Distinctive Properties, Premiere Napa Valley Real Estate: September 2020 by Napa Register

PREMIER

NAPA VALLEY REAL ESTATE

DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

A Wine Country Lifestyle Magazine

Cover photo Courtesy of Michael Bertolucci Vintage Sotheby’s International Realty

SEPTEMBER 2020 | VOLUME 36, ISSUE 9 A publication of Napa Valley Publishing Company

Cover property information on page 23

For those seeking an exceptional life in Wine Country.

4230 Silverado Trail, Napa, California | $14,250,000

Discover the difference with us. GoldenGateSIR.com | 707.255.0845

Grand Napa Valley Winer y Estate

2900SpringMountain.com

Local Experts Innovative Global Marketing YVONNE RICH Exclusive Estates

fabulousnapavalley.com

Ultimate Napa Valley Escape

3630NapaValleyParadise.com

Modern Vineyard Estate

4447VineyardEstate.com

YVONNE RICH 707-968-9888

yvonne@fabulousnapavalley.com 1338 MAIN STREET

ST. HELENA

BRE#01045780

Vineyard Paradise

33OakRock.com

St . Helena Farmhouse

1362Stockton.com

Local Experts Innovative Global Marketing YVONNE RICH Exclusive Estates

fabulousnapavalley.com

An Iconic Napa Valley Compound

999RutherfordCompound.com

Modern Architectual Jewel

8277RutherfordJewel.com

Magnificent Execution of Vineyard Estate | Sweeping Views of Rutherford AVA Vineyards A Full-Length Ridge Skylight | Lastest Most Efficent High Tech Glazing | 3 Bedroom Suites Master suite - A Private Oasis with Spa-Like Amenities $5,995,000

YVONNE RICH 707-968-9888

yvonne@fabulousnapavalley.com 1338 MAIN STREET

ST. HELENA

BRE#01045780

In this issue

28 44

Calistoga map

Chris D. Craiker: Improving home ventilation

St. Helena map

An accidental artist: Napa man’s woodworking hobby evolves in unexpected ways

Yountville map

28 How a smart home can help you save money 29 Burt Polson’s Real Estate in the Napa Valley: On the radar: tenant debt, big tech and California transplants 30 Napa map 34 Napa’s Loan Ranger Chris Salese: Who approves your home loan? 38 Wine Country real estate trends in August 2020 40 Tips for jump-starting your next home project—safely 42 Four options for an ideal outdoor space

SEPTEMBER 2020

DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

44 Three DIY projects that will instantly improve your home’s value To advertise in Distinctive Properties or any Napa Valley Publishing outlet, contact Randy Dowis at RDowis@napanews.com.

istinctive Properties provides print and digital platforms for Napa Valley real estate and real estate related advertising. We feature property listings, open houses, articles and more in our magazine, newspaper sections, on our website and on our social media pages. NapaValleyRegister.com/homes

EDITOR & DIRECTOR OF SALES Davis Taylor 707-256-2234 davis.taylor@lee.net ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Randy Dowis 707-256-2229 rdowis@napanews.com

Distinctive Properties - Napa Valley @DistinctPrperty

PREMIER NAPA VALLEY REAL ESTATE

DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

A Wine Country Lifestyle Magazine

1615 Soscol Avenue, Napa, CA 94559

Distinctive Properties makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Distinctive Properties is a registered trademark of The Napa Valley Publishing Company.

8 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

SEPTEMBER 2020

Searching for a new home? You can start here.

NapaValleyRegister.com/homes Pick your beds, baths, price and neighborhood and we do the search for you!

CALISTOGA Old Faithful Geyser

TUBBS LN

PETR IFIED FO

Heather Oaks Park

MITZI DR REST

MORA AVE

R ANCHO

HWY 128

Y EL WA MICHA

Napa County Fair Grounds

LAKE ST

YRTL WM

Y ST BERR

T TH S OUR

D THIR

VIEW RD

N OL C LIN

E AV

E ST

T ND S SECO T NG S T ST SPRI FIRS een r pst Sha useum Cal r e e isto ST M Pion k ELM ga Par D ST R A R a R g E G sto f ST Calimber oce KLIN r a e h RAN F C m m EL ST Co Post ANNA ST HAZ Offi ce T S PINE Y ST EDD

EY WL A D L RD OL TOLL

SILVERADO TR

R ST SILVE

HWY 29

T GRANT S

TON ST

GOLD

T AR S CED

L BLVD FOOTHIL

ST OAK

OAK ST

FAIR WAY

G WASHIN

ST LILLIE

LN MONEY

GRANT ST

ST CEDAR

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park

VE LN A O C N LI

EARL

BR ANNAN

Rea

lty

N W

E S

H WAS IN G TON

HWY 29

RIVER NAPA

Bothe Napa Valley State Park

HWY 128

Calistoga Realty 707-942-9422

1473-C LINCOLN AVENUE CALISTOGA, CA 94515

NEW LISTING

ustom built single-level 3 bedroom, 3 bath home in quiet cul de sac. Located in a small gated community and close to Solage, the Four Seasons Resort, Indian Springs and downtown Calistoga. Large great room with 10’ ceilings, chef’s kitchen w/ stainless appliances & granite leather finish counters. The baths have marble counters, travertine showers & floors. Beautifully landscaped garden with an abundance of roses and fruit trees. This is Napa Valley living! $995,000

GATED 10 ACRE RANCH

ith updated 3 bedroom, 3 bath home overlooking the countryside’s natural beauty. Large vaulted ceiling with skylights entering the living area offers natural light and great open space to entertain. Detached studio is great for guests or on-site caretaker. Property was just fenced and gated to allow livestock to roam. Just 2 miles from downtown Middletown. $729,000

NEW LISTING

ocated in lovely Calistoga, this nicely appointed home has it all; a gated entrance, golf course views, one level living, 2 spacious bedroom suites, updated kitchen, and wood floors throughout. Situated on almost 1/3 of an acre with all new landscaping, new decking, 2 water wells (one hot water well), and all just blocks to downtown shops, restaurants, and wineries. $1,200,000

Sharon Carone, Broker

Darlene Brissard, Realtor

Brian Durnian, Broker

Ziggy Gutierrez, Realtor

CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR DESIGN

n a classic home situated on one of Calistoga’s most coveted streets. Distinguished by 10’ ceilings and an open floor plan, this home is characterized by crisp, clean architecture with abundant wall space for displaying your collection of art and photographs. The chef’s kitchen, with a six-burner Viking range and hood, Sub-Zero refrigerator, granite counters, and ample storage space has been meticulously planned to enhance the pleasure of cooking and entertaining. Lush landscaping, deck, outdoor BBQ and Arbor ideal for entertaining. There’s also a detached Guest Cottage/office or artist studio. Just a few blocks to Pioneer Park and Lincoln Ave. $1,350,000

CARNEROS ESTATE BUILDING SITE

eautiful 7.66 acre parcel located in the Carneros District. Oaks adorn the front of the property and most of the acreage is flat and usable. Ideal Estate building site with plenty of room for vineyards or horses. Attached map shows approx. 6+/- acres plantable. Small pond on property. Property backs up to the Carneros Inn. $1,629,000

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE

o own a little bungalow in St. Helena. Enchanting 1936 vintage cottage retaining most of its original detailing & charm on a large 7400+/- sq. ft lot. Hardwood floors, formal dining room, country kitchen & old fashioned utility back porch. A magical park-like setting framed by majestic oak trees. Ideally located near downtown St. Helena, walking distance to shopping & fine dining. Adjacent lot is dedicated open space. $716,000

Sharon Carone, Broker

Darlene Brissard, Realtor

Brian Durnian, Broker

Ziggy Gutierrez, Realtor

DEVELOPERS DREAM

ne of a kind opportunity! BEST VIEWS IN THE COUNTY! Full views of Clear Lake, Mount Konocti and Clover Valley while being located only 10 minutes from the lake and multiple towns. VERY PRIVATE!

otal of 5 legal parcels to be sold together with 2 of the parcels offering multiple points of entry and power to the the 3 main lots. Set on the South facing hills of Nice, the first main lot you enter will be the 40 acre parcel with 2 leveled areas ready to build. The owner has mapped out 10 springs on the frontside of the property, 1 supplying the small pond just below the building sites, another used for irrigation. Once being the location of an old Hunters camp, the land is wide open to explore.

ith an elevation at 2,700 feet and nothing but rolling hills in the distance, enjoy your ride along Hogback Ridge above the morning fog to make your way onto the backside of the property. As you cross Gilbert Creek and journey across the 1.5 miles of seasonal creek, be amazed as you reach the top with panoramic lake and mountain views of the BLM land. Here you will find a large cut-out cleared for cultivation. An ideal opportunity, as 95% of the property is outside of the cannabis cultivation exclusion zone. With roughly 25 acres of flatland ready to be developed, potential for this property is vast! Just a few of the many promising opportunities this 711 acre listing has to offer are large scale housing and business developments, a Family Estate, old age standing Timber production, large plantable acreage, grazing lands and massive amounts of spring water. Offered at $2,950,000 Sharon Carone, Broker

Darlene Brissard, Realtor

Brian Durnian, Broker

Ziggy Gutierrez, Realtor

Improving

home ventilation CHRIS D CRAIKER AIA/NCARB

INCREASE GRILL SIZES To maximize airflow, consider increasing floor, wall and/or ceiling grills and duct connections.

ith all the false data and lack of national leadership, the one thing we know is COVID-19 is airborne, mostly transmitted via tiny particles or droplets that hang in the air often for hours. Indoor activities with people in tight conditions are undesirable. It comes down to air cleanliness and sanitation. An air supply is essential for our lives, homes, businesses, schools and shopping experiences. CHRIS D They must be safe CRAIKER and hygienic. The easy solution is to move outside and stay away from groups of 10 or more but winter is coming and we cannot continue to have classes outside or eat dinner in the cold rain, even in Napa. Schools are reopening and teachers and parents are focusing on social distancing and face masks. Poor inside school air quality could impact test scores and learning significantly. A June report estimated that 41% of the nation’s school districts need major upgrades into the ventilation systems. https://www. businessinsider.com/poor-indoorair-quality-could-make-schoolscoronavirus-hotspots-2020-9 At the same time, commerce is highly dependent on human oneon-one and high-density interactions. For today’s businesses, the single most important investment is retrofitting their HVAC systems to purify the circulating air, sometimes with UV rays and other high-tech solutions. Our residences are less sophisticated. I checked with Stephen Likens, CEA Energy Expert, on how 14 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

ADD HRV/ERV FANS Whole house fans filter indoor air without losing the required conditioning. KEEP HOUSEHOLD FANS ON Local bathroom and kitchen fans if they exhaust to outside and remove contaminants can increase the overall air ventilation

Dreamstime

to best retrofit homes and commercial spaces. Here are some suggestions including industry recommendations for all users. https://www.businessinsider. com/poor-indoor-air-qualitycould-make-schools-coronavirushotspots-2020-9

MERV and HEPA filters, the higher numbers. https://www. ashrae.org/technical-resources/ filtration-disinfection MERVs are good for pollen and small particles. Look into AAF Flanders Nested Glass EZ-green Filters. Check the manufacturer of your system for filter ratings. https:// INCREASE OUTSIDE AIR www.aafintl.com/en/commercial/ Open windows and doors; browse-products use window AC units with outside air-intakes to bring in more CHANGE-OUT YOUR HVAC outside air, but only when temHeat recovery ventilation sysperatures allow. tems work between two different temperature sources to reduce CHANGE OUT residual exhaust heat. Fresh air FILTERS REGULARLY is improved before it enters the Common filters are designed room . https://en.wikipedia.org/ to catch big particles. Look for wiki/Heat_recovery_ventilation

CONSIDER USING A PORTABLE AIR CLEANER/PURIFIER They can help reduce airborne contaminants, but they haven’t proven sufficient to protect people from COVID-19. Good for allergies and poor air quality. https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/ indoor The bottom line is strong airflow without effective filtration or ventilation will not protect. One crucial factor is airflow: the amount of new air that flows through a room or building. Most buildings should have at least 15 CF/M, cubic feet per minute. Architects and contractors are used to California’s tough Title 24 energy requirements. Last year filtration effectiveness was upgraded by 50% for new construction, but that won’t help those of us under earlier guidelines. Get a good mechanical contractor to look at your systems. It’s worth it. Chris D. Craiker, AIA/NCARB, is a Napa architect with Craiker Architects & Planners. He has been designing sustainable buildings for more than 40 years. SEPTEMBER 2020

ST. HELENA MAIN ST

S To

R IN SP

OT ERAD V L I S To

s Ro a

OU M

ta an

N AI NT

T PRAT

AVE

RD N ON L FULT A

r Lib RA RY

E OAK AV

HUDSON AVE

Post Office

LIB

d ra ve Sil m y & eu ar M u s

all City H Fire & Police tment r Depa

AD AVE R AILRO

ON MADR AVE

S ST ADAM

Lyman Park

S ST ADAM

SPR

AVE

Lewis Station Park

T IN G S

MAIN ST

LEY VAL

NORTH CRANE AVE

DR HELL MITC

Meily Park

ALLISON AVE

POPE

CHURCH ST

HUNT

E ER AV TAINT

CHARTER OAK AVE

W VIE ST

VIDOVICH AVE

N W

E St. Helena Chamber of Commerce

MILLS LN

CRANE AVE

LAFATA ST

GRAYSON AVE

VINTAGE AV E

Crane Park HWY 29

DOWDELL LN

To SIL VERA DO

ST. HELENA REAL ESTATE NAPA VALLEY I SONOMA

NAPA VALLEY INDUSTRIAL FARMHOUSE

ONE LANE BRIDGE VINEYARD RANCH

A newly constructed, unparalleled estate perched on 10.93 +/- private acres with sweeping views. 6 total bedroom suites.

22 Acre ranch estate in the Western foothills of Napa. 11.06 +/acres planted to premium Cabernet Sauvignon. Mount Veeder AVA.

ST. HELENA

$16,950,000 I 861CONNVALLEY.COM

NAPA I $7,850,000 I ONELANEBRIDGEVINEYARD.COM MICHELLE WAGNER 707.637.3465 I Michelle.m.wagner78@gmail.com

MATT BJORNER 310.528.1768 I Mbjorner@gmail.com

CALISTOGA MODERN ESTATE RANCH

ST. HELENA COMPOUND

Enchan ng private estate on 21.62 +/- acres. Features a main residence, pool / entertainment house & guest house with bocce court.

1 +/- acres luxury estate featuring a single level main residence, guest house, and 3-car garage with studio above.

CALISTOGA

$4,995,000

CALISTOGACOMPOUND.COM

ST. HELENA I $6,475,000 I NAPAVALLEYHOME.ORG

JACQUELINE WESSEL 707.738.7338 I Jacquelinenapavalley@gmail.com

PRIVATE PARADISE ON MEADOWOOD LANE

TRANQUIL NAPA VALLEY ESTATE

Luxury residence on 1.60 +/- acres with spacious outdoor living space and open indoor ﬂoorplan. Detached garage with studio suite.

Private Napa Valley estate situate on 6.02 acres, just minutes to town and around the corner from Meadowood Resort.

ST. HELENA I $6,100,000 I

540MEADOWOODLANE.COM

MICHELLE WAGNER 707.637.3465 I Michelle.m.wagner78@gmail.com STHELENAREALESTATE.COM 1346 Main Street , St. Helena, CA I 707.967.9570

ST. HELENA I $5,600,000 I

SARAHSWAYESTATE.COM

MATT BJORNER 310.528.1768 I Mbjorner@gmail.com

LIC# 01026604

BARRY BERKOWITZ 707.529.7406

ST. HELENA REAL ESTATE NAPA VALLEY I SONOMA

IN ESCROW

NEWLY REBUILT CALISTOGA COMPOUND

THE WINE WAY INN

Excep onal single-level main residence with one a ached bedroom unit and two newly-constructed co ages. B&B License. CALISTOGA

I $3,150,000

1503LAKE.COM

Turnkey established, proﬁtable business with eight (8) well appointed guest rooms each with a private bath. CALISTOGA

I $2,985,000

THEWINEWAYINN.COM

JACQUELINE WESSEL 707.738.7338 I Jacquelinenapavalley@gmail.com

CHARMING ST. HELENA

DELIGHTFUL CALISTOGA RESIDENCE

Charming, updated 1,560 +/- SF home on almost 1/3 of an acre in Downtown St. Helena. Expansive backyard with limitless upside.

Deligh ul 3 bedroom home in a great neighborhood featuring a wraparound porch, loads of windows and great ﬂoorplan.

ST. HELENA

CALISTOGA

I $1,150,000

GAIL MORGAN LANE 707.291.0156 I Gail0634@gmail.com

I $890,000

GAIL MORGAN LANE 707.291.0156 I Gail0634@gmail.com

IN ESCROW

SOLD

IMMACULATE CALISTOGA RESIDENCE

SPACIOUS CALISTOGA RESIDENCE

Immaculate single level residence on .26 acres at the end of a quite cul-de-sac just a few blocks from Downtown Calistoga.

Well-maintained 1,702 +/- sf residence situated on a spacious lot with great outdoor space and room for pool. 3 total bedrooms.

CALISTOGA

CALISTOGA I $795,000

I $925,000

GAIL MORGAN LANE 707.291.0156 I Gail0634@gmail.com STHELENAREALESTATE.COM 1346 Main Street , St. Helena, CA I 707.967.9570

MATT BJORNER 310.528.1768 I Mbjorner@gmail.com

LIC# 01026604

accidental artist

Napa man’s woodworking hobby evolves in unexpected ways

T R AC Y S K E LTO N

hen Rep. Mike Thompson arrived at John Sensenbaugh’s west Na p a h o m e f o r a mutual friend’s going-away party, he noticed that the garage door was open. Inside was a scroll saw and dozens of wooden shapes littering a work bench, like oversized jigsaw pieces. Thompson’s interest was piqued; “I’ve always had an interest in people’s hobbies – what they do and how they

18 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

do it.” Thompson exchanged salutations with Sensenbaugh and asked what he was working on. Sensenbaugh didn’t have a name for his hobby – he isn’t aware of anyone creating art like what has evolved in his garage over the past few years. “Wood art,” Sensenbaugh said. Thompson had “never heard of wood art,” prompting Sensenbaugh to lead his congressman inside.

Lining a stairwell and living room walls were unframed, quarter-inch plywood rectangles, mostly 18-by-24 inches in size, serving as backdrops for intricately cut wooden shapes set tightly together and glued. They are relief puzzles, made from scratch. The results include replica movie posters (noir is a theme), album covers (Rolling Stones and Dylan), a wine bottle label (Il Bastardo), or anything that strikes

SEPTEMBER 2020

Sensenbaugh’s interest. Sometimes he riffs – throwing a couple ideas together – but the ideas are secondary. “The skill is in the cutting and fitting of pieces,” Sensenbaugh said. Even the wood is chosen carefully, factoring in a wood’s species for color and noting grain direction when deciding on cuts and placement. He finds that using the scroll saw is relaxing and rewarding. “I can really get into it. It’s a great way to spend hours,” he said. What started as a fun woodworking hobby making chairs, a picnic table, and children’s toys – fairy tale castles, train cars, and rocking horses, to name a few – eventually stalled as Sensenbaugh became increasingly frustrated trying to make more intricate cuts. A friend recommended a scroll saw and Sensenbaugh was hooked. His work evolved to become more and more intricate until settling, for now, on the 18-by-24 wall hangings that caught Thompson’s eye. “It was absolutely amazing – absolutely beautiful work” Thompson recalls. “It takes some special skills and talent to be able to do that.” Sensenbaugh recalls Thompson looking at all the pieces he had on display but was “looking and looking” at a rendering of Uncle Sam – muscles bulging and sleeves rolled – with the words “Who’s Next?” in relief across the top. Thompson told Sensenbaugh about the district art he keeps in his office; maybe Sensenbaugh would be interested in loaning his art? Sensenbaugh followed up with Thompson’s staff. In August 2019, Sensenbaugh flew to Washington, D.C., carefully bringing Uncle Sam with him. A ceremony was held in Thompson’s office – described by Thompson as a “little gathering” – and Sensenbaugh’s art was given its place on Thompson’s outer-office wall, visible to everyone who enters. “I would not have been considered an ‘artist’ three years ago,” Sensenbaugh marvels, considering how much his hobby has evolved. For Thompson, art should be celebrated and shown off; “I love art and I think it’s such an important part of life. And if it’s not, it should be.” Submitted photos

SEPTEMBER 2020

DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 19

YOUNTVILLE

SS R

N COL LIN

YO ST

M ADA

FIN

R LL E N

T NS

ST NT

SO FER JEF

U YO

N RO E PED AV KEY R A ST

T EK S CRE

N RL TE S E

VE TA N OU M

I ST

AVE

Oakville Rutherford St. Helena Calistoga

DIS MA

HWY 29

E ST

R LL NE

Yountville Park

NRO MO

FIN

TA LL EN TL N

VE RA E B T B TS WE LD O MB HU

R LL NE N I F

D T RS SPU K R ST LA RT R E LB MU

Gates Estates Sotheby’s

Vineyard Park

INTERNATIONAL REALTY

SH WA

Yountville Chamber of Commerce

IR KC A O ON SSI MI

N TO IN G

E PR

A CH

LA NO

R CI TS EN

SID

Athletic Field

CA LIF O

GT ON

ST NT

WA SH IN

IEW SV AG ST

U YO

UN TV ILL EC RO

U YO

R ILL M

AV E

a er et k V r e ill Pa t v r ial n u o Yo em M

GN PA

YOUNTVILLE

41VineyardViewDr.com Gated 5-acre Yountville Knoll-top Modern Farmhouse Oﬀered at $6,800,000

Custom farmhouse features throughout

Open kitchen with views, 2 large islands, ﬁreplace, breakfast area, butler’s pantry

Large great room with 500 bottle wine cellar

Relax while enjoying panoramic views

Two pools with a waterfall feature

Enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day

Napa Valley’s Locally Owned & Operated Sotheby’s Realty Oﬃce

Cover Property 5HarvestCourt.com 5HarvestCourt com Yountville | $1,849,000 4 beds | 2.5 baths | 2,283 SF Quiet cul-de-sac location just two short blocks from the heart of downtown Yountville. Located in the desirable Heritage Estates, this open single level floor plan is perfect for entertaining. Features include hardwood floors throughout, a beautifully remodeled kitchen, private master bedroom with it’s own backyard access, and a spacious remodeled bathroom with heated Carrera marble floors, walk-in shower and free-standing tub, and his & hers closets. A zen-like backyard with covered patio perfect for relaxing, and professionally designed and meticulously manicured perennial gardens complete the landscaping.

1906OakCircle.com

1918 Oak Circle

131VineyardCir.com

Yountville | $2,049,000

Yountville | $1,319,000

Yountville | $879,999

3 bedrooms | 2.5 baths | 1,666 SF

3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1,400 SF

2 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1,154 SF

Custom remodel, designer finishes Completely reconfigured floorplan Spacious backyard featuring 2 fire walls & hardscaping

Desireable Oak Circle location Beautifully updated & maintained SS Appliances/stone slab counters Spacious backyard to relax

Stunningly remodeled Yountville condo Hardwood floors throughout Private wine room, sold turnkey

Mike Bertolucci Brokerage Owner Provideing A Concierge-Style 707.333.7772 mike@vintagesothebysrealty.com Real Estate Experience yournapavalleyagent.com lic.#01724725

$3,695,000

Napa

BEDS BAThs 910 El Centro • 6 acre parcel 4 acre Cabernet vineyard • 7 garage plu large additional pace for farm equipment • Remodel and make t i your dream ome • Gue t ou e

Rut erford, CA

www.1060RutherfordRd.com • Vineyard view front and back! • Formal dining room and itting room • Beautiful open great room • Additional TV room up tair

Cyndi Gates Broker Associate 707-333-7770

$2,795,000

Yountville

www.7StagsViewLane.com • Large lot accommodate RV parking and ookup • Pool outdoor kitc en • Loft area for ome office • Cu tom C ef kitc en

$2,550,000

BEDS BAThs

$1,889,000

BEDS BAThs 1/2 BA www.1597SulphurSpringsRd.com • Great room off large remodeled kitc en • Vineyard view • Wine cellar • Profe ionally land caped yard for entertaining • Located in a great neig bor ood

CyndiGates.com 6550 Washington St Yountville, CA 94599 CalDRE#00711618

st. helena, CA

$1,450,000 Napa www.1145RagatzLn.com • 1 acr bu ld ng s t • Clos to Yountv ll • Plans nclud d • V n yard v s on country Lan

$1,195,000

St. Helena, CA

BEDS BATHS www.570CommunityHallLn.com • O n th nd of th s lan th v s! • B aut fully r mod l d hom • On b droom apartm nt nclud d • Barn/storag , garag , carports and corrals

RiC

BEDS BATHS

$885,000 St. Helena, CA

www.566CommunityHall.com • R mod l d to p rf ct on • D cks to njoy th vall y v s and suns ts • Storag room und r d ck • Adjac nt prop rty ava labl

www.6600YountSt17.com • Gr at g ta ay hom ! • N ar th pool and spa • Br ght op n floor plan • Locat d n th c nt r of Yountv ll

Cyndi Gates Broker Associate 707-333-7770

BEDS BATHS

$610,000

$329,000

Yountville, CA

Napa 3535 Mount Veeder • Gr at bu ldabl lot 22.35+\- acr s • Cr at your o n country g t a ay • V s from th knolls • A cr k runs through th prop rty

CyndiGates.com 6550 Washington St Yountville, CA 94599 CalDRE#00711618

New Name, Same Great Company Gates Estates Sotheby’s International Realty is now Vintage Sotheby’s International Realty. While the name has changed, our ownership and commitment to our clients has not. Read on to meet our owners and agents!

About Vintage Sotheby’s International Realty Located in Yountville, California, Vintage Sotheby’s International Realty was ﬁrst established as Gates Estates in 2009 and today services the entire Napa Valley. Agents at the ﬁrm live within the region and are experts in the local community, allowing them to deliver a personalized experience and better results for clients in the marketing and selection of properties.

Meet the Owners

Mike & Lisa Bertolucci

Kelly & Debbi Norris

6550 Washington Street | Yountville, CA 94599 707.944.0888 | vintagesothebysrealty.com Each oﬃce is independently owned and operated

Meet the agents of Vintage Sotheby’s International Realty

Teresa Barboza 707.318.9900 lic.#01312062

Bill Birdsong 707.689.8016 lic.#01915228

Kelly Brophy 707.301.3777 lic.#01097795

Lynn Carl 707.481.4100 lic.#01997048

Mary Carpenter 925.383.1694 lic.#01468434

Marla Ericson 707.483.2429 lic.#01067260

Steve Ericson 707.483.2428 lic.#01054001

Mark Fowler 707.225.1441 lic.#02056702

Taylor Fultz 707.287.6367 lic.#02086999

Cyndi Gates 707.333.7770 lic.#00711618

Julieta Gomez 707.398.5861 lic.#02113321

Brandon Hagler 707.732.1619 lic.#02073516

Peter Hamilton 415.794.7844 lic.#02079766

Ron Hartman 415.519.1518 lic.#01128106

Mel Lim 707.450.9218 lic.#01426565

Martha Macias 707.704.5213 lic.#02013734

Raymond Marceau 707.260.5510 lic.#01985332

John M. Miller 707.815.6195 lic.#01984225

Lee W Miller 707.266.1585 lic.#01958362

Vincent Ruggiero 707.479.8052 lic.#01077425

Neil Schafer 707.480.7232 lic.#00859442

David Sereda 707.332.8510 lic.#01960037

Ginette Tennant 707.758.5251 lic.#02041350

Crystal Tynan 707.501.0075 lic.#02019703

Sally Vaziri 707.738.9403 lic.#02069696

Auto-savings How a smart home can help you save money BRANDPOINT

undreds of millions of people have sheltered in place as governments issue executive orders to help slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). As a result, many homes are becoming a fortress against the virus, a makeshift school, an office outpost and a daycare facility. As homeowners continue to spend more time at home with the appliances and lights on, they are looking for ways to optimize the efficiency of their homes. The typical U.S. family spends at least $2,200 a year on home utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. On average, that’s 7% of a consumer’s annual income. Utilities that used to be considered “optional,” such as Internet and mobile phone service, are now considered essential during the coronavirus era, adding additional expense to a family’s monthly budget. So where can a homeowner look to cut back? When thinking of a smart home, some people might just think of cool, connected gadgets that make life easier or more convenient. However, many smarthome solutions are becoming part of sustainable living, and they can save you money along the way. Here are four ways you can introduce smart-home solutions into your daily life, reducing the monthly strain of high utility bills.

that feeling. However, heating and cooling can account for nearly half of a family’s monthly utility budget. A smart thermostat, like the Honeywell Home T9 thermostat, can reduce this cost by tailoring to your temperature preferences during the day and at night. By adding smart room sensors to your most popular rooms, you can deliver the right temperature to the right room at the right time. Look for trusted brands that are Energy Star certified. You’ll be doing your pocketbook and the environment a favor.

SIGN UP FOR REBATES When a sudden heat wave or cold snap hits a large swath of the country, air conditioning systems and heaters in houses, apartments, hospitals and office buildings all crank on at once, and utility companies go into overdrive trying to meet their clients’ increased energy demands. This kind of short-term increased demand puts a strain on the electric grid and can even become a public safety hazard if overloaded systems crash just when consumers most need them. To prevent this, utility companies implement a variety of voluntary energy-saving proDON’T SACRIFICE grams (known in the industry EFFICIENCY FOR as demand response, or DR) COMFORT—AUTOMATE that incentivize consumers to YOUR THERMOSTAT reduce their energy use during Homes are a source of com- periods of peak demand. fort and the temperature of your Many utility companies offer home should help you achieve consumers a rebate for joining 28 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

energy savings programs that connect to smart thermostats. You can search for rebates at Resideo.com/rebates. LIGHT UP THE ROOM, BUT ONLY WHEN YOU’RE IN IT Parents can often tell the exact path their children have taken based on what lights have been left on throughout the house. Turning off lights is an easy thing to forget, even as adults. We’ve all accidentally left that closet light or bedroom lamp on all day. Consider installing automated and motion-activated lighting solutions. With easy DIY installation, a weekend lighting project can give you long-term energy savings. Interested to know how much energy and cost are associated with running various home appliances? You can find an energy calculator at Energy. gov. GET TO KNOW YOUR WATER USAGE Most of us don’t think twice when turning on the faucet, flushing the toilet or running a warm bath, which takes energy to heat. Water is our planet’s most precious resource, but it’s

something we take for granted because it’s available at the turn of a tap. Monitoring and being aware of your water footprint can help reduce your monthly bill, while reducing strain on water supplies. For example, your money goes down the drain when dishes are washed by hand—using up to 27 gallons per load—instead of using an Energy Star certified dishwasher that can use as little as three gallons per load. Smart washing machines can help you optimize your laundry preferences—and can find the right wash cycle and water-temperature preferences suitable for that load. Resideo’s Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector can alert you and your smartphone if it detects a possible water leak. Are you feeling like you want to start improving your home’s efficiency, but don’t know how to begin? HVAC contractors and security dealers are considered essential businesses during the coronavirus in many states. Most credible professionals have adjusted their protocols when interacting with homeowners as well. Contact a professional that can recommend efficient whole-home solutions to help optimize your home’s water and energy resources. SEPTEMBER 2020

REAL ESTATE IN THE NAPA VALLEY

Dreamstime

Tenant debt, big tech and transplants

hat’s on my real estate radar these days? Here are a few trends I’m seeing: BACK RENT OWED CONVERTED TO CONSUMER DEBT California legislators just passed another bill allowing a residential tenant who owes unpaid rent from March 1 through Aug. 31 to convert it to consumer debt. Additionally, tenants will continue to receive protection from the inability to pay rent between Sept. 1 and Jan. BURT 31, provided POLSON they pay at least 25 percent of their cumulative rent due. Tenants also have the option of converting the remaining balance to consumer debt. Landlords would need to pursue the balance owed in small-claims court starting March 1, 2021. A moratorium on evictions based on non-payment of rent continues protecting tenants from evictions. The potential number of SEPTEMBER 2020

small claims court action next year resulting from this bill’s passing will be unmanageable. If and when a landlord receives a judgment in small claims court, collecting from a tenant is wrought with points of contention. Furthermore, a tenant may find their credit history and score ruined, resulting in their future inability to qualify for a rental home or any other matter. CANCEL YOUR LEASE AND PAY $89.5 MILLION LIKE PINTEREST Last year, Pinterest signed a lease for 490,000 square feet of space at a San Francisco office building still under construction. In reviewing their need for office space during COVID-19, the big tech company decided they did not need the space and would be better off paying the $89.5 million termination fee and keeping their existing San Francisco offices. Many technology companies, including Twitter, Inc., and Slack Technologies Inc., shut down for the last six months and pivoted to remote work. It has been embraced by

workers and management so much that many workers have migrated living in major cities. In an anonymous survey conducted by Blind, a social networking platform for professionals, found among 4,400 tech workers surveyed in the Bay Area, two-thirds would leave if they could work remotely. Several tech giants instituted permanent work-from-home policies with several such as Coinbase, Square, Google, and Facebook, creating a more semi-permanent policy with a wait-and-see mentality. CALIFORNIA TRANSPLANTS GETTING A REPUTATION Even when taking a pay cut, Bay Area workers in California find their income goes much further for housing outside the Bay Area. Lake Tahoe is seeing an uptick in transplants as well as Truckee, both in California. Sacramento and even Southern California are a hotbed of activity, with homes in the outlying areas still affordable. The Dallas-Fort Worth metro area in Texas is one of the top regions for California transplants.

Homebuilders and designers find that Californians desire outside living, with many going so far as to create expansive backyards and temperature-controlled patios with motorized retractable screens not normally seen by local Texans. Boise, Idaho, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and has earned the moniker as the best place for millennials. Since the pandemic, Idaho has seen the largest net gain in population than any other state. Housing is considerably more affordable in Boise with a median-priced home around $350,000—much less than in the Bay Area. With the Boise-Nampa metro area housing prices increasing the most than in any other region in the U.S., many longtime Idaho residents are priced out of the market. Burt M. Polson is the CEO of ACRESinfo.com, a commercial real estate brokerage company and CEO of StoneMarkerInvestments.com, a private equity real estate fund. Call him at (707) 254-8000 or email burt@acresinfo.com and burt@stonemarker investments.com. DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES | 29

NAPA YAJOME ST

YOUNT ST

VALLEJO ST

ST ST

SE M IN AR Y

CLINTON ST

SE CO N

Napa Valley Wine Train

PEARL ST

ST ST Napa Visitors Bureau

Napa Chamber of Commerce

CAYMUS ST

FIRST ST

FIRST ST China Point Park

ST SECOND ST

E S

TERRA FIRMA GLOBAL PARTNERS

1405 2nd St., Napa, CA (800) 681-1361

RIVERSIDE

OM CO

FOU

SIXTH ST

BR OW N

ND RA

PH OL

BURNELL ST

N C apa Libounty rar y

SOSCOL AVE

ST ON W IL S

THI

FIFTH ST

K OA

LIN NK A FR

Veterans Park

MAIN ST

DIV ISIO N

COOMBS ST

RTH ST

RANDOLPH ST

FOU

THIRD ST

FRANKLIN ST

EN EV

Terra Firma

SCHOOL ST

OA K

WATER ST

EIGHTH ST

BAILEY ST

JEF FE RS

W AR R ST CO LL EG E

LK ST

AR RO YO ST

McKINSTRY ST

FIR

MAIN ST

CL AY

CA LIS TO

BROWN ST

NAPA ST

RTH ST

J I L L L E VY

SELLING NAPA VALLEY

R E A L T O R

BEDS

BATHS

1/2 BA

$14,250,000 Napa

4230 Silverado Trail Fabulous newly constructed single level resort-like property with extraordinary vineyard and mountain views located in gated/private setting next to iconic Darioush Winery. Fully furnished five en suite bedrooms including attached guest quarters with separate kitchen and living area. Phenomenal floor plan designed with entertaining in mind offers spectacular 1500± sqft. great room with 30’ ceilings and retractable doors that open to covered loggia and outdoor entertaining area - including: infinity edge pool with swim up bar, over-sized hot tub, outdoor kitchen, pool house with outdoor kitchen and full bath, putting green, 8000± sqft. lawn, pickleball/basketball court, bocce, spacious astro turf lawn, and gorgeous grounds with over 85 olive and fruit trees. Great room offers gourmet kitchen including large center island with counter seating, informal dining, wet bar and spacious seating area with fireplace. Additional features: formal dining, 4000 bottle wine cellar, movie theatre, office, and billiards room.

BEDS

BATHS

1/2 BA

$9,300,000 Yountville

7040 Silverado Trail Eastern hills vineyard view estate in a private/gated setting. Europeaninspired main house with, retractable doors, and 1,285± sqft. of terracing and entertaining areas. This property also has a California adobe-style 2BD/1.5BAsecondhomewithkitchen.RockstarhillsideCabernetSauvignon vineyard currently sold to Handwritten with tasting room in Yountville.

BEDS

BATHS

$1,998,000 Napa

108 Randolph Street Historic, remodeled, contemporary 2BD/2BA single level home with an attached 1BD/1BA guest unit with full designer chef’s kitchen on one of the most desirable streets in downtown Napa. Perfect synergy of indoor/ outdoor living with glass doors opening to outdoor dining, living and garden areas. Private/gated setting on a large corner lot.

Jill Levy, REALTOR® Real Estate Agent Lic. #01230055 Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty 780 Trancas Street, Napa, CA 94558 Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty Top Producer - #1 Agent by volume, Wine Country 2019

707.479.9612 | J.Levy@ggsir.com NapaHomesAndEstates.com

Contemporary Home with Vineyard 4bd/5ba/6698’’ 12+ acre gated property minutes to downtown Napa with 7.8 acres Chardonnay and .09 acre Cabernet Sauvignon. Mark Lesti

707.320.8950

$7,200,000

Contemporary Getaway 4bd/4ba/3320’/10ac Private, tranquil, exclusive country get-away on Napa’s east side near famed Stagecoach Vineyards, with main house, guest house, Workshop, Swimming Pool, and a 5-acre vineyard-ready plot with an already approved erosion control plan. Mark Lesti

707.320.8950

Christine Lesti 707.320.8999 Lic#01854423

Beautiful B&B 7bd/8ba/4653’ This unique opportunity in Calistoga offers you a chance to be the Bed & Breakfast owner you’ve dreamed of in a region of unparalleled charm. Paul M. Everett

707.299.9949

Lic#01784430

Mark Lesti

707.320.8950

$2,995,000

$3,500,000

Silverado Contemporary 4bd/4ba/3337’ Gated Hilltop Home 3bd/3ba/3035’/.3ac Unique home full of striking details perched Beautiful home with stunning views of in the hills of Silverado Country Club. both Napa Valley and Mount Tam, located Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 in a private & gated hilltop community. Christine Lesti 707.320.8999

$2,249,000

$2,499,000

Mark Lesti 707.320.8950

N. 3rd Avenue Privacy 5bd/3ba/3547’/2.2ac So close to downtown Napa, yet worlds away with elbow room, spacious living, and a pool.

Hanan Kim 602.579.5927 Lic#01982155

Paul M. Everett 707.299.9949 Lic#02016753

Blair Johanson 707.227.9257 Mark Lesti 707.320.8950

Sarah Peyton 707.339.2163 Lic#01869521

$1,790,000

Ted Stumpf 707.246.9825 Lic#02020069

(707) 226-1823 | 1030 Third Street, Napa | TheLestiTeam.com WINDERMERE NAPA VALLEY PROPERTIES IS A MEMBER OF WHO’S WHO IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE AND OUR LISTINGS ARE FEATURED ON WWW.LUXURYREALESTATE.COM.

Big Ranch Lot

~ 1 acre

Level lot just north of Trancas with current RS-10 and RS-20 zoning.

Carneros Land 2.01 acres Two adjacent parcels sold together for your own design in the temperate Carneros AVA of Napa Valley.

Paul M. Everett

Mark Lesti

707.299.9949

Golf Course View Lot ~ 1 acre Elevated Lot looking back at the 5th Hole of famed Silverado Country Club North Golf Course. Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 Christine Lesti 707.320.8999

$875,000

707.320.8950

Silverado Cottage 1bd/1ba/739’ Ground-Level Condominium on the fairway in the Cottages at Silverado Country Club. Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 Christine Lesti 707.320.8999

$695,000

Old Napa Hidden Gem 3bd/2ba/1053’ Single-level home in the famed ABC streets close to Downtown Napa, perfect for first time homeowner or investor, as personal updates will make this home shine. Gary Prince

707.227.7282

$525,000

$725,000

Opportunity Knocks 3bd/1ba/855’ Looking for your first home or an investment opportunity in Napa? This home could be either or both!

Silverado Condo 1bd/1ba/676’ Ground-Level Condominium in the Clubhouse Units at Silverado Country Club.

Mark Lesti Ted Stumpf

Mark Lesti 707.320.8950 Christine Lesti 707.320.8999

707.320.8950 707.246.9825

$825,000

$499,500

$495,000

Panoramic Views 60 acres Striking Hilltop lot with panoramic views, just minutes to Lake Berryessa and 30 minutes to world-class restaurants and wineries in the beautiful Napa Valley. Gary Prince

707.227.7282

$299,000

Gary Prince 707.227.7282

Nick Valdivia 707.225.5810

Brendan Lesti 707.337.0659

Ashley Cloud 707.320.8040

Dean Castelli 707.694.8294

Lic#01735857

Lic#01980975

Lic#01855197

Lic#02112543

Lic#02113716

NAPA’S LOAN RANGER

Who approves

your home loan? R

egardless of the type of home loan you apply for, assuming you qualify, your file is ultimately reviewed and approved by your lender. I mean, that’s the goal, right? However, during this process there are multiple licensed professionals and automated systems that need to work together for this to all happen. That said, the question of who exactly signs off on your loan approval can be complicated to answer. Not to CHRIS mention, if you mix in a SALESE few surprises, it makes it even harder. One of the ways to answer this question is to start by mentioning the folks who do not unilaterally sign off on your loan approval, but who play essential roles in it. As an example, if you were purchasing a home, your Realtor is not signing off on your loan approval. Although, they are intimately involved with facilitating it because a strong and complete purchase agreement helps tremendously. Oh yeah, without the house and the contract for it, there is no need for a home loan. Another party who

doesn’t sign off on your loan approval is the escrow officer who manages your purchase transaction. Yet without a clean and clear title report on your property, your loan approval wouldn’t happen. In addition, the appraiser who is assigned by your lender to perform the appraisal on your home, contributes to your loan approval process if an appraisal is needed. If one isn’t needed, then an automated valuation system is used to determine acceptable value instead. So, either way, the appraisal process is vital to the success of your home loan, but still is not the unilateral approval source for it. If you are wondering who is left, how about the loan officer. Yes, the person who takes your loan application, runs your credit report, collects your financial documents and locks your rate. Obviously, a lot more is involved for what they do, like everyone else who is referenced above on this list of essential parties to your transaction. However, the loan officer does not approve your loan. The loan officer works to submit your file to the underwriter. The underwriter is a person who could be the closest to unilaterally approving your loan. Then

again, they are not able to exclusively do it either. After the underwriter reviews your file, they approve it, typically subject to conditions. Therefore, these conditions could be related to a variety of different things that are beyond the underwriter’s control and authority. This could lead to additional third parties involved such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or the investor who is targeted to fund the loan or buy the loan after funding. Sometimes your lender has control to override conditions in-house or sometimes it might require an additional approval signature from a different source. For instance, this could be many different things, perhaps a condo approval is needed, or your insurance needs to be adjusted. The weather also doesn’t approve your loan, but it sure does impact the approval process too. Chris Salese can be reached at chris@ delsurmortgage.com or 707-3634439. He is a licensed California mortgage lender (LO NMLS #254469 — CA-DBO #254469 Corp NMLS

Dreamstime

34 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

SEPTEMBER 2020

Find Your Place in Napa Valley 1299 DUHIG G RD, NAPA

43 BREMEN CT, NAPA Offered at $525,000 3 bed | 2 bath | 1,066 ± sf

PENDING

Offered at $1,700,000 10.17 ± ac

JUST LISTED

2678 MICHELLE CT, NAPA Offered at $375,000 1 bed | 1 bath | 780 ± sf

Julie Larsen Broker Associate DRE 01194150 707.260.4663 julie.larsen@compass.com

live.love.laugh

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01866771. All material presented herein is intended for informational

of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

JUST SOLD

2972 GERMAN ST ST, FAIR FAIRFIELD Sold for $1,005,000 4 bed | 2.5 bath | 3,110 ± sf

Getting Top Dollar starts with picking the right broker! areas. Whether buying or selling it requires a strategic plan that utilizes intellectual technology. For superior results, call Julie today. She s been getting it right for over 25 years! Thinking about moving out of the area or out of state? She can help with that too!

Julie Larsen Broker Associate DRE 01194150 707.260.4663 julie.larsen@compass.com

live.love.laugh

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01866771. All material presented herein is intended for informational

of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

Wine Country

real estate trends GERRETT SNEDAKER, CRB

eal estate sales remained very active in all Wine Country Markets in August on a year over year basis, however, they were typically below last month’s numbers. Some markets continued a surge in new sales for the month but most showed a slight drop on a month to month basis. It may be that we had our “Spring MarGERRETT SNEDAKER ket” through the May to Ju l y p e r i o d and now we are entering a slower “Summer” market for a time. We do usually get a boost in sales in the early Fall with sales dropping as we approach Thanksgiving. With COVID and fires, this is obviously not a normal year. Prices are up and inventory is down in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino Counties for the month. For the “COVID” period – March through August – we have caught up with 2019 sales volume and moved slightly ahead. We still have no Open Houses – showings are by appointment only with strict cleaning protocols between showings.

inventory in Napa County (187 properties) is priced at $1,000,000 or above. New sales (194) are 53% ahead of the pace of last year (127) and are 10% ahead of the 177 sales last month. There is a 1.5 months supply of inventory based on the current sales pace compared to a 3.9 months supply last year. The Days on Market for homes closing in Napa County is currently 76 days. For the purpose of our MLS (BAREIS) “Days on Market” represents the time from when the property is first listed in the MLS to the date the property goes into “pending” (all conditions removed) status. On average, it can take anywhere from 0 to 30 additional days for properties to close after going pending. The median price of the 169 homes closed in August in Napa County ($820,000) is 20% ahead of the median price of a year ago ($685,000). This is the first time that the median price for any month in Napa topped $800,000. Over the past four months, Napa County homes are selling at roughly 91% of original list price.

NAPA COUNTY LUXURY HOMES NAPA COUNTY If one takes the highest The inventory of homes quartile (25%) of available and condominiums available inventory as the “Luxury for sale in Napa County at Market”, the Luxury Marthe end of August (297) is ket begins at $3,500,000 39% below the inventory in Napa County at this in August 2019 (489) time. This is up from the and it is 15% below the $3,000,000 last month and inventory last month (351). $2,700,000 in June. The Sixty-three percent of the number of closings (60) of

38 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

in August 2020

Luxury Homes (sales price in excess of $3,500,000) in Napa County for the period 9/1/19 to 8/31/20 compared to 36 closings in the period 9/1/18 to 8/31/19. There are 73 luxury homes in inventory at the end of August 2020 compared to 80 at the end of August 2019. There were 13 new Luxury Home sales in August compared to 2 last year and 11 last month. This results in a 5.6 months supply of available Luxury Homes based on the current sales pace compared to a 1.5 months supply for the County as a whole. Days on market for the 7 luxury homes sales in August was 156 days. Over the past three months, Napa County Luxury Homes are selling at roughly 88% of original list price.

days. The median price of the homes that closed in the City of Napa in August was $825,000. This is 18% above the median price of the homes closed in August 2019 ($695,000). This, too, is the highest median price that we’ve seen for any month in the City of Napa.

UP VALLEY NAPA COUNTY The inventory of homes and condominiums for sale in the Up Valley Napa County market (Angwin, Calistoga, Deer Park, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena and Yountville) at the end of August (132) is 20% below the level of 165 in August 2019 and it is 5% below the inventory last month (139). There were 38 new sales this month compared to 17 a year ago and 33 last month. There is now a 3.5 months NAPA supply of inventory based Forty-eight percent of on the current sales pace. the inventory in Napa The Days on Market for County is in the City the 29 closings last month of Napa. There are 143 was 118 days. Approxiavailable homes and conmately 67% of the Luxury dominiums in inventory at Market inventory (price in the end of August in the excess of $3,500,000) in City of Napa. This is 46% below the supply at the end Napa County is in the Up of August 2019 (264) and it Valley Market (49 homes). is 23% below the inventory There were two luxury home (price in excess of at the end of last month (186). New sales (139) were $3,500,000) closing in the Up Valley Market last 54% ahead of the pace of August 2019 (90) and they month and there were 5 were 19% ahead of the pace new luxury home sales. of last month (117). There For more information, is a 1.0 months supply of please contact Gerrett Sneinventory based on the daker at 707-939-2009 or current sales pace. The Days on Market for the 113 gsned@winecountrygroup. com. closings last month was 64 SEPTEMBER 2020

Earn up to $2000

with the purchase of select, customizable Café appliance suites.

Brushed Copper

Brushed Bronze

Brushed Black

Brushed Stainless

Café’s Exclusive Finish, Matte White, with brushed copper hardware! Accessorize your kitchen like you do your outfits with 4 hardware options!

707-294-2559 333 3rd Street • Napa, CA 94559 www.PearsonsAppliance.com

Your next project Tips for jump-starting your home project safely BRANDPOINT While health and safety concerns remain top of mind for all Americans, many are also using this season and the extra time at home to get started on long-awaited home improvement projects. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to achieve your vision for your abode safely, with a little planning and know how, while practicing social distancing. Projects requiring a contractor If you want a great return on your investment that also allows you to maintain social distance from contracting professionals, focusing on your home’s exterior makes sense. When looking for a contractor, make sure to ask detailed questions about their process before you request an estimate. Questions to ask any company you contact: • What virtual sales tools do you use? • Can we have a virtual meeting to get started? • Are you open to a driveway/curbside meeting for viewing the house and looking at samples? • Will you and your employees wear protective gear, including masks, at my home? • How many people will need to be on site during the project? • What kind of access will your team need to my home’s interior? Companies with helpful, interactive virtual sales tools make it easier for you to envision your project, understand their products and make the best choices for your home. For example, HomePlay® from Royal® Building Products offers a fun, easy tool for 40 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

customers to use when planning their home improvements. Just go to HomePlayByRoyal. com, click “Start Designing,” and upload a photo of your home or choose the image of a house that most resembles yours. Then you can mix and match—choosing from a variety of styles of and colors of roofing, siding, window style and trim, doors and more. The tool allows you to see a complete image of how well all these features will work together to give your house the makeover you’ve always dreamed of. Exterior projects offering the biggest bang for the buck If you’re not quite ready for a total home makeover, you can choose from a number of individual products that can give your house an instant boost, adding to its curb appeal— and to your enjoyment of your home. Vinyl siding: Just like repainting an interior room, revamping your home’s siding transforms the entire appearance of the home, while also helping to protect the house and increase its value. High-quality, low-maintenance vinyl siding transforms the

look of your home’s exterior, and insulated siding improves your home’s energy efficiency. Column wraps: For a home with peeling or rotting columns, you can immediately improve the curb appeal of your house with new column PVC wraps, which fit right over the top of your existing columns. Build or renovate your deck: With all the time your family is spending at home right now, you may wish you had a beautiful deck to enjoy the outdoors—or that your existing deck was in better shape. Visualize the deck of your dreams from Zuri® Premium Decking at RoyalBuildingProducts.com/ DeckVisualizer. Choose from an array of colors when imagining your project—and picture yourself grilling or hanging out with the family in comfort. DIY projects If you’ve spent enough time at home during the past few months to notice all the little things that need improvement— and you’re itching to get started on a few yourself—visit RoyalBuildingProducts.com/ HomeIsEverything for lots of ideas, resources and handy step-by-step guides. You can find tips for easy weekend projects such as making your own board and batten shutters or PVC window boxes, to DIY room makeovers using shiplap or PVC trim moldings to add charm and visual interest. With these tips, you can make the most of this season by choosing a few household projects that will help you more fully appreciate that special place you call home. SEPTEMBER 2020

NAPA COUNTY’S LATEST HOME SALES* ADDRESS

RECORD DATE

SALE PRICE

BED BATH SQ FT YR BLT

American Canyon 14 BLACK DUCK CT 134 RIO DEL MAR 763 WESTPARK 91 DEERPARK LN 410 LUCINA ST 2371 ELLIOTT DR 600 MEADOW BAY DR 131 VIA BELLAGIO 36 TOSCANA DR

Single Family

6/22 7/13 7/14 7/9 7/7 7/13 7/8 7/13 7/15

$232,000 $410,000 $420,000 $422,000 $515,000 $529,000 $570,000 $572,000 $575,000

4 3 3 4 5 4 4 4 3

3 1 2 2 3 2 2 3 2

Calistoga 34 VIEW RD 1601 MYRTLE ST 1808 SCHOOL ST 1505 CENTENNIAL CIR 1581 CENTENNIAL CIR 1640 GREENWOOD AVE

2004 1954 1992 1999 1978 1988 2002 2002 2011

Single Family

7/9 7/2 7/13 7/15 7/6 7/2

$600,000 $729,000 $1,000,000 $1,110,000 $1,900,000 $3,625,000

7/7 7/2 7/2 7/15 7/10 7/10 7/2 7/2 7/9 7/9 7/15 7/13 7/13 7/15 7/2 7/9 7/8 7/2 7/10 7/2 7/2 7/9 7/24 7/7 7/8 7/10 7/7 8/25 7/15 7/10 7/7 7/2 7/14 7/15 7/15 7/2

$410,000 $455,000 $465,000 $519,000 $545,000 $561,000 $595,000 $605,000 $620,000 $630,000 $640,000 $643,000 $645,000 $655,000 $660,000 $675,000 $675,000 $676,000 $690,000 $695,000 $695,000 $720,000 $725,000 $729,000 $730,000 $780,000 $795,000 $795,000 $810,000 $815,000 $871,000 $875,000 $924,000 $950,000 $955,000 $1,050,000

2 3 2 3 3 4

1 2 2 2 2 8

1,432 1,747 1,484 2,161 2,400 5,766

2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3

1,169 1,100 765 1,475 1,160 1,060 1,202 1,186 1,500 1,425 1,231 1,266 1,622 1,382 1,952 1,638 1,132 1,468 846 1,765 1,462 1,999 1,572 1,885 2,297 1,919 2,167 2,115 1,598 1,348 2,118 2,395 2,357 2,131 2,823 3,431

Napa 1938 THIRD ST 3564 JEFFERSON ST 117 DE WITT AVE 2284 JANETTE DR 1415 HEMLOCK ST 1181 LONDON WAY 1501 SHERIDAN DR 4473 SUMMERFIELD DR 1565 MOSSWOOD DR 3 HELMAN CT 1908 VALENCIA ST 2785 LAUREL ST 2366 NYLA DR 1871 YELLOWSTONE ST 4299 LORAC CT 2901 VICTORIA CT 1441 SYCAMORE ST 3955 BRIARWOOD ST 1316 SEMINARY ST 630 CUNARD DR 221 E SPRING ST 2363 STONEHOUSE DR 2735 BEECHAM ST 35 DICKERSON LN 2447 ALLEGHENY DR 2575 HARVEST LN 3486 ARGYLE ST 53 WINE PRESS WAY 1028 SUMMIT AVE 230 S HARTSON ST 1117 MOUNTAIN VIEW CIR 1 EMPEROR CT 1 ABBEY CT 3316 BRITTANY CIR 4290 KINGSFORD DR 32 BURNING TREE CT

2,877 987 1,284 1,344 2,086 1,477 1,838 2,126 1,841

1951 1940 1969 1989 1966 2004

Single Family

3 2 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 2 3 2 4 3 4 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 4 4 5 3

1930 1958 1941 1953 1952 1954 1965 1973 1970 1995 1973 1950 1958 1962 1964 1984 1939 1968 1899 1971 1952 1980 1979 1990 1991 1991 1971 1998 1950 1940 1975 1996 1990 1989 2002 1980

ADDRESS

RECORD DATE

SALE PRICE

BED BATH SQ FT YR BLT

2731 LAUREL ST

7/14

$1,050,000

2,019

1923

637 MONTECITO BLVD

7/10

$1,200,000

1,976

1961

3375 BROWNS VALLEY RD

7/13

$1,345,000

3,151

2002

1125 CASTLE OAKS DR

7/13

$1,600,000

3,350

1999

3549 LOWREY CT

7/13

$1,800,000

2,469

1978

St Helena

Single Family

1434 STOCKTON ST

7/8

$750,000

772

1942

1581 KENNEDY CT

7/2

$804,500

1,196

1971

2021 OLIVE AVE

7/15

$1,100,000

1,554

1962

1171 STARR AVE

7/14

$1,425,000

2,759

1997

708 HUNT AVE

7/10

$1,675,000

2,408

2000

1550 SULPHUR SPRINGS AVE

7/15

$3,400,000

2,438

1950

Yountville

Single Family

1891 LARKSPUR ST

7/15

$1,125,000

1,694

15 STAGS VIEW LN

7/10

$1,586,000

2,199

Napa

1973 1999 Condos

19 VILLAGE PKWY

7/7

$350,000

976

1985

34 BELVEDERE CT

7/8

$437,500

1,103

1972

2030 POLLEY DR

7/10

$474,000

1,232

1982

2764 ELKS WAY

7/9

$520,000

1,407

1988

2616 HIDDEN VALLEY LN

7/7

$530,000

1,492

1979

9 VALLEY WEST CIR

7/7

$614,000

1,734

1988

7/6

$655,000

903

2009

7/10

$1,265,000

2,056

1968

588 MAIN ST #208 141 MILLIKEN CREEK DR

Angwin

Rural Residential

610 N WHITE COTTAGE RD

7/2

$1,130,000

Berryessa

2,011

1958

Rural Residential

1139 HEADLANDS DR

7/2

$55,000

Calistoga

1,659

2004

Rural Residential

551 DEER PARK RD

7/7

$825,000

1,684

1965

400 GLASS MOUNTAIN RD

7/6

$1,000,000

1,910

1999

Napa

Rural Residential

2138 FIRST AVE

7/13

$1,045,000

2,775

1990

3003 DEVITA DR

7/13

$1,550,000

2,646

2002

5075 BIG RANCH RD

7/8

$2,500,000

1,394

1951

2135 HOFFMAN LN

7/2

$12,000,000

7,300

2015

Pope, Chiles, Wooden Valleys

Rural Residential

260 LARIAT ST

7/8

$247,000

1,712

2003

4721 MONTICELLO RD

7/2

$785,000

1,904

1958

Southern County/Carneros 1916 MILTON RD

Rural Residential

7/9

$850,000

1,659

1962

Pick the

one that’s right for you BRANDPOINT

4 options for an ideal outdoor space f you dream of the perfect outdoor living space for relaxing with a good book in the shade, entertaining family in your outdoor kitchen, playing with the kids in the sunshine—or just breathing in the sights and sounds of nature in your own personal oasis—here are some tips to help kickstart the planning process when the time is right for you. Modern landscaping and hardscaping offer limitless possibilities, so you can find the right solution to complement the way you live and your personal tastes. Whether you want a stylish lounge area for entertaining, a green-filled hideaway for connecting with nature, or a clean, minimal space for family fun and games, you can make it happen using a combination of pavers, walls, fire pits or even full outdoor kitchens. Channel your imagination, with a little pro advice, to help you create an outdoor space that is perfect for your family, budget and home. One great resource is Collections by Belgard, which offers outdoor designers, contractors and homeowners a way to virtually re-imagine their outdoor space by pairing the right textures and colors to match the home’s style—as well as the homeowner’s vision. First, spend a little time with your dream, nailing down what type of outdoor space you really want. What do you most want to do in your outdoor space, and what style best expresses your vision and personality?

RELAXED ENTERTAINING CENTER Maybe your dream sanctuary is a cozy fire pit surrounded by lounge seating to create a 42 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

comfortable outdoor living room family and guests can enjoy day or night. Or perhaps you want to dazzle guests with your culinary skills at a complete outdoor kitchen—including fun extras like a smoker, wine cooler or brick pizza oven. Plan the exact features you want before choosing the style, and you can make your dreams come true. COZY NATURAL RETREAT Create a space for unwinding from the week’s stresses. Could you arrange a trellis or pergola bursting with plants and flowers to set your retreat apart from the rest of the yard? You could install relaxing hammocks or a serene fountain to complete your oasis. Then choose hardscaping elements to work hand in hand with your favorite natural elements. For example, Belgard’s Natural Collection provides hardscaping with the look of slates and worn stone that can set the tone for your special hideaway. EYE-CATCHING EXTENSION OF YOUR LIVING SPACE Whatever plans you have for hardscapes, furnishings, appliances and more, consider the overall ambiance you want to create. Consider not only the natural environment, but what style best complements your home’s aesthetic. Want a more aged, rustic appearance to

suit your traditional s t y l e home? The antique, tumbled look of features from the Heritage Collection combined with elements from the Natural Collection may suit that style. FOCUS ON FAMILY FUN Maybe your dream is to add outdoor recreation areas for you and your family. Consider making space for giant stacking blocks, life-size checkers or chess, cornhole or ring toss. How about a mini hedge maze or paver labyrinth? Then use the existing feel of your home’s exterior as the basis for your stylistic direction. You could go for a traditional, oldworld aesthetic or combine traditional items with the more modern-looking Metropolitan Collection to add warmth to your contemporary space. Homeowners and outdoor designers can work together to mix and match a variety of textures, colors and styles to create an outdoor space that suits any landscape—creating an extension of your home to make all your summer dreams come true. SEPTEMBER 2020

CAN I AFFORD A NEW HOME? Calculate your Mortgage NapaValleyRegister.com/homes

BRANDPOINT

uying a home is exciting. Once you purchase a property, you want to make it your own. Whether it’s a 100-yearold beauty or a fresh new build, there are improvements you can make that not only personalize the space, but add instant value to your real estate investment. PROJECT 1: UPDATE THE GARAGE DOOR Garage doors take up a lot of visual real estate on the exterior of a home, meaning they dramatically boost curb appeal. Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression, bland designs, old styles and damaged doors detract from a home’s appearance and overall value. Updating a garage door has a midrange cost but an impressive ROI. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2020 Cost vs. Value report, the average national job cost of a garage door replacement is $3,695, with an impressive 94.5% cost recouped at resale. When choosing a garage door, select one you like that matches the home’s design. For example, carriage-house garage doors have a rustic look that work well with American Craftsman style homes. Contemporary garage doors with clean lines work well with mid-century modern homes. Raised panel garage doors are popular and work with many types of homes. PROJECT 2: ADD A BATHROOM Wish you could add a bathroom where no conventional plumbing exists in your home? Basements, attics, garages and unfinished spaces are tricky, but there is one way to add a bathroom without busting through concrete or sacrificing the structural integrity of a home: abovefloor plumbing such as macerating toilets and drain pumps from Saniflo. This was the case for David Pirain of NextHome PPM Realty, who wanted to add a half 44 | DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

DIY PROJECTS that will instantly improve

your home’s value

bath to a home he was flipping in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The primary challenge: Sewage access was above grade and 40 feet away from the basement, which is situated about six feet below the sewer line. Installing conventional plumbing was impossible without installing a large sewage ejector system that would require breaking concrete to dig a pit to hold the system, which he estimated would cost $9,000. He decided above-floor plumbing options would be an effective alternative at a much lower cost. He spent $1,100 and now estimates that adding a basement bathroom increased the value of the home by $20,000. Learn more about adding a bathroom anywhere you want without the traditional cost at go.saniflo.com

PROJECT 3: REVITALIZE CEILINGS Dingy, cracked ceilings are eyesores that date a property and can make it look older than it is. By updating your ceiling, you not only improve the appearance, but you also increase the home’s overall value. If there are chips and cracks, it’s important to repair these issues before applying any paint. Once repaired, vacuum cobwebs and remove dust to ensure that fresh coat of ceiling paint adheres properly. Don’t like the style of ceiling you have? Many homeowners are opting to replace popcorn texture ceilings with flat or knock-down styles. While a ceiling is a personal preference, updating it to a more modern option may command a higher

Brandpoint

price at resale. If the ceiling has never been painted, you may be able to remove the popcorn texture yourself; otherwise, hiring a professional should get the job done quickly. Keep in mind, popcorn textures and other ceilings applied before 1979 may have asbestos, so you’ll want to get it tested before removal. ENHANCE THE VALUE AND ENJOY THE RESULTS As you look at different properties, you imagine yourself in each house, enjoying the space and making memories. Even when you find “the one,” there are things you want to update. By making these improvements, you will personalize the space, instantly enhance the value and have a property you enjoy. SEPTEMBER 2020

DISTINCTIVE ®

PROPERTIES Find us on Facebook

Facebook.com/DistinctivePropertiesNapaValley LIKE US AND STAY UP TO DATE Premier Napa Valley listings • Latest real estate news Interior design concepts • Remodeling ideas Housing trends • Wine Country events

Want to live in the Napa Valley?

Find your perfect home at NapaValleyRegister.com/homes

No Power No Problem

Warm up your living space with Radiant Gas Fireplaces from Valor

3181 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa • 707-526-3322 www.onfiresantarosa.com

LIVE WINE COUNTRY

BEDS

BATHS

1/2 BA

$1,425,000 Napa

199 Kaanapali Drive Live on one of Silverado's most popular streets along the 11th fairway of the south course with golf cart/pedestrian access to all amenities. Beautifully remodeled single level home on a pristine creekside lot.

$349,500

0.33±

Napa

ACRES

540 Westgate Drive Opportunity to build your own custom home within the world-renowned Silverado Resort & Country Club residential community. Dramatic views of Napa Valley and two championship golf courses for your new home.

Gary Rose, REALTOR® Real Estate Agent | Lic. #00940226 Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty 707.529.5174 | G.Rose@ggsir.com GaryRose.GoldenGateSIR.com

BEDS

BATHS

$1,695,000 Napa

3497 Soda Canyon Road Mediterranean-inspired single level home with over 2,596± sqft. of living space on 10± acres. Intimate courtyard, native rock outcroppings, expansive lawn and pasture area truly enhance all that this property can offer.

BEDS

BATHS

1/2 BA

$625,000 Napa

415 Coombs Street 1900's gem with careful craftsmanship and period details. Two upstairs bedrooms with generous sized bath, marble tile, pedestal sink, and separate bathtub and shower. Small office space and shaded back yard with deck.

Brian Gross, REALTOR® Real Estate Agent | Lic. #01908361 Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty 707.337.3689 | Brian.Gross@ggsir.com BrianGross.GoldenGateSIR.com

Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty Top Producers - Wine Country 2019 Real Trends, The Thousands - Top one-half percent of the nation’s real estate professionals for teams by volume, California 2019

Distinctive Properties, Premiere Napa Valley Real Estate: September 2020

Articles inside

Chris D. Craiker: Improving home ventilation

Four options for an ideal outdoor space

Burt Polson’s Real Estate in the Napa Valley On the radar: tenant debt, big tech and California transplants

Tips for jump-starting your next home project—safely

Wine Country real estate trends in August 2020

How a smart home can help you save money

An accidental artist: Napa man’s woodworking hobby evolves in unexpected ways