After two decades in Connecticut real estate, Jill Taylor has witnessed numerous market cycles. But the current environment presents a unique challenge she hasn’t encountered before: interest rates are fundamentally reshaping market behavior.
“The fact that the rates are higher than what they currently have is holding people back from selling in order to move,” says Taylor, Managing Director at Jill Taylor Homes Team and ranked #8 among Connecticut REMAX agents. “The only thing really getting people to move is having another baby and outgrowing their house, major motivation, or moving out of state.”
The Rate-Driven Paralysis
Taylor, who has sold properties in every Connecticut county, observes that homeowners who locked in historically low 3-4% mortgage rates are now facing a stark choice. With current rates around 7%, moving means potentially doubling their monthly payments, even if they purchase a similarly-priced home.
This rate disparity has created what Taylor describes as a “motivation threshold,” where only major life events like family expansion or relocation can overcome the financial disincentive to sell. “There’s major motivation, or moving out of state, that sort of thing, or mom’s moving in with you,” she explains.
The Supply Chain Reaction
The impact extends beyond individual homeowners. Taylor notes that the reduced mobility has severely constrained housing inventory across Connecticut markets. In New Haven and Fairfield counties, where she primarily operates, the supply shortage is driving intense competition.
“I just had two clients reach out to me this week about getting in to see a house – one sold in 48 hours, and one sold in 24 hours,” Taylor says. This marks a return to the frenzied pace of recent years, though with a key difference: the urgency now stems from lack of choice rather than speculative buying.
Looking Ahead: The New Normal?
Taylor suggests the market may be approaching an inflection point. “As soon as that’s the new norm, they’ll start selling, putting their house on the market so they can move,” she predicts, referring to the higher rate environment.
However, she emphasizes this shift won’t happen overnight. “I don’t foresee where they were in the threes and fours,” Taylor notes, suggesting the market must first accept that the ultra-low rates of recent years aren’t returning.
Through her Jill Taylor Homes Team, Taylor continues to help clients navigate these challenging dynamics, though she acknowledges the path forward requires adjusting expectations. The solution, she suggests, may lie in accepting that future moves will likely mean higher payments, a reality that could eventually unlock more inventory as the market adapts to this new normal.
