Russian River Land

Location is the foundation for value in real estate. For country property, distance from town is a key indicator of price. I don’t have an exact formula, but once you get past fifteen minutes from a town, public interest diminishes. By the time you’re half an hour commute from town, only a few hardy souls are still in the market. River Road Park, as I’m calling this lovely property, is just 2.5 miles up a private road from River Road, the main artery connecting Guerneville to Highway 101. The private road is located just east of Korbel Vineyards which is only five minutes to Guerneville and twenty minutes to 101 or the Sonoma County airport.
Google Earth File with approximate Property Lines

Orientation is one of the other key factors, particularly in western Sonoma County. The forests and hills of the Russian River Valley create microclimates that can be cool and refreshing in the summer, but if you don’t have good winter access to the sun, you will have dampness and chill that is hard to dispel. The eastern and southern exposures from the main building site on this property will make solar designs practical and effective. Meanwhile, the tree covered hills will help keep the property from baking in the summer. A smart design will be rewarded with year round comfort.

Speaking of building sites, this has a spectacular one. The views spread from the Santa Rosa plains in the east to the forested hillsides on the other side of the Russian River Valley and neighboring hills to the west. The area of the building pad includes plenty of space for a grand house, workshop, garage, pool, etc. This is a hilly property, but there’s enough flat and usable space for any reasonable domestic use.

The sellers have been thorough in their domestic preparations for this site. There is a vested four bedroom perc for this site that is vested (guaranteed) for several more years. There are a total of four springs that are dedicated to supplying water to this property and a well would be likely to provide another good source of water. The legal language has been prepared for the easements for the springs, water lines, and storage tank. Neither the water nor septic system are installed, but the background work to make this a buildable parcel is well started. There are actually two parcels here with Administrative Certificates of Compliance, so whether you build one home with four bedrooms or two two-bedroom homes is a matter that can be discussed with the Sonoma County PRMD (Permit and Resource Management Department).

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