Melissa McMillan - EXIT Realty

12/08/2025

🏠If you’re like a lot of homeowners, you’ve probably thought: “I’d like to move… but I don’t want to give up my 3% rate.” That’s fair. That rate has been one of your best financial wins, and it can be hard to let go. But here’s what you need to remember...🐘
👉A great rate won’t make up for a home that no longer works for you. Life changes, and sometimes, your home needs to change with it. And you’re not the only one making that choice.
🔒The Lock-In Effect Is Starting To Ease--
Many homeowners have been frozen in place by something the experts call the lock-in effect. That's when you won't move because you don’t want to take on a higher rate on your next home loan. But data from Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows the lock-in effect is slowly starting to ease for some people.
👉The share of homeowners with a mortgage rate below 3% (the yellow in the graph below) is slowly declining as more people move. And while some of the people with a rate over 6% are first-time buyers, the number of homeowners with a rate above 6% (the blue) is rising as others take on higher rates for their next home:
📝And while it may not seem that dramatic, it’s actually a pretty noteworthy shift. The share of mortgages with a rate above 6% just hit a 10-year high (see graph below). That shows more people are getting used to today’s rates as the new normal.
✨First American refers to these life motivators as the 5 Ds:
👩‍🎓Diplomas: People with college degrees typically earn more, and that adds up to more buying power. Maybe you bought your house when you were younger and now that you’ve graduated and have a rising career, you’re ready to move up.
👶Diapers: You’ve outgrown your space. If you’re welcoming a new baby, your current home might not be cutting it anymore.
✌️Divorce: Whether it’s ending a marriage (or starting one), it can create the need for a new place to call home.
🔽Downsizing: You’re ready to downsize. Maybe the kids have moved out and it’s time to simplify. Smaller house, less maintenance, more freedom.
🥹Death: If you’ve recently lost a loved one, maybe you’ve realized you want to be closer to family. Life’s too short to live far from the people who matter most.
📍Whatever your reason, here’s what you need to think about. Yes, your low rate is great. But staying put means your life may stay on hold. And maybe that’s not working for you anymore.
🤔According to Realtor.com, nearly 2 in 3 potential sellers have already been thinking about moving for over a year. That’s a long time to press pause on your plans. On your needs. On your family’s goals. So, maybe the question isn’t: “Should I move?”
🤸‍♀️It’s actually: “How much longer am I willing to stay somewhere that no longer fits my life?”
🙂Because we’ve already seen rates come down from their peak earlier this year. And they're expected to ease a bit more in 2026. When you stack that on top of the very real reasons you may need a new home, it may be enough to finally move the needle for you.
😎Bottom Line
Life doesn’t wait for the perfect rate. Maybe you shouldn’t either.
🤩With mortgage rates down from their peak and forecast to dip slightly more in 2026, moving may be more feasible than you think. If you’re ready to see what’s possible in our market, let’s talk. 615-491-0522!📲

08/25/2025

If you’re still worried about having to deal with a bidding war when you buy a home, you may be able to let some of that fear go.

While multiple-offer situations haven’t disappeared entirely, they’re not nearly as common as they used to be. In fact, a recent survey shows agents reported only 1 in 5 homes (20%) nationally received multiple offers in June 2025.

That’s down from nearly 1 in 3 (31%) just a year ago – and dramatically lower than in June 2023 (39%)

08/07/2025

🚨 Selling your house without an agent might feel like a shortcut (and a money saver)… until it costs you thousands. Last year, on average, homes sold with an agent went for 15% more than those that sold without the help of an agent. And here's why the gap is so big. The market is balancing out. There are more homes for buyers to choose from right now, and that means the strategies that worked a year or two ago won’t work today. The best agents have the skills and experience to sell in a shifting market. And if you try to sell without that expertise, chances are you’re going to feel it in your bottom line. So, before you decide to tackle it on your own, let’s have a quick conversation about what’s changing and what’s working right now so you don’t leave money on the table.

05/27/2025

Good stuff!! Check it out!

03/29/2025

Concessions play a key role in our contracts. 🏡 🔑 ❤️

03/27/2025

12/03/2024

Sellers are offering $10,000.00 in buyer's concessions to be used for price reduction, rate buy down, or closing costs. This home has all you need, then there is so much more!! This ALL-BRICK enormous home boasting over 5600 SQ FT ON 5+ ACRES (partially park-like/partially wooded.) The attached 2 bedroom apartment/in-law suite comes complete with a full kitchen (HVAC system replaced August 2020.) The oversized detached 2 car garage also has half-bath and storage area. You'll be able to dive into the awesome swimming pool this summer with large deck with plenty of room for chairs and umbrellas. When it cools off, you'll be able to enjoy the fire pit by the huge covered back porch with access to master bedroom. The walk-in closet and large tiled shower has multiple shower heads including rain shower head. Storage building & barn, rec rooms- the possibilities are endless in this massive home. Could easily be 5 or even 6 bedrooms with more space remaining. This one is a MUST SEE!! Sellers offering a12-month PLATINUM home warranty with accepted offer with Old Republic Home Warranty for $1260 that covers the pool too! View additional details about this listing: https://go.realtracs.com/1OqM48V