Earth Day Homebuying: How to Choose a More Sustainable Home

Think you need 20% down? Most first-time buyers don’t. See what buyers really put down and how Katia Bidaurreta can help in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa.

3 Things That Are Not Going To Happen in Today’s Housing Market

The 10 Best Markets for First-Time Buyers This Spring

This is a subtitle for your new post

Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now? Here’s What To Keep in Mind

When buying a home feels out of reach, what are some families doing instead? They're buying multi-generational homes together in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa Counties—pooling incomes to afford $773K-$1.3M medians while grandparents help with childcare. Sonoma, Marin, Napa Affordability Crunch You crunch the numbers for a Petaluma 3-bed at $958K. Add $1,800/month childcare. Something gives. Sonoma medians sit at $773K, Marin $1.3M+, Napa luxury higher. Rates near 6% help, but down payments and daycare eat budgets. Families adapt: multi-generational buys. NAR says 14% of 2025 buyers went this route—up sharply. Childcare (6%) and grandkids (12%) now top reasons. In wine country, ADU-friendly homes make it work. Katia Bidaurreta at Compass sees it daily. Her Petaluma clients buy Santa Rosa properties with in-law suites. Finance background spots the math. How Multi-Gen Living Works Here Parents, grandparents, sometimes aunts buy together. Shared mortgage. Built-in childcare. Napa vineyard views for all. Solves two problems: Splits $4,500 payments three ways. Cuts $18K/year daycare when grandma watches kids. Why It's Growing Fast Sonoma inventory up, but prices firm. Marin families priced out of Mill Valley pivot to Novato multi-gens. Napa seeks estate-style with guest houses. Your Rohnert Park starter won't cut it. Buyers want: Must-Have Home Features Downstairs primary suite Separate entrance ADU Big kitchen for family meals 4+ beds, office flex Sonoma Plaza walkable or Marin views Pool/hot tub for grandkids Petaluma farmhouses convert garages easy. Santa Rosa new builds include casitas. Questions Before You Buy Who's on title? Loan? What if grandma moves? How split utilities, repairs? Privacy enough? Exit plan in 5 years? Talk attorney first. Katia connects you—stays in real estate lane. Local Examples That Work Petaluma: $1.1M craftsman, main house + ADU. Three incomes qualify easy. Novato: $1.5M mid-century, guest wing rented for mortgage offset. Napa: $2M vineyard estate, grandparents get pool house. Katia closed similar: Portuguese family pooled for Santa Rosa 5-bed. "Made homeownership real," they said. Watch Out For These Family drama over decisions One person wants out, others can't buy Zoning limits ADU short-term rental Inheritance fights later Compass title partners smooth ownership splits. Your Next Move Multi-gen beats waiting. Sonoma's 42-day market moves if priced right. 

Conversational Question: My Sonoma County home hasn't sold yet—should I rent it out instead?

Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Novato, Marin County, Katia Bidaurreta, North Bay real estate, new home inventory 2025, California housing market, housing supply 2025, local real estate trends

A Shifting Market Means Smarter Pricing A few years ago, homes were flying off the shelves and getting multiple offers well over asking price. It felt like sellers could name their price and still have buyers lined up at the door. But today’s housing market is different. Inventory has grown, buyers are more selective, and homes are sitting on the market longer. Many sellers are having to adjust their price expectations to stay competitive. The Disconnect Between Buyers and Sellers A recent Realtor.com survey shows 81% of home sellers still believe they’ll get their asking price or more. But actual data tells a different story: According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 44% of recently sold homes went for less than the asking price. 1 in 3 sellers had to cut their price at least once before their home sold.