At Home in the Beautiful Napa Valley

Buying a home in the Napa Valley is the key to a quality lifestyle filled with opportunities to live and work in the nation’s most celebrated wine growing region. With a vibrant economy and high performing schools, Napa County is an ideal setting in which to raise a family, work and play.

Napa Valley’s Determined Growth
Real estate in Napa County is a carefully planned commodity, one intended to complement and preserve its agricultural and rural nature. Home owners and residents voted overwhelmingly to maintain open space and limit development that could change the Napa Valley from calm and clean to busy and congested. But, county and city government also recognize that moderate growth and economic stability are linked. Consequently, new homes and businesses are added each year to Napa County communities.

Over recent years, according to a statistical analysis of Napa County, housing increased by 1.4 percent, higher than the state’s average of 0.9 percent. That means there are new homes and condominiums for sale in the Napa Valley each year. In 2007, there were 53,550 housing units available in Napa County – statistically meeting the demands of the region’s population.

Some of the most significant building occurred in Napa Valley’s newest city – American Canyon. Since this city is the gateway to the Napa Valley, it attracts many professionals who commute to the Bay Area for work. However, Napa County’s home grown economy provides ample opportunities to both live and work in Napa Valley. The unemployment rate is consistently low and jobs are available in many sectors. In addition, the pay for jobs in Napa County is generally higher than comparable counties. These factors make owning Napa Valley real estate even more desirable.

Napa’s Desirable Real Estate
A stable economy, local government leadership, quality education, and the sheer natural beauty of the Napa Valley make it a very desirable place to live. These qualities rest on a solid vision of the county’s future – controlled growth that preserves Napa’s character. Consequently, there is seldom a glut of homes on the Napa real estate market. But, mid-summer 2008 presented many opportunities for home buyers with more than 1,180 homes, condos or ranches for sale. Price ranges naturally vary according to the property.

What can the prospective Napa Valley home owner expect to find on the market? Everything from mobile homes to exclusive estates. Architectural styles vary throughout Napa County. American Canyon sports more new building than its neighboring communities, although the City of Napa also increased its housing with new construction over the past few years. In the countryside, new homes with notable architectural designs, grace farm and ranch lands.

Variety and Lasting Value
In Napa Valley communities, homes often reflect local history. Gingerbread Victorians speak of a town’s turn of the century past and solid Craftsman style homes echo from the early decades of the 1900s. There are charming cottages along tree lined streets and tasteful family homes. Most houses in Napa Valley communities are within walking distance of quality shopping districts, schools and other resources.

Real estate in the Napa Valley is also desirable because it tends to retain its value, even when there is a widespread economic downturn. Because local government limits growth, the balance between supply and demand keeps real estate values high and investments protected.

Many factors combine to paint a picture of a beautiful life for home owners in Napa County. With a strong character built on its long agricultural tradition, regard for open space, and value of small communities, the Napa Valley offers a rare opportunity to live, work and grow.