This is a collection of blog posts we have done regarding the lending industry, interest rates and anything else that falls within the financing realm of a real estate transaction.

If you've been waiting for mortgage rates to come down before buying or selling a home, the last six months have probably been frustrating.

On February 23, the national average for a 30-year mortgage briefly fell below 6%, reaching 5.99%.

As of September 3, that average has climbed to 6.88%.

So, what happened? And perhaps more importantly for buyers and sellers in Placer County, what could cause mortgage rates to move up or down from here?

The Fed Doesn't Directly Control Mortgage Rates

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about interest rates.

Since February, the Federal Reserve has met four times and has not raised its short-term interest rate once. It kept rates unchanged at every meeting.

Yet during that same…

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Yesterday, the Federal Reserve held short-term interest rates steady—which is what most people expected.

But at the same time…

Mortgage rates have risen roughly 0.4% since the conflict with Iran began.

So what’s going on?

If the Fed didn’t raise rates, why did mortgage rates move higher?

The answer comes down to a chain reaction that’s worth understanding—especially if you’re buying or selling real estate in Placer County and the surrounding areas.

 

It Starts With Oil

When global conflicts involve or impact major oil-producing regions, markets immediately react to the risk of supply disruption.

Even the possibility of disruption can push oil prices higher.

And when oil prices rise, it doesn’t just affect gas at the pump.

…

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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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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 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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There’s been increasing discussion about two major mortgage ideas that could reshape the U.S. real estate landscape: 50-year mortgages and portable mortgages. These proposals are designed to help unlock a market that has largely frozen in place, offering new ways to improve affordability and mobility—especially in high-cost areas like Placer County.

With inventory remaining tight across our region and throughout California, here’s a clear breakdown of what these proposals mean, how they might help, and what limitations still remain.

The 50-Year Mortgage: Pros, Cons & What It Solves (and Doesn’t)

A 50-year mortgage simply stretches a traditional 30-year mortgage into a longer term, reducing the monthly payment.

Potential Benefits

Lower…

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Yesterday, the Federal Reserve lowered its key interest rate by ¼%, just as most people expected. Normally, that kind of move makes borrowing cheaper. But this time, mortgage rates actually went up.

Earlier in the week, mortgage rates had fallen to some of the lowest levels we’ve seen in years. Then, after the Fed’s press conference, they jumped again. This has now happened several times in a row: the Fed announces a rate cut → the market hopes for more → and mortgage rates end up climbing instead.

 

Why Mortgage Rates Rose After a Fed Cut

The Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates. Its short-term rate influences things like credit cards and car loans, but mortgage rates move based on what investors expect from the economy.

When…

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As summer winds down, the Placer County housing market is showing several important shifts that could shape the months ahead. With more homes available, stable pricing, and mortgage rates falling to their lowest level in 10 months, both buyers and sellers are finding new opportunities.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening in the local market.

Market Activity — Active, Pending & Sold

  • Active Listings: Up 21.8% year-over-year, giving buyers more selection (though down 5.8% from July)

  • Pending Sales: Up 16.6% month-over-month and 21.1% year-over-year, showing that more buyers are writing offers

  • Closed Sales: Down 15.5% year-over-year and 15.7% from July, reflecting a slower—but still moving—market

This mix shows …

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Rates at a 10-Month Low

If you’ve been watching the real estate market in Placer County, you know how much mortgage rates can impact affordability.

On May 21st, 2025, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.08%. As of September 5th, 2025, that rate has dropped to 6.29% — the lowest we’ve seen in nearly 10 months (Source: Mortgage News Daily).

What Does This Mean for Buyers in Rocklin, Roseville, and Beyond?

This shift may not sound huge on paper, but for homebuyers in Placer County it makes a major difference:

  • 10% Lower Payments: For the same loan amount, today’s monthly payment is roughly 10% lower than it was in May.

  • 10% More Buying Power: Alternatively, buyers can now qualify to borrow about 10% more at the…

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Mortgage rates have been moving in a positive direction for buyers. According to Mortgage News Daily, the 30-year fixed rate is now around 6.58%, the lowest we’ve seen in 10 months.

At the same time, our latest market update shows months of inventory in Placer County has increased compared to earlier this summer. That means there are more homes available and less competition for each one.

What This Means for Buyers

  • Lower Rates = Lower Monthly Payments compared to when rates were higher earlier this year.

  • More Inventory = More Choices in the type, location, and price range of homes available.

  • Market Conditions Have Shifted from the tighter, higher-rate environment we saw just a few months ago.

While no one can…

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