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Mortgage Market Update
Denise Marquez
Denise Marquez
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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Why Skipping Home Repairs Now Costs You Later |
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We know life gets busy, and it's tempting to put off that leaky faucet or cracked foundation repair. But here's what homeowners are discovering the hard way—and why addressing problems early saves you real money.
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National Mortgage Rates · October 19, 2026
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Conventional 30-Year
7.32%
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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.
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Equity & Borrowing
When home equity becomes your financial tool
As you pay down your mortgage and your home appreciates, you build equity—real wealth sitting in your walls. That equity can work for you in ways a lot of people don't realize. Whether you're facing an unexpected expense, planning a home improvement, or consolidating higher-interest debt, tapping into your home's equity through a loan or line of credit is often simpler and cheaper than other borrowing options. The catch is timing: understanding what you qualify for and how different loan products work makes all the difference. I've helped borrowers unlock their equity smartly—meaning they got what they needed without overextending themselves. If you're curious whether your home's equity could help you reach a goal right now, let's talk through your options.
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Tip of the Week
Your loan officer can run a credit simulator to show exactly which actions will move your score the most.
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Tips for Homeowners
Year-End Tax & Mortgage Planning
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1.
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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).
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2.
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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.
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3.
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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.
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Realtor.com
Most homeowners delay maintenance and repairs, but procrastinating on small issues can balloon into much costlier problems down the road. The longer you wait to fix something, the more damage it typically causes—and the bigger your repair bill becomes.
| Key takeaway: tackle maintenance issues promptly, because fixing them sooner almost always costs less than waiting until they worsen. |
Read full article →
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Realtor.com
Millions of small rental properties are run hands-on by their aging owners, and when these landlords pass them down or retire, heirs often face a big decision: keep managing the property themselves or sell it off. This shift affects rental markets and property availability in many communities.
| Key takeaway: if you own rental property or are considering buying one, expect market changes as older landlords transition their holdings to the next generation. |
Read full article →
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Realtor.com
Builders are pulling back on new construction as mortgage rates stay elevated, making it harder for them to finance projects and sell homes at a profit. This slowdown affects housing inventory and may influence availability and prices in your market.
| Key takeaway: fewer new homes entering the market could mean less inventory and more competition among buyers in the coming months. |
Read full article →
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Realtor.com
Student housing is being built faster than enrollment is growing in some university towns, leading to lower occupancy rates and rents. If you own rental property near a campus or are thinking about investing in student housing, oversupply in your area could squeeze your returns.
| Key takeaway: before buying or leasing student housing, research local occupancy trends and enrollment forecasts—too many units chasing too few tenants hurts your bottom line. |
Read full article →
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Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Denise Marquez team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
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808 RT 15 S, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
201-456-7475 | https://www.dm-mtg.com/
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