Is your current home still working for your life—or just your loan?
If you’re a homeowner with a low mortgage rate, chances are you’ve felt stuck lately.
Maybe you’ve thought about making a move. Getting more space. Changing neighborhoods. Finding a home that finally fits the life you're living now.
But then today’s interest rates hit, and just like that, the idea gets shelved again.
Sound familiar? You’re not the only one.
Across Tampa, just like in many parts of the country, millions of homeowners are in the same boat.
They locked in historic rates in 2020 or 2021. Now they’re watching interest rates climb and holding on to what feels like a great financial deal, even if the home no longer fits their life.
It’s called the lock-in effect. And yes, it’s real.
But having a low rate doesn’t mean you’re stuck.
And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
If you’ve been hesitating, unsure whether to stay or go, ask yourself these three questions.
They’ll help you find clarity and make a confident decision about what comes next.
But here’s what’s also real, having a low rate doesn’t mean you're stuck.
And it doesn’t mean you're out of options.
If you’ve been hesitating, unsure whether to stay or go, ask yourself these three questions
They’ll help you get clear and confident about what to do next
📊 What’s Actually Happening in Tampa Real Estate Right Now
Before making any big decisions, take a look at what the numbers are telling us.
The average sale price in Hillsborough County is now $430,400. That’s a 2.5 percent increase from this time last year.
Tampa’s overall median home price is hovering around $460,000, slightly down from 2024.
Homes are sitting on the market for about 45 days, which means buyers have more breathing room.
Sellers are offering fewer perks. Only one in three homes sold includes concessions today, compared to nearly half a year ago.
This is a balanced market.
It is not overheated, and it is not collapsing.
It is steady, and if you are prepared, it can work in your favor.
Question 1: Is Your Home Still Working for Your Life or Just Your Loan?
Low rates are great. But if they are tying you to a space that no longer fits your life, they may be costing you in other ways.
Maybe your family has grown.
Maybe the kids have moved out.
Maybe your home office is still the kitchen counter.
Or maybe you have simply outgrown the place emotionally.
Peace of mind, daily flow, and the right fit matter more than a few hundred dollars saved each month.
The real question is whether your home is helping your life or holding it back.
Moving isn’t just a financial decision. It’s a quality-of-life decision. And when you factor in both the gains and the costs, you may find that the numbers aren’t as one-sided as they first appear.
Question 2: What Would a Move Cost and What Could It Unlock?
Yes, rates are higher. But so is your equity.
If you have owned your home for a few years, you are likely sitting on a significant amount of value.
That equity can increase your down payment, reduce your loan amount, help you avoid PMI, or free up cash if you are downsizing.
More importantly, it could help you get what you want in a new home.
More space. Better schools. A shorter commute. A neighborhood that feels like home again.
Question 3: If You Stay Are You Staying With Intention or Just Avoiding the Decision?
Staying is not wrong. In fact, it might be the right move.
But staying without a plan often leads to years of slow frustration.
If you are going to stay, decide what needs to change.
Will you renovate? Reconfigure? Reinvest in making the space truly work for your life?
Whatever you decide, make it intentional. Not reactive.
But staying without a plan can lead to years of slow frustration. And in many cases, those quiet compromises add up to something more expensive than moving would have been.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We live by this principle
“Honesty builds clarity, and clarity builds confidence”
You don’t need to time the market.
You just need to know what matters to you, what’s possible, and what makes the most sense right now.
Whether you decide to stay or go, we’ll help you see your options clearly.
It’s perfectly okay to stay where you are. In fact, for some people, that’s absolutely the right move. But here’s the thing: it should be a decision, not a default.
Ask yourself: If I choose to stay for the next three to five years, what would I need to change or invest in to make this home truly work for me? Would I renovate the kitchen that’s no longer functional? Turn the spare room into a proper office? Redesign the backyard so it actually gets used?
Staying doesn’t have to mean settling. Sometimes, making peace with your current home involves making a plan to improve it, whether through small updates, strategic renovations, or simply adjusting the way you use your space.
But staying without a plan can lead to years of slow frustration. And in many cases, those quiet compromises add up to something more expensive than moving would have been.
