My parents have lived in the same house in eastern North Carolina for 45 years. That’s rather remarkable considering that most Americans don’t stay put: we move, on average, nearly 12 times in our lifetimes.
Moving house is especially appealing right now. Record-low mortgage rates combined with a limited number of houses for sale have created a seller’s market: prices are soaring, and homes are selling almost as quickly as they can be listed. A local real estate agent told me that buyers are going to extremes to acquire properties, including all-cash payments with limited or no contingencies.