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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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SANTA ROSA December 11, 2019 — W Real Estate has been selected for the 2019 Best of Santa Rosa Award in the Real Estate Agency category by the Santa Rosa Award Program.

Each year, the Santa Rosa Award Program identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Santa Rosa area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2019 Santa Rosa Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Santa Rosa Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Santa Rosa Award Program
The Santa Rosa Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Santa Rosa area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Santa Rosa Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Santa Rosa Award Program

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Congratulations to our newest Agent of the Month, Wendy Tam!

As a successful San Francisco realtor and mother of 5, is there anything Wendy Tam can’t do? Oh, and did we mention her impeccable design sense? She is able to transform homes into works of art. Any client would be lucky to have her in their corner and we’re fortunate to have her as part of the W Real Estate family. Wendy shared with us what she believes has attributed to her success the most and the tools she uses to juggle her personal and professional life. All this, and more, below. 

To what do you attribute your success?
I would attribute my success to setting goals that are in line with things that I love doing and then keeping a positive mental attitude, especially when faced with challenges. This helps me to wake up every morning feeling excited to take the forward steps – whether large or small that are necessary to reach those goals.

What was the last book/audiobook you read/listened to?
The Great Gatsby

What software/tech tools can you not live without?
Google Suite – all-in-one for my emails, word processing, spreadsheet, calendar, storage – and best of all: not having to remember if I pressed the save button!

Do you believe it is possible to have a successful career while having a fulfilling personal life? Does this balance exist?
Yes, I believe that it is possible to be successful and enjoy family life. We juggle sales, development and having 5 kids. Actually I find that being in real estate actually allows me the freedom to schedule my time around my family’s activities allowing me to be at school functions and not behind a 9-5 desk. So I am very thankful for that! Having a good routine that everyone in the family is on board with really helps when we have to schedule for showings, open houses and appointments.

What is a unique aspect of the San Francisco Residential Real Estate market?
One unique aspect in San Francisco is that our homes are very different from one to another, even when they are on the same block. Most of our homes were not built tract homes so being across the street can make all the difference with regards to having a drop-dead view or no views at all. We have a constant demand from buyers for the newest and more innovative homes so newly renovated homes can set record prices with no comps available.

What is the most underrated/overlooked part of your business? (i.e. thank you cards, social media, etc)
The amount of time spent to find a good deal for buyers in San Francisco.

What are the main things that you should look at when investing/purchasing a new property?
Buying the best location that your budget allows and property that may still have more potential to grow into or build.

What is a quote that inspires you?
“Your past does not equal your future.”

If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?
Go out and see as many properties as possible on tour, it provides great education on the current market and you will also make great business contacts through meeting other agents.

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