How To Get an Interest Rate at 4% or Less

Forget haggling on the list price - builders rarely negotiate on price, but they will on credits and upgrades. Ever wondered what it really takes to buy a new construction home without overpaying or missing out on deals? Right now, there are some great options on the market, but most buyers don’t fully understand how the process works. Let’s clear up some common misconceptions and go over the top three things you need to know before making a move on a brand-new home. 1. Builders don’t like to negotiate on price. The first thing I tell every client is that big builders, like Lennar and JMC, don’t usually negotiate on price. They’ve been developing these communities for a while, and homes have already been sold to other buyers at set prices. If you come in with a lower offer, the builder isn’t likely to budge because they want to protect the value of the neighborhood. That said, there are ways to work around this. Builders are often flexible with credits instead of lowering the price directly. You can ask for things like lender credits, upgrades, or even having a backyard installed. We had a client recently who ended up with over $90,000 in credits and upgrades, including a completed backyard. Focusing on concessions instead of the list price can be a game-changer. "Builders are often flexible with credits instead of lowering the price directly." 2. Understand how new construction works. Not every home is ready to move in immediately. Many times, you’ll pick a lot and choose a floor plan, which can take patience. You might not be able to wait six months or so. Builders also don’t list all their available homes on the MLS, so it’s not always obvious what’s available. That’s why working with someone who knows the ins and outs of new construction and the communities you’re interested in is so important. 3. The value of experienced representation. Finally, having an experienced agent on your side is critical. If you walk into a new construction community alone, the opportunity is already limited. The salesperson there represents the builder, not you. Meeting with your agent first and going in together ensures the builder recognizes your relationship. Clients who buy new construction with our representation often save 5% to 10% compared to someone represented by the builder’s agent. It’s like hiring your own attorney, and you wouldn’t want them representing the other side. So, whether it’s negotiating credits, understanding the process, or having the right representation, these three points can make a big difference in buying new construction. In today’s market, it pays to work with someone who knows what they’re doing. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, call us at (916) 862-5463 or visit HomesByElevate.com . We’re happy to help you. 

Sacramento’s housing inventory is up compared to last year, giving buyers more options while sellers face tighter competition. Are there really fewer buyers in today’s Sacramento housing market? Lately, I’ve been receiving a lot of calls from clients, especially sellers, who are starting to feel frustrated. Most are noticing that their homes are taking longer to sell, and it’s becoming more difficult to attract offers or even schedule showings. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, these changes will certainly affect how you navigate the market. To help you decide what steps to take next, here’s a quick breakdown of what’s really happening in Sacramento’s real estate. Rising inventory is reshaping the market. One of the biggest shifts in this year’s market has been the significant increase in available homes for sale. With more inventory, sellers are facing increased competition. This has led to more frequent price reductions and has given buyers the space to take their time when making purchasing decisions. Historically, the market follows a fairly consistent seasonal pattern. Inventory tends to peak in the summer months and then begins to decline as winter approaches. But do note that this drop doesn’t mean fewer homes are being sold. It’s just that fewer people are listing their homes during this time. July inventory surge. What stands out this year is the number of active listings in July. Sacramento saw nearly 9,500 homes on the market, which is approximately 35% more than in July of the previous year. With interest rates hovering between 7.5% to 8%, buyers are being cautious about their purchases and are taking longer to commit. Over the past year or two, we’ve also consistently seen 30% to 40% more homes on the market compared to earlier years. While inventory levels today are similar to those in 2021 and 2022, the difference is that more homes were going pending back then. That shift was largely due to lower interest rates, which made it easier for buyers to act quickly and confidently. "The data shows that buyer interest remains strong, but the growing number of listings is creating more competition." Pending sales stay steady. The number of pending sales follows predictable seasonal patterns: dipping during winter and rising again in the spring and summer. This pattern occurs not because there are more buyers during those seasons, but because more homes tend to be listed during those months. Each year, the number of homes going pending remains fairly consistent, typically within a 5% range. The main variable affecting the market is how many homes are listed for sale at any given time. Pandemic shifts still shape the market. Looking at data from the past six years shows a clear trend. In 2019, there were around 11,000 Sacramento homes for sale. In 2020, during the early stages of the pandemic, that number dropped to about 5,000. Now, in 2025, we’re back up to roughly 9,500 homes on the market. During the pandemic, pending sales peaked at around 5,000. Today, they’re sitting closer to 3,500. So while buyer activity has dipped a bit, it hasn’t dropped nearly as much as inventory has grown. This highlights a key point in understanding the current market. What this means for you. Buyers have not disappeared. The data shows that buyer interest remains strong, but the growing number of listings is creating more competition. As a result, prices have started to soften. So far this year, Sacramento has experienced a price reduction of around 3% to 5%, and that trend is likely to continue unless the number of homes for sale begins to stabilize. If you are planning to sell your home, it’s important to recognize that the challenge is not a lack of buyers. Demand remains present, but sellers now face more competition. If you’d like to discuss your options, feel free to reach out at (916) 862-5463 or visit HomesByElevate.com . We’re happy to assist you.

We’ve all noticed the market shift—inventory is up and sales are slower. I’ll share insider tips to help you stay ahead of the market. What’s really going on in Sacramento’s real estate market? For the past four years, the Sacramento real estate market was in a state of "nonexistent inventory,” with a record-low number of homes available for sale. Despite high interest rates climbing from 4% to 8.5%, homes were selling quickly. But in 2025, the market is shifting . We're seeing an increase in inventory, and homes are spending more time on the market. I view this as normalization . Here’s what’s really happening and what this means for you, whether you’re buying or selling: Rising home inventory. This year, we've seen almost 40% of homes go for sale, which has a significant impact on the Sacramento region. With rising interest rates, fewer buyers are entering the market, so a lot of unsold homes roll over to the following month. Now in July, properties are sitting longer as more inventory continues to hit the market. This is a clear sign that buyer demand isn’t keeping up. "Buyers have more room to negotiate, but sellers can still win with the right strategy." Home prices are dropping. Due to the rising inventory, we're starting to see longer selling times and a slight drop in home prices of about 3 percent. This has been going on since January and February, and if it continues, we may see home prices drop by 6% to 7% this year. This is not necessarily a bad thing; houses have become expensive for buyers, and now it's more affordable to get one. As we go through the year, it's important to watch buyer demand. If interest rates go down and more homes become available, prices could drop quickly if there are more homes than buyers. What does this mean for you? For buyers, this could be an ideal time to find homes at a good deal. With homes sitting longer on the market, sellers are willing to negotiate more. If you’re selling, you can still sell in this market, but having a good strategy is a must. With prices going down slowly, there's no need to wait. Got plans to buy or sell this year? We can help. With years of experience in the business, I know exactly what to do to help you find the perfect home or get the best deal for your home sale—even in a tough market. Feel free to reach out to us. Just call (916) 862-5463 or visit HomesByElevate.com . We look forward to hearing from you!

With fewer bidding wars, price drops, and more negotiation power, homebuyers finally have the upper hand after years of intense competition. Is now the best time to buy a home in the last three years? Lately, we’re seeing more homes come onto the market, and they’re staying available a bit longer. This shift is opening up new opportunities for buyers who have been waiting for the right moment. Let’s dive deeper to see why this could be the best time to buy. Buyers are in a better spot. Inventory is up about 30% to 35% compared to last year. At the same time, the number of homes going pending has dropped sharply, especially over the past 60 days. When you put those together — more homes available and fewer are selling quickly — deals are starting to happen. Sellers are dropping prices to compete, and buyers are getting offers accepted well below asking, which hasn’t been common in recent years. This is a change from the last three years when buyers often had to compete with multiple offers or submit very high bids just to be considered. "Sellers are dropping prices to compete, and buyers are getting offers accepted well below asking, which hasn’t been common in recent years." I believe this is the best window we’ve had to buy since the pandemic started. If you’ve been on the fence or wondering if buying is possible, now might be the time to take a closer look. We can help break down the numbers for you. We can also build a plan to help you save and prepare over the next year. A shift sellers didn’t expect. Sellers have held the upper hand for about six years, so this change in the market feels significant. While they’re still getting solid prices and we’re not seeing a major drop in home values, the momentum has shifted. Based on current trends, it wouldn’t be surprising to see values dip by 1% to 5% this year. Buyers are finally gaining some leverage again —and that’s a welcome change. If you’ve been thinking about buying, now’s a great time to explore your options. We’re happy to help—at no cost to you—by putting together a personalized purchase plan. Just give us a call at 916-436-SELL , or check out homesbyelevate.com . We’ll walk you through the steps to save and prepare. 

Sacramento’s inventory is up 25%, but buyer demand is dropping. Know what’s driving the shift and how it affects home prices for buyers and sellers. What’s going on with the Sacramento real estate market halfway through 2025? This year has been moving fast, but what’s really interesting is how much the market has shifted in just the past couple of months. After a relatively quiet start, things have started to change in ways that are important for both buyers and sellers. Over the last 60 days, some significant trends have emerged that could shape the rest of the year. It’s definitely worth taking a closer look at what’s driving these changes and what they mean for the market right now. Let’s dive in. Looking back: from a slow 2024 to a hopeful start in 2025. Last year, 2024, was one of the slowest on record for home sales in Sacramento, setting a quiet tone for the market. Going into 2025, I expected things to stay fairly similar, with no big changes in interest rates or sudden surges in buyer activity. However, the first few months surprised us a bit— sales picked up by about 10% compared to last year, and buyers seemed noticeably more motivated and confident. This early momentum gave hope that the market might be warming up after a sluggish period. Inventory is rising as buyer demand slows. Over the past 60 days, the Sacramento real estate market has taken a noticeable turn. Buyer demand has slowed down, with fewer people going under contract and purchasing homes. Meanwhile, the number of homes listed for sale has risen sharply. "This isn’t a market crash—it’s simply the housing market rebalancing after being inflated by low inventory." When fewer buyers are buying but new listings keep coming, inventory starts to build up quickly. For example, if 1,000 homes are listed in a month but only 300 go pending, that leaves 700 homes still available the following month. Add another 1,000 new listings on top of that, and you end up with a growing backlog of homes sitting on the market. This increase in inventory alongside slowing sales is exactly what we’re seeing right now. Shifting dynamics are putting pressure on home prices. With more homes hitting the market and fewer buyers actively looking, smart pricing has become more important than ever. A well-priced home might get three to five showings each week, but if it's even slightly overpriced, showings can drop to one every couple of weeks—or none at all. That’s a big change from previous years, when buyers were more aggressive despite high interest rates because there weren’t many options available. Back then, homes went under contract quickly, often within two weeks. Now, inventory is up roughly 20% to 25% compared to this time last year, while pending sales are down 10% to 15% over the past two months. If this continues, inventory will keep rising, and home prices will face more downward pressure. At this point, I expect prices to remain mostly flat or dip slightly for about 1% to 3% in some neighborhoods. That said, this isn’t a market crash—it’s simply the market rebalancing after being inflated by low inventory. If you’re thinking about selling, it’s really important to price and present your home right to attract buyers. For buyers who have been hesitant over the past few years, now is a great time to jump in. We’re seeing homes sell under their asking price, and despite higher interest rates, there are still some great deals available. If you want to learn more, give us a call at 916-436-SELL , or check out homesbyelevate.com . We’re happy to keep you updated about the market.

We partnered with Sweet Dreams Foundation to make a Pokémon-themed bedroom and firehouse playroom for a brave young boy. This month, the Elevate team had the immense honor of partnering with the Sweet Dreams Foundation for our second dream bedroom transformation project. Sweet Dreams Foundation is a nonprofit in Folsom, CA, dedicated to creating safe havens called “DREAM ROOMS” for medically fragile children to forget treatments and find joy. Their mission is to spread peace, hope, and love while encouraging a healthy lifestyle to lift each child’s spirit. We collaborated to support Leo, a bright, brave young boy courageously battling a life-threatening illness. With Sweet Dreams leading the vision and Elevate lending our hands and hearts, our shared mission was to bring light, comfort, and joy to Leo’s world by creating a bedroom and playroom that reflected his favorite things and gave him a space to feel safe, playful, and loved.  With the help of volunteer firefighters, generous vendors, and the dedicated Sweet Dreams team, we unveiled a completely transformed space for Leo. His new bedroom featured a Pokémon theme and a custom firehouse-themed playroom. It was complete with imaginative details and interactive elements that turned the space into his dream come true. This partnership with Sweet Dreams Foundation is one we deeply value. At Elevate , we believe in using our skills and resources to uplift the communities we serve , and nothing means more than making a difference for children like Leo. If you’d like to learn more, get involved, or explore future partnership opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 916-436-SELL , or check out homesbyelevate.com to learn more. We’d love to hear from you.

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See how real estate remains stable even when the stock market dips, giving homebuyers confidence to move forward. Are you wondering if the stock market has any impact on the real estate market? It’s a question I get a lot, especially when the stock market takes a hit—which it just did! With a recent 10% pullback, I’ve seen more buyers holding back from buying a home. Some even ask if they should wait for a possible recession. Big financial shifts can really make anyone second-guess a major purchase. But let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture. I’m breaking down how stock market activity can potentially impact real estate. Stock dips don’t stop real estate growth. The stock market may have dipped recently, but it’s still far higher than it was in 2020 and remains n ear record highs. The same is true for real estate, as home values in Sacramento have nearly doubled over the past five or six years. This shows that a 10% to 15% drop in stocks is normal and hasn’t historically caused home prices to fall. Even though a major crash could impact decisions, smaller dips like this are common and don’t mean home values are at risk. Both markets follow long-term growth trends despite short-term fluctuations. "Even though a major crash could impact decisions, smaller stock market dips are common and don’t mean home values are at risk." How the stock market can impact home-buying decisions. Even though home prices don’t change directly with the stock market, there are two main ways it can affect real estate. First, some buyers use their investments or retirement savings for a down payment. If the stock market is down, they might not want to sell their investments. Doing this could delay their home buying. Second, when the stock market is unstable, people feel unsure about their finances. They opt to wait before making big decisions like buying a home. Real estate is a long game. After all, most people don’t buy a home for just a year or two—they plan to live there or hold the investment for a decade or more. Over time, both the stock market and real estate tend to go up. That’s w hy short-term market swings shouldn’t be the deciding factor in a home purchase. Stock market corrections are a normal part of investing, just like ups and downs in real estate. What matters most is looking at the long-term tr ends. If you have questions about how today’s market conditions could affect your real estate plans, give me a call at 916-436-SELL , or check out HomesbyElevate.com to learn more. I’m happy to help.