OwnPlacer Blog - Auburn CA housing market

Fed Cuts Rates — But Mortgage Rates Rise Anyway

Posted by Patrick Hake on October 30th, 2025

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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Placer County is Growing While California Shrinks – Here’s What That Means for Real Estate

Posted by Patrick Hake on January 31st, 2025

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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