January always seems to arrive with the same conversation: resolutions. Dry January. New workout plans. Healthier eating. Less sugar. More steps. Less clutter. It’s predictable in all the ways January tends to be predictable. But this year, I’ve been thinking less about resolutions and more about goals, the kind that build on what worked in 2025 and refine what didn’t. Resolutions feel temporary. Goals feel strategic, intentional, and grounded in how we want to live.

Here in Sonoma County, and especially in Healdsburg, that conversation takes on its own flavor. People move here for lifestyle, for space, for the ritual of a Saturday farmers market, a well-planned meal, a glass of Pinot on the patio, and yes, for the simple joy of playing tennis on a sunny afternoon. Our goals are often as much about quality of life as they are about productivity.

Last year, I had a personal goal that had nothing to do with real estate: to get back to a 4.0 in tennis. For those who don’t play, going from a 3.5 to a 4.0 takes time, commitment, and a lot of lost balls. I had worked hard to get there, so when I dropped back down to a 3.5, it hit harder than I expected. It wasn’t just about tennis; it was about progress.

But 2025 also became one of my most intense years in real estate. My focus shifted. Clients needed me, deals took priority, Sonoma County inventory didn’t behave the way we expected, and I spent more time behind a laptop and phone than on the courts. The payoff was a successful year representing clients throughout Wine Country, and yes, I still managed to have plenty of fun on the courts, just not on my original schedule. That’s the thing about goals: sometimes they evolve, and sometimes they trade places.

Which brings me to real estate goals. We rarely talk about buying or selling a home the same way we talk about improving our health, deepening friendships, or achieving career milestones. But we should, because real estate goals are often lifestyle goals in disguise.

So, here’s the question: What’s your real estate goal for 2026?

Is it finally selling the home that made sense a decade ago but not today?
Is it upsizing for grandchildren, downsizing for freedom, or relocating to Healdsburg to enjoy the lifestyle full time?
Is it simply preparing, making small updates, repairing, painting, replacing appliances, or deciding what not to do?

Because here’s the honest truth: not every project deserves your time or money. Some upgrades add value, some add speed, and some return nothing at all. The strategy is knowing which is which, and that’s where planning becomes powerful.

As Sonoma County inventory tightens and buyers continue to seek out Wine Country living, goals matter more than resolutions. Resolutions fade by February. Goals evolve, adapt, and, if guided, get accomplished.

So, as we head into 2026, my tennis goal is still alive (and yes, I’m back on the courts). And my real estate goal is the same as it’s been since 1997, to help my clients move toward the lifestyle they envision, not just the home they live in today.

If you’re considering a move this year, selling, buying, downsizing, upsizing, or simply planning, I would love to help you strategize. Because in Wine Country, real estate isn’t just a transaction. It’s a lifestyle goal.