Debt, Equity & Rising Interest Rates; the perfect storm?

Life at Ten Tenths

This episode of Life at Ten Tenths explores the complex intersection of rising consumer debt, home equity, and interest rates in early 2025. Garrett and Matt get into how these factors are creating unique market conditions and opportunities in real estate.

Key Topics:

• The growing trend of homeowners considering trading their low 3% mortgages for higher rates to address mounting credit card debt
• How the pandemic accelerated many people's moving timelines, creating a temporary "dead zone" in the market
• Why more homeowners are now ready to make moves despite higher interest rates
• The psychological aspects of how people prioritize different types of debt
• Current market dynamics showing healthy levels of home equity despite rising consumer debt

Notable Insights:

• Consumer debt has reached approximately $18 trillion while home equity stands at around $32 trillion
• The housing market remains fundamentally healthy with strong equity positions
• More sellers are trying to push listing prices higher to maximize equity extraction
• An increase in job changes and corporate recruiting is contributing to market movement
• The critical role of trust between realtors and clients in navigating financial decisions

Curious how current conditions might stack up against the 2008 housing crisis and why today's market is better positioned to handle financial stress? Listen in! Further, Matt and Garrett will touch on the importance of positioning yourself as a trusted advisors who can help homeowners make informed decisions while they go through this time.