Anita Conrad · October 20, 2026

What your home equity can do for you

Mortgage Market Update

Anita Conrad

Anita Conrad

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

What your home equity can do for you

Most homeowners don't think much about the equity they're building month to month. But understanding it—and what you can do with it—can open up real possibilities.

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.


Home Equity

Your home could be working harder for you

If you've owned your home for a few years, chances are you've built equity—the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. That equity is real money sitting in your property, and depending on your situation, you might be able to access it when you need it.

Some homeowners use their equity to fund home improvements, pay off high-interest debt, or cover major expenses. Others prefer to leave it alone and let it grow. There's no single right answer—it depends on your goals and comfort level. The first step is understanding how much equity you actually have and what options might be available to you.

If you'd like to talk through whether tapping your equity makes sense for your situation, I'm here to walk you through it.

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 Anita Conrad team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

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Anita Conrad

Anita Conrad

anita.conrad@edgehomefinance.com

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