‘Business as usual’ for longtime Sonoma realtor

The name on the Plaza door has changed, but that’s still Bill Dardon, 39 years in real estate and counting, behind the desk at 34 W. Spain.

Actually, he’s too hyper to sit for very long. In addition to listing and selling homes, Dardon does charity work and runs the Tuesday Night Farmers Market as board president. Come May 6, he’ll be the one starting each market by ringing a cowbell, then working the crowd.

“It’s still business as usual,” said Dardon, whose firm, The Real Estate Company, merged with Coldwell Banker/Brokers of the Valley earlier this year. He has since been ranked in the top 16 percent of all Coldwell Banker residential sales worldwide.

The merger, he said, “puts more tools in my toolbox. Coldwell Banker is an outstanding, recognized brand.”

Dardon was managing a real estate office in Santa Rosa when, in 1987, he happened to have lunch with an associate at Sonoma’s Swiss Hotel. “We need to be here,” he decided, and soon leased a Plaza office for $600 a month. “The rest,” he said, “is history.”

Since then, his location, and business philosophy, haven’t changed at all.

“Always put the client first. Selling homes is about creating relationships. Buying a home is the largest investment people ever make. I’m proud of educating people on what to do and how to do it.”

While he sells homes, Dardon realizes that part of his success lies with selling himself. He sees himself as a leader in the industry, and a trusted name in the community.

“Experience is priceless,” he said.

Dardon rode the boom until 2005, and rode out the crash of 2007. Then came the plunge of ’09, “and I’m still here to talk about it.”

“Everybody thinks real estate is easy,” Dardon said. “There’s nothing easy about it. It takes complete dedication.”

Dardon himself is dedicated to public service. His Farmers Market job is a volunteer position, and he raises money to buy Thanksgiving turkeys every year. He has twice been named the Community Center’s Volunteer of the Year, and worked the Ox Roast, overseeing more than 100 volunteers, for 10 years.

He has served 15 years as a member of the city’s Mobile Home Park Rental Review Board.

“Thank you, Sonoma, It’s been an exciting career,” he said. “And it’s not over yet!”