How Interest Rates Impact You—Whether You're Buying or Selling a Home

You’ve probably heard a lot about interest rates lately—how they’re rising, how they’re affecting the housing market, and how they might be influencing your next move. But what does all of this really mean if you’re planning to buy or sell a home?

Here’s a clear, no-fluff breakdown of how rising interest rates could impact you—and how you can still win in today’s market.

🏡 For Home Buyers: What Higher Rates Mean

1. Higher Rates = Higher Monthly Payments

Interest rates directly affect how much you'll pay for your mortgage over time. Even a 1% increase in rates can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars each month, depending on your loan amount.

What you can do:

• Get pre-approved early so you know your current borrowing power.

• Lock in your rate when it makes sense—rates fluctuate often.

• Consider different loan options, including adjustable-rate mortgages or local lending programs.

• Less Buying Power

As rates go up, your budget might shift. A home you could afford six months ago may now be slightly out of reach.

But here’s the good news:Rising rates have cooled off the red-hot market just enough that buyers now have more negotiating power, fewer bidding wars, and more room to breathe during their search.

🏠 For Home Sellers: What You Need to Know

1. Buyers Are More Cautious

Buyers are doing the math more carefully. That means pricing your home correctly is more important than ever. Overpriced homes tend to sit longer and get stale in the market.

2. Homes Are Still Selling—With the Right Strategy

Even with higher rates, well-prepared and properly priced homes are still moving. In fact, motivated buyers are out there right now, especially those who want to make a move before rates increase again.

Tips for sellers:

• Focus on presentation—staging, curb appeal, and professional photos matter.

• Be open to buyer incentives—such as helping with closing costs or buying down their interest rate.

• Work with an agent who understands how to market your home in this market (👋 that’s me!).

  
  

The Bottom Line

Yes, interest rates are higher than they were a couple years ago—but they’re still historically reasonable, and they’re not the only factor to consider. Whether you're buying or selling, the best move is the one that supports your long-term goals—and there are still plenty of opportunities to do just that.

Let’s chat about your specific situation. Whether you're just starting to explore or ready to make a move, I’ll help you create a strategy that works with today’s market—not against it.