Random Sonoma Scenes!

Fixers

Why do earthquakes suck?

My first significant earthquake came while I was sitting on an under-construction deck in Berkeley. The deck, still unbraced, stood still while the house it was attached to swayed pretty vigorously. It was an interesting demonstration of Newton’s Law that a body at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted on by an outside [...]

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Healdsburg Matheson St. Victorian

Healdsburg Victorian with five units in back

Healdsburg has a great collection of Victorians downtown. Matheson St, a main artery to the Healdsburg plaza, has both modest and large examples of what are often called painted ladies. Martin Humphrey’s current listing is an interesting opportunity since it includes not just a Victorian with classically good bones, but five extra units on the [...]

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North Street Fixer in Healdsburg

Some see ruin, failing brick foundation, peeling paint, sagging floors, and throw up their hands in despair. I see classic lines, the pride of the original designer and builder, and the heart of Healdsburg location. I have loved this house since I first saw it twenty years ago, and it has been sad to witness [...]

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East Street Fixer in Healdsburg

The grande dame around the corner on North St is my favorite Healdsburg fixer, but this “white elephant in the rough” ranks right up there as a challenging repair prospect. Several owners have pondered remodel, tear down, new house, refit, and haven’t managed to find the right combination. There are plans for a new house, [...]

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Cherry Street Historical District

(Updated: Sold) I was meeting my brother for breakfast at Arrigonis yesterday and thought I’d look at a few properties while I was waiting. This currently active listing in Santa Rosa is a very nice fixer opportunity. It’s in the heart of downtown, but just far enough away from the busiest streets that it’s got [...]

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Fixers

9 out of 10 buyers are looking for a house in great, move-in condition. Turnkey homes  sell faster, get a higher price, and obviously save wear and tear on buyers who are probably stressed enough from the move that they don’t need additional headaches. So why do I like the dilapidated houses that are gently [...]

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