More choices for buyers, strategic moves for sellers—September 2025 brings climbing inventory, slight rate relief, and a clearer picture of who’s selling in Sacramento.
Mortgage rates: a small decline with big impact
Rates have dipped to around 6.5%, the lowest in nearly a year, which gives buyers more affordable monthly payments.
Builders are sweetening deals with closing-cost credits, upgrades, and temporary rate buydowns as low as 3.99%, while resale buyers benefit from the breathing room even without dramatic drops.
Who is selling in today’s market?
This mix explains rising inventory without panic selling; many moves are lifestyle driven rather than forced.
- Move-up sellers trading for more space or better neighborhoods.
- Downsizers and retirees cashing in on equity.
- Inherited properties adding inventory.
- Distressed sellers remain rare—foreclosures and short sales are minimal.
Prices and inventory: more options, stable values
The median Sacramento County price hovers around $540K, essentially flat year over year, while price per square foot has eased slightly.
Active listings jumped nearly 50% year over year, buyers now have more choices, and homes take around 45–50 days to go pending instead of the 16-day frenzy from 2021.
- Nearly 1 in 5 homes still sell quickly if priced and presented correctly.
- Overpriced homes linger and eventually cut price.
Price reductions: the new normal
Roughly 45% of listings saw at least one cut this summer, averaging 5–6% off list.
- Price realistically from day one—overpricing leads to steeper discounts later.
- Move-in ready, well-maintained homes still attract buyers quickly despite the softer market.
Buyers: a market with leverage
For buyers who sat out the pandemic boom, this is the window you’ve been waiting for.
- More inventory and less competition.
- Room to negotiate repairs, rate buydowns, or closing cost credits.
- A slower pace that allows careful shopping.
Sellers: strategy is everything
Adaptation allows sellers to secure strong results even though the instant multiple-offer era has faded for now.
- Price based on today’s comps, not last year’s highs.
- Presentation still matters—staged, quality homes move faster.
- Expect longer timelines; 50 days to contract is now normal.
Final thoughts
Sacramento’s September 2025 market isn’t crashing but evolving—buyers gain leverage, inventory diversifies, and sellers need sharper strategies.
If you’re buying, you have more time and options. If you’re selling, anchor pricing and presentation in today’s reality. For both sides, a balanced, strategic approach creates the best outcomes.
FAQs
- Are mortgage rates finally falling in Sacramento?
- They’ve dipped to roughly 6.5%, the lowest in nearly a year, which improves affordability even though rates remain elevated versus 2020-21 lows.
- Who is adding inventory right now?
- Move-up sellers, downsizers, and inherited properties dominate today’s inventory while distressed sales remain rare.
- Should sellers expect fast sales?
- Some homes still sell quickly, but longer timelines are the norm. Pricing realistically and presenting well are essential to close successfully.
