We generally write articles about Sonoma County, and even though these grapes were grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this wine comes from a favorite Sonoma County winery…Martin Ray Winery which is located in Santa Rosa California. We thought we would take a chance with our first wine review posted on this website…now…on to the wine review.

The wine label states that the Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes that are grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains are intense, flavorful, and distinctive. We would agree that the wine is intense, and very flavorful, however distinctive is not a word that came to mind when we drank it. This is not a bad thing however, as this wine was easily mistakable with a Sonoma or even Napa Cabernet.

I am not one of those wine drinkers that has a great palate and can tell you a wine has great depth, multiple layers, or hints of the California Sunshine…but I do know what I like, and I really liked this wine. When I say I liked this wine, I mean that WE really liked this wine…everyone that had a glass or two commented on how great it was. The wine went very well with some filets grilled medium rare with a little black pepper and olive oil. The wine also paired well with some grilled asparagus and tomatoes. Lastly, we also grilled a nice big piece of wild salmon, and the wine did not over power the fish at all…again, pairing well with and even complimenting the salmon which was grilled with a little olive oil and paprika…I was actually surprised that the wine did not take center stage with the fish as the wine is very full bodied.

We paid $27 per bottle ($30 with a 10% discount) and thought it was a great buy. I just did a quick Google search and found the same wine for as much as $45.99 and not including shipping. Even though we like to sample new wines all the time, we may just go back and buy a few bottles for future meals, since we now know it is such a versatile wine.

If anyone has any comments a great wine we should try, whether it is Sonoma County Wine or not, by all means, please let us know. We would be happy to find a bottle, have it with a meal, and then write our opinion of the selection. If you try the Martin Ray 2005 Santa Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon, we would also like to know what you thought. Remember to drink responsibly!

Get Your Docs In A Row? What does that mean? Don’t you mean get my DUCKS in a row? I do not even have a pond, so how is that possible? Get your DOCS in a row silly…have all of your financial documents ready to share with your mortgage broker.

Getting Your Docs In A Row reminds me a little of Jerry Maguire. Remember when Jerry is telling Row Tidwell to lose the chip on his shoulder and be more a team player…pleading with him..”Help Me Help You…Help Me Help You!” Well even if you do not remember, it all comes down to helping your mortgage broker or lender help you. Once they have all of your necessary paperwork, they can tell you how much you qualify for, what rate you qualify for, and this information coupled with your income, down payment, credit score, anticipated closing costs, etc. will tell you how much you can spend on your new home.

The items your mortgage broker / lender will likely need are as follows:

• Pay Stubs – w-2’s, 1099’s, anything that proves your income
• Tax Returns – Your LAST 2 YEARS of tax returns
• Any Other Loan Or Credit Line Information – lender information, loan numbers, balances, monthly amounts owed, interest rates, payoff information)
• Bank Account Statements – The most recent statements showing available funds (this will prove your ability to make a down payment and pay for closing costs)

So if you have recently started your Sonoma County Home Search, or are already looking and have not yet spoken to a Mortgage Broker / Lender…what is your next order of Business? Get Your Docs In A Row and speak to a lending professional to find out how they can help you. The lending professional will help you find out what price range you should focus on, and help you figure out when is the best time to lock in a mortgage rate.

Fountaingrove is receiving increased attention as there was a lot of construction during 2004 – 2007. Many of the loans that were taken out on Fountaingrove Homes were Interest Only Adjustable Rate Mortgage loans, and as these loans readjust to including principal as well, there are many High End short sales and High End Foreclosures that are coming on the market NOW. These well priced homes are making a well known name is the Sonoma County Luxury Real Estate market more affordable. Do not get me wrong, even though there are foreclosures in Fountaingrove, this is a high end area, and one that should be considered if you want Sonoma County luxury homes.

Mayacama Country Club is the highest priced neighborhood in all of Sonoma County. The lifestyle here is amazing…European Style Spa, Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, and sweeping views from most homesites, are just the beginning. This neighborhood was designed around the laid back Tuscan lifestyle that most people only read about; however we are able to experience right here in Sonoma County. If the price tag of Mayacama is too high to purchase, they do offer a lodging club, similar to a 5 star hotel experience, with 35 night stays in intimate casitas and villas. Mayacama is a name synonymous with Sonoma County Luxury Homes…ultra luxury to be more specific.

For others, their Luxury Real Estate experience is defined by peace and serenity. We have regular inquiries regarding upscale homes with acreage. The goal for this set of buyers is to be away from it all, and have a place without the noise or disturbances of the outside world. There is a market for the secluded estate lifestyle, and there are a number of properties from which to choose. The prices have come down in this market segment, and vary greatly as the homes amenities and amount of land vary.

There is yet another set of luxury home buyers who see a Petaluma Farmhouse as their ideal home choice. The majority of the price and value here is in the large tracts of land available, and sometimes the Business of a small working farm holds considerable value as well. The rolling hills of Petaluma are certainly beautiful, and the farm lifestyle is the ultimate happiness to some.

Petaluma Victorian Homes are another example of some people’s view of Sonoma County Luxury Real Estate. These vintage gems are certainly a rare commodity, most are in a great location (walkable to fun and lively downtown Petaluma), and most are highly sought after. We have written about Petaluma Victorians in the past, and these tend to be some of the higher priced homes in Petaluma, in many cases these are the choice of many luxury home buyers. There is a niche market of buyers who want a unique vintage property, and a Petaluma Heritage Home offers a unique vintage charm that cannot be duplicated.

Sonoma County Vineyard Estates are another popular home choice of luxury buyers. We do have different types of buyers for this property; from people who want to work with their hands, to people who love agriculture, and others who see it as a Business venture. Many choose to purchase a home with an existing vineyard, as it does take time and money to set up vines, irrigation, and the time it takes to see the first fruit of the first harvest can be more than some are willing to wait for. Some do purchase raw land and build it all, but this is the exception, as the land fertility may be in question.

We also have people who have heard the call of the ocean, and want to live in Coastal Sonoma in areas such as Bodega Bay, The Sea Ranch, etc. Most choose homes with 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean. We agree that there is definitely something calming about the Ocean, and the sunsets in Western Sonoma County. Prices can easily be in the 7 figure category on the coast, however, we are finding many great opportunities starting in the $500,000 range, as the current economic conditions have changed the vacation home market.

As we stated, Sonoma County Luxury Real Estate usually means one of the above home types, however there are certainly other options from which to choose.

If you have any questions regarding Sonoma County Luxury Real Estate, please do not hesitate to ask us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Luxury Real Estate, as defined by Wikipedia, is a niche of Real Estate dedicated to the highest economic group of property buyers. I suppose I cannot argue with that definition, however, when I tend to think of Luxury Real Estate, I think of the durable good itself (luxury homes) and not necessarily the economic group of those who purchase it. After all, I know many people who are in the top 1% of all American wage earners who are currently buying up entry levels homes, duplexes, and fourplexes as diversified investment vehicles. They have noted that one can purchase a property, rent it out for more than the mortgage would be, and cash flow each month. Some will “get paid to wait” until prices return, sell the properties for a gain, and then buy bonds…as you know, you do not buy bonds to get rich, you buy them to stay rich. Anyway…the fact that high wage earners can by any type of properties, is the reason why I tend to think of the homes themselves when thinking of Luxury Real Estate. Going with that thought, I usually associate the term luxury with home of at least $500,000, and much higher in some areas.

Sonoma County Luxury Real Estate comes in all shapes and sizes. Whatever your view of Luxury Real Estate is, we are sure that Sonoma County offers it. Whether it is a hilltop estate in the Fountaingrove hills, a luxury golf course home at the Tuscan inspired Mayacama Country Club, a gated home, maybe a French style villa, on acreage away from neighbors, a Petaluma farmhouse with plenty of land, an estate with land for a small vineyard, or a contemporary Bodega Bay Home overlooking the Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County really does offer it all.

When buyers talk to us about Luxury Real Estate, they usually speak about one of the scenarios above, and I will talk about each in limited detail….In Tomorrow’s Article!

Slice of Heaven-Bennett Valley, Sonoma County

This is your opportunity to own your very own gated and private Sonoma County Wine Country Estate on 5 sprawling acres of Syrah Vineyard, custom gorgeous gardens and lots of fruit trees. This warm and inviting split-level home boasts 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths open floor-plan of approx. 3300+ square feet and extensive upgrades (over $600,000 worth) through-out! Crown-molding, designer paint selections, dual-pane windows, Italian tile floors compliment this rare custom beauty.

Enjoy your Chef’s updated dream island kitchen with a professional Viking Oven, gas range and a custom wine country theme. Custom cabinetry, lots of storage space, recessed lighting, vaulted tray ceilings, 2 fireplaces, 5 custom skylights and gorgeous views from every single room. Soak in your very own Japanese tub and enjoy an in home spa treatment. Relax and experience gorgeous Sonoma County Wine Country Vineyard views from your large Master Suite that features lots a closet space, dual-sinks, vaulted ceiling, and french doors that open to your outdoor paradise.

The home also features extensive decking and a large wrap around porch laced with beautiful and vibrant colored flowers. Entertain with creative out-door dining  on the home’s extensive decking-truly an entertainer’s paradise. Enjoy gorgeous sunsets over your 3 acres of Syrah vineyard while sipping some red wine.

This property is located within Sonoma County’s most sought out grape growing regions, Bennett Valley. Bennett Valley is an area nestled in the Sonoma County countryside conveniently located within (approx.) 10 miles from Downtown Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Penngrove and Rohnert Park. Wine lover’s will also enjoy the close proximity to some well known wineries as Matanzas Creek (one of my personal favorites), VJB Vineyards and Cellars, Landmark Vineyards, Chateau St. Jean and so many more! For a complete list of local Sonoma County wineries be sure to check out our complete list at our Sonoma County Vitner’s website.

Don’t miss what this wonderful Sonoma County Slice of Heaven.

 Click here for more Slice of Heaven photos.

Home Highlights:

*$600,000 Gorgeous Remodel done in 2000

*5 Acre Lot Size (Approximately)

*Private and gated wine country estate

*2 Heaters For Zone Heating Energy Conservation

*Bocci Ball Court

*Award Winning Vineyard

*Relaxing and Tranquil Setting

*Gorgeous and Lush Gardens

*Extensive Out-Door Decking

This property is only available to be shown by appointment only and is NOT listed on the MLS. Call or email Yasmeen Hillyard for a private showing and for more details: 707-771-0338 or YasmeenHillyard@yahoo.com.

Yasmeen Hillyard

DRE#01505622

CPS Property Advocates

6250 State Farm Drive

Rohnert Park, CA 94928

FREE Sonoma County Foreclosure Lists are a great asset for all buyers, included the investment monded buyer. Many of our clients had paid for this same exact service from other sources, and realize how much money they would have saved just by talking to us. Even better is the fact that we can customize your list to show you exactly what you want to see, not every single foreclosure or short sale…if you want to see all of the properties…great, we can provide that, or we can save you time with a customized list.

Many people look at foreclosures as the best way to buy the best priced Sonoma County Real Estate. We like to think a great Real Estate agent on your side is also essential.

We Offer Free Lists Of:

• Bank Owned Homes
• Bank Owned Luxury Homes
• Bank Owned Condos
• Bank Owned Townhomes
• Bank Owned Investment Properties
• Bank Owned Commercial Properties
• Bank Owned Land

We offer free foreclosure and short sale lists for Sonoma County, Napa County, Marin County, Solano County, and Lake County as well. If you need these lists beyond those areas, be sure to ask for a list of our contacts in other areas…we have a trusted network of Real Estate professionals in many areas.

Foreclosures and short sales are not just limited to low priced properties. There are many foreclosures in all price ranges, from properties under $100,000 to well over $1 million dollars, and include areas such as Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Fountaingrove, Petaluma, Cotati, Penngrove, Sonoma, etc. Contact us via this website (contact info at top right of this page) or at WineCountryMoves.com to sign up.

So once you have the free list of Sonoma County Foreclosures and Short Sales, what do you do when you have found a house? Call us to set up a showing of the home and discuss details of writing any offers. We have years of experience helping people buy and sell foreclosures and short sales and we can help you navigate the process with ease. We will give you an objective view of the market, keep you up to date all all relevant items, and advise you of offers that will give you the best chance at saving money and getting the home of your dreams.

Visit Foreclosure Buying Tips to learn more about buying foreclosures. Should you have any questions regarding Sonoma County Foreclosures or Sonoma County Short Sales feel free to contact us; we look forward to hearing from you and helping you save money.

There are many buyers, and so few homes on the market, it makes things tough for those who want to purchase a home. There are many reasons to buy RIGHT NOW…the $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit (disappears on December 1st), extremely low Sonoma County Mortgage Rates, and the fact that a mortgage payment right now is less than rent on a similar property in many cases.

All of Sonoma County is experiencing a shortage of homes for sale. From entry level homes in Santa Rosa, to mid range priced homes in Rohnert Park, to Petaluma, the new affordable San Francisco escape, and even to the high end  Fountaingrove and Mayacama Country Club, supply is nowhere to be found. Well priced homes are selling in days, no longer months.

We have the buyers, the buyers have the motivation, and now all we need is the supply of homes.

I wanted to feature this gorgeous home that has been so meticulously cared for by happy homeowners. This home shows definite pride of ownership and also shows the latest trends in designer interior paint colors. This home is not yet on the MLS.

This warm and inviting property is conveniently located in the lovely Santa Rosa Ca area, minutes from Starbucks and a shopping square, Petaluma Hill Road for the scenic back road lover and minutes from Hwy 12 and Hwy 101. It features 4 spacious bedrooms, 3 baths, designer paint selections, laminate flooring, all newer appliances and…IT’S NOT A SHORT SALE OR REO!!!

This property has a lovely and spacious backyard for delightful out-door dining and there are NO REAR NEIGHBORS…The property backs to open space.

The property is priced at $369,000. (This property sold for $590,000 in 2005! )

For more information on this property contact me at: 707-771-0338.

This was a lot of fun…It was a great turn out for the Santa Rosa Rockabilly Day at Juilliard Park. This was a FREE event put together by the City of Santa Rosa that featured local rock band artists like Buckshot Boys, Petaluma Beats and Dave Crimmen.

My favorite songs were the Elvis covers.

For more information on local upcoming events in Santa Rosa Ca be sure to check out the City of Santa Rosa Website.

This picture was taken in Depot Park in downtown Santa Rosa, right across from Chevy’s Mexican restaurant. We were hanging out in Santa Rosa and after lunch at Chevy’s I snapped a few pictures of the park and this brinze statue.

Depot Park is extremely tiny, and not really much of a park at all…just to be realistic. I would not plan a picnic for this little tiny park…maybe if you are driving by and want a picture…stop! OR…if you are having lunch at Chevy’s or an omelette at Don Tyler’s then also walk half a block to this little park.

I must apologize for the lighting in the picture…it was truly horrible…well it was bright, but at the wrong angle.

Anyway…I liked how Charlie Brown and Snoopy were both smiling…stay positive my friends!