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Agent to Watch – Aaron Brosamle
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In our latest edition of W Agents to Watch we are excited to feature Aaron Brosamle!
Aaron Brosamle was born and raised in Sonoma County and has lived here all his life. From a young age, he worked in a family-owned jewelry business helping people find that special piece that was going to make them or someone else very happy. He carries that feeling into his Real Estate career by using a fun and straight forward approach.
Aaron’s passion for all things Sonoma County is evident in his answers below. Continue reading to learn more about the Agent to Watch.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in real estate?
I love working with and helping others. Real Estate allows me to help people with one of the most important and oftentimes intense parts of life and being able to navigate through the items that can come along the way in a fashion that eases the air and can save my buyers time and money or help my sellers to get the most for their homes and futures in the shortest amount of time possible really makes me happy. Bringing the right people together at the right time is my specialty.
How do you think your clients would describe you?
I believe that my clients would describe me as really easy to work with, fun, and honest. I have had a variety of other jobs/careers that allow me to be a bit more versatile and provide really good helpful information while giving good solid advice and bringing people and deals together in a very organic way.
What is your motto?
Would have to be “be good to everyone and everything around you, and know that the world gives us what we need and things happen exactly as they should”. Having confidence in this and believing this helps me every day to make each moment the best it can possibly be.
What is something most people would never guess about you?
Most people may not guess that I used to own a natural food restaurant, or that I used to compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions.
What is one thing people must do when they visit Sonoma County?
One thing people must do when they visit our amazing area is to check out all of the amazing outdoor places we have to offer. Bodega Bay and its amazing coastline and food; Hood Mountain and the hiking; Annadel or Spring Lake for all sorts of paddleboarding, kayaking, walking/hiking and so much more; also the great urban outdoor spaces we have like Downtown Petaluma and it’s a killer walkable community or Healdsburg and the Town Square, with some of the best restaurants and shops Northern California can offer; not to leave out the great Wineries and town of Sonoma and everything it has to offer, or everything San Francisco has going on OR the wonderful outdoor spaces and activities and beauty Mendocino County has to offer…there is SOOOOOOO much to love about our special area, and I firmly believe that there is something for anyone to love here.
What does a perfect day in Sonoma County look like for you?
A perfect day for me would be waking up slowly, with my wife and two amazing daughters, having a cup of coffee and then heading to a morning yoga class to stretch and wake up. After that, head to one of the many super tasty breakfast places in town, then a drive out to the coast to walk on the beach and have some lunch and play. After that, maybe head to Spring Lake and let the kids play and go on a run, then maybe have grandma watch the kids for a bit and go out to dinner at one of the local farm-to-table restaurants that we love and have some local wine or gin and call it a night!
What’s your favorite way to relax?
My favorite way to relax would have to either be going to the gym or playing some poker…although I have to say that I do love a good massage.
What’s your favorite local happy hour?
This would have to be Trail House. Great rotating tap availability, good quick easy and healthy food options, pretty tasty wine and a really mellow, neat environment. Family-friendly, good place for a work meeting or afternoon beer, fun trivia nights and other gatherings and nice friendly staff. A great addition to our community!
What’s your favorite local dinner spot?
My favorite local restaurant…that is an extremely difficult question. My family and I eat out probably a bit too often so we have a lot of favorites. I’ll break it down into a few places- Thai food, either Sea Thai Bistro or Tomi Thai; Japanese, either Blue Fish or Osake; Italian, either Riveria or Ca Bianca; and for good measure, Spinster Sister’s and Dry Creek Kitchen are probably very high on the list.
Agent of the Month – Todd Schapmire
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Congratulations to our newest Agent of the Month, Todd Schapmire!
Todd Schapmire is the Team Leader of the Todd Schapmire Team and co-owner of W Real Estate. He’s enjoyed major success in both residential and commercial real estate in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties (and a short stint in Long Beach). He is known for his knowledge, honesty, impeccable customer service and not to mention a fun attitude. He has achieved so much but what we love about him most is his humble attitude and unwavering appreciation for the people who support him.
Continue reading to learn more about our latest Agent of the Month, Todd!
To what do you attribute your success?
An incredible group of role models and mentors. From my parents and grandparents who gave me a work ethic and an unbreakable belief that I can achieve anything I set my mind to, to the real estate and business people that took me under their wing with no expectation of anything in return. And finally the friends, family, and colleagues that currently surround me and are just good human beings.
What was the last book/audiobook you read/listened to?
Well don’t tell anyone but I don’t really read. The book that articulated the way I see the world is called, The Happiness Advantage. The book that changed how I viewed my business and therefore changed my reality is, The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster. Those are the only two books I have read or listened to in the last decade or so. Both helped me a lot, so maybe I should read more now that I put it that way, haha.
What software/tech tools can you not live without?
Nothing makes me happier than a beautiful spreadsheet, so I love Excel. Docusign saves me about 10 hours a week. TurboScan and Dropbox have played a huge part in allowing me to be super mobile. Goodnotes is the newest tech I am implementing, and I am liking what I am seeing.
Do you believe it is possible to have a successful career while having a fulfilling personal life? Does this balance exist?
Balance is a mirage. No one even knows what that means. It’s not about balance, it’s about being in the moment in all your relationships. If you are in the moment and make the effort to do special things with your loved ones, then you are going to have a great personal life no matter how much you work. If you don’t mentally engage, then how much you work probably isn’t the reason your personal life seems out of balance. I no longer define success by how many houses I sell or how much money I have. I define success by the positive impact I make on others and by whether the people I want to love me, actually do love me.
What is a unique aspect of the Sonoma/Mendocino County Residential Real Estate market?
I just love that we can do so many types of property… houses, ranches, vineyards, retail, office, industrial, hospitality, etc. In big cities, you have to specialize in one defined thing and that would be so boring to me.
What is the most underrated/overlooked part of your business? (i.e. thank you cards, social media, etc)
Probably how much Miriah and I actually work. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet to replace actually showing up.
What are the main things that you should look at when investing/purchasing a new property?
No matter how much Tony Shira makes fun of me… I am all about cash flow!
What is a quote that inspires you?
I am going to go with two John Wooden quotes…
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do” and “Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out”
If you had one piece of advice to give someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?
Talk to people and let them know what you are doing. Pick the phone up. Go to events. No one is going to call you and ask if you are in real estate. It is your job to make sure people know what you do. Once you talk to people… focus on helping them and look at the situation from their perspective, not yours. If you focus on helping people, closed deals will follow.
Neighborhood Feature: Santa Rosa’s McDonald Historic District
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Neighborhood Feature: Santa Rosa’s McDonald Historic District
A longtime favorite location of the film industry, Santa Rosa’s McDonald Avenue Historic District is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Santa Rosa. As W Real Estate agent, Nicole Manville, describes, “The one-of-a-kind homes and charming tree-lined streets are cohesive and the buyers for these homes have a real emotional connection to the purchase they make, the homes typically do not turn over very often.”
McDonald Avenue was named for Colonel Mark Lindsey McDonald, a civil engineer from Kentucky who came to California in the 1850s making his fortune building roadways to the gold and silver mines and later as a member of the San Francisco Stock Exchange. In the 1860s, he found new business opportunities in Santa Rosa including the purchase and subdivision of 160 acres for residential development dubbed, “McDonald’s Addition.” With the added benefit of gas and water service, as well as a new streetcar line, McDonald Avenue became the most desirable residential street in Santa Rosa and Marbleton, the McDonald family’s summer home, built-in 1879, was the crown jewel of the McDonald Addition.
McDonald Historic District homes display a wide variety of period styles including Victorian, Craftsman, Italianate, Stick and Eastlake. The mix of stately mansions and charming smaller homes, previously occupied by the serving staff of the wealthy residents, make it a favorite Hollywood film location destination. Homes on McDonald Avenue have provided backdrops for such classic films as the 1943 Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Shadow of a Doubt, which featured the Savage Mansion, 904 McDonald Avenue, and Disney’s, Pollyanna, which used exterior shots of Colonel McDonald’s Marbleton Mansion, 1015 McDonald Avenue.
The McDonald Avenue Historic District is bordered by College Avenue, Fourth Street, North Street, and Bryden Lane. The neighborhood provides easy access to popular nearby restaurants including Bruno’s on 4th; Willi’s Wine Bar; and NY Pie. Residents also enjoy close proximity to schools such as Proctor Terrace Elementary School and Santa Rosa Middle School.
According to Nicole Manville, “The neighborhood consists of smaller, 1,000 square foot, bungalows to large, 10,000+ square feet, mansions. The price per square foot is the best indicator of values in this neighborhood. Homes that have been remodeled sell for approximately $795/SQFT; with homes that have not been remodeled selling for approximately $550/SQFT. This neighborhood has consistently held its value and been the first to appreciate and last to depreciate.”
804 McDonald Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95404 – $1,775,000
4 BED | 3 BATH | 2,835 SQFT
W Real Estate
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
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A Spring Maintenance Checklist will ensure your home is in top condition for the rest of the year. And with the fire season in California starting earlier and ending later each year, Spring is the perfect time to assess your home for any necessary wildfire retrofits.
Spring Maintenance Checklist
Gutters and downspouts: Clear accumulated leaves, pine needles and any other combustible debris from your roof’s gutters and downspouts. Reattach gutters that have pulled away from the house. Use a garden hose to run water on the roof and check for proper drainage. If leaks are found, seal the leaks using caulking or epoxy.
Siding: Clean siding with a pressure washer to keep mold from growing. Check all wood surfaces for weathering. If wood is showing through a painted surface, sand the area and apply a primer coat before painting; If the paint is peeling, scrape away the loose paint and sand the area smooth before painting. Consider replacing any combustible siding, particularly on dormer or other vertical roof-to-wall locations, with a noncombustible siding.
Exterior caulking: Inspect exterior caulking where the siding meets doors or windows, along the house trim, at the corners of the house, around outside faucets and dryer vents, and anywhere the siding meets the foundation. Replace if deteriorating.
Window sills, door sills, and thresholds: Fill cracks, caulk edges, repaint or replace if necessary. Remove accumulated debris. Combustible mulch and woody vegetation should be removed from areas immediately under window and door sills. If you have a wood window, inspect it to make sure it is in good condition. Replace or repair any decayed. Vinyl windows with metal reinforcements have been shown to mitigate radiant heat vulnerability. Windows certified by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) will have this metal reinforcement.
Window and door screens: Clean screens and check for holes. If holes are bigger than a quarter, patch holes or replace the screen. Tighten or repair loose or damaged window or door frames and repaint. Replace worn, broken, or missing hardware. Tighten and lubricate door hinges.
Evaporative air conditioner: Clean air conditioning unit, check belt tension and adjust if needed. Replace cracked or worn belts.
Foundation: Check foundation walls, the main support for your structure; floors; concrete; and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration. If you can slide a nickel into a crack in your concrete floor, slab, or foundation call a foundation repair professional immediately.
Roof: Inspect roof surface flashing, eaves, and soffits. Perform a thorough cleaning and ensure construction material is in good condition. Inspect the roof edge to determine if a metal drip edge is installed or included as part of your gutter. The drip edge helps protect the roof sheathing and fascia and minimizes the entry of embers into a soffit-eave construction. If a drip edge is not present, install one.
Deck and porches: Check decks, patios, porches, and stairs for loose railings and deterioration. Open decks and wood fences need to be treated every 4-6 years. If water has turned some of the wood a dark grey, hire a deck professional to treat your deck and fence.
Landscape: Cut back and trim all vegetation and overgrown bushes from structures. Remove tree branches that overhang your roof and remove any dead vegetation, including branches, within your defensible space.
Sprinklers: Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines, and improperly working sprinkler heads.
Agent to Watch – Scott Raaka
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In our latest edition of W Agents to Watch we are excited to feature Scott Raaka!
Scott Raaka offers wine country and Bay Area homebuyers a combination of over 20 years of finance and asset management experience and a lifetime love of Sonoma real estate. Having grown up in the Sonoma Valley since 1974, he provides his clients with local background knowledge and an expert eye for finding hidden property gems.
Continue reading to learn more about the Sonoma-based Agent to Watch.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in real estate?
In my previous career, I traded markets and real estate is just another type of market that I have always enjoyed following and watching. When I purchase my home 20 years ago it was one of the best decisions of my life. Helping people with their real estate needs is extremely rewarding.
How do you think your clients would describe you?
Professional, knowledgeable, prompt and detail-oriented.
What is your motto?
Client focused, positive results.
What is something most people would never guess about you?
That I constantly listen to “Hair Nation” on Sirius XM.
What is one thing people must do when they visit Sonoma County?
Wine tasting at some of the fabulous wineries that Sonoma has to offer.
What does a perfect day in Sonoma County look like for you?
Sunny weather with friends and family enjoying great food and wine.
What’s your favorite way to relax?
Soaking up the sun in a lounge chair with a cocktail in hand.
What’s your favorite local happy hour?
Sonoma Grille & Bar.
What’s your favorite local dinner spot?
Girl & The Fig.
Agent to Watch – Yen Chesley
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In our latest edition of W Agents to Watch we are excited to feature Yen Chesley!
Yen is a 4th generation Healdsburg native. She started her real estate career in 1998 working for a large commercial real estate company in Santa Rosa, then moving on to residential real estate sales, getting her license in 2001. Living in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa over the last 40+ years has given Yen a strong knowledge of the surrounding areas and local markets.
Continue reading to learn more about the Sonoma County home expert, Yen Chesley.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in real estate?
I have always loved looking at houses and thought about what a fun job to help people find their dream home. My favorite part is handing over the keys to my clients and sharing in their excitement.
How do you think your clients would describe you?
I had to reach out and ask a friend. I would hope they would say I treated them like family and looked out for their best interest. Knowledgeable, patient, strong negotiating skills, and willing to go the extra mile. I will take it!
What is your motto?
Treat others how you want to be treated.
What is something most people would never guess about you?
I used to make olive oil soaps, lotions, and sugar scrubs.
What is one thing people must do when they visit Sonoma County?
Come to Healdsburg and check out all the wonderful shops, restaurants, wineries and take a drive to Lake Sonoma. It’s so peaceful and beautiful, bring a lunch or some snacks and enjoy!
What does a perfect day in Sonoma County look like for you?
A road trip around the county checking out new restaurants and local shops with friends.
What’s your favorite way to relax?
Overnight trip to Indian Springs in Calistoga. Sign me up.
What’s your favorite local restaurant?
Tough… So many good ones… Catelli’s or Campo Fina or Willi’s.
What’s your favorite local happy hour?
Bravas.
Agent of the Month – Michael Ferl
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Congratulations to our newest Agent of the Month, Michael Ferl!
Michael Ferl is the founder of Hiraeth Homes, the number one team (by volume) at W Real Estate. He has a passion for continued growth, learning and helping others do the same. Not only does Michael seek out ways to help his fellow agents, but his team also volunteers monthly at a local non-profit.
Continue reading to learn more about the Sonoma County native.
To what do you attribute your success?
I would attribute my greatest success to my ability to say NO to everything that doesn’t contribute to my personal or professional goals. I have said no to drinking beers with friends on a Saturday night, new business ideas with the promise to get rich quick, creative marketing ideas, investment opportunities, etc. Having a clear vision of what I want in life also helps provide clarity to everything else that is a distraction from that.
What was the last book/audiobook you read/listened to?
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. I believe that most of us focus on money first as we believe that this will lead to happiness. It is my belief that we should focus on happiness first. Once I made happiness my greater focus, I experienced more financial success than I ever have.
What software/tech tools can you not live without?
My phone, yellow pad of paper, and a pen. Technology is not a magic pill that will make you successful. Focus on developing good habits, systems, and processes first. You can then leverage technology to scale by making everything more efficient.
Do you believe it is possible to have a successful career while having a fulfilling personal life? Does this balance exist?
The most important thing is to first ask, “How do you define success?” Our culture promotes money, cars, homes, vacations, titles, etc. as a measure of one’s success. I believe that instead of asking how can I get these things, we should ask, “Why do we want these things?” For me, success isn’t about how much money is in our accounts or how many cars are in our driveway, it is about how are we contributing to the world and if we are having a positive impact on the lives of those around us. From this perspective, my personal and professional lives are one as they both serve this greater purpose.
What is a unique aspect of the Sonoma County Residential Real Estate market?
Sonoma County has an incredibly diverse real estate market. Sandwiched in between the wine industry and Bay Area, this location offers many types of industry and opportunity. From small cabins in the beautiful woods of Forestville to large estate properties in Sonoma, Sonoma County has a home for nearly every type of buyer.
What is the most underrated/overlooked part of your business? (i.e. thank you cards, social media, etc)
Processes and systems. These are not sexy to talk about and as a result, they often aren’t a focal point for many in our industry. By creating a solid system allows us to create consistency. It also allows us to clearly identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
What are the main things that you should look at when investing/purchasing a new property?
The first thing to ask is, “What are my goals and why do I want to buy a house?” Buying a home because your parents told you all your life that it is a good financial decision is not a solid reason to purchase a home. Also, having a clear vision of what your needs/wants are not only now, but potentially over the next 10+ years is important.
What is a quote that inspires you?
“To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.” – Fred Rogers
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?
Find a successful coach/mentor. There is no need to re-invent the wheel. There have been thousands of successful people in our industry, pick one that you admire and respect. Also, keep it simple. Stop trying to be all things for all people. Your job can be summarized into three main functions: Develop new leads, follow-up with those leads, and convert those leads to escrows. Do that at a high level and hit repeat and you will be very successful.
W Real Estate Acquires Windermere Real Estate offices in Cloverdale & Ukiah
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W Real Estate Announces Acquisition of the Windermere Real Estate offices in Cloverdale & Ukiah
Santa Rosa, CA (February 12, 2020) – W Real Estate, the largest locally founded and independently owned real estate brokerage in the North Bay is pleased to announce the acquisition of Windermere Platinum Real Estate Services which has two offices in Cloverdale and Ukiah. The addition of the Cloverdale office will bridge the gap between its current offices in Windsor, Healdsburg, and Ukiah.
“W Real Estate offers a wealth of resources and innovative support to agents, which will be an incredible asset to my team,” said David Ryan, Owner of Windermere Platinum Real Estate Services. “Joining W Real Estate will ensure they have everything they need to be successful.”
Since launching in 2007, W Real Estate has steadily grown into one of the top 500 real estate brokerages in the country. The 200-agent brokerage has 10 offices in Northern California. This deal to acquire Windermere Platinum Real Estate Services comes just weeks after W Real Estate launched offices in both San Francisco and Healdsburg.
“We are pleased to welcome David and his skilled Windermere Platinum Real Estate Services Team to the W Real Estate family,” said Todd Schapmire, Vice President of W Real Estate. “The addition of this group of progressive and like-minded agents brings an abundance of market knowledge, long term local relationships, and expertise to our network.”
W Real Estate is a full-service real estate brokerage, offering expertise in residential, commercial, luxury, wineries and vineyards, lots and land, renovation projects, and subdivision/new home sales.
