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1197 E Washington St, Petaluma - $1,100,000
5 beds, 2 baths, 3,435 square feet. Distance to SMART Train station: 0.7 mile.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Century 21 Bundesen)
If you work in Santa Rosa, but would rather live in Petaluma; or if you currently live somewhere else but want to use the SMART Train for your commute, this house is a tempting choice. Less than a mile from a SMART Train station, walking or riding your bike are both equally good choices. But...there's something else special about this home. Scroll to find out what it is...
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Plaque. (Photo courtesy of Century 21 Bundesen)
Besides the inherent coolness factor to being able to say you live in a historic home, there are generally a few benefits regarding taxes and assistance with preservation. However, there are restrictions as well - if you're looking for a home you want to modify or update to something more modern looking, this isn't the place for you, no matter how easy it will make your commute. Click to see one last picture...
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Entryway. (Photo courtesy of Century 21 Bundesen)
This home wins all my 'yes' votes. The woodwork, windows, coffered ceilings...oh, and the SMART Train station close by, definitely. But just look at that staircase. Scroll to see the next property...
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516 Anson Ct, Rohnert Park - $479,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,200 square feet. Distance to SMART Train station: 0.4 mile.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Century 21 NorthBay Alliance)
This 1960s home has plenty going for it; it's located in a cul-de-sac, has an over 10,000 square foot lot, room for RV parking, and is less than half a mile to the nearest SMART Train station. Click to check out the kitchen...
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Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Century 21 NorthBay Alliance)
The kitchen isn't upgraded with anything fancy, but it gets the job done. While it may not be updated, it has been very well maintained, so it can be left as is or you can add your own custom upgrades. Scroll to see the backyard...
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Backyard. (Photo courtesy of Century 21 NorthBay Alliance)
Though the interior is roomy, the backyard is a great setting for all summer get-togethers. With lowered stress levels from not sitting in traffic, the homeowner may actually be relaxed enough to throw a barbecue (or two). Click to see another property on Rohnert Park...
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7998 Santa Barbara Dr, Rohnert Park - $499,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,366 square feet. Distance to SMART Train station: 1.1 miles.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of W Real Estate)
This Rohnert Park home is set up for the homebuyer who wants to be as self-sufficient as possible. The yard is a mix of drought-resistant landscaping and vegetable beds, and it's located close to the train station, shopping, and other forms of public transportation. The roof looks ready for solar if someone feels like taking their home upgrades to the next level. Scroll to get a closer look at the garden...
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Garden. (Photo courtesy of W Real Estate)
Despite the tanbark and otherwise dry landscaping, the vegetable beds are flourishing with green, healthy plants. If you like using plants you've grown yourself when cooking, this is a good start. Click to see the backyard...
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Backyard. (Photo courtesy of W Real Estate)
The backyard is less landscaped, but with the train station 1.1 miles away, it looks like the place to store your bicycle to ride to catch the train. A mile is walkable, but it will take much less time if you hop on two wheels. Not feeling Rohnert Park? Scroll to see a property in Santa Rosa...
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421 Florence St, Santa Rosa - $525,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,804 square feet. Distance to SMART Train station: 0.7 mile.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
Here's a 3 bedroom house with plenty of room for the whole family, and at only .7 miles from the SMART Train station, the entire family can walk there together as well. Click to check out the kitchen...
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Living room. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
The house may have been built in the 1980s, but this kitchen has been updated so that it looks nothing less than modern. It looks like a great space to entertain...maybe if you had commute buddies from the train who'd enjoy stopping in for dinner once in awhile. Scroll to see the backyard...
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Of course, with a drought resistant front yard, vegetable garden, and well-planned interior, it's clear you prefer things to flow with no problem. Astroturf over natural grass just makes sense. Click to head back to Rohnert Park...
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7971 Beverly Dr, Rohnert Park - $499,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,200 square feet. Distance to SMART Train station: 1.1 miles.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of W Real Estate)
Just when I thought I was caught up, I find late on Sunday night that this home is pending sale, as well. As everything's fair in love and housing until escrow closes, so we can look at this 'house that could have been.' It was built in 1971, but it looks far more modern because of the upgrades. Scroll to see the upgrades...
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Exterior. (Photo courtesy of W Real Estate)
New flooring, new countertops, new appliances - a new home owner wouldn't have anything they'd need to put money towards if they're happy with how it looks. New train, new house. Click to see the backyard...
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Backyard. (Photo courtesy of W Real Estate)
An effective way to quickly transform a neglected or unplanned yard is to clear everything out, add a layer of bark, and build from there. It needs little maintenance as you build the yard, and makes the yard look as though it's been carefully planned, no matter how simple. Scroll to head to the next property...
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413 Bosley St LOT 415, Santa Rosa - $795,000
2 beds, 1 bath, 1,150 square feet. Distance to SMART Train station: 1.1 miles.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of W Real Estate)
This house is a 'unique' property - it has a fully permitted ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit, or guest cottage) in the back. This means you can use the unit as a rental to help with the cost of weekly train trips. Click to see the unit...
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Guest unit. (Photo courtesy of W Real Estate)
When you do decide to use your car, the unit is complete with a garage(s). One for you, one for you tenant. It can also be used for storage, but that usually leads to a whole other set of worries - best to use it for cars and/or bicycles. Scroll to see where you'd relax on the weekends...
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Back deck. (Photo courtesy of W Real Estate)
Though the rental unit takes up what may have once been a sizable yard, a part has been set aside for a backyard patio - complete with fire pit for those chilly evenings. It is a tight fit, however, being that it looks directly at the guest unit. It would be best to be very selective about tenants.