With mortgage rates still hovering in the 6–7% range, sellers are asking the right question: Does this hurt my chances of getting a good offer?

The short answer is…it depends.

Selling in a high interest market doesn't mean you can't win. It just means your buyer pool is different, and your pricing and prep need to be sharper.

Let's break down what's actually happening, how it affects you, and most importantly, what you can do about it.

When rates are high, buyers lose purchasing power. That's not just theory it's math.

A 1% increase in interest rates can reduce a buyer's budget by roughly $33,000 in purchasing power, depending on their monthly payment threshold. So if your home is priced at $600K, there may be fewer buyers who can comfortably afford it today compared to when rates were in the 3–4% range.

Here's the reality:

The monthly payment on a $400,000 loan has jumped over $1,200 from the pandemic era lows to today's rates. In 2021, a buyer with a 2.65% rate would pay about $1,359 per month in principal and interest. Today, at 7% rates, that same loan costs over $2,600 per month, nearly double.

That's a massive difference. And it changes everything about how buyers approach the market.

Here's how that affects you as a seller:

1. Your Buyer Pool Is Smaller

There's still demand, don't misunderstand me. But when rates jumped from 6.11% to 7% in just six weeks, nearly 2.8 million households were priced out of qualifying for a median priced home.

Buyers are more selective and slower to pull the trigger. They're running numbers, second guessing, and comparing every option. Impulse offers? Those are gone.

2. Affordability Is Front and Center

Sticker shock is real, especially when monthly payments are $3,500–$4,000+. Buyers aren't just looking at your list price, they're calculating what it means for their monthly budget, factoring in insurance (which has skyrocketed in Florida), property taxes, and HOA fees.

If your home pushes them over their comfortable payment threshold, they'll keep scrolling.

3. Presentation and Pricing Matter More Than Ever

In a market where buyers have options and less purchasing power, homes that are dialed in, clean, staged and move in ready, stand out. Overpriced, underprepared homes sit.

This isn't 2021 anymore. You can't slap a "For Sale" sign in the yard and expect multiple offers in 48 hours. Buyers today are asking: "Is this worth stretching my budget for?"

Your answer needs to be an obvious yes.

Before you panic, let's talk about what's working in your favor.

Inventory Is Still Tight in Pembroke Pines

While buyers are cautious, you're not in a race to the bottom. We're not flooded with listings. Many homeowners are still locked into low rate mortgages from 2020–2021 and are hesitant to sell, creating a "lock in effect" that keeps inventory constrained.

Translation: You still have leverage if you price and present your home correctly.

Well Presented Homes Still Sell Fast and Strong

Even in this market, I've seen properly priced, beautifully staged homes get multiple offers within the first week. The difference between homes that sell quickly and homes that sit for months often comes down to three things:

You're Not Competing Against 2021 Anymore

Let's be honest: 2021–2022 pricing was an anomaly. Rates were historically low, inventory was non existent, and buyers were desperate. That created a temporary frenzy that pushed prices to unsustainable levels.

Today's market is more normal. And "normal" doesn't mean bad it just means you need a real strategy, not blind luck.

Let's get specific about what higher rates actually mean for your potential buyers.

Example 1: The $600K Home

That's a $260,000 swing in purchasing power. If your home is priced at $600K, you're now targeting buyers who would have been shopping for $800K+ homes a few years ago and they're feeling the squeeze.

Example 2: Monthly Payment Shock

Same house. $1,200+ more per month. Add in Florida's rising insurance costs, property taxes, and HOA fees, and that buyer's total housing cost could be $4,500–$5,000/month.

The typical household would now need to spend about 36% of their monthly income to afford the mortgage payment for the median home, compared to 23% in 2021. That's a tough pill to swallow.

Here's where sellers make or break their sale.

Mistake #1: Pricing Based on 2021–2022 Comps

I get it. Your neighbor sold for $650K in 2022, and your home is nicer. But that buyer had a 3.5% rate. Today's buyer is looking at 6.5–7% rates.

You can't expect the same price when the cost to own that home has nearly doubled.

Mistake #2: "Testing the Market" with a High List Price

In 2021, you could overprice by 10% and still get offers. Today? You'll sit. And the longer you sit, the more suspicious buyers become. "What's wrong with it? Why hasn't it sold?"

Days on market matter. A home that's been listed for 90+ days signals either overpricing or a problem. Neither helps your negotiating position.

The Smarter Play: Price Just Under the Competition

If comparable homes are listed at $575K, price yours at $559K. You'll get more showings, more interest, and potentially multiple offers which gives you leverage to negotiate back up.

Buyers today are looking for value. Give them a reason to act fast.

If you're thinking of selling, here's the move: Don't chase top dollar, chase the right buyer.

That means:

1. Pricing just under the competition to spark interest and generate urgency.

2. Making sure your home shows well. Declutter, depersonalize, deep clean, and handle deferred maintenance. Buyers today want move in ready. If they see work, they'll factor that into their offer or walk away entirely.

3. Working with a pro who knows how to market aggressively. This isn't a "throw it on the MLS and hope" market. You need targeted digital ads, professional photography, strategic pricing, and an agent who's actively reaching buyers not just waiting for them to show up.

And here's the part sellers forget:

If you're buying and selling in the same market, you're not losing.

Yes, you might sell for a bit less than peak 2022 prices. But you're also buying at a time when you have more leverage on your next home. Sellers are more willing to negotiate. You're not competing with 15 other offers. And if rates drop in the next year or two, you can refinance but you can't renegotiate the purchase price of the home you're buying.

High rates have changed the game, but they haven't ended it.

Homes are still selling. Buyers are still out there. But the "spray and pray" approach doesn't work anymore. You need:

Do those three things, and you'll sell even in a high rate environment.

Skip them, and you'll sit. And every week you sit, your negotiating position gets weaker.

If you're thinking about selling in the next 3–6 months, now's the time to start planning.

Here's what I recommend:

1. Get a realistic market analysis. Not a Zillow estimate. Not what you "think" it's worth. A real comp analysis based on recent sales (not listings) in your neighborhood.

2. Walk through your home like a buyer. What needs fixing? What could be improved? What makes it special? Be honest.

3. Talk to a pro about timing and strategy. Should you sell now or wait? What's the best time to list? What repairs are worth making? These decisions matter, and guessing costs you money.

If you're ready to have that conversation, no pressure, no sales pitch, just honest advice, hit reply or give me a call.

Let's figure out if now's the right time for you to sell, and if so, how to do it in a way that maximizes your proceeds without leaving money on the table.