Golden Handcuffs: Should You Move or Water Your Own Grass?

Here we are friends, a fresh start to 2025. Aand while I’m not the type to make sweeping resolutions, I do love the feeling of possibility that a new year brings. So, let’s kick things off with an honest conversation about something that’s probably been on a lot of your minds: buying a home in this market.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, waiting for those elusive interest rates to drop before making a move, trust me, you’re not alone. I hear it all the time. In fact, I get it on a personal level. We bought our home back in 2018 and have locked in a chef’s kiss rate that, honestly, feels a bit like golden handcuffs right now. It’s hard to think about giving that up.

But here’s the thing: While we all know the “big three D’s” (death, divorce, and delivery)  often force people to sell, should we really wait for one of those life-altering moments to make a move? Especially if our current space isn’t working anymore?

Listen, I’m totally talking out of both sides of my mouth here. With my two toddlers bouncing off the walls (and I’m not kidding), I’ve had moments where I catch myself browsing listings late at night, dreaming of a home that feels more us — or at least one that could survive a WWE match in the living room. But then I take a step back and remind myself: our home is functional. It might need some updates (hello, 90’s charm), but it works. We’ve decided to focus on “watering our own grass” over the next couple of years and slowly tackle those updates.

So why am I sharing this? Because I think it’s important to acknowledge that the decision to buy or sell a home is never black and white. It’s deeply personal. It’s about more than interest rates or market trends. it’s about what makes sense for you.

Now, let’s talk about interest rates. Here’s the truth: no one has a crystal ball. But the rates we’re seeing right now? They’re actually the median for the last 30 years. What we experienced between 2020 and 2022 was a complete anomaly. And let’s be real,  if you were house hunting during that time, you remember the madness. Homes were flying off the market within hours. People were waiving inspections and offering tens of thousands over list price. It was wild.

So, if rates do drop even a bit (let’s say into the high 5’s)  you can expect the market to heat up fast. More buyers will flood in, and home prices will skyrocket. It’s the classic supply-and-demand dance.

But here’s what I really want you to know: The last thing I would ever do is try to convince someone to buy or sell if it’s not the right time for them. That’s just not me.  I’ve told several potential clients over the past year that I thought they should hold off. Why? Because I believe in doing what’s right for you.

One family I worked with loved their location but felt their home was too small. They were ready to list, thinking a bigger house was the only solution. But after chatting with them and really digging into their goals, I suggested they explore finishing their totally untouched basement instead. We ran the numbers, looked at the impact of a HELOC on their equity, and compared it to the true cost of selling and buying a new home.

Guess what? They decided to stay put and finish the basement. And now? They’re thrilled. They saved themselves thousands of dollars, avoided the stress of moving, and created a space that works beautifully for their family.

I share stories like this because I want you to know that you don’t need to figure this out alone. Whether you’re ready to make a move, considering renovations, or just feeling stuck, I’m here to help you navigate it all. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer in real estate,  it’s about finding the right path for you.

So, if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, wondering if now is the time to buy, let’s chat. No pressure, no agenda, just an honest conversation about what makes the most sense for you and your family.

Because at the end of the day, my goal isn’t just to help people buy or sell houses. It’s to help them find home.

Let’s make 2025 the year we focus on what truly matters, creating spaces that work for us and finding peace in the decisions we make.

Looking forward to connecting,

Anna