Many properties have features or views which appeal to artists.  Over the last twenty years we have been asked numerous times if artists or photographers could use our property for its scenic or wildlife subject matter.  In every instance this has proven to be a positive experience.   Contacts have been made with an extremely interesting group of talented amateurs and professionals in the community.  There is something very satisfying in seeing artists interpret the features which we believe make our coastal property very special.   It can also be a learning experience for those of us who have interest in painting, sculpture or photography and need the nudge to pick up a brush.   As with educational institutions, you don’t have to wait for someone to call you – you can extend an invitation when you visit local galleries, go to art shows or open studios.  Sonoma County is rich with these resources.  We have also found that a photo or painting of your own property can be a wonderful acquisition.  Two artists who have worked on our property, throughout Sonoma County and beyond are Charles Beck (shown) and Kathy Truax.

‘The Birds Schoolhouse’ in Bodega CA

Former Stable 10 acres
20 workspaces-5 rooms

An intentional community can be several artists living in an apartment building, or it can be a group of organic farmers living on hundreds of acres with several residences.  It can be an architecturally significant development as is the case of Arcosanti in Arizona where the community creates magnificent bells. Some properties can be many different types of communities over extended periods of time.  The Potter Schoolhouse in Bodega, California made famous by Alfred Hitchcock and ‘The Birds’ was built in 1873 and has been since the 1960′s a community centered around food, a visual arts and theater arts community featuring art shows, musical concerts, educational speakers and workshops.

Healdsburg Artist Compound – Studio & Home

Working with these types of property and groups of people is one of the more interesting categories of real estate.  This is particularly true when the property has historic significance and/or is in a very unique location.  Sonoma County, California has many such properties and several are on the market that we are familiar with.

Some examples of  ideal Intentional Community Properties – available for purchase or lease:
1) Santa Rosa, extremely historic thoroughbred horse facility with 5 bedroom residence and 20 artist or meditation spaces included in a 10,000 +/-sf structure on 11 acres of view property.  Magnificent enclosed open courtyard.
2) Bodega Bay 60 acres of Sonoma Coast ranch with 3 bedroom residence, offices, and ability to build more residential units and barns – all with superb ocean views.
3) Healdsburg artist compound on 5+ acres with pool and grounds, 5000+/- sf of studio space, barn and farmhouse residence.
4) Healdsburg former apartments with approved plans for up to 20 rooms and cottages.
5) Bodega farm property with 4 units and 9.5+/- acres with both commercial and rural zoning as well as fabulous views

If you are interested in discussing formation of an intentional community project in Sonoma County please call Scott Douglas at (707) 875-9462.

Barns and other types of out buildings come in many sizes  from 1,000 sf  up to 3,000 sf.  It is often advisable to have a structural engineer visit the site with you when inspecting barns on agricultural land.  Verifying good ‘bones’ can save the buyer having expensive surprises with major structural members and barns – particularly on old farms – may have been neglected for decades.

A good barn design can preserve flexibility for changing needs down the line if open area is preserved and attention is paid to basics like a foundation.  Use of translucent panels in the roof can help create space you can use even when there is no electrical power available.  The panels also provide a source of heat even on cool days.  Barns are a good way to get introduced to solar power, small wind turbines and solar hot water systems particularly if you are developing smaller space within the barn for a studio or workshop and don’t need to supply the larger space.

If you are interested in rural property with interesting barns in Sonoma County
please let us know at SonomaRE.com.

If you are interested in finding a country property that meets your vision, e-mail Charlene Schnall at CSchnall@aol.com  or call us at (707) 875-3490 with your general parameters and we will try to help you narrow your search – including property not currently on the market.

Vacation Rental in a Pinot Noir Vineyard

Frequently country homes have been used for vacation rentals and one thing to consider in purchasing a country retreat property – particularly if you don’t really know the area well – is whether you should try and rent the property for a weekend and try it out.  It will help you get a sense of whether the property is right for you.  Does the property have enough seclusion – or too much;  is the property convenient to services you feel are important and is the travel time right.  It can also help you determine personal property items which you may want to include in the purchase price.  For example, including poolside furniture in the purchase price would allow you to take time in finding exactly the outdoor furniture you want without being pressured.  Including the riding mower will allow you to avoid shopping for a relatively complicated piece of machinery when you are trying to get settled in.  In many instances owners who have rented their country homes for vacation rentals do not have emotional ties to many of the furnishings and there is something to be said for being able to use a country property immediately upon close of escrow.

18 view acres, 2 homes, studio, barn – 5 acre vineyard $2.6m Healdsburg
20 view acres, 3 bedroom home, 2 barns, 7 acre vineyard, $3.6m Forestville
5 acres, farmhouse, barn, winery, 2 acre vineyard, $3.4m Healdsburg
10 view acres, 2 duplex apartments,  $1.3m Freestone
40 acres, homesite no structure, ocean views, $850,000 Bodega Bay

The ecosystem of a pond can be looked at much like a very special tree on the property – you want to make sure it is healthy and you want to know in advance if there are maintenance issues.  Fortunately there are people who are familiar with ponds; for one, the pond engineer who understands pond construction and can check out the dam, spillway, permits and verify that the pond isn’t leaking.  There are also hatchery operators who operate and manage their own and other peoples’ ponds for a living.  You can usually get an opinion particularly if the hatchery operator will be working with stocking you pond in either the short or long term.  He will be as interested as you are in his fish having a healthy environment.

Some of the factors that will determine your satisfaction in addition to its construction are year round fresh water source for  the  pond, depth and temperature, weed conditions and water condition – not just in the winter when the water looks clear and deep – but in summer when it could be warm, weed choked and short of oxygen.  A pond survey will not guarantee that weather will not fluctuate and change how the pond operates, however a survey of the pond can give you a sense of how the pond has performed historically, the type of life it can support and any maintenance programs you need to plan for.

To most buyers trees are a very significant part of the appeal of rural retreat property.   The health of key trees, or a forested area in general is something you might want to verify.   There are various diseases that affect specific types of trees.  Oaks for example.   While these diseases can move very quickly,  and can alter the visual appeal of a property significantly, treatments are available.  It is important to know that the foilage is healthy and what measures can be taken from both a preventive and corrective standpoint.  

In the photo is a very large and very old Cypress Tree estimated at over 200 years old.  Five years ago a major branch broke off during a storm, tree trimming consultants were consulted.    Both consultants recommended removing the tree at costs between $8,000 – $8,800.  Due to the historic and visual appeal of the tree an arborist with a great reputation was called in and found the tree to be healthy but seriously in need of ‘maintenance’.  At a cost of $2,000, the tree was properly trimmed and has continued to add value to the property.  As verified by Native American artifacts and original settler artifacts found at the base of the tree – it has been a significant landmark for some time.  Good to know that it should be there for another couple of generations at least. 

An arborist can be as important as termite, plumbing, roof  inspections.  Guarantee it will be informative, and much of the time a lot of fun.