Gale Culver · October 20, 2026

How much equity are you sitting on?

Mortgage Market Update

Gale Culver

Gale Culver

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

How much equity are you sitting on?

Every mortgage payment you make builds wealth in your home. Let's look at what that actually means for you right now.

National Mortgage Rates · October 19, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

7.32%

FHA 30-Year

7.12%

VA 30-Year

6.94%

Rate trend

Source: Optimal Blue daily mortgage indices via FRED

Rates shown are national mortgage index rates 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 & Refinancing

Your home's equity might be worth more than you think

As your home holds its value and you pay down your mortgage, you build equity—the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe. Many homeowners don't realize how much they've accumulated, especially if you've owned for several years. That equity can open doors: it can lower your monthly payment through a refinance, fund home improvements, cover unexpected expenses, or become part of a larger financial plan. The best way to know where you stand is to get a quick estimate of your home's current value and talk through your options. There's no obligation, and knowing your numbers often leads to better decisions.

If you'd like to explore what your equity could do for you, I'm here to walk through the numbers.

Tip of the Week

Your loan officer can run a credit simulator to show exactly which actions will move your score the most.

Tips for Homeowners

Year-End Tax & Mortgage Planning

1.

Consider making your January mortgage payment in December to get an extra month of deductible interest in the current tax year (consult your tax advisor first).

2.

If you plan to sell next year, now is a good time to document improvements — receipts and records add to your cost basis and reduce taxable capital gain at sale.

3.

Review your W-4 withholding if you bought a home this year — your mortgage interest deduction may mean you're having too much withheld from each paycheck.

Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Gale Culver team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

G

Gale Culver

Gale Culver

gale.culver@onerealmortgage.com

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