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1828 Leonard Ave, Santa Rosa - $450,000
3 beds, 1 bath, 1,102 square feet. Year built: 1951.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Union International)
Besides the price, this home's been in one family since it was built, and...is within walking distance to Montgomery Village. This also means that it's really close to Spring Lake, Howarth Park, and Annadel State Park - talk about a prime location. Not sure yet? Click to check out the kitchen...
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Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Union International)
Not everyone is into the retro look, but this kitchen isn't a look,or a designers vision of a vintage kitchen from the 1950s - this is the read deal, time-capsule, original set up. I'm hooked. I really hope the next homeowner takes pains to maintain it as-is. Scroll to check out the next property...
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21891 Monte Vista Ter, Monte Rio - $229,000
2 beds, 1 bath, 900 square feet. Year built: 1977.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
This rustic looking house is actually a mobile home, which can cause some people to shy away because they immediately assume it's located in a mobile home park (space rent). But this merely refers to this structure, on a plot of land, that the homeowner has room to improve on. That being said, what often gets overlooked is that fact that mobile/modular homes are strong. They're built to withstand being transported - partially built - by truck. No rainy storm will bring you down out here. If you're still holding back because of the rustic interior, click to go inside...
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Interior. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties)
The outside isn't what matters for this home; the interior is modern, updated, and well taken care of. Those that enjoy taking a wooded hike know that Monte Rio offers a whole lot of them. Scroll to see the next property
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1729 Ensenada Ct, Santa Rosa - $479,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,320 square feet. Year built: 1965.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker Residential Br)
This 1960s home looks original- the exterior's been well maintained, but not updated. But, as we saw with the house in Monte Rio, it's what's inside that counts. Click to check it out...
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Interior. (Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker Residential Br)
The interior showcases an updated wood floor, along with a serious television set up. What we don't see from here is the granite countertops in the kitchen and custom tile work in the bathroom. Scroll to see the next property...
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18360 Comstock Ave, Sonoma - $489,000
1 bed, 1 bath, 782 square feet. Year built: 1920.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker B of V)
This unique 1920s cottage in Sonoma is a well maintained, with an interior that shows off stylistic architectural elements from that decade. Click to check out the kitchen...
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Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker B of V)
This kitchen has a quirky layout with a curved doorway to the tiny room where the refrigerator is. That keeps the kitchen uncluttered, but it can also make it awkward when setting up ingredients for cooking. Scroll to see what's happening in Santa Rosa...
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1677 Beaver St, Santa Rosa - $468,000
2 beds, 1 bath, 828 square feet. Year built: 1941.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker Residential Br)
This small 1940s bungalow may look especially tiny from the outside, but the interior is planned so that it's cozy, but still spacious feeling. A couple or small family would be good fit. Still skeptical? Click to check out the living room....
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Living room. (Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker Residential Br)
All the rooms in the home make use of all 828 square feet; none of them are cramped or cluttered looking. Take into account a roomy backyard, and there's space to spare. Scroll on to see the next property in Sonoma...
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234 E Thomson Ave, Sonoma - $465,000
2 beds, 1 bath, 754 square feet. Year built: 1963.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Union International)
Speaking of small houses, at 754 square feet this cottage in Sonoma is just pushing past the Tiny Home designation, but like most of the houses we've seen so far, the interior is a welcome surprise. Click to check it out...
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Living room. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Union International)
The lack of furniture probably makes a difference in how spacious this home appears in the listing, but a homeowner who's careful about how much they bring in will be able to keep it feeling roomy. Built in 1963, there shouldn't be a push to fill it wth period-specific pieces - in Victorian and homes from the 1920s I've noticed a tendency to fill living spaces with beautiful, but sizable, antique dressers, tables, and buffets. Scroll to check out a newer house...
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1155 De Meo St, Santa Rosa - $415,000
2 beds, 1 bath, 837 square feet. Year built: 1991.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Union International)
The 1990s are making a comeback in a big way (if you follow that sort of fashion trend thing) - and this house has that 90210/Friends/Melrose Place feel with the carefully trimmed bushes out front and the oval front door glass. It's a nice looking house for a good price, so if you're looking for a starter home, this may be where you want to begin. Scroll to see the kitchen...
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Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Union International)
From the faux-granite countertop, the wood cabinets, and that ceiling light...I don't know if the 90's are too recent to qualify for time-capsule homes, but this is on its way. We have one more listing to look at; scroll to check it out...
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20274 Alder Rd, Monte Rio - $389,000
1 bed, 1 bath, 625 square feet. Year built: 1991.
Exterior. (Photo courtesy of Artisan Sotheby's International)
Another rustic looking home, right by the Russian river in Monte Rio at a far below median price. It can be a vacation house, but the interior is so well updated that it's just as good for a full-time residence. Click to see what I mean...
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Living room. (Photo courtesy of Artisan Sotheby's International)
It looks like the interior's recently been updated with recessed lighting, fresh paint, and new flooring. Like many of the under-$500k homes on this list, it's what's on the inside that makes the most difference.