|
Mortgage Market Update
Brandy Harris
Brandy Harris
Saturday, August 1, 2026
|
How much equity have you built? |
|
Welcome back. This week I want to talk about something a lot of homeowners overlook until they need it most: the equity sitting in their home.
|
|
National Mortgage Rates · July 30, 2026
|
%22%2C%22fill%22%3Atrue%2C%22tension%22%3A0.4%2C%22pointRadius%22%3A4%2C%22pointBackgroundColor%22%3A%22%233b5bdb%22%2C%22borderWidth%22%3A2%7D%5D%7D%2C%22options%22%3A%7B%22plugins%22%3A%7B%22legend%22%3A%7B%22display%22%3Afalse%7D%7D%2C%22scales%22%3A%7B%22y%22%3A%7B%22ticks%22%3A%7B%22callback%22%3A%22function(v)%7Breturn%20v%2B%5C%22%25%5C%22%7D%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23666%22%7D%2C%22grid%22%3A%7B%22color%22%3A%22rgba(0%2C0%2C0%2C0.06)%22%7D%7D%2C%22x%22%3A%7B%22grid%22%3A%7B%22display%22%3Afalse%7D%2C%22ticks%22%3A%7B%22font%22%3A%7B%22size%22%3A11%7D%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23666%22%7D%7D%7D%7D%7D&w=520&h=180&bkg=white&f=12) |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Equity Building
What you've paid toward your home is worth knowing
Every mortgage payment you make builds equity—the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe. Over time, this becomes real wealth. The sooner you understand how much equity you've built, the sooner you can think strategically about it. You might refinance, tap it for a renovation or major expense, or simply feel more confident about your financial position. Your loan documents tell part of the story, but a conversation about your current situation can show you the bigger picture. I'm happy to walk through where you stand and what options might make sense for you. Reach out if you'd like to review your equity position—it only takes a few minutes.
|
|
Tip of the Week
Landscaping maintenance protects your home's value — overgrown yards are the number one curb appeal issue buyers notice.
|
|
Tips for Homeowners
HOA Fees and How They Affect Your Mortgage
|
|
1.
|
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.
|
|
2.
|
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.
|
|
3.
|
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.
|
|
|
Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Brandy Harris team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
|
|
You are receiving this from Brandy Harris. Unsubscribe
|