The “Lock-In” Effect is Breaking

For the last few years, the Bear Lake market (and most of the country) felt a bit like a game of musical chairs where nobody wanted to stand up. Owners with 3% mortgage rates have been "locked in," afraid to sell and lose their low payment, which kept inventory at record lows.

The shift is here! As we move further into 2026, we are seeing the "Lock-In" effect finally begin to crack. Whether it’s downsizing, upsizing, or shifting investment portfolios, life reasons are finally outweighing interest rate reasons.

In general, we are seeing a 10-15% increase in active listings compared to this time last year. This is great news for buyers who have been waiting for more than two choices in a specific neighborhood. We’ve also moved away from the "bidding war madness" of 2021 and into a market where appraisals are sticking and negotiations are back on the table.

If you’ve been waiting for the market to "normalize" before making your next move, this is the environment you’ve been looking for. Call me any time!