THE RATE PRESERVATION STRATEGY
You don't have to give up your low rate to move.
You may be holding one of the most valuable financial assets in the market right now with your home mortgage rate and equity. There's a strategy that lets you move — and keep a low rate while doing it. As an agent who specializes in Assumable Mortgages, I'm here to help you understand how.
Come curious. Leave with Clarity.
phoenix metro
Local Specialists on areas throughout the Valley.
Low Rate strategy
Find another low mortgage rate when you move.
buy + Sell
Both sides of your move, fully coordinated.
Free to start
Book a strategy session ask your questions.
WHY MOST PHOENIX HOMEOWNERS FEEL STUCK
"I'd love to move. But I can't walk away from my rate."
This is the most common thing Johanna hears from Phoenix homeowners right now. They want to upsize. Downsize. Move closer to family. Move to a different part of The Valley or Country, but they feel locked in — because giving up a low mortgage rate to buy at today's rates feels financially impossible.
You've heard, "Yeah, that's just the market right now." They shrug and tell you to wait for rates to drop. Johanna has other tactics. She asks a different question: what if you didn't have to choose between the move you want and the rate you have?
That's what the rate preservation strategy is built for.
The math nobody talks about.
YOUR CURRENT RATE
3.25%
TODAY'S AVERAGE RATE
7.00%+
On a $450,000 loan, that difference is roughly $1,100 every month. The rate preservation strategy exists to close that gap.
How it works
What the rate preservation strategy actually means.
The rate preservation strategy is not one single tactic. It's a set of financial and transaction structures that allow qualified buyers and sellers to move within Phoenix metro and beyond, while keeping a low interest rate on their mortgage — either by transferring it, leveraging the equity behind it, or using creative financing to offset the difference. Johanna evaluates each client's situation and identifies which approach fits their goals, their timeline, and their numbers.
01
The Low-Rate Transfer
Certain government-backed loans — VA, USDA and FHA — can be transferred to a new buyer when you sell your home. That buyer takes on your existing loan at your existing rate. Fully legal, fully transferable, lender-approved, and largely unknown to most agents. The result: your buyer gets your low rate, which makes your home more competitive and your move more financially flexible when choosing another home with an assumable low mortgage rate.
Applies to: VA, USDA and FHA loans
02
The Equity Advantage
If your home has appreciated significantly, that equity can be structured as a larger down payment on your next home — allowing for a seamless loan assumption or simply reducing your new loan balance enough that a higher rate has substantially less impact on your monthly payment. In many cases, the math works out better than most homeowners expect when they actually run the numbers.
Applies to: Conventional and jumbo loans with strong equity position
03
The Seller-Financed Gap
In some transactions, a seller or lender can offer a creative financing structure, gap financing, or a rate buy down as part of the deal - effectively subsidizing the buyer's rate for a defined period. When structured correctly, this can make a move financially feasible that would otherwise feel out of reach. Johanna evaluates when these approaches fit and structures the conversation accordingly.
Applies to: Negotiated transactions with motivated buyers
IS THIS STRATEGY RIGHT FOR YOU?
Four steps from where you are to where you want to be.
01
The Strategy Session
A free 30-minute call where Johanna reviews your current loan, your equity position, your goals, and your timeline. She identifies which approach — or combination — fits your situation.
02
The Numbers Review
Johanna runs the actual math on your scenario — side by side comparisons of moving with rate preservation versus a traditional transaction. You see the full picture before committing to anything.
03
The Coordinated Plan
Johanna builds the full plan — buy side, sell side, lender coordination, partner agents if needed, and a timeline that accounts for every moving part. You always know what comes next.
04
Your Move, Done Right
From list day to closing day, Johanna manages every detail and keeps you informed throughout. A move that works, with your financial position intact.
IS THIS STRATEGY RIGHT FOR YOU?
This strategy works best when a few things are true.
Not every situation qualifies. But if any of the following apply to you, it's worth a conversation.
You may be a strong candidate if...
You have a low mortgage rate you'd like to keep
You have a VA, USDA, FHA, or conventional loan with meaningful equity
You want to sell or buy within the Phoenix metro area
You're open to a strategy-first approach before listing
You want a complete picture of your options before making a decision
Your home has appreciated since you purchased it
A few things worth knowing upfront.
Not every loan type qualifies for the same approach — Johanna evaluates yours specifically
Non-veterans can qualify for certain VA loan assumption programs
This is a fully legal, lender-approved strategy
The right approach depends entirely on your specific numbers and goals
A strategy session is the best way to find out what applies to your situation
The first conversation is free and comes with real answers
WHY JOHANNA?
Johanna built a strategy and program that solves the "rate problem."
Johanna Graff is a licensed Arizona real estate agent with My Home Group, her team specializes in the Phoenix metro market — including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Goodyear, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, and surrounding communities. She relocated to Arizona from Connecticut, which means she understands the relocation process from the inside out.
Her focus on assumable mortgages and rate preservation strategies came from watching too many clients feel trapped by a number on a piece of paper. The strategy exists. The tools exist. What was missing was an agent who understood how to use them — and was willing to lead with education.
Licensed in Arizona · SA653075000 · My Home Group · Scottsdale, AZ · Assumable Mortgage Specialist
"The rate problem is real. But for a lot of my clients, it's also solvable. The solution starts with answering the questions people don't even know to ask"
COMMON QUESTIONS
Things people wonder before their first conversation.
Do I have to have a VA, USDA or FHA loan to use this strategy?
No. Loan assumption works specifically with VA, USDA, and FHA loans, but the broader rate preservation strategy includes equity-based approaches and seller financing structures that apply to conventional loans as well. Johanna and her perferred lenders evaluate each situation individually to find the right fit.
Can a non-veteran assume a VA loan?
Yes. Non-veterans can assume a VA loan from a seller. The process requires lender approval and qualification, but veteran status is not a requirement for the buyer. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the strategy.
Is this legal?
Completely. Loan assumptions are a standard feature of government-backed mortgages. Equity leverage and seller-financed rate buydowns are widely used, lender-approved transaction structures. This is a fully established approach — used by informed buyers and sellers across the country.
What if my loan doesn't qualify?
Johanna will tell you that clearly in the strategy session — along with what your options actually are. Every client leaves with a real answer about what their specific situation allows.
How long does the process take?
It depends on the approach and your timeline. Loan assumptions typically take 15 to 60 days longer than a conventional transaction due to lender processing. Equity-based approaches with new mortgages move on a standard timeline. Johanna walks you through exactly what to expect for your specific scenario.
Do I need to sell my home first?
Not necessarily. Johanna coordinates both sides of your move and structures the timeline around your comfort level — sell first, buy first, or simultaneous close. The plan is built around your life and specific needs.
What does it cost to talk to Johanna?
The strategy session is free. Come with questions. Leave with clarity.
You built something valuable. Let's make sure your next move protects it.
Book a free 30-minute Arizona Strategy Session. Johanna will review your current loan, your equity, and your goals — and give you a real answer about what your situation allows.
Free. Straightforward. Built around your situation. · AZ License No. SA653075000 · My Home Group · Equal Housing Opportunity
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