OwnPlacer Blog - selling a home in Placer County

What’s Negotiable in a Real Estate Deal? More Than You Think | Placer County Real Estate

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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How to Buy Your Next Home in Placer County When You Already Own One

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 & Real Estate in Placer County | Market Trends for Buyers & Sellers

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 in Placer County? How to Keep the Deal on Track

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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5 Years of Change: How Placer County Real Estate Has Evolved Since COVID

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

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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