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Fall Festivals in Mendocino & Lake County
Fall is on its way to Mendocino and Lake County, and we’re in the mood to celebrate! Check out a few local recommendations for 2024 Fall Festivals and events below. See you there!
Hopland Hop Harvest & Music Festival
When: Saturday, October 26th & Sunday, October 27th, 2024
Where: Solar Living Center
What: Join the Hopland community for a lively music festival, benefitting the Hopland Fire Department!
Kelseyville Fall Harvest Celebration
When: Saturday, October 19th, 2024
Where: Peace and Plenty Farm
What: Visit the farm as they say goodbye to the Summer and welcome in the Fall season! No registration is required, this is an event for all ages.
Kelseyville Pear Festival
When: Saturday, September 28th, 2024
Where: Kelseyville, CA
What: A time-honored tradition, the Kelseyville Pear Festival features hundreds of street vendors, food, contests, and much more.
Mendocino Fall Fest
When: Friday, November 8th & Saturday, November 9th, 2024
Where: Mendocino Grove
What: An all-inclusive weekend of music, food, and crafts as the community winds down the season!
Friends Fall Fest
When: Saturday, October 5th, 2024
Where: Mendocino County Museum
What: Come join the Friends of the Mendocino County Museum in celebrating the Museum and our wonderful community! Enjoy food, music, and friends!
Fall Festivals in Napa County
Fall is on its way to Napa County, and we’re in the mood to celebrate! Check out a few local recommendations for 2024 Fall Festivals and events below. See you there!
Open Studios in Napa Valley
When: Saturday, September 28th, & Sunday, September 29th, 2024
Where: Napa Valley
What: Step outside and soak in the first few days of Fall as you enjoy the local art during Open Studios in Napa Valley!
Calistoga Harvest Fair
When: Saturday, October 26th, 2024
Where: Pioneer Park
What: Explore this charming outdoor marketplace, put together to celebrate the harvest and fall season! The fair includes a maker’s market, local food, wine, and beer, fall-themed activities, costume contests, and much more!
Clos du Val Harvest Farmer’s Market
When: Sunday, October 6th
Where: Clos du Val
What: Celebrate the height of the harvest season, share wine, and explore the variety of vendors! This event is open to visitors of all ages.
Shadybrook Estate Harvest Party
When: Sunday, October 20th, 2024
Where: Shadybrook Estate Winery
What: Toast to a successful harvest season and be one of the first to experience Shadybrook’s new event and tasting space, The Overlook! Featuring stunning views, what better way to usher in Fall?
St. Helena Harvest Party
When: Saturday, October 19th, 2024
Where: Oak Avenue
What: St. Helena’s most beloved hometown fall festival, offering fun for everyone! Offerings include live music, beer and wine, a food valley, a kids zone, and more!
Fall Festivals in Sonoma County
Fall is on its way to Sonoma County, and we’re in the mood to celebrate! Check out a few local recommendations for 2024 Fall Festivals below. See you there!
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
When: Saturday, October 12th, 2024
Where: Sonoma County Fairgrounds
What: The Sonoma County Harvest Fair is a long-standing tradition that everyone should experience! This event highlights agriculture, industrial and recreational grape growers, local makers and crafters, and much more!
Shone Farm Fall Festival
When: Saturday, October 12th, 2024
Where: 7450 Steve Olson Lane, Forestville
What: A unique experience for family and friends to come together and experience the outdoor learning laboratory and campus during the harvest season! There will be animal meet and greets, pumpkin picking, vegetable and flower farmstands, games and activities, and much more.
Healdsburg Farmer’s Market Pumpkin Festival
When: Saturday, October 26th, 2024
Where: Healdsburg Plaza
What: A twist on the annual farmers market, this festival features pumpkin decorating contests, pumpkin carving, a costume competition, and more fun for all ages!
Glen Ellen Village Fair
When: Sunday, October 13th, 2024
Where: Downtown Glen Ellen
What: An annual small town street fair to celebrate the season! This years theme is “Stars Of Our Community.”
Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, October 5th, 2024
Where: Sonoma Plaza
What: Oktoberfest is a family-friendly gathering on the Sonoma Plaza featuring food, drink, live music, games, and a “village” for vendors. As an added bonus, Oktoberfest functions as a community fundraiser for Sonoma Youth Soccer!
5 Popular Pumpkin Recipes To Welcome Fall
Can you feel it? The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing, and days are gradually getting shorter…Fall is in the air! And what better way to celebrate, than with the flavor of the season? We’re talking pumpkin, of course. To help usher in the Fall feelings, we’ve put together a list of a few of our favorite pumpkin recipes for you to add to your list of favorite seasonal goodies. We hope you love them as much as we do!
Pumpkin Créme Brûlée Cheesecake Bars
Did we mention these come complete with a (super simple) Oreo crust? Bring these to your next get-together or potluck!
Pumpkin Curry
Tired of pumpkin desserts? Give this recipe a shot and you’ll be obsessed with how this pumpkin base comes to life in this spicy curry dish!
Pumpkin Mousse
Pro-tip: Add graham cracker crumbs and caramel sprinkles for some crunch!
Pumpkin Carbonara
Classic comfort food meets seasonal flavors!
Spiked Pumpkin Chai Latte
As an added bonus, this recipe has vegan options!
Today’s Biggest Housing Market Myths
It’s no secret that today’s housing market can be a confusing one. From interest rates to available listings, there’s enough for prospective homeowners to concentrate on without having to worry about misinformation and myths. That’s where we come in! We wanted to pass along a list of today’s biggest housing market myths in the hopes that it will help you better understand and navigate this path. Happy reading!
Agent to Watch – Kim Bodell
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to another one of our August Agents to Watch, Kim Bodell! Kim is all about proving herself through action. She knows that real estate is a constantly changing industry, where no two days are the same and you can’t back down from a challenge on behalf of your clients. Though she’s new to W, we think she is going to do great things here. Keep reading to learn more about Kim!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Get my client an insurance quote on her purchase and a net sheet for her sale.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
You’re not going to find motivation to take action, action will ignite motivation. Even when you’re not feeling it, put one foot in front of the other and take action…the momentum of that will create opportunities
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
Every day is different. I love change and a little chaos and real estate is always both of those things. I love the hunt of the deal and the competition.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
I had a client in escrow contingent upon selling their home. Their home didn’t get an offer in time so we got a 48-hour notice to perform (get their sale property in contract) or quit. Within 48 hours, I was able to secure an entity to buy my client’s home from them so they could keep the purchase contract together. We got it done with literally 2 minutes to spare on the 48-hour NTP. Closed on the purchase home, helped my sellers move out and then put their sale property back on the market and sold it in one month for more of a profit through this entity buyer.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
A very, very big part. I have been lucky to learn best practices from some really smart agents. It’s transformed the way I do business, how I spend money and live my life. I now enjoy mentoring other agents in hopes that the real estate world can do for them what it’s done for me.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
Either more single-story homes in Sonoma County or let’s start putting in elevators for my elderly clients or clients that just can’t do stairs. The lack of these features restricts people’s buying pools greatly and seems to be in high demand.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
Leo Dicaprio because I love him 😉
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
It all depends on what they want to do! If they want to see the ocean, I’d hit Bodega Bay and stay at The Lodge at Bodega Bay. If they love the river, I’d recommend getting lunch or coffee at the Farmhand in Guerneville and enjoying the view. If they are looking for the best steak in town I’d send them over to Starks, downtown Santa Rosa. If they wanted a unique and relaxing spa day I’d send them to Osmosis Day Spa in Occidental. If they are looking to play wine tasting tourist, I’d direct them to Healdsburg or Sonoma for a plethora of fun options.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
Settling in to W by automating my business and helping as many families buy and sell as possible and coaching my daughter’s soccer team.
Agent to Watch – Amy Wray
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to August Agent to Watch, Amy Wray! Though she is newer to the W team, Amy has fit right in! We are thrilled to watch and support her as she continues to work hard for her clients and stay involved with the community around her. Check out the rest of the blog below to learn all about Amy!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Update my Buyer and Seller presentation guides.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
Set aside one third of my Real Estate earnings, to cover my taxes each year. I have done that each year and each year, I have been able to pay my taxes in full.
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
The connection to community. Sharing with those transitioning into the Ukiah valley, how much it has to offer.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
Adapting to my recent move to W Real Estate. Change is hard for me, but I take things one day at a time, ask for help, all the while learning everything this company has to offer. I am optimistic about my future with WRE.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
Mentorship has been an essential part of my career and continues to be true. Without it, I would not be where I am today. My first Mentor was Broker Beverly Sanders, she is the one who encouraged me to get my license nearly 10 years ago. Her experience and knowledge has been invaluable and created a solid foundation on which to grow.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
I am going to reveal my age, but I miss seeing kitchen trash compactors. Remember those?
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
Today, I’d have to say one of my, closest friends Donna. She was gone too soon; I miss her so much.
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
I am a lover our beautiful Sonoma/Mendocino Coast. I’d recommend they visit our coastlines.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
I recently returned from my first international trip to Tuscany. I am looking forward to my next trip to the Amalfi Coast.
Agent of the Month – Stephen Skinner
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to our August Agent of the Month, Stephen Skinner! As a member of our Commercial Division, Stephen knows that success in Commercial Real Estate is all about dedication to perfecting your craft and an agent’s willingness to continue to show up everyday. Keep reading to learn more about Stephen!
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Keep showing up.
What’s one aspect of your business that you are looking to improve on this year? In what ways/how would you like to see yourself improve?:
Continue to become a student of the game.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
Call other brokers and see what they say.
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Just keep showing up.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
There’s a balance to all this?
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
Mentors are everything.
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
Never be afraid of the dollar amount.
Employee Spotlight – Sandra Bernardi
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
We wouldn’t be us if it weren’t for all the hardworking staff behind the scenes who keep us running as a company. We do our best to celebrate these incredible individuals each day, and now we want to celebrate them with you too! We’d like to introduce you to our July Employee Spotlight, Sandra Bernardi. Sandra is the backbone of our Cloverdale Office, and we are so grateful she’s on our team. Keep reading to learn more about Sandra!
What does a typical day at W look like for you?:
My typical day involves helping out my agents in any way I can and doing whatever is necessary to keep the Cloverdale office running smoothly. What is great about my day is that it is different each day. My days can include but are not limited to creating flyers, postcards, binding brochures stuffing envelopes, changing out window displays, or sitting in front of the computer with emails and trainings all day long. Whatever the agents or the company needs, I am happy to help with. I love helping people. I will also help out with any special projects that need to be done.
What’s your ideal day out in Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino County?:
I spend most of my time in Sonoma County and an ideal day is visiting the many Wineries that Sonoma County has to offer with my friends and family
If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be?:
Learning a new language.
What’s your go-to karaoke song? Or the song that always gets you out on the dancefloor?:
AC/DC Shook Me All Night Long and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama will always get me on the dance floor!
You can only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?:
I love, love Lasagna. And add a salad, green beans, and French bread and I’m a happy gal.
If you could live anywhere new in the world for a year, where would it be?:
Italy! I have not been there yet, but I have been told the climate is a lot like Sonoma County.
Tell us about something you’re excited about this year!:
Seeing my grandson that was born in Italy for the first time this coming December. He will be 6 months old by the time I meet him. And, also going on my first cruise that is sailing out of Boston, MA, which I love and can’t wait to visit again too.
What’s your favorite part about working at W?:
The employees I work with! I love the employees that are at W Real Estate. Everyone is great! Everyone is helpful and understanding. It makes it the best place to work when we all work together and get along.
Agent of the Month – Alison Weese
Click this link to go back to The W Disclosure Newsletter.
Congratulations to our July Agent of the Month, Alison Weese! It’s no secret that the real estate industry is not without its own challenges and complications. No two transactions are alike, but for Alison, that’s one of the details she loves the most about her job. She never backs down from a challenge and she approaches each client with the same dedication to make their goals a reality. Keep reading to learn more about Alison!
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Integrity.
Dedicated.
Friendly.
To what do you attribute your success most?:
There is nothing better than getting to make the call that we got the house, prepare a home for the market, deliver the keys on closing day, or let my sellers know they’ve got a great offer to review! I just thrive on the uniqueness of each and every home, and I relish in the fight for my clients’ win of achieving their goals in buying or selling. The opportunity to do what I love is what guides me each day.
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Start Now. Don’t push it off. It’s a career that takes time, focus, and dedication.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
There’s always going to be ‘something’ unforeseen in every transaction. But remember, there’s a solution to every problem. It’s stressful having so much on the line, but we’re going to stay calm and work the problem until we find our solution. And it’s all going to work out in the end.
My mom, a REALTOR on the Peninsula, taught me this lesson during my first ‘something,’ and I’ll never forget it.
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Buying or selling a home is the largest transaction a family makes. I have to do the best job possible for them in each interaction, and that is bigger than me, or my way. It’s imperative that my clients know I am representing them with focus and clarity on behalf of their goals. And it’s my duty to utilize my resources to guide them in the best direction possible.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
Absolutely, a work-life work balance is important to me. I work for my family. As a mom, wife, REALTOR, I have to pay attention to my kids, husband, and clients. I have to read the signs, pay attention to the signals and be ever at the ready to take the right action. Ultimately, my biggest balance barometer are the smiles on my kid’s faces. They let me know how Mom’s really doing!
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
I’ve held onto two very important pieces of wisdom shared with me in my early professional career that continue to guide me each day:
1. Attitude is everything.
2. Prove your value, every day.
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
With two small boys, it was a risk to leave my steady position with benefits and go off on my own to pursue my own professional happiness. The results have delivered a far happier, more fulfilled mom for my boys. And I’m proud to show them that working moms help balance a family.
If you could only ever visit one business again in Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County, what would it be and why?:
Olivers. They have everything I need to take care of my family and me! We are so spoiled with such fresh local food in Sonoma County – and Oliver’s produce is always far superior to other markets. I depend on the breadth of curated products available at Oliver’s to dive into any recipe I can dig up. They have the best selection of cheeses and wine if I need to pull a little charcuterie together for friends, and if I’m low on bandwidth, their prepared foods are a delish win for my family. Oliver’s really makes my world go ’round!
(But – I feel I need to sneak a little shout out to my favorite local boutique, Roost General Store, which is my go-to for any need for a quick gift, a pick-me-up, a peruse, or a happy home inspiration.)
