Lauren, Tanner, Isla, and Roman
Local business owner Lauren Feldman's housing story highlights the growing role family support plays in helping younger generations achieve homeownership in Sonoma, and how that support can come full circle over time. With significant help from her parents, Lauren purchased her first home in El Verano in 2017.
In 2026, with help from both their families, Lauren, Tanner and their daughter Isla moved into their current home in downtown Sonoma—house with great character that required extensive work, but is walking distance to Lauren’s work at the restaurant Valley and Tanner’s at the Sebastiani Theatre, with a bedroom for Lauren’s parents to move into when the time comes for them to need additional support and care.
Wanting to live closer to her parents, Lauren moved back to the Bay Area in 2010. She first lived in Berkeley with two chef friends she had worked with in New York City. She started commuting to Scribe Winery when it first opened in Sonoma, and later found a 600 square foot two-bedroom cottage on Riverside Drive, where she lived with five different roommates over time.
Tanner moved to Sonoma and into Lauren’s rental in 2016. By this time, Lauren had been looking for a home to buy for many years. Even with help from her parents on a downpayment, it took a long time to find a house with a mortgage they could afford.
They purchased their first home, a two-bedroom bungalow in the Springs, in 2017 with the financial support of Lauren’s parents, who co-signed on the mortgage. Along with their offer, Lauren and Tanner included a note to the current owners about how much they loved the house, could envision starting a family there and planned to live in it full time. The sellers ultimately chose them, despite having higher offers. Having purchased the home years earlier with a VA loan, they were stunned by the offers they were getting. They couldn’t imagine if their daughter, coincidentally named Lauren and around the same age, was trying to buy a first home in this market and were thrilled to be able to help the couple start on the right path in a house they had poured so much love into.
“I have very much always existed in a space where it feels nearly impossible to be an adult, out there on my own. I recognize that I am incredibly lucky to have parents who could make home ownership possible for me and my family. I really wouldn't be able to do it any other way.”
— Lauren Feldman
In 2026, they sold their beloved first home in the Springs and bought a slightly larger house close to the Sonoma Plaza. Their new house required all of the equity from the sale of their first home and additional investment from both of their families. They were looking for a home with character that had not already been flipped, knowing that within their price range it would likely need a lot of work.
Their current home required a lot more work than they were prepared for before moving in May 2026. It is as unique as their family and showcases the incredible natural beauty that the previous owner poured her love into, helping it feel remote despite the proximity to town.
“Moving to this house gave us more space as a family and is part of planning for a future where my parents may live with us. We can now walk to work and school, and when the time comes, my parents will be able access daily necessities without relying on a car.”
— Lauren Feldman
Lauren sees her family's story as part of a larger generational shift. She recognizes that the timing of her father's career - timing when being upper-middle class meant that you could provide for your family and save amply for your future - played an important role in building enough financial security to help her own a home in Sonoma. As someone with a strong career of her own, she faces greater challenges affording property and saving for her child's future given today's housing market and cost of living.
"While challenging and deeply personal, I believe it is important to talk about the situation of receiving investment from my family. My parents were able to build financial security at a time when being middle class meant something different. Despite having a strong career of my own, I, like many in my generation, face far greater challenges affording property and saving for our children's future. My family was lucky and we were well provided for. It is incredibly important to me to be able to return the favor, with the space for them to move in with us someday.”
— Lauren Feldman
The decision to move was about more than space for their growing family. Through her work and involvement in local housing issues, Lauren understood how few starter homes are available to young families, and a bit of obligation to move on and allow someone else the opportunity. They sold their first home to another young couple who likely would not have moved to Sonoma otherwise.
Selling their first home to another young couple was meaningful to Lauren and Tanner. They want Sonoma to be a place where more young people can build a life, raise kids, and contribute to the community.
Curated by The Future Collective, photos by Kayla Schmah