I hear this question a lot lately.
Who would ever give up a 2.75% interest rate?
The honest answer is people whose lives have changed.
People still move and refinance because of job relocations, moving closer to family, divorce, growing families, college expenses, and debt consolidation.
It is also not always about the rate. It is about loan balance, cash flow, and equity strategy. In some cases, refinancing a much lower balance even at a higher rate can still improve monthly cash flow.
As income goes up, the tax benefits of mortgage interest become more valuable, which helps offset higher rates more than most people realize.
Rates matter, but life, cash flow, taxes, and strategy matter more.
Every situation deserves a real conversation, not a headline answer.