Solar panels can be a great way to lower energy costs and increase a home's appeal, but whether you’re buying or selling a home with solar, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. In Placer County, where areas like Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, and Auburn experience rising energy costs—especially in PG&E-serviced areas where rates have increased over 38% since 2021—solar can be an attractive investment. However, evaluating ownership, financing, and roof condition is essential before making a decision. Here’s what you need to know:

For Buyers Considering a Home with Solar Panels

✅ Fully-Owned Panels Add Value – If the solar panels are fully owned, they are treated as part of the home and included in the sale, potentially increasing…

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If you’re thinking about selling your home in Placer County, one of the most effective ways to maximize its value isn’t a costly renovation—it’s a deep clean! Buyers in Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, Loomis, Auburn, and Lincoln want homes that look and feel well-maintained, and nothing makes a stronger first impression than a spotless home.

Why Deep Cleaning Matters

  •  First Impressions Sell Homes
    A home that looks fresh and clean instantly appeals to buyers. It gives the impression that the property has been well cared for and eliminates distractions that might make buyers hesitant to make an offer.
  • Buyers Assume the Worst
    If a home isn’t clean, buyers often wonder what bigger issues may be lurking—leading to lower offers or hesitation to move…

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The latest data for February 2025 shows an increase in available homes, steady prices, and continued buyer demand in Placer County. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, here’s what’s happening in the market right now:

 

Key Market Trends

  • More inventory: The number of homes for sale jumped 51.4% compared to last year, giving buyers more choices.

  • Pending sales are up: Buyer activity remains strong, with pending home sales increasing 11.5% from last month and 14.2% from last year.

  • Prices are holding steady: The median home price remained at $650,000, unchanged from last month and last year.

  • Homes are selling faster: The average days on market fell to 45 days, down 16.7% from January, signaling that…

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If you’ve ever checked your home’s value on Zillow or another online estimator, you may have noticed that their estimates change dramatically once a home is listed for sale. That’s because Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) rely on broad data trends—until an agent sets a price. Then, suddenly, Zillow and other AVMs adjust their numbers to reflect that new data point.

So, how accurate are these online estimates when it comes to predicting the actual sale price of a home in Placer County and the greater Sacramento area? Let’s break it down.

The Problem With AVMs

AVMs like Zillow’s Zestimate use public records, recent sales, and proprietary algorithms to generate an estimate. While they can give a general idea of a home’s value, they often miss…

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The True Cost of Homeownership in Placer County

When buying a home, most people focus on the purchase price and mortgage payment—but there are additional costs that can significantly impact your monthly budget. Before making an offer, it’s important to research these key expenses so you’re not caught off guard after closing. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Property Taxes & Mello-Roos Assessments

In addition to base property taxes, some homes in Placer County have Mello-Roos assessments, which fund public infrastructure and services. These fees can add hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars annually to your tax bill.

How to research your property taxes:

  • Use the Placer County Property Tax Search tool: Placer County Tax Lookup

  • …

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If you're thinking about selling your home in the Sacramento region, timing is everything! New data from local appraiser Ryan Lundquist (@SacAppraiser) reveals that most home listings hit the market on Thursdays and Fridays—but if you want to maximize your exposure to buyers, Wednesday or Thursday might be your best bet.

Why List on Wednesday or Thursday?

  • Early Exposure Before the Weekend: Most buyers tour homes on the weekends, and by listing midweek, you ensure your property is on their radar before they finalize plans.

  • Out-of-Town Buyers: Many buyers traveling from the Bay Area or out of town plan trips in advance—listing earlier gives them time to add your home to their weekend itinerary.

  • More Showings, More Offers: A…

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The latest Placer County housing market data is in, and while closed sales are down, there’s an interesting shift happening that could signal more activity ahead.

 

Inventory is Up – The number of homes for sale increased 49% year-over-year and 10.4% from last month, giving buyers more choices.

Closed Sales Are Down – Home sales dropped 5.5% from last year and 33.2% from last month, reflecting a seasonal slowdown in new contracts in December.

Pending Sales Are Way Up – Despite fewer closed sales, pending sales jumped significantly at the end of January, showing that more homes are going under contract and the 2025 has started off strong.

Pricing Trends – The median sold price increased by 2% from last month, but the average sold price…

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While many parts of California have seen population declines in recent years, Placer County continues to grow. More people are choosing to relocate here, fueling demand for housing and strengthening our local real estate market. But where are they coming from, and what does this mean for buyers and sellers? Let’s take a closer look.

Placer County’s Population Growth (2020-2024)

Between 2020 and 2024, Placer County’s population grew by approximately 8,100 residents, which equates to an annual growth rate of 0.5%. This growth was largely concentrated in the county’s incorporated cities—Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln—which collectively grew by 10,052 residents (0.9% annual growth). Meanwhile, unincorporated areas saw a slight decline of about 1,947…

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The devastating fires in Los Angeles serve as a powerful reminder of how quickly disasters can strike. While our thoughts are with those affected, it’s important to remember that some areas of Placer County face similarly high fire risks.

In fact, an increasing number of homes in our area are now relying on the California FAIR Plan for fire insurance coverage due to the growing challenges of obtaining traditional policies. If you’re unsure about your current coverage or need help navigating your options, here are a few key tips:

Is Your Home Properly Insured?

  • Does your policy cover the full cost of rebuilding in today’s market?
  • Are your belongings and temporary living expenses included if evacuation or loss occurs?
  • Does your plan meet…

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Election Day is here, and it’s natural to wonder how the results might affect the real estate market. Whether you’re considering buying, selling, or just curious, the question often arises: does an election really impact home prices?

Historically, the answer has shown a consistent trend. My friend Ryan Lundquist over at the Sacramento Appraisal Blog has shared a fantastic visual that illustrates what’s been happening in the Sacramento market since 1975. The green sections indicate election periods, with white periods showing what followed. The trend is clear—whatever the market was doing before the election usually continued afterward. If prices were rising before an election, they generally kept rising; if prices were dipping, that trend tended to…

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