Market Report for Auburn, CA

I hope this finds you well! I wanted to send along an update on the Auburn, CA real estate market, where things currently stand, and where I think we’re headed — plus a few fun holiday happenings in our area.

Auburn, CA Real Estate Market – Current Snapshot

Here’s a look at the latest housing market trends in Auburn and Placer County, based on the most recent data:

• Inventory (Active Listings): Placer County has seen its inventory increase.

• Pending / New Listings: According to the Placer County market update, pending sales are up significantly.

• Days on Market / Time to Contract: In Auburn, the typical number of days to pending is around 37 days, per Zillow. Meanwhile, a local housing update (October 2025) shows average days on market around 67 days.

• Median Price / Sale Price Trends:

  • Zillow reports the “typical” home value in Auburn is about $614,995, which is down ~1% year-over-year.

  • According to Redfin, homes in Auburn sold for a median of $679K in October 2025 — showing a 22.6% increase compared to a year ago, though that might reflect a change in the mix of homes selling.

  • According to Realtor.com, the median listing price in Auburn is ~$680,000, with a price-per-square-foot around $346.

• Overall Placer County Trends: Placer County is seeing 4.4% year-over-year price growth, per Redfin, and the median days on market in the county is about 47 days.

• Sell vs List Ratio: The share of sold vs original list price for Placer County is around 96%, showing that many homes are selling slightly below original ask.

Bottom Line on Market Right Now:

• The market appears to be cooling a bit from past frenzied conditions, but it’s not a collapse — more of a normalizing, balanced market.

• Inventory growth is giving buyers more options.

• Sellers still have room to work with, but price cuts are more common now, so strategic pricing is more important than ever.

Where the Auburn Market Could Be Headed

Looking ahead, here’s what I believe is likely for Auburn in the next 12–18 months:

1. Moderate Price Growth or Stabilization

   • With inventory rising and demand more measured, I expect modest price growth, or at least stabilization.

   • According to the California Association of REALTORS®, statewide median home prices are projected to rise 3.6% in 2026, which gives us a tailwind but not runaway growth.

   • Some local forecasts  also suggest a gradual increase over the long term.

2. Higher Inventory Sustained

   • If active listings remain elevated, buyers will continue to have more choice. That gives negotiation power to serious buyers, particularly for homes that are not “perfect.”

   • However, well-priced, well-maintained homes will continue to move more quickly.

3. Longer Time on Market for Some Homes

   • As seen in recent updates, average days on market are increasing.

   • Sellers may need to be tactical with pricing, staging, and timing their listing to stand out.

4. Interest Rate Sensitivity

   • Mortgage rates will continue to play a major role. While some forecasts expect modest improvements, rates remain a key barrier for many buyers.

   • If rates ease, it could bring more buyers back in, especially with more inventory. If not, affordability pressure may dampen demand.

5. Balanced but Slightly Buyer-Friendly

   • Overall, I see a market that’s shifting toward balance — not strongly favoring sellers as in recent boom years, but not tipping into a buyer crash either.

   • For buyers, this could be a favorable window to make thoughtful offers.

   • For sellers, pricing carefully and presenting your home well will be more important than in a “hot” market.

Upcoming Holiday Events in Auburn

As we move into the holiday season, there are some wonderful community events in and around Auburn that are great reminders of the charm of our town:

• Country Christmas in Old Town Auburn — December 13 & 20, 2025: stroll through Old Town Auburn, enjoy live music, local artisan vendors, s’mores by the fire, and visits with Santa.

• Auburn Festival of Lights Parade — December 6, 2025: the Parade of Lights brings festive floats, walking entries, and holiday spirit down High Street.

• Festival of Trees – November 19 through January 4 at the White River Valley Museum.

• A Very Dickens Christmas Exhibit – November 19–January 4, also at the museum — a theatrical holiday display inspired by A Christmas Carol.

• Gingerbread House Contest – voting runs December 3–17 at the Auburn Community & Events Center.

These events are a wonderful way to connect with neighbors, enjoy the local spirit, and celebrate the season in Auburn’s historic, cozy atmosphere.

What This Means for You

• If you’re thinking of buying:
  This could be a very good time to get serious. More inventory means more choice — and for the right property, there could be negotiation leverage. With mortgage rates being such a big factor, having a strong offer, pre-approval, and patience will be powerful tools.

• If you’re considering selling:
  Pricing is more critical now than ever. Homes that are well-prepared, clean, and reasonably priced will attract the right buyer. There’s still demand, but the “just list it high and pray for a bidding war” playbook may not work like it did a couple of years ago.

• If you’re watching for investment:
  A balanced market like this can offer strategic opportunities — especially if you’re patient, buy smart, and pick properties with good location or upside.

If you’d like, I’d be happy to put together a local, hyper-focused forecast just for Auburn (or your neighborhood) — including comps, pricing scenarios, and timing analysis. Just let me know what you’d like to see.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and all the best — both personally and in your real estate plans.

Warmly,
Mandee Tatro
Your Friend & Realtor
310-266-1815
mandeetatrorealestate@gmail.com
www.mandeetatro.com