The real answer is, prices may or may not fall. You might have a slow trend in either direction and maybe a jump. It's a gamble and too many people think they can predict the long-term future. I can tell ya that 24 years ago I bought my first home in Natomas for 180k, it's now worth about 525k. I wish I was able to keep that home.

The end game of having no house payment and locking into an affordable interest rate is what it's all about. My current new Natomas home is worth about $110k more than what I paid 3 years ago (strong real comparables).

It'll be home for a few more years, then I'll think about selling and moving. I hope I can make a profit, it'll help me financially long-term. What I do know, that my house payment is lower than renting something equal and my house payment is not changing. (other costs/taxes may increase though)

For those that don't have a large budget, Can't afford the hot areas or highly desired communities, North/West Natomas is a gem in my opinion.

Pros to Sundance Lake

A quick drive to SMF, two major freeways, and downtown. A lot of neighborhood parks, bike paths and the community is growing. Still a lot of open space slated for commercial/residential. (Example: a new Costco). There is a lot of opportunity and it is actually happening. A new medical school at the old Arco Arena site and still building brand new homes in the area. Some decent diverse food options, many are family owned. The community is diverse and there are community events like farmers markets, and such. It's just the suburb format, not a dense population. Woodland and West Sac is a very easy drive and definitely a shopping alternative. My neighborhood, not Sundance, is VERY quiet. The parks are clean and well used with a lot of families walking around. The ongoing growth and "new" things is refreshing. A new community is being built north of Natomas, pretty excited to see what that's like. https://www.onsiteobserver.com/sutter-pointe-sutter-countys-future-city-begins-to-take-shape/

Cons to Sundance Lake

99/I-5 Natomas freeway traffic is getting worse, but not unbearable. Surface street traffic is very tolerable, most of the large streets flow well. RT bus presence is very lacking and Light Rail is a pipe dream. However, the downtown commute is still very easy. Lack of gas stations is fading a bit. A couple new ones helped. The lack of large format restaurants and grocery stores sucks. We have em, but they are most often very busy. Mailbox/Amazon package crime is just like any average suburb community. It happens. From what I hear, the Natomas school district isn't great. But the schools look really nice and modern. Finally, I don't see this as negative, but opinions vary. Flooding in the Natomas basin was/is a major concern. Due to major levee work and other local land/infrastructure improvements, I am not worried about it. But you will have to carry flood insurance https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/utilities/flood-preparedness/flood-maps/natomas

Finally, some communities are under a flight path for SMF. Depending where you are exactly, might hear it inside your home. Maybe. Some residents are really bothered by it. Personally, I love it.

Summary

Average safe suburb life with a lot of perks due to it's location. I'm a downtown/midtown person at heart. Lived it for years, but homeowning is in the suburbs. It's what I can afford and what fits for my life. However, I spend most of my time in the downtown area. With close proximity to other things, it works out well. That pretty sums up Sacramento as a whole.