August Newsletter

August used to be considered the ❤️ of summer & now the kids head back to school in our county the second week! That’s said, Sonoma county delivers in August. Whether you are cooling off at the coast, basking in our warm summer nights & enjoying our sunsets 🌅 or reveling in the bounty of your garden, there is so much to appreciate & be grateful for.

I love the local fairs…who’s with me? From the flower show (and their end of fair plant sale…contact me for details) to the 4-H shows 🐄 🐖 🐑 arts 🎭 crafts & baking 🎂 🥧 competition, all of the fares & contraptions sold in grace pavilion, free clover ice cream, 🐎 races & 👒 day...It's a BLAST

This year, the second weekend of our Sonoma County fair, we also have the Gravenstein Apple fair. A cute Sebastopol country 🪴 fair complete with all things Apple 🍎 & some bluegrass to boot! 👢 I hope to pull a double hitter on 8/10. I hope to see you there!

Each year, mid-summer around fair time, our real estate market cools off. For over 5 years now, real estate sales in summer have been seasonally slow. Y’all are either at the fair or on vacation! This year, high interest rates and increasing inventory are indications of a market shift. We have fewer buyers entering the market & forfeiting their 3% interest rate. Demographically speaking, we are seeing downsizers & first time home buyers. Our “move up market” is not moving. With the increasing inventory and less buyers in the marketplace, price reductions are becoming the norm. Sellers are offering more concessions to entice buyers. Every indication points to a buyer’s market moving forward. However, it is an election year with wild cards at play. The real estate market is always dynamic, that’s why I love it! 🥰 Our team is here to guide you through the changes and transitions.

You may have heard about the NAR lawsuit and changes to how commissions can be paid. In a buyers market, now more than ever, buyer representation is paramount. An experienced realtor can help navigate market fluctuations best to benefit the buyer and seller, it takes a team. Sellers can still offer a broker co-op commission in the form of a concession. It simply won’t be advertised in the mls but it will appear on the closing statement as always. If a seller opts not to offer it (they have always had that option) a buyer’s offer will take the sales process into account & request compensation at the time of their offer submittal. Bottom line, the more things change the more they stay the same. Sellers can still pay commission, which is most favorable for a buyers loan, ensuring a smooth sales process. Reach out with questions/comments, we’ve got you:)

Now, go get some cotton candy and candied apples and enjoy August!