Are Mortgage Rates Back to “Normal”?

The Lighter Side of Real Estate • February 11, 2023

If you think mortgage rates are at an all-time high, you wouldn’t be alone. According to this NerdWallet article, 61% of Americans think they’re “unprecedented.” And you’re also not alone if you’re still planning on buying a home this year, despite that sentiment, considering 28 million people plan to do so according to their survey!

The thing is, mortgage rates aren’t actually the highest they’ve ever been; not by a long shot. Those low rates buyers were getting over the past few years were historically unusual, and now they’re not just back to “normal”—even below normal—considering data from Freddie Mac shows that 30-year mortgage rates have averaged 7.75% over the last 50 years.

When rates were unusually low, it almost didn’t matter if you weren’t careful about the type of loan or terms you agreed to with a lender. But now that rates have crept up, you want to make sure you not only get the lowest rate you can, but also the best type of loan and terms possible.

So let’s take a look at 5 things you should do to make sure you get the best loan possible in this market, or any other market for that matter:

1. Get Pre-approved Ahead of Time

You should always get pre-approved before you actually start looking at homes you want to buy, but many people don’t. On the most basic level, doing so helps you know that you can actually get a loan, and how much you can afford to spend. That helps you to avoid the wasted time and heartache of finding a house you love, only to find out you can’t actually afford to buy it.

But beyond that, getting pre-approved ahead of time is a good chance to speak to a few mortgage professionals and get a feel for them, which leads to…

2. Find a Mortgage Professional You Trust

As with any profession, not all mortgage professionals are going to provide you with the best advice and service. Some will woo you with what sounds like the best rate, while glossing over other costly terms, or switching the rate on you at the last minute.

Look for one you not only trust is being transparent and honest about the rates and terms they can offer you, but who also takes the time to explain all of your options—even if their rate doesn’t sound as low as others.

3. Choose the Type of Loan That Is Best for You

The historical rates mentioned above are based upon 30-year, fixed rate loans. Those are probably the “safest” and most predictable loans. But there are other options, like 7 or 15-year adjustable rate loans, which will usually have a lower rate, but may actually cost you more per month due to the shorter term of the loan, and the rate can go up after a number of years at a fixed rate. It could be a great way to save on interest and make more payments toward principal, if you know you’re going to sell or refinance before the rate changes. And who knows, the rates could be lower by then anyway.

Adjustable rate mortgages are just one example of the many different options you may have. If you choose a great mortgage professional to work with, he or she can help you analyze all of the different types of loans available to you, and help you figure out which one makes the most sense for your situation.

4. Don’t Stretch Yourself Financially

Just because you’re pre-approved for a certain amount doesn’t mean you have to (or should) spend every penny you can.

It’s not uncommon to be pre-approved for more than you may actually be comfortable spending per month on a mortgage. While a lender’s calculations should indicate that you can handle the payments on an ongoing basis, only you truly know your lifestyle and spending habits.

Ask your mortgage professional to give you an accurate estimate of how much per month it will cost you, if you were to spend as much as you’re approved for. (And remember to factor in property taxes and insurance, which will vary from one house to another.) Then think about paying that amount every month. Is it something you’ll be able to comfortably swing? Will it impact the things you like to spend money on weekly, monthly, and yearly?

You can also ask the mortgage rep to figure out about how much of a loan you should take on based upon a monthly payment you’re comfortable with, and use that as the top amount of your budget, even if it’s lower than what you’re actually approved to spend. And you can even try and spend less than that amount, if you want to really play it safe!

5. Shop and Negotiate for the Best Rate

While the rate isn’t the only or most important thing to consider, you should still shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate possible. As mentioned above, when speaking with lenders, size up whether they’re being entirely honest and transparent about the rate and terms they’re offering.

If you get a better rate from one lender, see if the lender you trust the most can match it, or even beat it. But even if they can’t, keep in mind that it may be worth taking a slightly higher rate if you trust one lender above others who offer you a better rate.

The Takeaway:

Many people feel like mortgage rates are higher than they’ve ever been, but they’re actually not. In fact, they’re currently lower than the average rate over the past 50 years.
While being careful about the lender and loan you chose to go with didn’t matter as much when rates were unusually low over the past few years, now it pays to go back to basics and make sure you:
  • Get pre-approved ahead of time
  • Work with a mortgage professional you trust
  • Choose the best type of loan for your needs, situation, and qualifications
  • Avoid stretching yourself financially
  • Shop and negotiate for the best rate you can get


Share this post

The Real Reason Some People Are Still Moving Right Now

By KCM • June 14, 2026
The Real Reason Some People Are Still Moving Right Now You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage rates will come down, prices will fall, or the market will feel a little easier. And honestly? A lot of people feel that way right now. But here’s what some are starting to realize. Waiting doesn’t usually fix the thing that made you want to move in the first place. Your family still desperately needs more room. Your empty nest still feels too...empty. Your parents or grandparents still need you to live closer. You just got married... or divorced. Your vision of retirement has you living somewhere else. Eventually, life can reach a point where waiting feels harder than moving. That’s why some people are still deciding to buy right now, even in today’s market. Not because conditions are perfect . But because the life changes behind their move never really went away. And maybe that’s exactly where you are too. If so, you’re certainly not alone. The Real Reasons People Move Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 1 in 5 buyers last year said they felt like they had to purchase a home at that time, no matter the market. That's an important reminder right now. Sure, the dollars and cents of your move have to make sense for you. But big life changes happen whether mortgage rates and home prices are high, low, or somewhere in between. And those big life events happen more than you may think. NAR says roughly 22.5 million people experience major life changes in a typical two-year span (see graph below): These are exactly the kinds of things that can change how much space you need, where you want to live, or what kind of lifestyle makes sense now. Chen Zhao, Head of Economics Research at Redfin, explains: “Life doesn’t stand still—people get new jobs, grow their families, downsize after retirement, or simply want to live in a different neighborhood.” And that’s what makes waiting so hard. Every month you spend hoping the market changes is another month living in a house that no longer works for your life. It’s stressful to feel stuck. And that feeling usually doesn’t disappear. There May Be More Opportunity Than You Think But while affordability is still a challenge, there may still be a way for you to make your move. The number of homes for sale has been growing for 4 straight years (see graph below). That means more homes to choose from and, in some markets, more room to negotiate than buyers had just a few years ago. That doesn’t mean moving is suddenly easy. But it does mean some buyers are finding ways to make a move work. So, if you’ve been putting your plans on hold, maybe the question isn’t just: “What’s the market doing?” or “When will it get better?” Maybe ask yourself this, too: “Can I still live where I'm at right now and make it work?” If the answer to that second question is “no,” it may be worth having a conversation about what your options look like today – despite where rates or prices are. You could find your move is still possible after all. With more homes for sale, there’s a better chance to find one that fits your life (and your budget) right now. Bottom Line Life changes. Priorities shift. Families grow. Kids move out. Careers evolve. And eventually, the house you’re in may stop fitting the life you’re living. If that’s been weighing on you lately, let’s talk through what your options could realistically look like today, no matter where rates or prices are. Life can’t always wait for perfect market conditions. Maybe you don’t have to either.

The Truth About Affordability Today

By KCM • June 12, 2026
The Truth About Affordability Today Let's be real with each other for a second about affordability. Because you deserve someone who will be honest and transparent about what’s going on, especially if you’ve got a move on your mind. Here’s the full picture of what’s happening and why. The good – and the bad. So, you know what it truly means for your move. Because while rates are certainly a big part of affordability, they’re not the only factor at play. Mortgage Rates Have Been Rising After a year or more of rates trending down, they’ve started to climb again . And, if you’re looking to buy, that’s not what you want to see. But it has happened. And here’s why. Uncertainty is the enemy of mortgage rates. And with lingering global uncertainty, ongoing tensions in the Middle East, and inflation refusing to fully cool off, there’s a lot that’s having an effect on rates. Colin Robertson, Founder of The Truth About Mortgage, put it plainly: "You can't have $100 a barrel oil and not expect inflation to rise, which translates to higher bond yields and mortgage rates." Take a look at the graph below. It uses data from Mortgage News Daily to show just how much all of those factors have had an impact: It’s a pretty sharp contrast from where we’ve been, in a relatively short window. And it's probably making you wonder: Should I just wait this out? Will rates fall when the uncertainty eases ? It's possible. But it all depends on how the ongoing geopolitical conflict plays out and whether inflation continues to run hot afterwards – and for how long. Rates probably aren't heading down until both of those things improve. And even when that does happen, experts agree rates likely won’t be dramatically lower – maybe in the low to mid-6s. That's the reality, and it's worth knowing. So, should you wait for lower rates? The general consensus is, if you can afford to buy and you find a home you like, it’s still worth it. Because no one knows for sure when rates will start to come back down – and how long do you really want to put your life on hold? Wages Are Outpacing Home Prices You've probably heard that inflation is making everything more expensive, and there's no shortage of headlines about the cost-of-living outpacing paychecks. It's a legitimate concern. And maybe you’re feeling the pinch yourself. But here's what doesn't make the headlines. It's not all bad news. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and Redfin shows wages have actually been growing faster than home prices. Recently, wages have been increasing at around 4% year-over-year. And home price growth is closer to 2% year-over-year. As a buyer, you want your income to rise faster than prices because that helps make your purchase more manageable financially, and it quietly chips away at the affordability challenge over time. That’s exactly what we’re seeing lately. And every little bit is going to help. A big reason wages have been gaining ground on home prices? Home prices have actually stayed pretty steady. Existing Home Prices Have Held Steady Check out the graph below. It shows home price data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) over the past 4 years. Notice anything? There's been no dramatic runup, and no crash either. Just relative stability and slow growth: Part of what's keeping prices this stable is that buyers finally have more choices . That means less competition, more negotiating power, and more time to find the home that actually fits your life, not just the one you had to grab before someone else did. And that gives you a chance to hopefully find something that works for your budget, even with today’s rates. At the same time, you're not losing ground pricewise while you take time to make a careful decision. Bottom Line Yes, rates have been volatile, and global instability is keeping them from settling down anytime soon. There’s no sugar coating that. But the full picture of affordability is more nuanced than the headlines suggest. Want to run the real numbers for your situation? Let's talk. Reach out and let's set up a quick, no-pressure conversation.

Data Says Home Sellers over 70 Are Losing Money. Here’s How to Avoid That

By The Lighter Side of Real Estate • June 11, 2026
It’s startling enough when you turn 50 and the AARP invitations start showing up in your mailbox offering you a free tote bag and discounts on river cruises. At one point in time that may have been an acceptable age to start making someone feel like they’re getting older, but in this day and age, even turning 70 doesn’t feel “old” the way it once did. So if you came across this CNBC article suggesting there is evidence that people over 70 often receive lower prices for their homes compared to younger homeowners, it might be something you’d prefer to ignore or dismiss. But according to research done by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, once sellers reach that age, they start getting lower sale prices for their houses compared to sellers in their 40s and 50s. That doesn’t mean people suddenly lose the ability to make smart decisions once they turn 70, nor should anyone take this as some kind of insult. People are living longer, healthier, more active lives than ever before, and many homeowners are simply staying in their homes much longer than previous generations did. But it probably is worth taking a look at some of the reasons this may happen when it does, so you can be aware of them and better prepared to make smart decisions whenever the time comes to sell your own home. The House Slowly Becomes “Good Enough” One challenge that can happen after living in a home for decades is that you slowly stop noticing certain things. The worn carpeting. The faded paint. The outdated light fixtures. The cabinet doors that don’t quite close correctly anymore. The “junk drawer” that somehow became an entire junk room. It’s easy to get used to the things around your house that could impact how much buyers are willing to pay for it. How to avoid it: This doesn’t mean you need to do a complete renovation and update your entire house. But before listing your home, ask a trusted friend, family member, or real estate agent to walk through the property with completely fresh eyes. Even small cosmetic improvements, minor repairs, decluttering, and fresh paint can sometimes make a much bigger impact than sellers expect. The “Easy Sale” Can Sound Really Appealing After decades of homeownership, the idea of cleaning, preparing for showings, keeping the house spotless, and dealing with moving logistics can feel exhausting. That’s one reason quick cash offers and off-market deals can sometimes become especially tempting for older homeowners. And nowadays, those opportunities seem to come from everywhere. Investors. “We buy houses” companies. Random phone calls and mailers. Neighbors. Family friends. Even family members themselves. And to be fair, sometimes accepting less money actually does make sense depending on the situation. Maybe the house needs major updates or repairs you simply don’t want to deal with. Maybe avoiding months of preparation and stress is worth something to you. Maybe you genuinely want to help a child, grandchild, or someone close to you by giving them an opportunity to buy the home. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of those decisions. The important thing is simply making sure you fully understand what you may be giving up financially in exchange for the convenience, simplicity, or generosity involved. How to avoid it: Even if you ultimately decide to sell privately or accept a direct offer, it’s still smart to understand what your home could realistically sell for on the open market first. Having a trusted third party help you evaluate the offer, the buyer, and the overall situation can help ensure you’re making a fully informed decision rather than one based solely on pressure, urgency, or emotion. It May Feel “Wrong” to Make So Much on Your House For some older homeowners, one of the biggest surprises can simply be how much their home is actually worth. If you bought your house decades ago, today’s prices can sometimes feel almost ridiculous. You may look at what buyers are paying and think, “There’s no way this house should cost that much.” Many homeowners remember when the idea of paying today’s prices for an average home would have sounded completely unrealistic. So when it comes time to sell, some sellers may just feel like the buyer shouldn’t have to pay so much for their home. Of course, if you deliberately want to give someone a deal—whether it’s family, friends, or simply because it feels like the right thing to do—that’s completely your choice. But it’s important to remember that real estate is ultimately a supply-and-demand market, and buyers themselves determine value every single day through the prices they are willing to pay. How to avoid it: Before making decisions based on what you think your home should be worth, get a thorough market analysis from an experienced real estate agent who understands your local market. Even if you ultimately choose to price aggressively, sell privately, or give someone a break on price, you’ll at least be making that decision from a fully informed position. The Takeaway: A recent study found that homeowners over the age of 70 often receive lower prices for their homes compared to younger sellers. The good news is that many of the reasons behind that are likely avoidable once you know what to watch out for. Whether it’s getting fresh eyes on your home before listing it, understanding what your house could realistically sell for on the open market, or simply slowing down and gathering advice from trusted friends, family members, or a local real estate agent before making major decisions, a little preparation can go a long way.
Show More