Erika Frey, Realtor 02089042

10/27/2026

Is hiring a Realtor worth the cost? It’s the question I hear most from Santa Rosa buyers and sellers, and my answer is yes, when your agent actually earns it. This year, smart prep added $375K to one Sebastopol sale, and a careful inspection got my buyers $25K back.

Quick tip: before you sign with anyone, ask to see the comps behind their price and what they spend out of their own pocket on marketing. A vague answer tells you a lot.

I break down the real numbers in my latest post. Give it a read:
https://www.erikafreyrealestate.com/is-hiring-a-realtor-worth-the-cost/

Is a Realtor worth the commission? Sonoma County Realtor Erika Frey shares real numbers on pricing, disclosures, and marketing that pay for themselves.

10/14/2026

🏡 STOP! Before you spend $50,000 renovating your home to sell… read this. 👇

That beautiful new kitchen? It might not add nearly as much value as you think.

Those expensive new floors? Maybe worth it. Maybe not.

Here’s what I tell my sellers all the time: Just because an improvement costs $20,000 doesn’t mean buyers will pay $20,000 more for your home.

And I’ve seen homeowners spend tens of thousands of dollars on renovations they never fully recoup.

The secret to getting top dollar isn’t necessarily spending more money. It’s knowing where to spend it and where to save it.

🎙️ In this week’s episode of At Home in Sonoma County, I’m breaking down which pre-sale improvements are worth considering, which ones you can probably skip, and how to prepare your home to attract the right buyers.

💡 My #1 piece of advice? Don’t spend a dollar until you have a strategy.

🎧 Listen to the full episode! Link in bio.

📍 Sonoma County, CA

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08/28/2026

Just another day previewing homes for my clients with my very qualified assistant. 🐾🏡

Kota handles backyard inspections. I handle everything else. 😂

08/27/2026

☕️ My morning routine: coffee + checking the Sonoma County real estate market.

And this morning, something really caught my attention…

There were more price reductions than new listings — AND several homes were back on the market after falling out of escrow.

Even more interesting? It’s Thursday, typically one of the busiest days for new listings to hit before the weekend.

What does that tell me? Buyers are pushing back on pricing.

Sonoma County is going through a much-needed price adjustment, and for buyers, I think this is a GOOD thing.

Right now, we’re seeing opportunities to negotiate below list price, ask for concessions and actually have some leverage.

Meanwhile, there are a whole lot of buyers sitting on the sidelines waiting for interest rates to come down. 🌳👀🌳

The problem? When rates eventually drop, those buyers don’t come back one at a time. More demand can mean more competition and upward pressure on prices.

You can refinance an interest rate later. You can’t go back and renegotiate what you paid for the house.

If you’ve been thinking about buying in Santa Rosa or Sonoma County, don’t automatically assume waiting for lower rates means getting the better deal.

Sometimes the opportunity is in the market everyone else is waiting out.

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08/26/2026

Apparently I’m VERY late to the party on this one 😂🍈

I finally stopped by Imwalle Gardens in Santa Rosa after seeing that Crane Melons had been dropped off here — because if there are Crane Melons involved, I’m going. 😂

And I can’t believe I’ve driven by this place so many times and never stopped!

Imwalle Gardens has been part of Santa Rosa since 1886 — so no, this is definitely NOT a new discovery. But it’s a new discovery for me, and that’s exactly what I love about living here.

You can live in Sonoma County for years and still stumble across a farmstand, restaurant, trail, w**ery or little local spot you’ve somehow never experienced before.

Fresh local produce, flowers, plants AND Crane Melons? I’ll definitely be back. 🍅🌻🍈

📍 Imwalle Gardens | Santa Rosa, CA

What’s another Santa Rosa spot that I’m probably embarrassingly late to discovering? 😂 Tell me below!

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08/25/2026

🏡 New construction in Santa Rosa — without the “brand-new neighborhood” feel.

I toured Sage at Taylor Mountain, a new community tucked into an established Santa Rosa neighborhood near Taylor Mountain, and I was really impressed.

There are 12 homes available right now, with more being released as the community continues to build out in phases. Homes start in the mid-$800s, with single- and two-story floor plans ranging from 3–5 bedrooms.

But the interiors were what caught my attention. 😍 The two homes I toured each had their own distinct color palette and personality — and the sage green kitchen immediately won me over. 🌿 Sage was my wedding color, so I may be slightly biased. 😂

Select future floor plans will also offer JADU options, which could be a great solution for multigenerational living, guests, or extra flexible space.

And one of my favorite things about this development? It’s surrounded by an established, quiet neighborhood with mature trees, so you don’t feel like you’re moving into the middle of a giant new subdivision.

📍 Sage at Taylor Mountain | Santa Rosa, CA
💰 From the mid-$800s
🏡 3–5 bedrooms
🌳 Near Taylor Mountain trails

Thinking about buying new construction in Santa Rosa or Sonoma County? Send me a DM and I’d be happy to take you through the available homes.

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08/23/2026

Half an acre in Santa Rosa for under $900K? 👀🌳

Welcome to 45 Larkfield Drive, where you get something that’s getting harder and harder to find — a single-level home with some actual SPACE around it.

This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home offers just over 1,600 sq ft and sits on approximately half an acre in Larkfield.

Inside you’ll find hardwood floors, a fireplace, granite countertops and a comfortable, classic layout — but for me, the real opportunity is outside.

🌳 Approx. half-acre lot
🌿 Tons of outdoor space
🐕 Plenty of room for pets
🥕 Space to garden
🥂 Room to entertain
📍 Easy access to both Santa Rosa + Windsor

If you’ve been searching for a Santa Rosa home where you’re not right on top of your neighbors, this one is definitely worth a look.

📍 45 Larkfield Drive, Santa Rosa
🛏 3 bedrooms | 🛁 2 bathrooms | 1,614 sq ft
💰 Offered at $875,000

Would you take the bigger yard over a newer house on a smaller lot?

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08/20/2026

Mid-century charm + a backyard made for W**e Country living. 🌿🍷

Welcome to 1916 Marian Lane in Santa Rosa, tucked into the sought-after Sherwood Forest/Talbot neighborhood.

This single-level 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home blends its original 1950s character with some seriously impressive upgrades — including a chef’s kitchen with Viking, Bosch + Miele appliances, walls of glass overlooking the backyard, central heat + AC, and built-in speakers throughout.

But the backyard might steal the show. 👀

🔥 Full outdoor kitchen with JennAir BBQ + side burners
🍸 Bar seating + two sinks
🔥 Fire pit
🍋 Mature lemon, lime, peach + tangerine trees
🌿 Huge lawn + garden beds
🏊 And plenty of room for a future pool

All of this just minutes from Montgomery Village, parks, restaurants and everything Santa Rosa has to offer.

📍 1916 Marian Lane, Santa Rosa, CA
🛏 3 bedrooms | 🛁 2 bathrooms | 1,500 sq ft
💰 Offered at $975,000

Could you see yourself spending summer nights out here?

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Listed by Nicole Manville at W Real Estate

08/18/2026

🏡 Brand-new homes in Santa Rosa starting in the low $700s?!

Meet Acacia Village in Rincon Valley — a new pocket neighborhood of just 25 detached single-family homes, with the first 8 homes now being released to the public.

Homes range from 3–4 bedrooms, 2–4 bathrooms and approximately 1,041–1,740 sq. ft., with both one- and two-story floor plans and private garages.

What I really love is the pocket neighborhood design — homes are centered around shared green spaces and gathering areas, creating more of a neighborhood feel without a ton of home and yard to maintain.

For first-time homebuyers in Santa Rosa, buyers looking to downsize, retirees wanting a lower-maintenance home, or anyone who wants new construction in Sonoma County, this is definitely one to have on your radar.

📍 Acacia Village | Rincon Valley, Santa Rosa
💰 Starting in the low $700s
🏡 25 detached single-family homes
🌳 Shared green spaces
🔑 Phase One releasing now

Want more info on Acacia Village or other new construction in Sonoma County? Send me a DM.
W Real Estate W Real Estate

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08/16/2026

📍3020 Spring Creek Dr, Santa Rosa — $749,000

Three bedrooms, one bath, 1,023 square feet, and a yard that’s doing way more work than the listing price suggests. This is the Santa Rosa starter home you’ve been waiting for — the kind that lets you stop renting and start building equity, without needing a million-dollar budget to do it.

Good bones, 1952 build, room to make it yours. Whether you’re buying your first home, adding to your rental portfolio, or downsizing without giving up outdoor space — this one’s worth a look.

Open house today. Come find out if this is the one.

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