Draft Horse Classic: A Good Time to House Hunt in Grass Valley
The Draft Horse Classic returns to the Nevada County Fairgrounds September 17 through 20, and if you've never seen a team of Belgian or Percheron draft horses pull a full load through an arena, it's worth the trip on its own. But I hear from a fair number of out-of-town buyers who use the weekend as
New Construction vs. Resale in Grass Valley: Which Fits Your Budget
Every few weeks a buyer asks me the same question: should I look at new construction, or stick with a resale home in Grass Valley? It's a fair question, and right now it has a real answer. New construction vs. resale in Nevada County isn't just about finishes and floor plans. Once you look at what's
Is Fair Week the Best Time to House Hunt in Nevada County?
 The Nevada County Fair opened today and runs through Sunday, filling the fairgrounds in Grass Valley with carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, and a crowd bigger than the town sees most other weeks of the year. If you're planning a trip out to look at houses this week, you might be wondering whether fair
What the Data Shows About Days on Market in Nevada County
Photo credit: Unsplash Every few weeks a client asks me some version of the same question: is the market speeding up or slowing down? The honest answer is that days on market Nevada County buyers and sellers are dealing with right now looks completely different depending on which month, and which to
5 Hidden Gems in Nevada County Most Newcomers Never Find
After 20 years selling real estate in Nevada County, I still find hidden gems in Nevada County I did not know about the year before. That is one of my favorite things about this place. It rewards curiosity, and it keeps surprising even people who grew up here, myself included. If you are weighing a
Grass Valley vs. Nevada City vs. Alta Sierra: Where Prices Land
Photo credit: Unsplash I get some version of this question almost every week. A buyer will ask me about Grass Valley vs. Nevada City home prices, assume the two towns cost about the same, and then be surprised by the gap once we start looking at real listings. Alta Sierra usually does not even come
Draft Horse Classic Weekend: A Real Look at Living in Grass Valley
Every September, the Nevada County Fairgrounds fill back up for the Draft Horse Classic, and it's one of my favorite windows into what living in Grass Valley is actually like. This year's event runs September 17 through 20, 2026, and if you're weighing a move here, it's worth putting on your calenda
Grass Valley vs. Auburn: Which Sierra Foothills Market Fits You
I get the Grass Valley vs Auburn question all the time from buyers who work in Sacramento or Roseville but want more space, more trees, and a lower price tag than the valley floor. Both towns sit along the Highway 49 and Interstate 80 corridor in the Sierra Foothills, but they serve pretty different
How Much Income You Need to Afford a Home in Grass Valley
I get some version of this question almost every week: "How much do I need to make to afford a home in Grass Valley?" People usually have a number in their head from a mortgage calculator they found online, and it is almost always lower than what our market actually requires. So I ran the real numbe
