Homeownership has long been associated with a sense of security and stability. While this is generally still true, homeowners are starting to feel locked into their homes due to the interplay of their low-rate mortgages, rising interest rates, rising home prices and the lack of inventory.

These factors are creating what is known as the real estate “lock-in effect,” but it’s not all negative. This effect also increases home equity that homeowners can access to renovate homes, save for retirement and pay off debt.

THE LOCK-IN EFFECT DEFINED

The term lock-in effect refers to a situation where someone feels trapped or constrained by their current choices or circumstances, making it difficult to make changes or switch to alternative options.

In the case of homeownership, homeowners feel stuck in their existing properties due to unfavorable economic conditions. Today, the main driving forces behind this effect are the combination of homeowners with historically low-rate mortgages, the recent surge in interest rates, and the lack of available housing inventory to buy if they sell.

THE IMPACT OF INTEREST RATES

Low-interest-rate mortgages have been a boon for homeowners, allowing them to secure favorable loan terms and lower monthly payments for more than a decade. However, with a rapid increase in interest rates — as we have seen more than the past year — a problem arises. Selling their home and trading in their historically low mortgage rate pushes homeowners to stay put, even if their circumstances or preferences have changed.

In the past 17 months, the Fed has raised interest rates the quickest in history — 11 times since March 2022. They paused rate hikes in June but increased them in July, going from 5-5.25 percent to 5.25-5.5 percent. As of this writing, the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting is Sept. 19-20, which will determine if the rates increase, decrease, or remain the same.

Consequently, the number of available homes for sale has plummeted. In June, home sale transactions were down 19 percent compared with a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors.

A COMPOUNDING FACTOR

While interest rates are pivotal, they are not the only factor in the lock-in effect. The lack of inventory and scarcity of homes for sale has reached unprecedented levels.

Various reasons contribute to this shortage, including demographic shifts, construction labor shortages, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing supply-chain constraints and material costs.

Housing starts, a measure of new-home construction, dropped drastically in 2020 when the pandemic started and hasn’t caught up to accommodate the demand of a growing population.

Housing starts climbed to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.452 million in July 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The number of units started was up 6.7 percent from June 2023 and 5.9 percent from July 2022.

Builder sentiment rose this year as demand increased but dipped in August for the first time as mortgage rates increased to 7 percent. The limited availability of homes amplifies the lock-in effect, as the need for more suitable options dissuades homeowners who might have considered selling and relocating.

LEADING TO ANXIETY

The feeling of being locked in is genuine, and some homeowners see some adverse side effects. For example, growing families need to find a larger home but can’t afford it due to current interest rates.

Usually, people are trying to step up and find somewhere better to live in those scenarios, and that’s certainly difficult.

The rental market feels this pressure as these starter homes are not being transitioned to first-time homebuyers, resulting in increased competition for rentals and a flight to quality. This sense of being financially constrained within their current living situation has left many grappling with the conflicting desire for more space and the harsh reality of limited options.

The prevailing economic conditions have added an unexpected layer of stress to what would otherwise be considered routine decisions, leaving families to carefully navigate the balance between their aspirations and the practical constraints of the market.

THE SILVER LINING

One positive aspect emerges amid the complex web of factors contributing to the lock-in effect: Homeowners have accumulated an incredible amount of equity. As home prices soared due to the imbalance between supply and demand over the past few years, existing homeowners see their properties appreciate. Recent reports suggest homeowners have about $12 trillion in accessible home equity.

Accessing their equity provides financial security and enables homeowners to use this newfound wealth for various purposes, such as home improvements, debt payoff, or future investments. New products are available to access that home equity, including home equity investments that provide homeowners with lump sums of cash in exchange for a share of their home’s future appreciation with no monthly payments or additional debt.

FUTURE OUTLOOK

So, how do we stop the lock-in effect? It will require a combination of factors to change, including stabilizing interest rates, as one of the primary drivers of the lock-in effect is the fear of losing historically low-interest rates. If interest rates stabilize and decrease, homeowners may be more willing to explore moving options.

Increasing the housing supply through various means, such as incentivizing new construction or changing building permit regulations, could alleviate pressure on available housing options and give homeowners more choices.

NAVIGATING THE LOCK-IN EFFECT

The lock-in effect, driven by the interplay of low-rate mortgages, rising interest rates and a scarcity of homes for sale, has become a prominent feature of today’s real estate market. Homeowners find themselves at a crossroads, torn between the desire to keep their favorable mortgage terms or the potential benefits of moving.

As the housing market evolves, proactive decision making, guided by a thorough understanding of these dynamics, will be crucial for homeowners seeking the best choices for their futures.

Michael Gifford is co-founder and CEO of Splitero.