Ronnee Walton · August 1, 2026

How much equity have you built so far?

Mortgage Market Update

Ronnee Walton

Ronnee Walton

Saturday, August 1, 2026

How much equity have you built so far?

Hi there—I hope you're having a good week. This week I want to talk about something a lot of homeowners overlook: the equity sitting in their own house.

National Mortgage Rates · July 30, 2026

30-Year Fixed

6.66%

FHA 30-Year

6.43%

VA 30-Year

6.25%

Rate trend

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 Check

You might have more home equity than you think

If you've owned your home for a few years and made regular mortgage payments, you've likely built equity—that's the difference between what your home is worth today and what you still owe on it. Equity matters because it can give you options: you could tap it for a home improvement project, use it to refinance into better loan terms, or leverage it if you decide to sell.

The tricky part is knowing what your home is actually worth right now. Home values shift with your local market, and only a professional appraisal gives you a solid number. If you're curious where you stand, I'd love to walk you through a simple equity snapshot. It takes just a few minutes, and it might open up possibilities you didn't realize you had.

Send me a quick message and we can figure out what your equity position looks like today.

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 Ronnee Walton team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

R

Ronnee Walton

Ronnee Walton

ronnee.the1loangal@gmail.com

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