|
Mortgage Market Update
Matthew Bramow
Matthew Bramow
Saturday, August 1, 2026
|
How much equity have you built? |
|
Hello,
This week I'm thinking about something a lot of homeowners overlook—the wealth they're quietly building.
|
|
National Mortgage Rates · July 30, 2026
|
%22%2C%22fill%22%3Atrue%2C%22tension%22%3A0.4%2C%22pointRadius%22%3A4%2C%22pointBackgroundColor%22%3A%22%233b5bdb%22%2C%22borderWidth%22%3A2%7D%5D%7D%2C%22options%22%3A%7B%22plugins%22%3A%7B%22legend%22%3A%7B%22display%22%3Afalse%7D%7D%2C%22scales%22%3A%7B%22y%22%3A%7B%22ticks%22%3A%7B%22callback%22%3A%22function(v)%7Breturn%20v%2B%5C%22%25%5C%22%7D%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23666%22%7D%2C%22grid%22%3A%7B%22color%22%3A%22rgba(0%2C0%2C0%2C0.06)%22%7D%7D%2C%22x%22%3A%7B%22grid%22%3A%7B%22display%22%3Afalse%7D%2C%22ticks%22%3A%7B%22font%22%3A%7B%22size%22%3A11%7D%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23666%22%7D%7D%7D%7D%7D&w=520&h=180&bkg=white&f=12) |
|
Source: Freddie Mac PMMS & Optimal Blue via FRED
Rates shown are national averages and are provided for informational purposes only. Actual rates vary based on credit profile, loan amount, and market conditions. Please contact us for a personalized rate quote.
|
|
|
|
Equity Check
You might have more equity than you think
If you've owned your home for a few years and made regular payments, there's a good chance you've built up equity—even if you haven't thought about it lately. Equity is the difference between what your home is worth today and what you still owe on your mortgage. It grows two ways: as you pay down the loan, and as your home's value increases over time. Knowing your equity matters because it opens doors. You can tap into it for a home improvement project, consolidate debt, or refinance to better terms. The first step is simple—get a rough sense of what your home might be worth now, then look at your latest mortgage statement to see your balance. If the gap is bigger than you expected, let's talk about your options. Reach out if you'd like help figuring out how much equity you're sitting on and what you can do with it.
|
|
Tip of the Week
Landscaping maintenance protects your home's value — overgrown yards are the number one curb appeal issue buyers notice.
|
|
Tips for Homeowners
HOA Fees and How They Affect Your Mortgage
|
|
1.
|
HOA dues are included in your debt-to-income ratio calculation when you apply for a mortgage. High HOA fees reduce how much home you can qualify for.
|
|
2.
|
Before buying in an HOA, review the financials: reserve fund balance, any pending special assessments, and recent meeting minutes. A depleted reserve fund can mean a large unexpected charge.
|
|
3.
|
HOA dues are generally not tax-deductible for a primary residence. If the home is a rental property, dues may be deductible as a business expense.
|
|
|
Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Matthew Bramow team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
|
|
You are receiving this from Matthew Bramow. Unsubscribe
|