Low Mortgage Rates Keep Half of American Homeowners Tethered to Current Properties

By Keith Griffith · Realtor.com · 2026-10-22

Realtor.com reports that nearly 50% of outstanding mortgages carry interest rates below 4%, creating a significant barrier for owners who might otherwise sell. While the average market rate has climbed to 7.4%, the financial gap between existing pandemic-era loans and new financi

Realtor.com reports that nearly 50% of outstanding mortgages carry interest rates below 4%, creating a significant barrier for owners who might otherwise sell. While the average market rate has climbed to 7.4%, the financial gap between existing pandemic-era loans and new financi