MAPLETON, Utah — As the federal government shutdown continues, some Utah homebuyers and sellers are feeling a new wave of uncertainty about their financial decisions — even though the housing market itself hasn’t yet ground to a halt.
Real estate agent Tony Hamby, who has worked in the Salt Lake City area for more than two decades, says the topic now comes up regularly during home showings.
“They’re like, ‘What’s going to happen with the shutdown? Is it going to last?’” Hamby said. “In already uncertain times, it’s causing a little more uncertainty.”
Retirees Cautiously Optimistic
For Lisa and Chuck Jones, retirees from Murray who are looking to relocate to Mapleton, the ongoing shutdown has sparked questions — but not panic.
“Our biggest concern would be Social Security and if [the shutdown] affects that eventually, and then we’d get really worried,” said Chuck Jones. “But right now, for us, things are going really well.”
Lisa Jones added that after years of economic ups and downs, they’re taking the situation in stride.
“We’ve been around, and we’ve been through this so many times, so we know this is just temporary,” she said.
Chuck, a former Army Ranger turned forensic analyst, said they’re still comfortable pursuing their next home. “We already have a house, so when we sell it, we’ll be able to buy,” he said.
Market Hesitation Grows
While some buyers remain confident, Hamby says others are hitting pause on their plans.
“It’s the biggest investment you’ll make in your life, so yeah, a lot of people are on pause for that,” he explained.
He added that loan applications have dipped, even though the mortgage process itself hasn’t slowed for most buyers.
“For FHA and conventional loans, things are still moving,” Hamby said. “But for VA loans, there can be some delays — and overall, people are just hesitant. It’s more mental for people than anything.”
Confidence Is the Key
Experts say consumer confidence plays a major role in homebuying trends, especially during economic or political instability. Even when interest rates and inventory remain steady, emotional hesitation can make the market feel sluggish.
“The shutdown slowdown is resulting in many of the properties I represent becoming stagnant,” Hamby said.
Despite that, he remains optimistic that motivated buyers will keep the market moving.
“There’s a lot of people who are making moves, even during these slow times,” he said.
The Joneses agree — and plan to stay focused on their goal to relocate.
“We just hope the shutdown resolves soon,” Lisa said.
