February’s numbers are in, and while the housing market continues to move through the typical early-year transition, the Placer County real estate market is still showing underlying strength as we move closer to the spring season.

Seasonality always plays a role during the first few months of the year, but several key indicators from February suggest that buyer activity is beginning to pick up again as we approach the busier months ahead.

Here’s a breakdown of what stood out last month—and what it means moving forward.

Inventory & Sales Activity

February remained firmly in seller’s market territory, with inventory still relatively limited compared to buyer demand.

Homes sold: 293 closed sales
• Up 12.7% from January
• Down 8.4%…

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For the first time since Fall of 2022, mortgage rates have dipped below 6%.

On paper, that may not sound dramatic. But in real estate, psychology often matters just as much as math.

Let’s break down what this means — especially here in Placer County.

The Psychological Impact of “5%”

Here’s something interesting.

The difference in monthly payment between 6.1% and 5.98% on a $700,000 loan is relatively small. It’s not life-changing.

But psychologically?

It’s very different.

We haven’t seen a “5” in front of mortgage rates in years. Many buyers have mentally anchored their decision to move forward on that threshold. For some, crossing below 6% isn’t about the payment — it’s about momentum.

That shift in perception alone can…

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Just a week ago it felt like spring.

Blossoms were popping.
Flowers were blooming.
Shorts and sandals were starting to look appealing again.

And then… winter reminded us who’s in charge.

Anyone who has lived in Placer County long enough knows we get a few “fake springs” before the real one sticks. This latest system brought snow down to Auburn and steady rain across much of the county.

The Upside?

  • More water in the reservoirs

  • More snowpack in the Sierra

  • A healthier outlook heading into summer

That’s all good news long term.

But big storms also tend to expose things around the house — and they can quietly influence the real estate market too.

5 Things Worth Checking After a Storm Like This

Heavy…

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There’s something I’ve noticed over the years in Placer County real estate.

The market doesn’t really wake up when the calendar says “spring.”

It wakes up right after the Super Bowl… and usually right around the first truly sunny, spring-like week.

You know the one —

Blossoms starting to pop.
Wildflowers showing up along the trails.
Green grass covering the hills again.
Patios full.
Open house traffic up.

There’s a real psychological shift that happens — and it shows up in the data.

The Super Bowl Effect

Ryan Lundquist of the Sacramento Appraisal Blog recently pointed out that in the Sacramento region, we typically see about a 25% increase in pending contracts between February and March, and some of the strongest days for new…

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What’s Really Happening as We Head Toward Spring

January’s numbers are in, and while the year started off with the typical post-holiday slowdown, the Placer County housing market continues to show underlying strength as we move closer to spring.

Seasonality always plays a role in early-year data, but several key indicators from January suggest buyer and seller activity may ramp up sooner than many expect.

Here’s a breakdown of what stood out last month—and what it means moving forward.

Inventory & Sales Activity

January remained a seller’s market, though activity reflected the normal seasonal pause after the holidays.

  • Homes sold: 254 closed sales

    • Down 1.2% year-over-year

    • Down 34% from December’s elevated…

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Real Estate Negotiation Tips for Placer County

One of the biggest misconceptions I see in real estate is that the only thing you can negotiate is the price.

In reality, a real estate transaction has many moving parts — and negotiation is a normal part of almost every sale, especially in today’s market.

To put some real numbers behind that:

39% of the homes sold through the MLS in Placer County during the month of December showed some form of seller concession that was negotiated.
And that figure doesn’t include transactions where concessions weren’t specifically marked in the MLS.

Beyond that, every sale involves negotiation around standard closing costs — and of course, the final agreed-upon sales price itself.

Below is a breakdown of some of the most common (and useful) items that…

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Placer County neighborhood in winter preparing for the spring real estate market

Even though spring may still feel a little ways off, this is actually the ideal time to start getting organized if you’re thinking about buying or selling later this year — especially here in Placer County.

In our local market, the homeowners and buyers who prepare early tend to have the smoothest experience once activity begins to pick up.

For Buyers: Get Your Financing in Place Early

If buying this spring is on your radar, now is a great time to begin the pre-approval process.

One practical advantage this time of year is that many buyers are already gathering tax documents and financial records, which often makes getting pre-approved simpler and quicker.

Having a strong pre-approval ready helps:

  • Clarify what price range…

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As we kick off the new year, one topic is dominating conversations across Placer County: mortgage rates have recently dipped to their lowest levels in roughly three years.

While rates are still above the historic lows of the early 2020s, this drop is meaningful — and it’s already influencing real estate decisions for buyers, sellers, and homeowners throughout the region.

Here’s what’s driving the change, why it matters locally, and how to think about it going forward.

What’s Going On With Mortgage Rates?

Over the past several days, mortgage rates have eased due to a combination of factors — including a recent federal mortgage-bond purchase announcement, which helped push bond prices higher and mortgage rates lower.

At the same time,…

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As we close out 2025, December’s numbers provide a clear snapshot of where the Placer County housing market stands heading into the new year. While activity slowed seasonally—as it typically does during the holidays—the market remained firmly tilted toward sellers, supported by limited inventory and steady demand.

Below is a breakdown of what stood out last month and what these trends suggest as we move into 2026.

Inventory & Sales Activity

December continued to reflect a seller’s market, even with fewer listings coming to market late in the year.

  • For-sale inventory: Up 13.3% year-over-year, giving buyers more options than last December

  • Month-over-month inventory: Down 23.2%, reflecting the typical holiday slowdown

  • …

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As we turn the page on another year, it’s a good time to reflect on how the Placer County real estate market performed in 2025 — and what current data and expert forecasts suggest for 2026.

Whether you’re considering buying, selling, or simply planning ahead, understanding where we’ve been and where the market may be headed can help you make more confident, informed decisions.

How the Placer County Market Shaped Up in 2025

2025 was another active year for local real estate, even as the market continued to normalize from the historically fast pace we experienced between 2020 and 2021.

Here’s how the year unfolded:

  • A Steady Seller’s Market
    Limited inventory and consistent demand kept Placer County in seller-favor territory for much of…

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