The current median price for homes in Sonoma County is $561,200. Earlier this year, whenever I searched for median priced homes, they were either fixer-uppers or condominiums. Now, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this current batch of homes is mostly turnkey.

Narrowing my parameters to 500 – 561,000, the number of homes available was small, but they all appear well maintained and, in some cases, extensively updated. While the prices don’t appear to be dropping soon, it’s a refreshing change to see that this batch of median priced homes don’t need an extra 100k in improvements.

Here’s what’s on the market:

516 Middle Rincon Road, Santa Rosa – $524,900
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,180 square feet. Built in 1952.

This one story home won’t have any problem with the summer heat, but raking leaves in the winter may keep the homeowner busy.

 

This house was built in 1952, but has been updated to reflect a more contemporary aesthetic. New hardwood floors, all new appliances and custom cabinets make a big difference.

 

2347 Donna Maria Way, Santa Rosa – $529,950
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,240 square feet. Built in 1977.

The listing for this 1970’s home talks about the extensive remodeling that’s happened inside. From the exterior, it appears like most tract homes, so I’m expecting big things…

 

True granite countertops and new wood flooring is a great start, but what immediately caught my eye was the flush-mount refrigerator. This is not an inexpensive upgrade, and considerably improves the amount of the usable space in the kitchen.

 

438 Oak Lake Avenue, Santa Rosa – $559,000
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,400 square feet. Built in 1965.

This home is located in the Rincon Valley area of Santa Rosa, so if you’re looking for a home based on school districts, this may be a good bet.

 

I saw the pool and that’s it – I believe them when they mention slab granite counter tops, but I’d spend all my time out here.

 

2256 Meyers Drive, Santa Rosa – $554,950
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,636 square feet. Built in 1953.

This house looks cute and tiny, but with other 1,600 square feet of interior space is anything but that. Built in 1953, it still retains that 50’s charm on the exterior.

 

However, the interior looks nothing like a 1950’s home. The recessed lighting and open floor plan are all modern touches. It turns out that the bathrooms and kitchen are updated as well, making this home another turnkey opportunity.

 

1904 Camino Del Prado None, Santa Rosa – $515,000
3 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 1,550 square feet. Built in 1990.

This 2 story house is one of the newer ones on the market. Built in 1990, it’s just shy of 30 years old, and doesn’t appear to be showing it’s age.

 

Though structurally sound and spacious, it appears that some elbow grease will be needed to clear and clean the fireplace, repaint the interior, as well as update the kitchen (which still has the original tile work).

 

3723 Greencrest Drive, Santa Rosa – $545,000
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,578 square feet. Built in 1965.

As with the earlier 1953 home, this one looks unassuming and set back from the street, but it all changes when you see the interior.

 

Custom built shelving, wood floors, and interior glass panel doors make this home look brand new.

 

I had to add an extra photo just to show off this wonderfully renovated kitchen.  At around 1,500 square feet, it’s not the largest house on this list but these updates make it feel enormous.

 

1682 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa – $529,000
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,120 square feet. Built in 1977.

While needing a bit more updating than most of the others we’ve seen so far, a homebuyer who values privacy and a bit more seclusion would find it here.

 

There’s plenty of yard space for gardening, if a homebuyer wanted to grow their own vegetables, and there are already two well-built sheds out back. In term of interior renovations, I would suggest a very thorough walkthrough and inspection.

 

520 Natalino Court, Santa Rosa – $550,000 
5 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,922 square feet. Built in 1977.

Finding a home with solar already installed is a big deal; especially of you know what the initial installation cost can be. Because there’s room to house an extended family, the solar panels are a keeper.

 

Being that we’re still in a drought, I’m disinclined to make any disparaging remarks about the backyard except to say that if someone doesn’t mind starting with a clean slate, there’s a lot of possibilities here.