Best Realtors in The Springs (Sonoma), CA (2026 Guide)
By Matthew Martinez
The Springs is the string of unincorporated communities along Highway 12 just northwest of the City of Sonoma: Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente and El Verano. Homes here are mostly modest single-family houses on small lots, with some larger parcels toward the hills, and most carry a Sonoma mailing address even though they sit outside city limits. The agents who sell here mostly work from offices in downtown Sonoma.
This guide is published by Diamond Real Estate Group, one of the brokerages listed. Our broker is listed first; other agents are in alphabetical order. The order is not a ranking, and inclusion is not an endorsement.
How we chose the agents in this guide
Each agent below met three checks in October 2026:
- A current California license. We opened each agent’s record on the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) public lookup and confirmed the name, license type (salesperson or broker) and a "Licensed" status, with a responsible broker or broker-associate affiliation that matches the brokerage on the agent’s profile.
- A named brokerage. Each agent’s DRE record shows the brokerage they work under.
- A public page that names The Springs or Sonoma. Because Springs homes usually have Sonoma addresses, few profiles name the Springs communities. Three of the profiles we opened name Boyes Hot Springs; the others name Sonoma or Sonoma Valley, and the table says which.
We did not rank agents, and we did not consider sales volume, reviews or awards. Licenses and affiliations change, so check the license yourself before you sign anything, and interview more than one agent.
The Springs housing in numbers
| Census measure (ACS 2024 5-year) | Boyes Hot Springs CDP |
|---|---|
| Population | 7,247 |
| Housing units | 2,715 (±353) |
| Median value of owner-occupied homes | $783,300 (±$43,615) |
| Median household income | $101,288 (±$25,377) |
| Persons per household | 2.8 (±0.3) |
| Median age | 40.3 (±4.7) |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.8 minutes (±4.9) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates, as presented by Census Reporter. Boyes Hot Springs is the largest of the Springs communities; Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente and El Verano are separate census places. Treat the figures as rough guides, not current sale prices.
Boyes Hot Springs, Agua Caliente, El Verano and the Highway 12 corridor
The Springs has no city government, so Sonoma County handles zoning, permits and code enforcement, even though the area sits between the City of Sonoma and Glen Ellen. Homes cluster on the grid of streets either side of Highway 12, with older cottages, mid-century houses and some newer infill. El Verano sits to the west, near Arnold Drive. See our Springs real estate guide and our Sonoma vs. Sonoma County article on buying outside city limits.
Costs and rules specific to a Springs purchase
- Transfer tax. The Springs is unincorporated, so only the county tax applies. The Sonoma County Recorder’s transfer tax page lists it at $0.55 per $500 of value, or $1.10 per $1,000: about $862 on a $783,300 sale. The same page lists no added city tax for the City of Sonoma either. Our California transfer tax guide explains who usually pays.
- City or county? A Sonoma mailing address does not mean the home is inside the City of Sonoma. Check the title report or the County’s parcel records, because the answer decides who issues permits and which zoning rules apply.
- ADUs and additions. County rules govern ADUs and additions in the Springs; see our land, lots and ADUs article.
- Vacation rentals. County permit rules apply to short-term rentals here; read our Sonoma County vacation rental rules article before you count on rental income.
- Fire hazard and insurance. Parcels toward the Mayacamas and Sonoma Mountain hills can fall in mapped fire hazard zones. Look up the address on the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, read the natural hazard disclosure report, and get an insurance quote before you remove contingencies.
The Springs agents with verified licenses
Matthew Martinez, Diamond Real Estate Group (publisher of this guide)
Matthew Martinez is the Founder, CEO and Managing Broker of Diamond Real Estate Group. He is based in Sonoma County; contact him to discuss a purchase or sale in The Springs. Contact Matthew · Broker #01869679 · Diamond Group Estates Inc DBA Diamond Real Estate Group, DRE #02163490
| Agent | Brokerage | License | Areas named on profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Ball | Sotheby’s International Realty, Sonoma | Broker #01386466 | Nearby: Sonoma office; Sonoma, The Sea Ranch, Western Petaluma |
| Jen Birmingham (licensed as Jennifer Brenner Birmingham) | Compass, Petaluma | Salesperson #01770390 | Nearby: Sonoma Valley, Petaluma, Penngrove |
| Ryan Dailey (licensed as Ryan Keith Dailey) | Compass, Sonoma | Salesperson #01981700 | Boyes Hot Springs, Sonoma, Napa |
| Doug Hecker (licensed as Douglas Michael Hecker) | Coldwell Banker Realty, Petaluma | Salesperson #01347843 | Nearby: Sonoma, Kenwood, Sonoma County, among others |
| Kathy Jensen (licensed as Kathleen Mae Jensen) | Coldwell Banker Realty, Petaluma | Salesperson #00979860 | Nearby: Sonoma, Petaluma, Santa Rosa |
| Kathleen Leonard (licensed as Kathleen May Leonard) | Compass, Sonoma | Salesperson #01371051 | Boyes Hot Springs, Sonoma, Glen Ellen; Sonoma Valley |
| Andy Paulson (licensed as J Andrew Paulson) | Sotheby’s International Realty, Sonoma | Broker #00902504 | Boyes Hot Springs, Sonoma, Napa, Santa Rosa |
| Molly Stokeld (licensed as Molly Leia Stokeld) | Compass, Santa Rosa | Salesperson #01974121 | Nearby: Sonoma, Glen Ellen and Kenwood listings |
On the DRE record, Sotheby’s International Realty agents in Sonoma are broker associates for Sotheby’s International Realty Inc, Compass agents are licensed under Compass California II, Inc., and Coldwell Banker Realty agents under NRT West, Inc. For agents in the City of Sonoma, see our Sonoma agents guide; for the rest of the county, our Sonoma County agents guide.
How to vet a Springs agent
- Ask how they price Springs homes against Sonoma. Values can differ between the Springs and the city a few blocks away; ask which comparable sales the agent would use.
- Confirm city or county. Ask the agent to confirm whether the parcel is in the City of Sonoma or unincorporated before you plan work.
- Check permit history. Older cottages often have unpermitted additions or garage conversions; ask for County permit records.
- Ask about rentals. If the home is rented or you plan to rent it, ask how County and state rules apply.
- Get insurance quotes early. Fire insurance can change what a home costs to own.
- Check the license yourself. Confirm a "Licensed" status with a current broker on the DRE lookup.
The Springs questions we hear
Is there a city transfer tax in The Springs?
No. The Springs is unincorporated, so only the Sonoma County tax of $1.10 per $1,000 applies, per the County Recorder.
What is the median home value in The Springs?
Census estimates put the median owner-occupied value at about $783,300 in Boyes Hot Springs for 2020–2024. Ask an agent for recent sales nearby.
Is The Springs part of the City of Sonoma?
No. Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente and El Verano are unincorporated, even though most homes there use a Sonoma mailing address.
Why do some agents in this guide name Sonoma instead of The Springs?
Springs homes are usually listed with Sonoma addresses, so many profiles name Sonoma or Sonoma Valley rather than the Springs communities. The table shows which agents name Boyes Hot Springs directly.
Sources & notes
- California DRE public license lookup (individual records linked in the table)
- Census Reporter, Boyes Hot Springs CDP profile (ACS 2024 5-year)
- Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder, Documentary Transfer Tax
- CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal, Fire Hazard Severity Zones
- Agent profiles on homes.com, compass.com and coldwellbankerhomes.com, linked in the table
- License records checked October 2026 on the California DRE public lookup. Last reviewed October 2026 by Matthew Martinez.
Nearby agent guides: Sonoma · Santa Rosa · Penngrove
Related: The Springs real estate guide · The Springs home valuation · Sonoma County agents guide · 20 tips for choosing a real estate agent
License-status update: the linked California DRE public records were checked November 2, 2026 and showed "Licensed." Public profile research retains the dates stated above. Names on DRE records may differ from public profile names; verify status and brokerage before selecting an agent.
