Low pandemic-era interest rates have been blamed for contributing to higher home prices as owners feel locked in to their low mortgage rate.

But longtime homeowners facing a large federal tax bill also may play a role in staying put, including in South Florida, where homeowners built up equity faster than the national pace.

As home prices recovered after the Great Recession and then rocketed higher during the COVID-19 pandemic, long-term regional homeowners have seen the value of their home equity balloon at almost twice the national average. It means these homeowners have significant unrealized profits, which may lead to a big tax bill when they decide to sell.

Potential taxes on housing profits could be a contributing factor to keeping many older homeowners locked in bigger homes and

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