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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