Space is always a consideration when looking to buy a home, right after setting a budget. A house is a long-term investment, so many homebuyers have to sit down and talk future plans – are kids in the picture? Will kids ever be? Will older family members be moving in? Hosting parties, family reunions, or even the opposite; downsizing and going minimalist because they don’t want to bother with any of these future considerations.
Sonoma County has real estate the runs the gamut, from tiny homes to sprawling estates, so chances are good the right size house will be on the market.
If you’re looking for a home, and square footage is high on your list, you’ll have noticed that the two choices you’re usually faced with is either a sprawling single story home, or a two story suburban homestead.
But there’s a third option – instead of going out, you can keep going up. though harder to find in this area, 3 story houses are a thing, and the architecture used in making them is really, really neat. While 3 story homes aren’t uncommon in cities and more urban areas, but the terrain in Sonoma County tends to lend itself to homes that are more spread out, making a taller house that much more impressive when it’s found.
The only caveat is that they’re a bit more expensive than even the median price range, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a look. If you want to see the (admittedly few) 3 story homes listed now, scroll through the gallery…
Five 3 Story Homes For Sale in Sonoma County
751 White Gates Ave, Healdsburg - $799,000.
4 beds, 3 baths, 2,400 square feet. Year built: 1980.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of RE/MAX Full Spectrum)
From the street, this home is shrouded by the trees around it. It could be just as easily regarded as a tall two story, but look a bit closer and you can see that extra story reaching upwards. It's really kinda cool, click to check out the rear of the house...
Rear of house. (Photo courtesy of RE/MAX Full Spectrum)
From the rear deck of the house, the three stories are clear. From here it looks like a really tall cabin. But tall houses mean stairs; the more stories, the more stairways. Scroll to see what you'd need to climb just to get to the house...
Outside stairs. (Photo courtesy of RE/MAX Full Spectrum)
These are just the stairs to get up to the entrance of this home. Just think, after this trek, you still have the stairs inside. Click to see the next home...
3550 Happy Valley Rd, Santa Rosa - $1,350,000
4 beds 3 baths 3,051 square feet. Year built: 1977.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates)
So, this house isn't going to help with cutting back on the stairs you'll need to climb - in fact, it's a multi-level home so the steps are multiplied. But, once you see what's waiting for you inside, it's all worth it. Scroll to see what I mean...
Movie room. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates)
This house has four bedrooms, but it also has a few other rooms or free time - like this movie room. A film buff would happily opt in to the leg workout to make it to this comfortable cinema. Click to view one more special room...
Closet. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates)
You can say it's not a room, per se, but I'd walk all the way up to the top if it meant I had a closet as roomy as this one. Scroll to get back to a 3 story house...
904 Birkdale Ct, Windsor - $1,690,000.
3 beds, 3 baths, 4,400 square feet. Year built: 1993
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens Mason Mcduffie Real Estate)
Though it was built in 1993, this Victorian style home is true to the era. The listing states that the 3rd floor is unfinished, so this could be a homebuyers chance to make it their own. Click to see another unexpected part of this house...
Movie room. (Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens Mason Mcduffie Real Estate)
This house also has a movie room like the one we saw earlier, but the areas on the the side with the Shrek and rabbit characters give this a decidedly kid-friendly feel. Scroll to check out the dining room...
Dining room. (Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens Mason Mcduffie Real Estate)
Still keeping with the period is this formal dining room. The antique buffet and table are nice touches. Click to see the next property...
19639 Redwood Dr, Monte Rio - $975,000.
3 beds 4 baths 2,000 square feet. Year built: 1967
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Artisan Sotheby's International)
This Monte Rio home looks as roomy as it is tall. Besides the unique architecture, the setting is worth the price. First, scroll through to see what I mean about the architecture...
Living room. (Photo courtesy of Artisan Sotheby's International)
The living room takes up two stories on its own. Click to see how this works...
Living room. (Photo courtesy of Artisan Sotheby's International)
There was so much space that the living room gets its own loft. But this may not convince you that it's worth the asking price. Scroll to check out the view...
View. (Photo courtesy of Artisan Sotheby's International)
When you're this close to the Russian River, you'll never have a bad morning. Just walk out on the deck with your coffee and enjoy the fresh woodsy air and the water flowing by. It's been a short visit, but click to view the last house on the list...
26806 Oak Knoll Ter, Cloverdale - $1,500,000.
3 beds 4 baths 3,236 square feet. Year built: 1967
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Remax Full Spectrum)
Last, but definitely not least, is this stunning home in Cloverdale. Because it's on a slope, it hides the fact that it's a 3 story. It's even more sneaky when seen from the front. Scroll to see what I'm talking about...
Driveway. (Photo courtesy of Remax Full Spectrum)
When you approach the front on the driveway, it looks like a charming single-story house. When you take a closer look at where the land starts to veer downwards at the side, you can tell it's on the side of the hill. Click to see the last view...
Living room. (Photo courtesy of Remax Full Spectrum)
This living room shows not only how much bigger the space an extra story brings, but how it lends itself to custom additions like these windows.
