Monday, March 2, 2026 / by Patrick Rhodes
Why Affordability is Hard Right Now
Why buying a home feels so much harder to do right now.
If buying a home feels harder than it used to, you’re not imagining it.
Across Middle Tennessee, buyers are navigating higher interest rates, tighter monthly budgets, and a market that feels less predictable than it did a few years ago. Even well-qualified buyers sometimes feel hesitant. The emotional side of buying has become just as challenging as the financial side.
But here’s the important distinction: harder does not mean impossible. It means the rules have shifted.
For years, buyers were focused primarily on purchase price. Interest rates were historically low, which meant monthly payments stayed manageable even as prices climbed. Today, interest rates carry more weight in the decision. A small rate difference can change monthly payments significantly, which makes buyers more cautious.
That caution is understandable. When monthly payments rise, buyers start asking deep ...
If buying a home feels harder than it used to, you’re not imagining it.
Across Middle Tennessee, buyers are navigating higher interest rates, tighter monthly budgets, and a market that feels less predictable than it did a few years ago. Even well-qualified buyers sometimes feel hesitant. The emotional side of buying has become just as challenging as the financial side.
But here’s the important distinction: harder does not mean impossible. It means the rules have shifted.
For years, buyers were focused primarily on purchase price. Interest rates were historically low, which meant monthly payments stayed manageable even as prices climbed. Today, interest rates carry more weight in the decision. A small rate difference can change monthly payments significantly, which makes buyers more cautious.
That caution is understandable. When monthly payments rise, buyers start asking deep ...
