Why the 30-Year Mortgage Doesn't Mean 30 Years of Payments - September 2026
When you're shopping for a home, a 30-year mortgage feels like a permanent commitment. But the data tells a different story: the median homeowner sells or refinances after about 12 years. According to SoFi, fewer than 5-10% of 30-year mortgages actually last the full 360 months without a major life event, sale, or refinance interrupting them.
Life changes. Promotions happen. Families grow. Market conditions shift. Over a decade or so, you'll likely have multiple opportunities to adjust your rate or situation.
So if interest rates are holding you back, consider this: You're not locked in forever. You're taking the first step in what's probably a 10-15 year journey, with options and refinancing opportunities ahead.
Don't let rate anxiety keep you from buying when it makes sense for your life right now. The homes you want today might not be available in six months, and waiting for the "perfect" rate can mean missing out on inventory, pricing stability, or favorable market conditions right now.
The homes you're interested in today might not be available in six months. The neighborhood you love might see prices shift. The competitive landscape changes seasonally.
The Bottom Line
Don't let mortgage rate anxiety paralyze your home search. You're not betting your entire financial future on today's number. You're taking a smart step into homeownership, knowing that refinancing, selling, or life changes will likely create new opportunities down the road.
Jill Thompson @properties
According to a National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2025 survey, the median age of a first-time home buyer reached 40 years old—a dramatic shift from 33 in 2021. And When this survey began in 1981, the median age was just 29.
The NAR warns that delaying homeownership by a decade could cost Americans roughly $150,000 in lost equity on a typical starter home.
Consider Indianapolis as an example. Data from Redfin suggests a single-family homeowner in Indianapolis would have generated approximately $62,000 in equity between October 2020 and October 2025.
Jill Thompson @properties
Why This Window May Favor Buyers - August 2026
A few data points worth sharing with anyone weighing a purchase right now:
- Median price point has held stable — reducing the risk of buying into a volatile market
- Days on market have increased, giving buyers more room to negotiate and evaluate
- Nearly 50% of homes that closed in the past 7 days included seller concessions, averaging $5,000
That concession flexibility can be directed toward a mortgage rate buydown, a larger down payment, or a reduced loan amount — depending on a buyer's long-term financial strategy.
For sellers: this shift isn't cause for concern. It reflects a market finding its balance, not a downturn. Pricing and positioning correctly still moves homes efficiently.
If you're evaluating your options as a buyer or seller, happy to walk through what the current data means for your specific situation.
Jill Thompson @properties
The Home Buyer Road Map - August 2026
Whether you're just starting to dream, or ready to tour homes this weekend, I'm here to make the home buying process simple, from that first "we love it!" moment all the way to closing day.
Here's a quick look at the journey we'll walk through together:
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Jill Thompson @properties
The Upside of A Slower Market - July 2026
Higher rates have a lot of buyers hitting pause right now, and honestly, that's not a bad thing for you. It means more homes on the market and less pressure to rush, so you actually have room to look around and figure out what you really want.
And that matters, because photos only tell you so much. You don't really know a home until you walk through it, the layout, the flow, the vibe. Honestly, I can barely remember a time a house was exactly what I pictured from the listing photos. Sometimes it's better, sometimes it's a hard no, but either way you learn something.
So if you've been on the fence, now's a great time to get out and see a few places, no pressure to buy, just to get a feel for what's out there.
Jill Thompson @aproperties
