|
Mortgage Market Update
Michael Barnhart
Michael Barnhart
Saturday, August 1, 2026
|
How much equity have you actually built? |
|
Hi there—it's that time of the week when I share something I think will matter to your wallet or your home. This week, we're talking about equity and why it's worth knowing your number.
|
|
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
How much of your home do you actually own?
If you've owned your home for a few years, you've likely built more equity than you realize. Every mortgage payment chips away at what you owe, and if your home has appreciated, that's equity too. Knowing your equity matters because it unlocks options—refinancing, a home equity line of credit, or even pulling cash out for major projects. The tricky part is that many homeowners simply don't know their number. If it's been a while since you looked at what you owe versus what your home is worth, now's a good time to find out. I can run a quick estimate for you and walk through what that equity could mean for your financial picture. Send me a message and I'll help you get a clear picture of your equity and what options might make sense for you.
|
|
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 Michael Barnhart team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
|
|
You are receiving this from Michael Barnhart. Unsubscribe
|