Hiking in Placer County

“The real estate market is currently facing significant changes due to new regulations, creating a ‘Wild West’ atmosphere,” says local real estate agent Joanna Zakharchenko. The new regulation everyone is watching, particularly, is the Buyer Representation and Broker Compensation (BRBC) agreement, which requires real estate brokers to formalize their relationship with buyers by written agreement and mandates clearer communication about brokers' fees and commissions. 

Hidden Ridge in El Dorado Hills

With new laws come new trends, and many are watching to see what will develop in the market. We talked with local experts who have been closely following the changes and buyer preferences. What we discovered is that lifestyle sells. According to Zach Mongston, estate agent with Exp Realty, “Buyers are drawn to the balance of nature and convenience. Homes with easy access to outdoor amenities are highly sought after, with buyers looking for properties that offer a balance of home comfort and proximity to parks, lakes, and trails.” Here, we break down the hottest trends to help you understand what’s happening in today’s market.

1. From urban to suburbia. What began in isolated numbers during the pandemic has steadily grown into a trend across California—a migration from large cities to suburbs and semi-rural areas. “This trend has been fueled by remote work, which has allowed buyers to prioritize lifestyle and space over proximity to their offices,” explains Mongston. In search of space and a more balanced lifestyle, people are taking advantage of counties that offer a blend of nature, outdoor recreation, and proximity to urban centers. Counties like El Dorado and Placer are particularly popular because of their nearness to Sacramento and the Bay Area. In addition, they afford a nature-rich lifestyle many former urban dwellers seek.

2. Luxury living. The luxury real estate market is growing, with an appetite for gated communities and custom builds where personalization, technology integration, and privacy are at the forefront. El Dorado Hills and Folsom are especially experiencing growth in luxury real estate. “Gated communities with expansive homes, modern amenities, and access to outdoor activities, like hiking and boating, are drawing in high-income buyers,” says Mongston. One such example is Hidden Ridge in El Dorado Hills—a new gated community of single-family homes starting at $1 million that include modern floor plans ranging from 3,000-4,000+ square feet, expansive backyards, and multi-car garages. 

Regency at Folsom Ranch

3. Multi-gen living. With the increase in economic pressure and housing costs, multi-generational households are on the rise. Many families are opting for homes that can accommodate multiple generations, from grandparents to adult children, Mongston tells us. Multi-generational living allows families to consolidate resources while providing care for aging relatives. As a result, the market is experiencing an increased demand for homes with accessory dwelling units (ADUs), separate guest houses, or layouts that provide independent living spaces.

Rendering of Braden

4. Home office & flex spaces. Thanks to remote and hybrid work, buyers are prioritizing home offices when shopping for a new home. “Buyers want homes that can accommodate their professional and personal lives under one roof,” says Mongston. As a result, features like dedicated office spaces, high-speed internet access, and flexible layouts that allow for work-from-home setups are high on buyers’ wish lists.

5. 55+ communities. Active adult communities for ages 55 and up are seeing a rise in interest and occupancy in our region. An aging population has created a boom in developments catered to retirees. The most significant demand is for communities offering low-maintenance living, social amenities, and proximity to health services. As occupancy is steadily rising in our region, so is development. “The Regency at Folsom Ranch and other planned communities in the region are seeing a rise in interest from this demographic,” says Mongston. New developments indicate a growing preference for communities that cater to an active, independent lifestyle.

6. Sustainability. Sustainable homes are trending. “Eco-conscious buyers are driving demand for energy-efficient homes,” says Mongston. What are eco-conscious buyers looking for in particular? The most popular energy-efficient features include solar panels, drought-resistant landscaping, and energy-saving appliances, says Mongston. Real estate developer Somers West recently broke ground on Braden—a walkable 10-minute community in Rancho Cordova that’s pioneering low-impact living with up to 8,000 diverse residences, 1.3 million square feet of commercial space, 35% open space, 75 miles of multi-use paths and bike lanes, and 48 miles of trails. Somers West Owner Charles Somers says: “The groundbreaking of Braden begins a new journey that prioritizes people and planet, creating a town that truly enhances quality of life without sacrificing the natural environment in the process.”

7. Accessory dwelling units. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent living unit on the same property as a single-family home. The maximum square footage of an ADU in Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado counties is 1,200 square feet. ADUs have exploded in popularity in recent years. In fact, ADUs accounted for 20% of California’s new home construction in 2023, doubling from 2020. ADUs have become an alternative housing solution favored by homeowners and California legislators alike in the face of issues like lack of inventory in the real estate market, increased housing prices, and economic pressure. ADUs are popular among homeowners and buyers looking to house family members. They have also grown in popularity as an investment; they increase property value and create rental income for homeowners. 

by Nelly Kislyanka

Urban to Suburbia Placer County photo courtesy of Visit Placer. Luxury Livng photo courtesy of Hidden Ridge.