The Left Side of Highway 9 Gets More Sun. Yes, Really.

Ask a buyer up here what they care about and sunlight comes up almost as fast as insurance.

It makes sense. These are redwood canyons. A home can be beautiful and still feel like living in a cave from November through March. So before I talk about square footage or the kitchen, I talk about light.

Here's a pattern I've learned from living and working on this road. As you drive up Highway 9 toward Boulder Creek, the homes on the left side of the road tend to get more sun than the ones on the right. The hills and the tree cover just fall that way. It's not a rule with no exceptions (lot orientation, the neighbor's oak, and how tall the redwoods are will all have opinions), but it's a good starting point when you're scanning listings.

A few things worth doing before you fall in love with any mountain home. Visit at two different times of day. Go once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and if you can, go in winter. A home that's bright in June can be dim in January. Look at where the sun actually lands on the deck, the kitchen, the spot where you'd have your coffee. And ask what the heating bill looks like, because light and warmth are connected up here.

None of this makes a shady home a bad one. Some people love a home tucked deep into the trees, cool in summer and quiet all year. It's just that you should choose it on purpose, not find out in December.

If you're trying to sort out which pocket of the mountains fits the way you want to live, I'm glad to help. Say hello at sjwrealestate.com.