Found 10 blog entries tagged as buying a home in Placer County.

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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One of the most common questions I hear from local homeowners is:

“How do I buy my next home if I already own one?”

The good news is that there are several strategies to make this happen. Each approach comes with its own benefits and risks depending on your financial situation, the equity in your current home, and how flexible you want to be in your search.

Options for Buying First

These strategies allow you to purchase your next home without making your offer contingent on selling your current one:

  • Second Mortgage or Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): Tap into your home’s equity to fund your down payment. A HELOC lets you borrow only what you need, offering flexibility.

  • Cash Purchase: If savings or investments allow, this…

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Labor Day isn’t just the unofficial end of summer—it’s also a seasonal checkpoint for the real estate market in Placer County.

As kids head back to school and families settle into new routines, the housing market often shifts gears:

Seasonal Shifts in the Placer County Real Estate Market

  • Summer Slowdown: Many buyers and sellers pause in August for vacations, camps, and back-to-school prep.

  • Fall Re-Engagement: After Labor Day, activity usually picks up again, often with more serious buyers entering the market. These buyers are motivated to move before the holidays or year-end.

  • Weather Matters: With temps near 100° this weekend, features like energy-efficient A/C, shade trees, and outdoor living spaces are especially…

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Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest milestones in life. But for many buyers and sellers, nothing is more frustrating than working hard to get into contract—only to have the deal fall apart before closing.

A recent nationwide survey from John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) revealed the most common reasons contracts fell through in June:

  • Inspection issues (28%)

  • Buyer/Seller cold feet (23%)

  • Financing challenges (27% combined)

  • Title or appraisal issues (6%)

While these challenges are common, the good news is that many can be avoided with the right preparation.

✅ Tips to Avoid a Sale Falling Through

For Sellers:

  • Pre-listing inspections & repairs: Handle inspections and repairs…

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The Placer County real estate market is shifting—and for buyers, that brings fresh opportunities we haven’t seen in a while.

In my recent June 2025 market update, active listings rose by 40.1% year-over-year and 6.7% from May, bringing our months of inventory to about 3.3 months. While that still slightly favors sellers overall, the increased selection is giving buyers more room to negotiate and be strategic.

✅ What More Inventory Means for Buyers

Price Negotiations
With more homes to choose from, sellers are often more willing to negotiate—especially if their property has been sitting on the market without offers.

Seller Credits & Rate Buydowns
Many buyers are asking sellers to help pay for an interest rate buydown, lowering monthly…

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A newly passed federal law—nicknamed the “Big Beautiful Bill”—brings several tax changes that could impact homeowners and buyers right here in Placer County. Here’s what you need to know and how it might shape your decisions in our local real estate market.

What’s Changing

✅ Higher SALT Deduction Cap
The cap on State & Local Tax (SALT) deductions has jumped from $10,000 to $40,000 (phasing out for incomes over $500,000). This new limit lasts through 2029 and could help offset California’s higher property taxes.

✅ Mortgage Interest Deduction Made Permanent
The mortgage interest deduction (on loans up to $750,000) is now permanent—offering more predictable long-term tax planning for homeowners.

✅ Mortgage Insurance Premiums Deductible Again
…

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 Inventory Is Rising—But the Market Isn’t the Same for Everyone in Placer County

As we head deeper into summer, the Placer County real estate market has officially shifted. Inventory is rising, giving buyers more options—but sellers are facing stiffer competition. The key takeaway? Not all segments of the market are moving in the same way.

Let’s break it down.

May 2025 Placer County Market Overview

  • Active Listings: Up 47.1% compared to May 2024

  • Pending Sales: 454 homes

  • Median Sales Price: $675,000 (⬆️ 2% from last month; ⏸ flat year-over-year)

  • Days on Market: 29 days (up slightly from last year)

  • Overall Months of Inventory: 2.4 months — Still leaning toward a seller’s market

Inventory by…

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It’s hard to believe, but it has now been five years since the COVID lockdowns began in California. During that time, we’ve seen massive changes in the real estate market, driven by migration trends, shifting home preferences, and fluctuating interest rates.

From the market freeze of early 2020 to the record-breaking price surge of 2021, followed by the correction and stabilization we see today, let’s take a closer look at how Placer County real estate has evolved over the last five years.

Spring 2020: The Market Freeze

When California entered lockdown in March 2020, the real estate market came to a standstill. Open houses were banned, showings were limited, and buyers and sellers hit pause due to uncertainty.

But then, mortgage rates …

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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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The devastating fires in Los Angeles serve as a powerful reminder of how quickly disasters can strike. While our thoughts are with those affected, it’s important to remember that some areas of Placer County face similarly high fire risks.

In fact, an increasing number of homes in our area are now relying on the California FAIR Plan for fire insurance coverage due to the growing challenges of obtaining traditional policies. If you’re unsure about your current coverage or need help navigating your options, here are a few key tips:

Is Your Home Properly Insured?

  • Does your policy cover the full cost of rebuilding in today’s market?
  • Are your belongings and temporary living expenses included if evacuation or loss occurs?
  • Does your plan meet…

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