Lauren in Santa Rosa

Love this house...

Just sold! We fought tooth and nail for this one, but it was so worth it. From beating out 29 offers (yes!! 29!!) to a touch and go loan process... who you choose to represent you matters! We couldn’t have gotten this one done without the solid relationship I have with my lender, thank you Jay! At @corcorangloballiving we want our clients to live who you are. If ever there was a match to be made between client and property, it’s this one. J&J will be moving their landscapi...ng operations to this nearly 5acre property in SW Santa Rosa. They are going to be true stewards of this special property and I can’t wait to see how it transforms. . . . #sellingsantarosa #buywithcgl #sonomacountyrealestate #santarosarealtor #farmhouse #rurallife See more

I’m in with the #spring palette from our friends @magnolia! Here are a few ways to incorporate this springy vibe in your home.... Throw pillows! You can never have enough! My fave place to shop for new pillows is @cokasdikohome - they always have an irresistible collection, and they are great quality which means they last and keep their shape. Add a fresh flower arrangement to your entry, home office, or kitchen counter. My favorite local flower farm is @nevebros. You ...can find them every Saturday at @santarosafarmersmarket. Add a gallery ledge to your wall where you can easily swap out framed prints according to the holiday or season. @society6 is a great source for fun and colorful prints. How do you add a touch of Spring to your home? Comment below! . . . #homedecor #homesweethome #lovewhereyoulive #springdecor #nesting #colorpalette #colorfulliving #springdecor

And last but certainly not least... I am teaming up with our commercial broker to list a 12.5 acre parcel overlooking the @thefountaingroveclub golf course, with approved plans for an 80-unit condo development. We are working on the drone video and photography as we speak, but I couldn’t wait, so iPhone photos will have to do for now! ... Listed at $5M. Message me if you know of a developer who might be interested! . . . #santarosarealestate #santarosa #condodevelopment #santarosarealtor #emeraldisle #sonomacountyrealestate #commercialrealestate

Next up! This Northeast Santa Rosa home is DIALED and ready to welcome its new owner. A tankless water heater that delivers hot water to the shower in seconds, a garage that’s cleaner than most kitchens, and SO.MUCH.MORE. Listed at $725,000... Showing now, reach out for a tour! #santarosahomes #santarosarealeatate #sonomacountyrealtor #lovewhereyoulive #kitchendecor #updatedhome #sellwithcgl #weareonein2021cgl #culdesac

Time to catch you up on the inventory I’ve been working on! First up is this cutie 3 bed/2 bath on the east side of Petaluma. It’s got some valuable tech-savvy upgrades and a show-stopping kitchen. And of course, a chicken coop . It is Petaluma, after all! Listed at $750,000... Showing now - let me know if you’d like a private tour! #petalumarealestate #petalumarealtor #sellwithcgl #weareonein2021cgl #sonomacountyrealestate #movingtosonomacounty #lovewhereyoulive #petaluma #petalumacalifornia

Home has been working overtime for us the past 10 months! Have you converted space in your home to make room for wellness? What are you doing? Yoga? Peleton? Treadmill? I know for me, I have definitely turned to exercise to pull me out of my funk. Those endorphins work every time. We converted one of the car bays in our garage to a gym, but I have been wanting to "pretty it up" lately to make it more inviting. Check out my latest newsletter for an article on creating space for wellness in your home! https://imprv.co/wsxea

Between prepping homes for market or making recommendations to buyers for post-sale improvements, the real estate industry needs more trades workers! Handymen, contractors, carpenters, you name it -- we need it! Do you know a young adult thinking about a career in the trades? The LIME Foundation is hosting their Trades Academy for FREE via Zoom starting February 6th. "After this 3-week program is completed, you will have the opportunity to interview with local contractors f...or a full time or part time position with their company. Over 70% of our graduates have been hired in Sonoma and Marin Counties making $16-$23 an hour to start. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss. Open to youth ages 16-24. Inquire via email, learn more at www.nextgentradesacademy.com, or sign up at:" http://bit.ly/NextGenApplication The deadline for applications is January 22, 2021. photo credit: The LIME Foundation

I certainly can’t say 2020 was all bad! I am beyond grateful to my clients who put their trust in me this year. I was truly honored to help you achieve your real estate goals. If you have friends or family looking to buy or sell in Sonoma County next year, !! . .... . #realestate #realestateagent #realestateexpert #realestatenews #realestateadvice #realestatemarket #winecountry #realtor #realestatelife #homebuyers #homebuyer #realtorsofinstagram #buyrealestate #sonomacountyrealtor #sonomacountyrealestate

Tomorrow (Christmas Day) will be our first homemade dinner since Thanksgiving because #savesonomacountyrestaurants. Merry Christmas Eve! . . . #starks #starkssteakhouse #takeoutmonday #takeouttuesday #takeoutwednesday #yougettheidea #sonomastrong #sonomacountystrong #santarosastrong

I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with our Commercial broker @PaulSchwartz on the marketing for his newest commercial listing located in beautiful #HumboldtCounty. This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of California beach, with income from the (leased) restaurant and event facility, and potential for new residential and commercial development on the site. All with stunning ocean views! You can see more photos, details, video and more at 100MoonstoneBeachRd.com . . . #humboldt #humboldtcounty #northerncalifornia #northerncaliforniacoast #moonstonebeach #moonstonegrill #foodadventuresintrinidad #trinidad #westhaven #commercialproperty #dinnerwithaview #oceanview #californiacoast #commercialrealestate #realestatemarketing #propertymarketing

Love this one... The brown shingles and white trim remind me of the house I grew up in!

From art projects on the fridge to chocolate pudding smudges on the stair rail, nothing makes a house home like your kids! #behome #whatbringsyouhome #lovemykids #sonomacountyrealestate

Wow! I feel like it was just coming through the $600's as I joined Terra Firma 5.5 years ago. $700k and climbing!! Why? The North Bay is still relatively affordable for the Bay Area.... The weather makes you feel like you're on vacation most of the time. People travel from all over the world to come HERE... It's BEAUTIFUL and we grow great wine! The sense of community is palpable. But seriously, I feel truly grateful everyday, to live here. If you know someone moving to the North Bay (Marin, Sonoma or Napa counties), I'd love to help, so send me a DM!

Did you know Corcoran is one of the fastest growing real estate brokerages on the West Coast?? LA peeps! Let me know if I can help connect you with a great agent in LA...

Sending a heartfelt THANK YOU to all who have served for our country

What's everyone doing for Halloween this year? My family and I are very excited to finally be back in our neighborhood for Halloween this year!! There will be a social distancing parade for the kiddos in the park, and over 35 houses participating in finding creative ways to safely pass out candy. I really appreciate my neighborhood for being so "family friendly" and knowing how important celebrating Halloween is to the kids #whatbringsyouhome #happyhalloween #halloween2020 #covidhalloween

Passed 45 hours of continuing education, and I can officially sell houses for 4 more years I've actually had my real estate license since 2004. However, having your real estate license is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to being able to do this job WELL... It's about REPRESENTATION. Is your agent somebody you can trust 100% to put YOUR interest ahead of theirs and to walk beside you to meet your goals? I represent my clients the way I would want to be represente...d. I'm smart, I work hard, and I care deeply. I excel at what I set my mind to. And my clients benefit from my representation. Who do you know that needs my help to buy or sell in 2021?

Wondering what's going on in the real estate market? Here's September’s market update for Sonoma County. If you have questions about your specific market, please reach out. I'm happy to help.

Good news for Santa Rosa's housing shortage! The move has widespread support from residents to the business community, to environmental groups, transit and climate action advocates, as well as from local and outside developers.

Great tips for styling your space to sell. Staging is SO important, and I never list a home without incorporating some level of re-design/staging. If you are thinking about selling, and would like a few design tips to maximize your bottom line, let me know. I'd love to help!

If you are selling your house, don't you want to work with a real estate professional who will spare no expense when it comes to marketing? Not only do I have a background in marketing, I spent the last 4 years as the Marketing Coordinator for all of our brokerage's listings. I know what it takes to make YOUR home stand out... professional photos professionally produced video professionally designed/printed brochures... targeted social media & online display ads email campaigns See more

Welcome to the September "Market Check" for Santa Rosa! Rather than deliver boring stats that nobody really knows what to do with, this is a tangible "temperature" check for the market that buyer & seller clients can actually wrap their arms around. This piece revolves around "months of inventory". We take the number of active listings, and divide that by the average number of sales for the last 3 months, and you get how many "months of inventory" the market has. So, if no ...new listings were to come online, how many months would it take to sell through the available inventory at the current rate of sales. Anywhere from 1-3 is a seller's market. 4 and above is moving towards a buyer's market. With 1.2 months of inventory, Santa Rosa is in a Seller's Market. In addition, median sales price for the months of June-July-August 2020 ($618,250) is up 3% over the sales price for the same timeframe from a year ago ($597,676). If you are a buyer in this market, it is super important to be pre-approved and working with an agent who is actively staying on top of off-market and coming soon opportunities.

Love this idea! Who needs a change of scenery? Tourism industry pivots to cater to the work-from-anywhere movement with "Work Suites" at wine country hotels. Who's in??

Just Sold | 4685 Katie Lee | $1,025,000 ($25k over list price) Another one that got snatched up before I could even get it on MLS. That's why it's super important to work closely with a real estate professional you trust and that is WORKING for you. This market is moving fast... Showing off the video just one last time cuz I barely had time to market this one, and my kiddos are in it! Thanks for watching

Who's looking forward to a three day weekend??? #HappyLaborDay2020 #livewhoyouare #Iamwine

Loving this little Sebastopol bungalow my colleague Cory Maguire just listed! Two legal units AND close to downtown! Do you know someone who should buy this? Tag them below! https://2-units.com

Proud to work for one of the North Bay's Best Places to Work!

If you had told me 30 years ago, that when I grew up, I would be selling houses, and would be working with our St. Catherine's "yard duty" volunteer to sell her father's home in Santa Rosa, I wouldn't have believed you! This one sold off market for $10,000 over the list price. Happy first time homebuyers and very happy sellers! "Lauren was wonderful to work with. She is extremely professional but also very personable. She helped our family sell our parents' home, and it was a...n emotional experience. She was very empathetic to our needs and her professionalism got us to the finish line. Her ideas for making the house appeal to a broader customer base were helpful and allowed us to get over the price we were asking. She is very good at her job, and anyone who has the opportunity to choose her as their agent will be making a very strong choice." See more

Love the message behind our Corcoran Global Living tagline...

My heart is heavy... To my clients, colleagues, and friends in Napa and Sonoma counties: Your friend is my friend. Your family is my family. If anyone needs a bed, a shower, a warm meal, or a hug, we're here. We've been through it. We want to help.

We're having too much fun with our new look!

Hey everyone! I am super excited to announce Terra Firma Global Partners has taken a very exciting opportunity with Corcoran Global Living. We are joining their network of independent brokerages under the Corcoran brand. And, hello! Shark Tank fans! Who doesn't love Barbara Corcoran? A message from our founders, Bill & Heidi... "When we founded the company so many years ago, our intent was to create a special place in the real estate space that put the focus back on the clien...t and the transaction. Looking forward, it became very important to us personally to make sure we created a structure for a legacy company. TFGP has been approached over the years by many brands and franchises looking to acquire our little company. But, never before was it the right fit. Never before did we feel like it was in the best interests of our associates and clients. We found the right fit with Michael Mahon and Corcoran Global Living. An umbrella, that unlike any other parent company, is bringing together successful independent firms to leverage synergies, resources, networking opportunities and expanded leadership skill sets. Our company was founded on 3 principles: relationships, integrity, and communication. We look forward to carrying these with us as we embark on a new journey as Corcoran Global Living - Wine Country. Same team, new name." See more

Following up to last week's post re-introducing our founders, Bill and Heidi, this week we'd like to dive in to their WHY WHY they decided to start their own ...real estate company. After 30 years in the business, working for various corporate real estate companies, bouncing from merger to aquisition, Heidi explains why, in 2009, they decided it was time to realize their VISION for the way real estate was supposed to be... See more

Looking good Santa Rosa! Love this community, can’t keep us down!

The City of Santa Rosa is updating its General Plan, and it needs your input! Join the community conversation Saturday 6/18 from 10-11:30 https://zoom.us/j/97277300689... At a time of incredible change, including the recent fires, housing crisis, electrical grid blackouts, and calls for racial justice and social equity, Santa Rosa is looking to bounce forward to become an even more sustainable, resilient, responsive, healthy, and inclusive community. Every voice matters in shaping our future. Join us in one of two Community Conversation (one in English; one in Spanish) and help us update the General Plan, the blueprint that guides decisions regarding housing, mobility, neighborhood quality and connectivity, economic development, public health, environmental stewardship, and equitable access to community amenities and services, education, and arts and recreation. Add your voice to the conversation and help shape the City!

If you want to be *IN* DOWNTOWN Glen Ellen, visit ArnoldDrCottage.com!! Nice listing Susan!

2nd quarter stats are in. Sonoma County is on A note from our CEO & President Bill Facendini: As we completed the second quarter of 2020 and enter the third in our uncertain times of Covid 19, I would like to recap the North Bay Real Estate Market. I don’t believe anyone expected the exodus we have been experiencing from the major metropolitan areas to the wine country but it in fact has been happening in large numbers. Many clients continue to take advantage of their a...bility to work from home now and in the future which in turn allows them the ability to live in areas that present a better quality of life for their family. In addition, we are also seeing many clients who want to have a family compound where people combine resources to achieve their dream. Couple that with interest rates remaining at all-time lows and it results in a fast paced market with demand out weighing supply in many segments of the market, especially the property listed above 1.5 million dollars. The low interest rates have also benefited first time home buyers as well. Many renters are buying and paying less monthly on a mortgage than they were on rent. We have seen some property appreciation due to high demand and moderate supply but nothing that is alarming or putting home buyers in a position where they are incurring debt above their means. Where that leaves us moving into the third quarter of 2020 is more of the same for the North Bay Area. Higher than normal demand for this time of year and the ability to have a monthly mortgage payment that makes sense.

Inventory is up, prices are holding steady -- which means it's a great time to buy! The properties that are "dialed in" are still attracting a lot of attention, and usually multiple offers. BUT, if you can bring with you a little VISION -- you can snatch up a property with potential for a great price! Let's do it! Text me 707.888.5633

ADU's (Accessory Dwelling Units, aka "Granny Units") have become quite popular in recent years for purposes of generational living or earning rental income to supplement mortgage payments. Cities and counties are even encouraging the construction of ADU's to ease the housing shortage, by loosening restrictions and possibly waiving fees, etc. If you are considering adding an ADU to your property, this website/resource is a good place to start! https://napasonomaadu.org

My husband and I had a very positive experience with Lauren - both in the sale of our previous home, and the search for & purchase of our new home. Lauren remained calm and confident through all of the bumps (covid-19) we encountered along the way, and in turn we stayed positive through the entire process. I would definitely recommend Lauren to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.

Working with Lauren was an absolute pleasure! She knew our market incredibly well and had great suggestions for budget-friendly improvements that made a big difference when we listed our home. 5 star experience!

There’s nowhere this foodie would rather SIP!! If you find yourself relying on takeout a bit more than usual, or just want to support local business owners, here’s the most comprehensive list of restaurants open for takeout or delivery in Sonoma County!! https://www.sonomacounty.com//2020-/Restaurants-5-8-20.pdf

We’re getting used to the masks! Right, Keith?

For everything that's going on, things seem to be holding steady in Santa Rosa, so far. We are a little less reliant on the hospitality sector than our neighbors in Napa County, which will bode well for us as we move through the next SIP phases. Buyer demand is still really strong, especially for properties with a little outdoor "elbow room" and an extra room for an office. Buyers are envisioning the new normal of working remotely and how their new home could serve those needs.

Everything is different, and yet, nothing has changed. We continue to work diligently alongside our clients to achieve their real estate goals in this new reality. Please reach out if you have questions regarding buying or selling in this new market. We're here for you.

Love this! Which Sonoma County Zoom background should I choose for my next meeting?

The goal: Move to Windsor, to a slightly bigger house The challenge: First need to sell home in Cloverdale.... The other challenge: Try to avoid becoming homeless in the process. If you've ever had to sell a house to purchase your next one, you are familiar with the sleepless nights this kind of scenario can bring -- for agents and clients both! We started the conversation early, going over all the options and answering all the questions. "Do we sell first or buy first?" "Can we wait to list until we find *the one*?" "Can we make contingent offers?" "Can we negotiate a rent back?" The truth is, there are multiple paths to the same goal, and they all have different advantages & disadvantages. And those advantages & disadvantages can be weighted differently for each individual/couple. Our job as real estate professionals is to consult with you to help you set the course for your unique circumstances. For this sweet family, the path they chose couldn't have worked out better, and I couldn't be more thrilled for them to start their new life in Windsor, closer to friends and family -- what else is there??

Yep, we're still at it! The consensus at this morning's meeting was that the market, despite the protocols in place due to the SIP, is still very active. If it's a good product at the right price, we are still seeing multiple offers. Each seller/buyer situation is so unique, especially in this climate. If you are thinking about buying or selling, we really do encourage you to reach out to your real estate professional to make a plan.

Missing Tuesday Morning Broker Tour with Betsy Facendini Serafini... #takemebacktuesday

Amazing work Peter Rumble!!

Market Stats update for Santa Rosa. Prices are up over the same time last year. It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few months! Here is a message from my Broker (he's a pretty smart guy!) regarding the potential affects of COVID 19 on the market. "With the advent of Covid 19, it really is anyone’s guess what will happen the rest of 2020, with all of the variables that are in front of us at the moment. Based on my 30 years of real estate experience here i...s my best guess as we enter the second quarter of 2020: Mortgage interest rates will remain low but obtaining a loan may take longer in many cases so prepare and plan accordingly. There is a lot of housing stock that will come to market once the virus subsides, and Shelter in Place guidelines are lifted. The question is will the demand side be strong enough to absorb the supply side of the equation. If demand is robust enough than prices should stay relatively stable, if not we will see some price depreciation as we move through the second and third quarter of 2020. How much, no one really knows, but I believe price depreciation will be minimal because of our lack of housing units to meet the demand prior to Covid19 and there are many segments of our local economy that have experienced growth during the pandemic. Look for a little bit of a roller coaster ride over the next 6 months, but with that said there will be opportunities for sellers and buyers. My advice is stay in close contact with your real estate professional, outline a plan, and most importantly prepare early to achieve your goals."

The question on everyone's minds... And, YES, there is buyer demand.

I’m staying home for my community, but am still fully available for your real estate needs. If you are thinking about buying or selling, let’s talk about how we can work together to set you up for success!

I'm here for you! Please reach out if you need anything. Real estate related or not!

Another example of why I this community.

We have some of the best eats in the entire world. As a matter of fact, sometimes I don't look forward to vacations because I know the food won't come close to the fresh ingredients and fine dining we are spoiled with here in Santa Rosa. Take advantage of this Delivery and Curbside Pick-up list for local restaurants. Let's keep them in business!

I don't know about you, but homeschooling was never something I aspired to... I know my strenths, and being a teacher of little is not one of them! However, I can get down with printing off some worksheets! Thank you to my college friend/teacher/blogger Carly Brydon Anderson for this worksheet round up. We got this

Grab and go meals for ages 0-18 available!

The TFGP team has been busy collaborating and gathering information in this ever-evolving situation we find ourselves in. We just finished listening to a podcas...t interview featuring NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun. The podcast was titled "This too Shall Pass" and we wanted to share a few of our favorite quotes from the interview. Stay well!

A message from our Leadership... To Our Friends, Clients and Colleagues, First and foremost, we want to send our love and support during this difficult time. Th...e global COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most challenging things we’ve had to face as an industry and as a community. When we started Terra Firma Global Partners, our dream was to develop a space where everyone would work together as a family. Our intention in doing so was to create something better, not only for our agents and staff, but for the clients we serve each day. This remains our driving force as we move forward as a company. We realize this is a fluid, rapidly changing environment with updates/changes almost by the hour. While we hope this is a short-term situation that will return to normal sooner than later, we see many moves for economic stabilization being taken by leaders and containment a priority for our Nation and the World. To our clients, please know that during this time, we will continue to serve your every real estate need and do everything we can to offer our knowledge and support. Now more than ever, the Terra Firma Global Partners family will come together to communicate and collaborate, as we work safely on your behalf. For the most part, we will look to keep some sense of normalcy the best we can, but with awareness and heightened precautions/protocols that are consistent with recommendations and/or mandates. Our agents will remain available, providing online and video consultations, live streaming property tours, and sharing updates on our social media channels. We continue to monitor and adhere to the guidelines set forth by our local, state and national governments, as well as leading real estate industry associations. We are here to assist you in every way possible and are committed to providing you with the utmost service and guidance moving forward. We are committed to be creative, educated and your touchstone for all things real estate during this time. We will forward any pertinent and/or specific market information we think might be helpful. On behalf of the Terra Firma Family, we send our love, prayers and best wishes for the health of you and your loved ones. We will get through this, together.

It's been a crazy time in real estate already, and we are only on day 4! But I am super excited for my Bartlett sellers -- multiple offers and they are in escrow at over the asking price. I think presentation of the property was key, offering a product that potential buyers could fall in love with, even with all the uncertainty surrounding us. If you are thinking about selling, let's talk about what you need to do to achieve similar results. Stay well, everyone!

Here’s a creative idea my kids are actually into! So far it’s taking up a good bit of time as well... what are your kids doing to keep busy?

Did you hear? Fed cut interest rates to 0%. Our very trusted lending partner Glenn Groves/GTG Financial offers a GREAT explanation of what that means (and doesn't mean) for mortgage lending rates. (Thank you to Laura A. Hall for sharing!)

There's no place like home, especially now...

Super excited for how this listing turned out! 917 Bartlett is a 1980's built home with tall ceilings and great natural light, but was in need of a little pre-market freshening up. We painted the interior (Benjamin Moore "Feather Down") and the front door (Benjamin Moore "Indiko Batik"), updated the interior & exterior light fixtures, and did a little deep cleaning. Oh, and don't forget staging -- makes a huge difference! Putting in a little effort up front pays off big time when you go to market, and this is my favorite part! 917Bartlett.com | Offered at $585,000 Open House this Sunday 12-3 pm

So blessed to work with these KICK ASS women

Bottom line: if buying a home was a sound financial decision for you before the Coronavirus, it’s likely an even better investment for you now. Interest rates are the lowest they’ve been in a year, and could go lower. The supply chain impacts on the new construction market could impact inventory even more, which means prices could be inflated going forward. Affect on overall GDP/economy expected to be minimal. Don’t let the media crisis distract you from your goals!

This morning I am feeling especially grateful for my brokerage -- the leadership, the culture, and the people I have the pleasure of working beside everyday. I am a better associate, a better person even, because of my Terra Firma Global Partners family. I wanted to share with you our company video. I produced this piece (with the fabulous David Schloss) as Branding Director about a year ago. It sums up perfectly why this is the only firm I would ever work for.

Happy Friday! It's going to be a beautiful weekend for a hike... Which trail will you try?