land and estates.  john@jsrealproperty.com   Top 10 Sonoma County Luxury Homes and Estates City List Price Bed/Bath Sq. Feet Acres Location Calistoga $35,000,000 3/3.5 9,700 500 10500 Franz Valley Rd Santa Rosa $10,750,000 4/2.5 Note 1 428 5525 Benne... 11/06/2012

Sonoma County vineyards produce some of the finest California wines and provide some of the most beautiful scenery in Northern California. Here are listings of Sonoma County agricultural land and vineyards for sale as of October 25, 2012.  Drop me a line for more information and to schedule a site visit. (john@jsrealproperty.com )  You can view the MLS listing for these properties, click on Wine Country MLS Search and enter the address and property type.  There are also properties not for sale in the MLS, drop me a line for additional properties in your area of interest.   City Price Location Acres Bodega Bay $2,400,000 4800 Hyw 1 Hwy 223.4 Bodega Bay $4,450,000 20019-20501 Coleman Valley Rd 754.8 Calistoga $1,495,000 4214 Sylvester Ln 20.98 Cloverdale $1,900,000 28919 River Rd 33.64 Cl... 10/24/2012

Sonoma County luxury homes and estates offer beautiful settings and a great value in Wine Country.  There are currently 17 Sonoma County properties on the market with an asking price over $4,000,000 (same as last week). Here are the Sonoma County Top 10 luxury homes and estates offered for sale as of October 17, 2012.  Visit our Wine Country MLS Search page and enter the property address to view the MLS listing for each property.  Contact me if you have any questions or if I may assist with your search of Sonoma County luxury homes, land and estates.  john@jsrealproperty.com   Top 10 Sonoma County Luxury Homes and Estates City List Price Bed/Bath Sq. Feet Acres Location Calistoga $35,000,000 3/3.5 9,700 500 10500 Franz Valley Rd Santa Rosa $10,750,000 4/2.5 Note 1 428 5525 Bennett Valle... 10/18/2012

Sonoma County vineyards produce some of the finest California wines and provide some of the most beautiful scenery in Northern California. Here are listings of Sonoma County agricultural land and vineyards for sale as of October 18, 2012.  Drop me a line for more information and to schedule a site visit. (john@jsrealproperty.com )  You can view the MLS listing for these properties, click on Wine Country MLS Search and enter the address and property type.  There are also properties not for sale in the MLS, drop me a line for additional properties in your area of interest.   City Price Location Acres Bodega Bay $2,400,000 4800 Hyw 1 Hwy 223.4 Bodega Bay $4,450,000 20019-20501 Coleman Valley Rd 754.8 Calistoga $1,495,000 4214 Sylvester Ln 20.98 Cloverdale $1,900,000 28919 River Rd 33.64 Cl... 10/18/2012

Sonoma County vineyards produce some of the finest California wines and provide some of the most beautiful scenery in Northern California. Here are listings of Sonoma County agricultural land and vineyards for sale as of October 12, 2012.  Drop me a line for more information and to schedule a site visit. (john@jsrealproperty.com )  You can view the MLS listing for these properties, click on Wine Country MLS Search and enter the address and property type.  There are also properties not for sale in the MLS, drop me a line for additional properties in your area of interest.   City Price Location Acres Bodega Bay $2,400,000 4800 Hyw 1 Hwy 223.4 Bodega Bay $4,450,000 20019-20501 Coleman Valley Rd 754.8 Calistoga $1,495,000 4214 Sylvester Ln 20.98 Cloverdale $1,900,000 28919 River Rd 33.64 Cl... 10/12/2012

Sonoma County luxury homes and estates offer beautiful settings and a great value in Wine Country.  There are currently 17 Sonoma County properties on the market with an asking price over $4,000,000 (same as last week). Here are the Sonoma County Top 10 luxury homes and estates offered for sale as of October 10, 2012.  Visit our Wine Country MLS Search page and enter the property address to view the MLS listing for each property.  Contact me if you have any questions or if I may assist with your search of Sonoma County luxury homes, land and estates.  john@jsrealproperty.com   Top 10 Sonoma County Luxury Homes and Estates   City List Price Bed/Bath Sq. Feet Acres Location Calistoga $35,000,000 3/3.5 9,700 500 10500 Franz Valley Rd Santa Rosa $10,750,000 4/2.5 Note 1 428 5525 Bennett Va... 10/09/2012