Sonoma County Blog

The largest fire disaster in California history hit Sonoma County and Santa Rosa very hard. Nearly 6,000 residences were burned. Many of the homeowners and renters who occupied those homes are still scrambling to find long term accommodations months after the fire.

The housing market is going to continue as a sellers’ market for quite awhile. We were already impacted by high demand and limited supply. With 6,000 fewer homes available and 6,000 additional home seekers, we are in a crisis.

Since the fire, multiple offers and substantial overbids have been the rule rather than the exception. That continues today as more homebuyers are looking at Guerneville, Bodega Bay, and Cloverdale since closer-in locations have already rocketed up in price.

Rebuilding has begun and there are even a few newly constructed homes for sale. A few. On most burned lots, new construction hasn’t begun yet. Vacant lots are now lingering on the market and some are gradually falling in price as sellers and buyers try to find a proper value in the market.

The city of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County are changing regulations continually to accommodate the needs of the victims of the fire. ADUs are now easier to build. Fees have been lowered or eliminated in many cases. A new sewer line for Larkfield Estates is intended to make rebuilding with an ADU simpler and more likely.

If you are thinking of buying or selling in the area, talk to your agent about the impact of the fire. The market is not the same as it was a year ago.

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