The Lock-In Economy - Jason Hartman

The Lock-In Economy - Jason Hartman

24:57 Feb 13, 2026
About this episode
Mortgage rates tripled. The crash never came.In this Episode Kerry Lutz and Jason Hartman break down why U.S. housing didn’t collapse when borrowing costs exploded.Nearly 25% of homeowners hold mortgages at or below 3%. About 65% are at 4% or less. That “lock-in effect” crushed supply and froze mobility.Fewer than 800,000 homes are listed nationwide — under 0.6% of America’s 140 million housing units. Owners won’t give up cheap debt. Inventory stays tight. Hartman believes this imbalance could persist into 2032–2033.Scarcity and utility continue driving prices — even after the rate shock.The conversation then shifts to immigration and rental housing. Hartman argues most undocumented migrants occupy lower-tier rentals, meaning enforcement shifts would likely hit C-class properties first.They also discuss Sun Belt migration trends and investor tools like PropertyTracker and Empowered Investor for sourcing income-producing properties.If you’ve been waiting for a housing crash, Kerry and Jason explain why it hasn’t happened — and what could finally change the equation.Find Jason here: https://www.jasonhartman.comFind Kerry here :https://khlfsn.substack.com and here: https://inflation.cafe   Kerry's New Book “The Armstrong Economic Code: The 5 Truths Investors Must Never Forget” is out now on Amazon!Get your copy here:  https://a.co/d/bvYbZOz“The World According to Martin Armstrong – Conversations with the Master Forecaster” is a #1 Best Seller on Amazon. .Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/4kuC5p5 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit khlfsn.substack.com/subscribe
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