Todd Sevier · October 20, 2026

What your home equity can do for you

Mortgage Market Update

Todd Sevier

Todd Sevier

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

What your home equity can do for you

Hi there. This week I want to walk you through something many homeowners overlook—the real value sitting in their home.

National Mortgage Rates · October 16, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

7.28%

FHA 30-Year

7.13%

VA 30-Year

6.93%

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 & Borrowing

The equity in your home might be more useful than you think

If you've been in your home for a few years, you've likely built up equity—the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe on your mortgage. Many homeowners don't realize this equity can be tapped for things like home repairs, education, or consolidating debt. There are a few ways to access it, each with different terms and trade-offs. The right choice depends on your situation, timeline, and goals. It's worth exploring what options might work for you, especially if you're facing an expense or looking to improve your financial picture.

Let's talk about whether tapping your equity makes sense for your goals.

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 Todd Sevier team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

T

Todd Sevier

Todd Sevier

todd@ottermortgage.com

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