Who’s Buying Sacramento Homes with Cash? It’s Not Just Investors

What if the equity in your current home could help you buy your next one without a mortgage?

There isn’t one housing market right now. There are really four. Cash buyers, buyers who need financing, homeowners holding a low rate, and builders. This week is about the first group, because it includes more people than you might think.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 27% of homes sold nationwide in September were purchased with cash. More than one in four.

Here is what might surprise you. Not all of those buyers are wealthy investors. Many are longtime homeowners using the equity they’ve built to purchase their next home.

According to Cotality, the average U.S. homeowner with a mortgage has about $310,000 in equity. In California, the average is $623,000, second only to Hawaii.

For homeowners thinking about downsizing in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, or Rancho Cordova, that equity can open up possibilities they haven’t considered.

In September, Sacramento County’s median sold price was $555,000, up 2.8% from a year ago. Active listings were up nearly 10%, so buyers have more to choose from than they did last fall.

For homeowners planning their next move, that combination creates a real opportunity. Selling a larger home and purchasing something smaller may allow you to buy your next home with cash, depending on your equity and the purchase price. If the equity doesn’t cover the whole purchase, putting more of it toward the next home means borrowing less and carrying a smaller monthly payment. And with more homes on the market, there is more room to negotiate terms.

And if you’re buying with a mortgage? You’re still in the majority. Nearly three out of four buyers nationwide use financing. In the price range where most Sacramento homes sell, between $200,000 and $750,000, Realtor.com data shows only about one in five sales earlier this year were cash. A strong preapproval, a competitive offer, and a well-planned negotiation strategy still make the difference.

The bottom line is that cash buyers are a meaningful part of today’s market, but they aren’t the whole market. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating, or buying your first home, the best strategy starts with understanding your financial position and the local market.

Curious how much equity you have and what it could mean for your next move?

Reach out anytime to schedule a consultation here. Call or text at 916-619-2645 when you’re ready and we will map out which options work best for you.

Sacramento County single-family data from MetroList MLS via Trendgraphix, September 2026. National figures from the National Association of Realtors, Cotality (Q2 2026), and Realtor.com.