Russian River Real Estate Market Update: Inventory Rises as Buyers Gain More Options | August 24, 2026

Thinking about buying or selling a home on the Russian River? Call David Millar with The Millar Group at 707-217-1786. I specialize in Russian River real estate from Forestville and Guerneville through Monte Rio, Cazadero, Duncans Mills and Jenner.

The Russian River real estate market saw a noticeable increase in inventory over the past few days. It is not a dramatic shift, but it is something buyers and sellers should be watching as we move toward the final stretch of the summer real estate season.

According to the latest BAREIS MLS hot sheet I reviewed on August 24, 2026, there are now 143 total properties for sale in the Russian River market, compared with 138 in my previous update.

Residential inventory also increased from 94 homes to 97 homes for sale.

Russian River Real Estate Market at a Glance

Since my last market update:

• 143 total properties are currently for sale, up from 138
• 97 residential properties are available, up from 94
• 7 new listings came onto the market
• No closed sales were reported during this period
• 2 properties had price reductions
• 2 properties moved into contingent status

For the past several weeks, we had been seeing a fairly balanced pattern. Four or five homes might come onto the market while roughly the same number would go under contract or sell.

This latest period was different.

Seven new listings came onto the market without any corresponding closed sales, which is why overall inventory increased.

Are Russian River Buyers Gaining Leverage?

Slightly.

More inventory generally means buyers have more choices and may have greater negotiating power, particularly on homes that have been sitting on the market or properties that need work.

But there is an important distinction in the Russian River market.

The best properties are still selling.

A home that is in excellent condition, priced correctly and offers something particularly desirable can still generate strong buyer interest.

That could include:

• River or creek frontage
• Privacy
• A beautiful view
• Sunny usable land
• Excellent condition
• A desirable location
• Redwood surroundings
• Unique architectural character
• What I often call “Russian River charm”

We are still seeing certain standout homes receive full-price offers, and occasionally two or three buyers may compete for a property that checks most of the boxes.

That is why it can be misleading to describe the entire Russian River as either a buyer's market or seller's market.

It depends heavily on the individual property.

New Russian River Homes Coming on the Market

There are also several interesting properties preparing to come onto the market.

Forestville Starter Home

A two-bedroom, one-bath home on Dell Court in Forestville is expected to come onto the market around $450,000.

Homes around this price point can be particularly interesting for buyers trying to enter the Forestville and Russian River market without moving into the higher price ranges we see elsewhere in Sonoma County.

Dome Home on Middle Terrace

One of the more unusual upcoming listings is a two-bedroom, two-bath dome house on Middle Terrace, located on Starrett Hill in the Monte Rio area.

The expected asking price is approximately $523,000.

A dome home in the redwoods definitely isn't something you see every day. For a buyer who wants a unique Russian River property rather than a conventional house, this could be worth watching.

Cazadero Creek Property

Another property coming onto the market is located at 2240 Cazadero Highway, with an anticipated asking price of approximately $525,000.

The property is listed as a two-bedroom, one-bath home with approximately 680 square feet, but the real attraction is the location.

It has beautiful creek access, clear water and an inviting swimming area.

Properties with good creek access in Cazadero have always had their own special appeal, particularly for buyers looking for a second home or weekend retreat.

Dubrava Village Condos in Guerneville

We are also seeing activity at Dubrava Village, the condominium community along the Russian River near Guerneville.

A new condominium has come onto the market around $478,000, while another unit recently moved into contingent status.

Dubrava is worth considering for buyers who like the Russian River lifestyle but don't necessarily want all the maintenance that comes with owning a traditional river-area home.

The development sits among the redwoods and offers residents private river access and a dock.

For second-home buyers in particular, the ability to lock the door and leave without worrying about as many exterior projects can be a major advantage.

HOA costs have increased, in part because insurance expenses have risen significantly throughout the Russian River and Sonoma County.

That is an important expense buyers should evaluate carefully when considering any condominium purchase.

Riverfront and Guerneville Homes Moving Into Contract

Several homes have also recently moved toward pending or contingent status.

One is 15110 Drake Road, a riverfront property located upstream from Johnson's Beach in Guerneville.

That stretch of Drake Road is known for excellent Russian River access and deeper water.

Another property on Highway 116 in Guerneville also went pending after being marketed around the $600,000 range.

A property on Park Avenue in Guerneville also moved toward a sale at approximately $408,000.

Even with inventory increasing, these transactions show that buyers are still active when they see value.

What This Market Means for Russian River Home Sellers

If you are thinking about selling, there is still time to take advantage of the 2026 selling season.

August and September can provide excellent weather for presenting a Russian River property.

Sunny days are especially valuable when you're selling properties where outdoor living, decks, gardens, river access, creeks, redwoods or usable land are important parts of the home's appeal.

Historically, activity tends to slow once we begin getting consistent rain later in the fall.

That does not mean homes stop selling in October or during the winter.

But buyers typically become more selective, and presentation and pricing become increasingly important.

If your property is ready to sell now, I would not automatically wait until next spring without first looking at the numbers and your particular situation.

What This Market Means for Russian River Home Buyers

For buyers, increasing inventory is good news.

With 97 residential properties currently available between Forestville and Jenner, there are more opportunities to compare homes rather than feeling pressured to jump on the first acceptable property.

This is also a market where local knowledge can make an enormous difference.

Two homes that look similar online can have completely different considerations involving:

• Flood zones and elevation
• Septic systems
• Sewer availability
• Fire insurance
• Road access
• Sun exposure
• River access
• Vacation rental regulations
• Permitting history
• Hillside conditions
• Neighborhood differences

Those details can dramatically affect both the value of a property and what it will be like to own.

The Bottom Line

The August 24, 2026 Russian River real estate market remains active, but inventory is beginning to rise.

Buyers have a few more choices and potentially more negotiating leverage than they had earlier in the season.

At the same time, attractive homes that are well priced and offer the characteristics buyers want are still moving.

For sellers, pricing and condition remain extremely important.

For buyers, this may be one of the better periods of the year to shop because there is still good inventory available while we move toward the fall market.

If you're thinking about buying or selling real estate anywhere along the Russian River, call David Millar with The Millar Group at 707-217-1786.

I work throughout Forestville, Guerneville, Rio Nido, Monte Rio, Cazadero, Duncans Mills and Jenner and can help you understand not just the listings, but the local issues that can make a major difference when buying or selling Russian River property.