Gaby Lockhart · October 20, 2026

What's your home equity worth right now?

Mortgage Market Update

Gaby Lockhart

Gaby Lockhart

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

What's your home equity worth right now?

Hi there. This week I want to remind you of something powerful that's probably happening in the background: your ownership stake in your home is growing.

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 Building

Your home might be worth more than you think

Every mortgage payment you make builds equity—that's the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe. As your loan balance drops and property values shift, your equity stake grows. This matters because it opens doors: a stronger financial cushion, options to borrow against that equity if life happens, or just the peace of mind that comes with owning more of your own home. If you haven't thought about your equity position lately, it might be worth a conversation. I can help you understand where you stand and what your options look like.

Let's talk about your equity and what it means for your financial picture.

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 Gaby Lockhart team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

G

Gaby Lockhart

Gaby Lockhart

gabyl@barrettfinancial.com

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