Is Fall a Good Time to Buy or Sell a Home in Placer County?

Every year, as the weather cools and the holidays approach, I hear a familiar question from buyers and sellers:

Should we make our move now, or wait until spring?

There's a common belief that the real estate market slows to a crawl during the fall and winter months. And while it's true that fewer homes typically sell during this time of year, the market certainly doesn't come to a stop.

In fact, I recently pulled five years of resale home sales data from MetroList MLS for Placer County, and the numbers might surprise you.

How Many Homes Sell During the Fall in Placer County?

Here's how many resale homes sold during October, November, and December compared to the entire year:

Source: MetroList MLS, Placer County resale home sales, 2021–2025. Fourth quarter includes October 1 through December 31.

Over the past five years, approximately 20% to 25% of all annual home sales have occurred during the final three months of the year.

Even in 2023, when higher mortgage rates contributed to a significant slowdown in sales, nearly 1,000 homes still closed during the fourth quarter.

What Does This Mean for the Fall 2026 Housing Market?

Through September 30, 2026, we've already had 3,980 resale homes sell in Placer County.

If the fourth quarter follows a similar pattern to previous years, we could see roughly another 1,000 or more homes close before the end of December.

Of course, historical trends don't guarantee future results. Mortgage rates, inventory, and buyer demand will all influence how the remainder of the year plays out.

And I'm seeing that activity firsthand. I have multiple homes closing this October, both with buyers and sellers, and we're only a couple of weeks into the quarter.

So, while the market may be quieter, there are still plenty of people making moves.

The Pros and Cons of Selling a Home in the Fall

Advantages of Selling in the Fall

• Less competition: With fewer homes coming on the market, your home may have a better opportunity to stand out. This can be particularly helpful in neighborhoods where several similar properties might otherwise compete for the same buyers.
• Motivated buyers: People shopping during the holidays often have specific reasons for needing to move, such as job relocations, family changes, or other time-sensitive circumstances.
• Avoiding the spring rush: Waiting until spring may bring more buyers, but it can also mean competing with more listings. Selling in the fall allows you to reach buyers who are actively searching now.

Disadvantages of Selling in the Fall

• Fewer buyers: There are typically fewer people actively looking, which can mean fewer showings and potentially more time on the market.
• Holiday disruptions: Keeping your home ready for showings while entertaining family or preparing for the holidays can be inconvenient.
• Seasonal presentation: Shorter days, rainy weather, and dormant landscaping can make showcasing your home more challenging. Good photography, lighting, and preparation become especially important.

Regardless of the season, pricing and preparation remain critical. A well-maintained home that's priced appropriately for its neighborhood will generally have a better opportunity to attract buyers than one that is overpriced or needs significant work.

The Pros and Cons of Buying a Home in the Fall

Advantages of Buying in the Fall

• Less competition: With fewer buyers in the market, you may have more opportunities to negotiate without competing against multiple offers.
• Potential seller flexibility: Some sellers may be more willing to consider price reductions, closing cost credits, repairs, or other favorable terms, especially if their home has been on the market for a while.
• Less pressure: You may have more time to evaluate a property, complete inspections, and make decisions without the urgency that sometimes accompanies a more competitive market.

Disadvantages of Buying in the Fall

• Fewer choices: With fewer new listings, finding a home that checks all your boxes can be more difficult, particularly if you're focused on a specific neighborhood or floor plan.
• Desirable homes still sell quickly: Even in a slower market, well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods can attract multiple offers. Buyers shouldn't assume that every seller will be willing to negotiate.
• Holiday scheduling: Inspections, appraisals, loan processing, and moving arrangements can become more complicated around the holidays.

I've seen both sides of this recently. Some buyers have been able to negotiate substantial concessions on properties, while others have faced strong competition for homes that were particularly well priced.

The opportunities are out there, but they vary considerably from one property to another.

Is It Better to Wait Until Spring to Buy or Sell?

It really depends on your circumstances.

For sellers, the condition of your home, your asking price, and the number of competing listings in your neighborhood matter much more than the time of year.

For buyers, finding the right home at a price and payment you're comfortable with is generally more important than waiting for a particular season.

Spring typically brings more activity, but that also means more competition for both buyers and sellers.

And there's no guarantee that mortgage rates, home prices, or market conditions will be more favorable several months from now.

The bottom line is that the real estate market doesn't shut down in the fall. It just operates a little differently.

Local Market Conditions Matter More Than the Season

One of the things I've learned from working in Placer County real estate for more than two decades is that the market can vary significantly from one city, neighborhood, and price range to another.

For example, conditions in Rocklin may be different from those in Loomis, Auburn, Granite Bay, or Lincoln.

Even within the same city, neighborhoods such as Whitney Oaks in Rocklin or Catta Verdera in Lincoln can experience different levels of buyer demand and competition.

That's why I encourage buyers and sellers to look beyond broad market statistics and focus on what's actually happening in the areas and price ranges that matter to them.

Thinking About Buying or Selling This Fall?

The numbers tell us that plenty of homes continue to sell in Placer County during October, November, and December.

There are advantages and disadvantages to moving during every season, and fall is no exception.

If you're considering buying or selling before the end of the year, or even planning ahead for next spring, I'd be happy to help you evaluate your options.

We can look at what's happening in your specific neighborhood or price range and discuss whether making a move now or waiting makes more sense for you.

As always, if you have any questions about the market or real estate in general, please don't hesitate to reach out.

I'm happy to help!

Patrick Hake
Broker Associate
eXp Realty of California
License #01349088

Call or text: (916) 316-5626
 www.OwnPlacer.com/patrick-hake.php