From Steve's Journal
Black Cow Blog
The things I know, the things I see, and the things many people never think to ask about Sacramento-area real estate.
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The House Behind Your House
A converted garage in East Sacramento once covered a young couple's truck payment, preschool, and part of the mortgage. What an accessory dwelling unit costs to build in this region, what it rents for, and the rule changes that opened the backyard door.
Fire Insurance Is the New HOA
The FAIR Plan's biggest rate hike in years lands October 15, and a foothill address can cost $10,000 more a year to insure than the valley floor. How the premium now decides who can afford which neighborhood, and what to check before you offer.
Drive Time Is the Price of the View
An extra 20 minutes of driving buys a newer house, a bigger yard, and different schools across the Sacramento region. The honest commute numbers for Roseville, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and the rest, plus the trains that change the math.
The Second Property Tax
New communities from west Roseville to Folsom Ranch carry a second property tax on top of the Prop 13 base, and most buyers never see the line until the closing table. What a Mello-Roos special tax costs, how long it lasts, and the questions to ask before you offer.
The Green Fees You Didn't Sign Up For
A fairway view in Serrano, Morgan Creek, or Granite Bay costs a lot more each month than the listing shows. The honest price of golf course living in the Sacramento region: dues, golf balls, the 6 AM mower, and the eight questions to ask before you offer.
September 2026 Market Update: The Balanced Market Has Arrived
The September edition of Steve Rath's monthly market newsletter: median prices, months of supply, days on market, and mortgage rates across Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties, plus a spotlight on Roseville.
The House That Outlived Its Owners
When a parent dies, the family home becomes a process. The plain-English version of inheriting a home in Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties: probate, the mortgage rules, and the property tax surprise.
Above the Fog, Beside the Lake
Granite Bay or El Dorado Hills? The straight comparison of two premium Sacramento region addresses: the fog line, lake access, schools, commutes, and what your money buys in each.
Has the Train Left the Station?
Mortgage rates are creeping back toward 7 percent while inventory builds across Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties. The honest October read from 37-year local agent Steve Rath.
Fall 2026 Market Preview: Your Game Plan for Buying or Selling in a Changing Market
Practical advice for navigating the 2026 fall market across Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties. Interest rates, inventory, and smart strategies from a local pro with 37 years in the game.
All Quiet on the Western Front
Home prices, days on market, inventory trends, and interest rate impacts across the Sacramento region. Honest market intelligence from 37-year local agent Steve Rath.
Placer County's Best Neighborhoods
A curated guide to the communities that make Placer County one of the most desirable places to live in the Sacramento region.
Sacramento County's Best Neighborhoods
From established tree-lined enclaves to vibrant new developments, discover where to put down roots in Sacramento County.
El Dorado County's Best Neighborhoods
From foothill charm to lakeside living, explore the best communities El Dorado County has to offer.
New Construction vs. Established Neighborhoods
What to watch out for when buying new construction, and why an established neighborhood might surprise you.
Market Intel