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Saturday, August 1, 2026 |
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Mortgage Market Update
Your credit score and home prices: what's shifting
We're seeing some meaningful changes in the market right now—and your wallet is probably paying attention. Here are two stories that could directly affect your path to homeownership.
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National Mortgage Rates · July 30, 2026
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Source: Freddie Mac PMMS & Optimal Blue via FRED
Rates shown are national averages 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 Check
Your home might be worth more than you think
If you bought your home a few years ago, or even just refinanced recently, there's a good chance you've built more equity than you realize. Equity is simply the difference between what your home is worth today and what you still owe on your mortgage. As home values have shifted and you've made payments, that number has likely grown. Why does this matter? Because equity can unlock real options—whether that's refinancing to better terms, tapping into a home equity line of credit for a major project, or just knowing you're building real wealth. The tricky part is that many homeowners never stop to check. If you'd like to get a realistic picture of your current equity position and what it might mean for your financial picture, I'd be happy to walk through it with you.
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Tip of the Week
Landscaping maintenance protects your home's value — overgrown yards are the number one curb appeal issue buyers notice.
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Tips for Homeowners
HOA Fees and How They Affect Your Mortgage
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HOA dues are included in your debt-to-income ratio calculation when you apply for a mortgage. High HOA fees reduce how much home you can qualify for.
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2.
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Before buying in an HOA, review the financials: reserve fund balance, any pending special assessments, and recent meeting minutes. A depleted reserve fund can mean a large unexpected charge.
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HOA dues are generally not tax-deductible for a primary residence. If the home is a rental property, dues may be deductible as a business expense.
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Smarter Mortgage Strategies
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Your credit score is one of the biggest levers you control when it comes to getting a mortgage and the rate you'll pay. We've put together 10 practical steps you can take before you apply—things like paying down balances, fixing errors on your report, and avoiding common pitfalls. Even modest improvements can put you in a better position for approval and potentially save you thousands over the life of your loan.
| Key takeaway: improving your credit score before you apply can unlock better loan options and stronger interest rate pricing. |
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Real Estate - Keeping Current Matters
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For over a year, we've been hearing predictions that home prices would drop. New data is starting to tell a different story—price growth appears to be accelerating. If you've been waiting on the sidelines hoping for a crash, this shift is worth paying attention to when you're thinking about your timeline.
| Key takeaway: if you've been waiting for prices to fall, recent trends suggest the window for that outcome may be closing. |
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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 Paul Cederholm team any time and we'll walk you through your options.
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303-931-6798
Cederholm Mortgage Advisors - Edge Home Finance · Unsubscribe
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