If you own a home in Carlsbad, you’ve probably had this thought at least once while scrolling Zillow in your pajamas:
“I’d move… but I don’t want to let go of my 3 percent rate.”
Totally fair. That low rate has been one of your biggest wins. You might even brag about it like it’s a family heirloom. But here’s the thing most people forget:
A great rate can’t fix a home that no longer fits your life.
When your space stops working, the rate becomes the least exciting part of the story.
And you’re not alone in feeling this tug-of-war between comfort and change.
The Lock-In Effect Is Finally Starting to Melt
Economists call it the lock-in effect. That’s when homeowners stay put simply to protect a low mortgage rate. It has kept millions of people frozen in place, like a real estate version of musical chairs with no music.
But something interesting is happening. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is showing early signs that people are starting to move again. Slowly, but surely, more buyers are taking on higher rates.
Here’s why that matters:
The share of mortgages above 6% just hit a 10-year high.
That doesn’t mean people love paying more. It means more of them have finally decided they can’t press pause on life forever.
Why Would Anyone Move If It Means Paying a Higher Rate?
Short answer: life refuses to wait.
Families grow. Jobs change. People relocate to be closer to someone they love or farther from someone they do not love. And a house that once felt perfect might now feel like trying to live inside a shoebox or a museum, either too small to breathe in or too big to maintain.
Chen Zhao, Head of Economic Research at Redfin, put it perfectly:
“People are moving again because life keeps moving.”
New jobs. Growing families. Retirement. New phases. New needs. A low rate can’t solve those changes.
The 5 D Motivators Behind Most Moves
Your neighbors call these major life shifters the 5 D’s. You might recognize yourself in one of them:
Diplomas
Earning more money after graduating can open doors to a bigger space, a different location, or finally getting the features you once dreamed of, instead of settling.
Diapers
Adding a new tiny human means adding storage, bedrooms, breathable air, and maybe even a yard. The baby swing won’t magically fit into the hallway closet.
Divorce
Sometimes starting fresh means new keys and a new address. That new beginning deserves a home that supports it.
Downsizing
When the kids move out, so do the piles of stuff, leaving a whole lot of house for no reason. Less maintenance. Less cost. More peace.
Death
Loss has a way of changing priorities. Being closer to family matters more than saving a few percent on interest.
Are You Pressing Pause on Your Life Too?
Realtor.com reports that nearly two-thirds of potential sellers have been considering a move for more than a year. That’s a long time to sit in a waiting room that no longer serves you.
Homeowners are discovering something powerful:
Staying put might feel safe, but it can also hold life hostage.
Meanwhile, mortgage rates have already dropped from their peak, and experts expect a gentle dip in 2026. Combine that with a real need for a better living situation, and suddenly moving doesn’t feel impossible anymore.
The Actual Question Isn’t “Should I Move?”
A better question might be:
How long am I willing to live somewhere that no longer fits my life?
Your rate helped you once. Your future can help you next.
Bottom Line: Life Doesn’t Wait for the Perfect Rate
You might not time the bottom of the market. Nobody does this consistently. But you can choose a home that supports the life you’re living right now.
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Rates have eased from their peak
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They’re expected to soften more in 2026
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And the reasons people move are real and important
If you’re even a little curious about your options, the smartest next step is simple:
Connect with Colucci & Co. Realty Group. With $79M+ closed in 2025, 550+ lifetime transactions, and 149 verified five-star Google reviews, they bring the expertise and track record you want in your corner.
A conversation is free. Living in a home that no longer fits you is not.
