Santa Rosa’s thriving real estate scene offers abundant networking and educational opportunities for investors at every level. Whether you’re exploring your first property investment or managing a diversified portfolio, the Wine Country’s investor community provides valuable insights into market trends, financing strategies, and wealth-building approaches. For those inspired by local market knowledge but seeking accessible investment options, Ark7’s fractional real estate platform enables investors to buy shares in professionally managed rental properties nationwide with low minimum investments, sometimes as low as $20 per share—turning event insights into actionable investment opportunities without the burdens of traditional property ownership.
New to passive real estate investing?
Explore Ark7 Opportunities1. Sonoma County Real Estate Investors Meetup
This established monthly gathering represents the heartbeat of Santa Rosa’s local real estate investment community, consistently drawing serious investors for education and networking.
What Sets It Apart:
Held at Round Table Pizza’s conference room at 2065 Occidental Rd, this meetup has built a community of 1,563 members who meet on the first Monday of each month from 6:00-7:30 PM. The $20 attendance fee is paid onsite, making it highly accessible for beginners while maintaining a serious investor atmosphere.
Meeting Structure:
- 10-15 minutes: Member introductions and networking
- 45 minutes: Featured guest speaker with Q&A
- 20 minutes: “Have-Wants” session for deal flow
- 40 minutes: Extended networking opportunity
Upcoming Focus: The December 2, 2025 meeting features Mitch Craighead & Chris Osborne (Co-Owners, NorCal REIA) presenting “Empowering Investors Through a Community Built on Real Estate Education.”
Topics Covered:
- Hard money vs. private money lending strategies
- Wholesaling and fix-and-flip techniques
- Market evaluation and property analysis
- Investment strategies for various capital levels
Why It Matters for Ark7 Investors: While this meetup focuses on traditional active investing, attendees frequently discover the limitations of requiring large capital outlays and hands-on property management. This creates natural opportunities to consider fractional real estate investing through Ark7, which provides exposure to professionally managed rental properties with minimal capital requirements and zero landlord responsibilities.
2. Real Estate Investor Community – Santa Rosa (Online Masterminds)
For investors who prefer digital flexibility or can’t attend in-person events, this virtual community provides twice-weekly learning opportunities accessible from anywhere.
What Sets It Apart:
Hosted by CEO Gary Jestice via Zoom every Monday and Thursday at 4:00 PM Pacific Time, this free online mastermind serves 83 members focused on building wealth through real estate. The virtual format allows participation from across multiple states while maintaining local Santa Rosa connections.
Key Features:
- Actual real estate deal discussions by community members
- Strategies for investing with little to no money down
- Multi-state property investment approaches
- Recorded sessions available for later viewing
- Complementary FREE 3-Day Wealth Masterclass for new members
Target Audience: Anyone serious about pursuing “life by design” through real estate investing, regardless of current capital position or experience level.
Ark7 Integration Opportunity: The community’s emphasis on “investing with little to no money down” aligns perfectly with Ark7’s low minimum investment threshold. After gaining market insights from these sessions, investors can immediately apply their knowledge through the Ark7 mobile app to discover and invest in curated rental properties across growing markets like Atlanta, Tampa, and Dallas.
3. CABB Annual Conference 2025
As the premier professional development event for business brokers and intermediaries, this sold-out conference represents the high-end of Santa Rosa’s real estate and investment event spectrum.
What Sets It Apart:
The California Association of Business Brokers hosted their 2025 annual conference September 25-26 at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country. With 300+ attendees and registration fees ranging from $425-$675, this represents serious professional development for experienced practitioners.
Conference Highlights:
- Keynote: “Overcompensating High-Tech with High-Touch” by Dan Clark
- AI applications in sourcing new business listings
- SBA lending panels for business acquisitions
- Custom contract strategies for complex transactions
- Extensive sponsor and exhibitor hall
Professional Credentials: Speakers included multiple CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) designations, M&AMI certifications, and licensed CPAs and attorneys specializing in M&A transactions.
Status Note: The 2025 conference is completely sold out, but interested parties can email cabb@cabb.org for the 2026 waitlist.
Relevance for Passive Investors: While focused on business brokerage rather than residential real estate, the conference’s emphasis on deal structuring, financing, and market analysis provides valuable insights that translate to real estate investment. Attendees often discover that fractional ownership through platforms like Ark7 offers a more accessible entry point than traditional property acquisition, especially for accredited investors seeking real estate IRA options.
4. Sonoma/North Bay Home Expo
This major annual event serves both homeowners and real estate investors, with a strong focus on property improvement and investment opportunities.
What Sets It Apart:
Held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds (1350 Bennett Valley Rd), the Home Expo features 200+ exhibitors covering home improvement, real estate services, and investment opportunities. The 2026 dates are March 28-29, 2026.
Exhibitor Categories:
- Home Improvement/Remodeling contractors
- Real Estate and Finance professionals
- ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) specialists
- Garden and Landscape services
- Interior Design and Furniture vendors
- Real Estate investment services
Investment Focus Areas:
- ADU Fair highlighting rental income opportunities
- Property renovation and value-add strategies
- Local real estate market conditions
- Financing and investment property services
Cost Structure:
- Online tickets: $5-$25 (family 4-pack includes parking)
- At gate: $7 plus $15 parking
- Family-friendly with educational components
Ark7 Connection: The expo’s emphasis on ADUs and rental income generation demonstrates the growing interest in passive real estate income. However, many attendees discover the challenges of property acquisition, renovation costs, and ongoing management. This creates a natural transition to consider Ark7’s professionally managed rental properties, where investors can earn monthly cash distributions without property management responsibilities.
5. North Bay Association of REALTORS® Events
As the professional backbone of Santa Rosa’s real estate industry, the NBA provides ongoing education and networking for licensed professionals.
What Sets It Apart:
The North Bay REALTORS® organizes regular chapter meetings, broker caravan tours, and professional development workshops across Sonoma County. Members must complete Code of Ethics training every three-year cycle, with the current cycle running from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027.
Regular Event Types:
- West County Chapter Committee meetings
- Sonoma Valley Chapter events
- Rohnert Park-Cotati Chapter gatherings
- Broker caravan property tours
- Professional development workshops
- C.A.R. and NAR webinar participation
Membership Benefits:
- Advocacy at local, state, and national levels
- Professional development and continuing education
- Networking with 1,000s of licensed professionals
- Access to exclusive market data and resources
Target Audience: Licensed REALTORS® and real estate professionals seeking ongoing education and market intelligence.
Investment Insight Value: While primarily serving active real estate professionals, these events provide valuable market intelligence about local property values, neighborhood trends, and investment opportunities. Investors attending as guests or through professional connections can gain insights that inform their broader real estate strategy, including consideration of fractional ownership opportunities in other high-growth markets where Ark7 operates.
6. Business ExpertXpress
This city-sponsored networking event connects emerging entrepreneurs with experienced business professionals, including real estate specialists.
What Sets It Apart:
Held October 20, 2025, at the Redwood Credit Union Administrative Office (3033 Cleveland Ave), this free event provides fast-paced connections between new entrepreneurs and established business experts from 12:30-5:00 PM.
Expert Resources Available:
- Marketing and branding professionals
- Financial advisors and accountants
- Legal counsel specializing in business formation
- Real estate professionals and investors
- Health and food enterprise specialists
Event Structure:
- Quick expert consultations (12:30-4:00 PM)
- Panel discussions with successful local entrepreneurs
- Extended networking session (4:00-5:00 PM)
- Refreshments and business planning support
Target Audience: New and emerging entrepreneurs seeking real-time support and actionable business insights.
Real Estate Investment Angle: The inclusion of real estate professionals among the expert resources makes this event valuable for investors exploring property-based business opportunities. Many attendees discover that traditional real estate investment requires significant capital and expertise, leading them to explore fractional alternatives like Ark7’s SEC-qualified property shares that provide rental income and appreciation potential with minimal barriers to entry.
7. AI in Real Estate Virtual Workshops
Reflecting the industry’s technological evolution, multiple virtual workshops focus on AI applications for real estate professionals and investors.
What Sets It Apart:
Several recurring virtual events, including “Real Estate: How to Use AI to Sell More Properties” and “Master AI to Unlock Your Real Estate Superpower,” demonstrate the growing importance of technology in modern real estate investing. These events typically cost $499 for premium workshops or are free for association members.
Key Topics Covered:
- Custom GPT applications for real estate
- Compliance-ready content generation
- Productivity improvements (up to 40% gains reported)
- Workflow automation for property management
- Data quality assessment and vendor selection
Accessibility:
- Virtual format via Zoom allows nationwide participation
- Recorded sessions available for later review
- Interactive workshops with live Q&A opportunities
- Supplementary materials and implementation guides
Relevance for Passive Investors: These technology-focused events highlight how modern real estate investing leverages data and automation—core principles that Ark7 has built into its investment platform. The emphasis on efficiency and technology aligns with Ark7’s approach of using AI-driven property sourcing combined with local expertise to identify high-quality rental properties for fractional investment.
8. Sonoma County Economic Development Events
Annual events like the “2025 Economic Perspective” provide macro-level insights into regional economic trends affecting real estate values.
What Sets It Apart:
Held January 30, 2025, at Sonoma State University, the Economic Perspective event focused on “Moving Forward: Strengthening Our Economy for the Challenges of a Changing Climate” with topics including housing markets, disaster preparedness, and regional development strategies.
Key Discussion Areas:
- Climate adaptation and economic resilience
- Housing market dynamics and affordability
- Home insurance challenges in disaster-prone areas
- Support for marginalized populations in housing
- Actionable strategies for inclusive economic growth
Target Audience: Community leaders, business owners, policymakers, and economic development professionals seeking regional market intelligence.
Investment Intelligence Value: These macro-level discussions provide context for local real estate investment decisions. Understanding regional economic trends, climate risks, and housing policy helps investors make informed decisions about property markets. This broader perspective complements the micro-level property analysis available through platforms like Ark7, which provides complete property disclosure for each investment opportunity.
Why Santa Rosa Events Matter for Real Estate Investors
Santa Rosa’s diverse event ecosystem serves investors at every stage of their journey. From the accessible $20 monthly meetups to the premium $675 professional conferences, the city offers multiple entry points for real estate education and networking. The recurring theme across all events is the importance of community, education, and staying current with market trends and technology.
For investors inspired by these local insights but seeking more accessible investment options, Ark7 provides a natural next step. Rather than requiring the significant capital, time commitment, and expertise needed for traditional property ownership, fractional real estate investing enables participation in professionally managed rental properties with minimal barriers to entry. The monthly cash distributions and potential appreciation offer the benefits of real estate ownership without the landlord responsibilities.
The virtual nature of many Santa Rosa events (40%+ offering online participation) also reflects the modern, technology-enabled approach that Ark7 has embraced. Investors can attend educational sessions from anywhere, then immediately apply their knowledge through Ark7’s mobile investment platform to build a diversified real estate portfolio across multiple high-growth markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find a comprehensive list of upcoming real estate events in Santa Rosa, CA?
The most reliable sources include the Sonoma County meetup for monthly gatherings, the North Bay REALTORS® for professional events, and Eventbrite for specialized workshops. The City of Santa Rosa’s official event calendar also lists business networking opportunities like Business ExpertXpress.
What are the benefits of attending real estate networking events in Santa Rosa?
These events provide deal flow opportunities through the “Have-Wants” sessions, market intelligence from experienced investors, and professional connections that can lead to partnerships or mentorship. The 1,563-member Sonoma County meetup creates a strong community for ongoing support, while professional conferences like CABB offer advanced education for serious practitioners.
Are there specific events in Santa Rosa for beginner real estate investors?
Yes, the Sonoma County Real Estate Investors Meetup welcomes all experience levels with its $20 monthly meetings, and the free online mastermind specifically focuses on strategies for investing with limited capital. These low-barrier entry points make real estate education accessible to beginners while providing pathways to more advanced events.
How does fractional real estate investing complement insights gained from local events?
Local events provide market knowledge and investment strategies, while fractional platforms like Ark7 enable immediate action on those insights without requiring large capital outlays or property management responsibilities. Investors can use local market intelligence to inform their broader real estate strategy while building diversified portfolios through Ark7’s professionally managed properties in high-growth markets nationwide.
Can insights from Santa Rosa real estate events be applied to out-of-state investments?
Absolutely. The investment principles, market analysis techniques, and risk management strategies discussed at Santa Rosa events are universally applicable. Many attendees use local insights to inform their investment approach while diversifying geographically through platforms like Ark7, which offers properties in markets like Atlanta, Tampa, and Dallas that may offer different risk-return profiles than the local Wine Country market.
