While the more ‘metropolitan’ area of Sonoma County (Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Healdsburg) are demanding high median housing prices – $600,000+ – there are still towns in the area that aren’t so expensive. One of my favorites, both for the rustic architecture found there and the wooded views – is Forestville.
The listings are plentiful, and many of them are far below the median high of $639,000 that Sonoma County reached in March this year. The current median in Forestville is $470,000, and the homes available in that price range aren’t bad at all.
When a potential homebuyer tries to zero in on where they want to live, they usually focus in on the county first and then consider they city choices. Because Forestville is such a small town, first-time homebuyers may skip right over it. The biggest problem with that is that they may be missing some truly unique and well-renovated bungalows, cabins, and cottages. If a place in the woods is on your potential home buying list, take a scroll through the gallery above to see 8 of the newest listings well within Forestville’s current $470,000 median price…
8 Homes Around $470,000 Median Price In Forestville
Exterior of home. (Photo courtesy of RE/MAX Pros)
10372 Woodside Dr, Forestville, CA 95436 - $539,000
2 beds, 2 baths, 1,342 square feet. Year built: 1982.
This 1982 home may have only 2 bedrooms, but at 1,342 square feet there's room for plenty. The generous use of oversized windows helps create an almost seamless indoor/outdoor living space. Click to see more...
Outside dining area. (Photo courtesy of RE/MAX Pros)
Speaking of indoor/outdoor living...this outdoor dining area looks like a good area to entertain on a balmy summer evening. Scroll to see the next property...
Exterior of home. (Photo courtesy Zephyr Real Estate-Russian River)
8152 Grape Ave, Forestville, CA 95436
1 bed, 1 bath, 735 square feet. Year built: 1932.
This small rustic home does its best to blend into the surroundings. If you were looking for a woodsy hideaway, here it is. Click to see the living room...
Living room. (Photo courtesy Zephyr Real Estate-Russian River)
Though the house is small at 735 square feet, this open living room helps make it seem far more spacious. Scroll to see the next forest home...
Exterior of home. (Photo courtesy of Gilson Real Estate)
10878 River Dr, Forestville - $539,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,085 square feet. Year built: 1962.
Nudging the median price up just a bit is this 1960s house. It's hard to see from behind the fence (which seems redundant since the home is already surrounded by wood), but it's a raised home on a large lot that also has a legal granny unit in the yard. Click to see the yard...
Yard. (Photo courtesy of Gilson Real Estate)
The granny unit is on the opposite side of the yard, and from this angle you can see that even if you had renters in the unit, there's plenty of yard for everyone. Click to see the next property...
Exterior of home. (Photo courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway)
11731 Madrona Rd, Forestville - $325,000
1 bed, 1 bath, 681 square feet. Year built: 1913.
This 681 square foot cabin looks bigger than it is because of how it's situated up on a hillside. Most likely built as a vacation home in 1913, it's been well maintained. Scroll to see the kitchen...
Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway)
This kitchen has been professionally upgraded, with the black and white tile being a nice vintage-style touch. Click to see the the priciest house on the list...
Exterior of home. (Photo courtesy of CENTURY 21 Alliance)
9357 Champs De Elysees, Forestville - $649,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,715 square feet. Year built: 1992.
I ventured outside of the median price for this house because the interior is so striking. Scroll to see what I mean...
Interior. (Photo courtesy of CENTURY 21 Alliance)
This open-plan, modern looking interior could just as easily be something you'd see in a city loft, instead of out in the woods. This renovated interior almost makes the higher price seem worth it. Click to see another house...
Exterior of home. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
9210 Rio Vista Rd, Forestville - $419,000
2 beds, 1 bath, 660 square feet. Year built: 1950.
Heading back to below median value, this 1950s bungalowin the woods is minutes away from two river beaches and local wineries. It's been remodeled throughout, so if you lived here,it would feel like vacation all year round. Scroll to peek into the kitchen...
Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
This updated kitchen comes complete with granite counter tops and a marble back splash. No one could say you're roughing it out in the woods. Click to see the next property...
Exterior of home. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
10177 Field Ln, Forestville - $429,000
2 beds, 2 baths, 1,065 square feet. Year built: 1950.
This 1950s bungalow looks a bit suspect from the outside, but just like people, it's what's inside that counts. Not just that, but the views add an extra something to entertaining outdoors. Scroll to see what I mean...
Deck. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
(Ignoring the power cable) When entertaining guests or dining al fresco, the view of the surrounding redwoods would make any homeowner feel as though they're getting away from the everyday. But there's one more Forestville property on the list, click to check it out...
Exterior of home. (Photo courtesy of Samson Group)
11563 Summerhome Park Rd, Forestville - $467,500
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,080 square feet. Year built: 1930.
Looking for all the world like the counselor's cabin at every campground I've been to, ever, this renovated '30s cabin is a nature-lovers dream come true. Not only that, but the refurbished interior looks more high-end than hokey. Scroll to check it out...
Living room. (Photo courtesy of Samson Group)
Huge picture windows,new floors, and an updated interior: once you step through the door all thoughts of a campground are gone. Forestville may not be on a lot of lists when considering a new home in Sonoma County, but there are quite a few hidden gems.
