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Just over a month ago, it looked as if the housing market might be turning a corner: A steady dip in mortgage rates had them under 6% for the first time since 2022, brightening prospects for not just buyers, but sellers waiting for more takers to emerge.

Then mortgage rates reversed course as the war in Iran drove new inflation fears. Last week 30-year fixed rates averaged 6.46%, the highest level in more than six months, according to Freddie Mac’s latest data. That’s shaking buyer confidence, putting a damper on the spring buying season, even if rates are still lower than where we were this time last year or the year before, according to housing economists.

For people who already own a home, this backdrop makes things particularly tricky. Sellers have been losing leverage for a while now, and as of February, they outnumbered buyers by roughly three to two, according to national Redfin data. That’s the biggest gap since at least 2013, and have some sellers rethinking their next move, the brokerage said.

If you can relate and are postponing your sale, take heart. Delaying a move doesn’t have to mean giving up on your plans; it just means giving yourself more time to prepare for a better window.

Here are five ways to get the most out of your current home while you wait.

1. Make your house more livable. If you have the means, key repairs or renovations may not only make you more comfortable, but boost the value of your home once you’re ready to sell. Choose projects that either have a high return on investment (like replacing a garage door or installing a new oven range and sink) or that will dramatically improve your quality of life. A home equity loan or line of credit (SoFi has both) can help cover the costs.

2. Stage your space. Getting your house ready for a sale can make you feel less anxious and more prepared when the time is right. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Get any necessary repairs out of the way or look to boost your curb appeal. (A fresh coat of paint or flowers in the front yard go a long way.) Even just decluttering and depersonalizing (think: adding shelves or storage furniture) can brighten your outlook while you’re living there and improve your chances of impressing potential buyers down the road.

3. Turn your unused space into a side hustle. There’s nothing like earning some extra income to make delaying your move more bearable, especially if it’s low lift. Rent extra bedrooms to roommates or turn a garage or shed into an Airbnb rental. Or get creative by transforming a basement into something like a podcast studio.

4. Move anyway – and rent your home out for a while. If you can’t hold off on moving, consider whether it makes sense to rent your house out instead of selling it. Just be prepared for landlord duties, including screening tenants and abiding by local regulations and insurance requirements. If you move to a rental that costs less than your mortgage, you might even be able to pocket the difference.

5. Save aggressively. You can’t control mortgage rates or buyer demand. But you can put yourself in a stronger financial position when you decide to sell. Use the desire to make a fresh start in a new home as motivation to save your money or pay down debt so you’ve got a stronger financial footing when you make your next purchase. Creating a budget, opening a high-yield savings account, or “paying yourself first” are great ways to help jumpstart this effort.

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