Written by Ted Aanestad, SOMO Realty
In real estate, there are a few questions I hear all the time—especially from buyers who are new to the area or exploring Rohnert Park for the first time. From local culture to tax advantages, here are a few of the most common ones—and how I answer them.
Not yet—but that’s changing. The City of Rohnert Park is funding the development of a brand-new downtown near State Farm Drive. It’s designed to give the city something it’s never really had before: a true gathering place for residents.
At the same time, SOMO Village is evolving into a more holistic version of a downtown—walkable, connected, and built around lifestyle. Between these two developments, we’re seeing a real shift in how people think about living here. It’s no longer just a commuter town. There’s a growing sense of place.
This is another question I get all the time—and the answer is: it’s growing, and fast.
Rohnert Park is positioned right in the heart of Sonoma County, with easy access to neighboring cities like Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sebastopol, and Windsor—all less than a 20-minute drive. That means everything from wine country tasting rooms to music festivals and farm-to-table dining is right around the corner.
Locally, SOMO Village has helped attract some of the county’s most beloved breweries and businesses. We’re seeing a lifestyle-driven culture take root, supported by venues like the 3,000-person Event Center and new community spaces like somofit and SOMO Cowork. People want more than just housing—they want to feel connected to something bigger.
This one comes up often during showings. While I always recommend talking to a CPA for personalized advice, there’s a major federal tax advantage that many buyers overlook: the mortgage interest deduction.
In a high-interest rate market, the majority of your monthly mortgage payment in the first year goes toward interest—often close to 80%. But that also means you may be eligible to write off a significant portion of that interest on your taxes.
To put that into perspective, if you purchase a $700,000 home with 5% down, you might pay around $40,000 in interest in the first year. If your taxable basis is around 30%, that could translate to a $12,000 deduction. It’s not a small number—and when you compare that with the money you’d be spending on rent, it’s often a net gain.
That’s before even accounting for the equity you’re building or the appreciation on the property over time.
I’m always happy to chat with buyers, sellers, and curious locals who want to understand this market better. Whether you’re comparing options or just starting your search, I’d be glad to connect and help however I can.
If you want to learn more about real estate opportunities in Rohnert Park, I’d invite you to get in touch.