Are People Leaving Low-Cost Mortgages?

Is the “lock in” breaking, or are homeowners going to double down on their low-cost mortgages?

The most recent stats show that 20 percent of home borrowers now have mortgages with an interest rate over 6 percent, indicating they have purchased or refinanced in the past year or so. Compare that to early 2025, when the majority of people were locked into their low-rate loans.

We’re not real estate professionals, but we keep a close eye on what’s going on with the housing market because we know how important a home is to most people. For some, a primary home can be their largest asset, so buy or sell decisions can have a big impact on their personal finances.

As you can see in the chart, just over 50 percent of homeowners still have mortgages with rates under 4 percent. But that number has been trending lower, especially in the past year.

What’s breaking the “lock-in” effect, when home sellers didn’t want to move and give up their historically low mortgage rate?

More people may be putting pen to paper and seeing the math just doesn’t add up. For example, if rates dropped by 0.15 percent on a hypothetical 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, a buyer would save about $35 a month for the average-priced home. Some streaming services cost more than $35 a month.

If you’re leaning in the direction of making a change, we’d welcome the opportunity to hear what you’re thinking.

At Riggle Wealth Group, we can help you evaluate how a housing decision fits into your retirement strategy, investment portfolio, cash flow, and long-term goals. Sometimes the right move is clear. Other times, the most powerful decision is staying the course with confidence. A financial check-in can help you see the full picture.

If you are thinking through a housing change, or if it has been a while since we reviewed your overall strategy, now is a great time to connect.

And if you have friends, family members, or business colleagues weighing similar decisions, we would be honored to be a resource for them as well. Referrals are one of the greatest compliments we receive.

Schedule your financial check-in today and make your next move with clarity and confidence. Call the office at 717-630-1001 or email me directly at jakelawrence@rigglewealth.com.

^{CNBC.com, February 4, 2026. “A surprising share of homeowners have high mortgage rates. Here’s the breakdown.”}