Tim Powers · October 20, 2026

Does refinancing actually pay off?

 

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

A Note From Tim Powers

🏡 Your Home, Your Equity & New Opportunities in Today's Market!

Happy Tuesday!

🏡 A Changing Housing Market Means New Opportunities!

There's been plenty of conversation about mortgage rates lately, but here's something important to remember: There's more to the housing market than just interest rates!

Mortgage rates have increased recently, with the national average 30-year fixed rate reaching approximately 7.40% last week. However, there's encouraging news for potential homebuyers.

We're seeing more homes available for sale, more price adjustments, and opportunities for buyers to negotiate.

In fact, nationally, active home listings have increased 6.7% compared with last year, while median asking prices have declined 2.4%.

What does that mean for you?

If you've been thinking about purchasing a home, this could be an opportunity to explore properties with less competition and potentially negotiate seller concessions, closing costs, or an interest-rate buydown.

The key is finding the right home, the right financing, and a monthly payment you're comfortable with.

And remember, if interest rates improve in the future, refinancing may become an option. There's no guarantee rates will decline, so your purchase should make financial sense today.

🏠 Already Own a Home? You're in a Great Position to Explore Your Options!

If you're already a homeowner, congratulations! You've made an investment that can provide stability and the potential to build wealth over time.

And depending on when you purchased or refinanced, you may already have a mortgage rate that would be difficult to replace in today's market.

But here's my question: When was the last time you reviewed your mortgage?

Your home may have accumulated equity that could provide additional financial flexibility.

Some homeowners are exploring ways to use that equity for:

🔨 Home Improvements: Remodel your kitchen, update your bathrooms, or tackle those projects you've been putting off.

💳 Debt Consolidation: Explore whether consolidating higher-interest debt could improve your monthly cash flow.

🎓 College Expenses: Help fund your children's education.

💍 Major Life Events: Weddings, family celebrations, or other significant expenses.

💰 Financial Flexibility: Review options for managing monthly obligations or preparing for future goals.

And here's something important: You don't necessarily have to refinance your existing first mortgage to access your equity!

Depending on your circumstances, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or second mortgage may allow you to keep your existing first mortgage intact.

Of course, borrowing against your home comes with costs and risks, and it isn't always the right solution.

⭐ My Offer to You: A FREE Mortgage & Home Equity Review!

Whether you purchased your home six months ago or 15 years ago, I believe it's worth reviewing your mortgage periodically.

During your complimentary review, we'll look at:

✅ Your current interest rate and mortgage terms

✅ Your estimated home value and available equity

✅ Opportunities to improve your overall financial picture

✅ Whether refinancing, a HELOC, or another financing strategy makes sense

✅ Or whether keeping everything exactly as it is remains your best option!

Sometimes the best financial decision is to do absolutely nothing—and I'll be the first to tell you that!

📞 Let's Spend 10 Minutes Reviewing Your Options!

With over 20 years in the mortgage industry and access to more than 150 lenders, my goal is to help you understand your options and make informed financial decisions.

Whether you're thinking about purchasing, exploring your home equity, or simply wondering if your current mortgage is still working for you, I'm here to help.

Just reply to this email with "Mortgage Review," and I'll be happy to put together a complimentary review for you.

No pressure. No obligation. Just helpful information!

Have a wonderful week!

Tim Powers

Mortgage Market Update

Does refinancing actually pay off?

Not every rate movement is a signal to refinance. Here's how to figure out if it's the right call for you.

National Mortgage Rates · October 16, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

7.78%

FHA 30-Year

7.13%

VA 30-Year

7.05%

Rate trend

Source: Optimal Blue daily mortgage indices via FRED · Includes our pricing adjustment

Rates shown are national mortgage index rates plus our pricing adjustment, 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.

Check My Rate →

Refinance Strategy

When refinancing makes sense (and when it doesn't)

Refinancing isn't always the right move, even when rates shift. The real question is whether the benefit outweighs your costs and how long you plan to stay in your home. If you're thinking about it, we look at your current loan details, run the numbers on a new one, and show you the actual break-even point. Sometimes it's worth it in a few months. Sometimes it's not worth it at all. The only way to know is to run the math specific to your situation—not guesswork, not what worked for your neighbor. I'm happy to walk through a quick what-if scenario with you, no obligation.

Let's talk through whether a refi makes sense for you right now.

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 Tim Powers team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

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Tim Powers

Tim Powers

Tim Powers

tpowers@barrettfinancial.com

+1 253-209-4247

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16427 N Scottsdale Rd Ste 410, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

+1 253-209-4247

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