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Over the past few years, remote work totally reshaped how people thought about where they could live. Suddenly, people didn’t need to worry about being within a 30-minute commute of the office, they could look at homes farther out, get more space for their money, and live where they actually wanted to be.
But now, there’s a shift happening.
Many companies across the country (and right here in California) are rolling out return-to-office policies—some asking for hybrid schedules, others requiring full-time office presence again. And that shift is having a ripple effect on the housing market.
Remote Work Changed A lot
Back in 2020–2022, we saw a ton of buyers jumping on homes in suburban or even rural areas, banking on the idea that remote work was here to stay. It made sense—why not get more house for the same budget if you weren’t tied to a city?
But now, as employers bring people back in, some of those same buyers are facing tough decisions:
Do they commute an hour or more each day?
Do they sell and move closer to the city?
Or do they push back and try to stay remote?
This uncertainty is affecting how people move. And it’s not just about location—it’s about confidence as well.
Inventory Is Rising… But Buyers Are Hesitant
We’re seeing inventory creep up in many markets, including here in the Sacramento region. That usually means more options for buyers, and in theory, it should create a more balanced market. But despite more homes hitting the market, buyers aren’t flooding in like you might expect.
Why? A few reasons:
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Interest rates: are still high compared to what people were locking in just a couple years ago.
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Economic uncertainty: layoffs, inflation, mixed signals from the federal reserve can all be reasons people are being cautious about making big financial moves.
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Lifestyle re-evaluations: some folks are pausing to figure out what their “new normal” looks like. If you bought a home for remote life and that’s now changing, it’s a lot to process.
So even though sellers are listing, some because they have to move closer to work, the demand isn’t quite meeting that supply just yet. It’s leading to a market that feels a little stuck
What We’re Seeing in Sacramento
Locally, the pattern’s the same. Homes are coming onto the market, but buyers are more intentional. They’re asking deeper questions, future-proofing their purchase, and whether the flexibility they enjoyed during the pandemic will still be there a year or two from now.
It’s not doom and gloom, it’s just a more thoughtful market. And honestly, that’s not a bad thing.
So, What Should You Do?
If you’re a buyer:
This is actually a good time to explore your options. More inventory means less competition, and sellers are often open to negotiations. Just make sure you’re clear on what your work situation might look like in the near future—so you’re not buying a dream that suddenly becomes a commute nightmare.
If you’re a seller:
You’ve still got a solid shot at making a move. But pricing and presentation are more important than ever. With buyers being more selective, your home needs to stand out and feel “worth it” in today’s environment.
The market is changing, and return-to-office policies are a big part of that story. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or just figure out your next step, the key is to stay flexible and informed.
As always, I’m here to help you navigate it all! no pressure, just honest advice.
Let’s chat if you’re thinking about making a move or just want to understand where you stand.
Enjoy this weeks sports section and Subscribe for future posts.
Sacramento Kings end season in a blowout loss
To end off an already hard season for Sacramento fans, the Kings lost to a broken Dallas Mavericks team in the first game of the play-in tournament. They simply got outshined and nobody looked like they wanted to be on the court. Since the loss, Kings have fired GM Monte McNair and Hired former New York Knicks manager Scott Perry. I like this move, however I don’t think its going to change anything.
Why is that? Current Majority Owner Vivek Ranadive has proven time and time again that he will not step out of the way of whatever GM is there. Ranadive, who is hard to hate if your a diehard Kings fan for the reason that he saved the team from moving city’s back in 2013-14, has a very shaky past when it comes to his true basketball knowledge. Back in 2014, he suggested the team should try a 4 on 5 defensive scheme with someone on the other side of the court to cherry pick. He has also advocated for many trades with bad contracts, bad players and bad results.
If the Kings EVER want to get out of mediocracy, he either needs to sell the team or step away from any basketball operations. What would I do as GM? Wipe everything. We have dug ourself into a deep hole, and a full rebuild is warranted. Zach Lavine has a huge contract that’s going to be very hard to get rid of, but he has not and will not work in our system. We should shop him and hope a lottery team picks him up for his proven scoring ability. Domantas Sabonis is 28 years old, at the peak of his prime and is our biggest hope for a true return, we get a few role players and as many draft picks as humanly possible and try to build from the ground up with some good drafting. DeMar DeRozan is nearing the end of his career, and on a very reasonable contract. I could see a decent return from a trade with him and he shouldn’t be too hard to shop. The only untouchable in my eyes is Keon Ellis, despite coaching never giving him the minutes he deserved, he proved to all of the fans why he is the most underrated player in the league. All of our other role players should be on the table. I have been a Kings fan my entire life, The DeArron fox era was the closest glimmer of hope we had, now that he’s gone, its time to reach for higher aspirations than an 8th seed.
Ranadive, we love and appreciate you, but please, sell the team.
