Stuck Between Moving and Staying? These 3 Questions Can Help You Decide

Laura Heigl
Meet Laura REALTOR, Broker, CRS, Guild Member of the Certified Home Marketing⊠Laura epitomizes hard work, passion, exceptional client care and atte...
Meet Laura REALTOR, Broker, CRS, Guild Member of the Certified Home Marketing⊠Laura epitomizes hard work, passion, exceptional client care and atte...
If youâre a homeowner in Central Indiana with a low mortgage rate, you might be feeling a bit stuck these days. Perhaps youâve considered making a moveâwhether itâs for more space, a change of scenery, or finally finding a home that feels just right. But then you remember todayâs interest rates, and suddenly, that idea gets pushed aside.
This scenario is common across the country. Many homeowners locked in at historically low rates during 2020 or 2021 are now hesitant to let go of what seems like a great deal, even if their current home no longer meets their needs.
This phenomenon is known as the âlock-in effect,â and itâs a significant factor in the current market. However, it doesnât mean youâre out of options. If youâve been on the fence, unsure whether to stay or go, there are three questions that can help you gain clarity and make a confident decision.
Is your current home still working for your lifeâor just your loan?
This is a crucial question to consider. When you look beyond the mortgage rate and the numbers, is your home still supporting your day-to-day life?
Maybe what once felt spacious now feels cramped. Or perhaps your home feels too large and quiet since the kids moved out. Your needs may have changedâmaybe youâre working from home more, caring for aging parents, or have welcomed a new family member. Or maybe youâve simply outgrown the space emotionally. What once felt like a dream home now feels like a never-ending to-do list.
Itâs easy to set those feelings aside and focus solely on your current rate. But when your home no longer fits your lifestyle, itâs worth considering what itâs costing you to stayânot just financially, but emotionally and mentally as well. The right home doesnât have to be perfect, but it should make your daily life easier, not harder.
What would a move really cost youâand what might it make possible?
Thereâs no denying that interest rates are higher now than they were a few years back. However, that doesnât automatically mean moving isnât financially feasible. What matters is how the entire picture looks for you.
Many homeowners in Central Indiana are sitting on significant levels of equity. As of early 2024, the average mortgage-holding homeowner in the U.S. holds approximately $299,000 in equity, according to ICEâs Mortgage Monitor report. Thatâs up from $274,000 at the end of 2022 and significantly higher than the $182,000 at the beginning of the pandemic, based on CoreLogicâs Homeowner Equity Insights report.
This means that homeowners here are likely sitting on substantial equity, which could serve as a down payment on a new home or help reduce the amount you need to borrow.
And then thereâs the other side of the equation: what lifestyle benefits could a move bring you?
Perhaps it would bring you closer to family, provide your kids with access to better schools, or offer that home office or outdoor space youâve been dreaming of. Maybe it means downsizing and freeing up some cash each month. Or finally settling in a neighborhood where you feel more at home.
Moving isnât just a financial decision; itâs a quality-of-life choice. When you weigh both the potential gains and costs, you might find that the numbers arenât as one-sided as they first appear.
If you stay, are you staying intentionallyâor just avoiding a hard choice?
Itâs perfectly fine to stay where you are. For some, thatâs the right choice. But itâs essential that this decision is made consciously, not just as 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 thatâs no longer functional? Convert the spare room into a proper office? Redesign the backyard so it actually gets used?
Staying doesnât have to mean settling. Sometimes, finding peace with your current home involves making a plan to improve itâwhether through minor updates, strategic renovations, or simply adjusting how you use your space.
However, staying without a plan can lead to years of frustration. Often, those quiet compromises can add up to something more expensive than moving would have been.
Final Thoughts
Feeling âstuckâ can be frustrating. But the good news is, youâre not as trapped as you might think. Youâre simply facing a decision that deserves careful consideration.
You donât need to have all the answers right now. But asking the right questionsâabout your lifestyle, your goals, and your financesâcan lead you toward clarity. Whether you decide to stay or go, the goal isnât to time the market perfectly. Itâs to make a choice that supports your life and future.
If youâre unsure about what comes next, letâs talk it through. Weâll help you weigh the pros and cons, look at real numbers, and explore whatâs possible. This isnât about pressuring you into a sale; itâs about giving you the clarity and confidence you need to move forward in the direction thatâs right for you.
Thinking about selling your home?
Get in touch. We'll guide you through every step of the process to ensure a smooth transaction that meets your goals.