Mortgage Market Update

Harris Nightingale

Saturday, October 31, 2026

How your mortgage builds wealth over time

I work with a lot of homeowners who focus on their monthly payment but don't think much about the bigger picture. Today I want to highlight something that's quietly working in your favor.

National Mortgage Rates · October 29, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

7.15%

FHA 30-Year

7.04%

VA 30-Year

6.79%

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.

Equity Building

Your home equity is growing—here's why it matters

Every mortgage payment you make builds equity in your home. That's the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe. Over time, this becomes real wealth—money you can tap into if you need it, or use to upgrade your home, pay for education, or handle an unexpected expense.

The longer you stay in your home and keep making payments, the more equity you accumulate. Some borrowers don't realize they have options with that equity until they need them. Understanding what you've built gives you financial flexibility and peace of mind. If you're curious about how much equity you might have or what you could do with it, I'd be happy to walk you through it.

Reach out anytime—I can help you understand your equity position and explore what options might make sense for your situation.

Tip of the Week

Refinancing resets your amortization clock. If you're 10 years into a 30-year loan, consider a shorter term to avoid paying more total interest.

Tips for Homeowners

Co-Signing a Mortgage: What You're Really Agreeing To

1.	Co-signing makes you equally responsible for the debt. If the primary borrower misses payments, your credit score takes the same hit and the lender can pursue you for the full balance.

2.	The co-signed mortgage debt appears on your credit report and counts toward your DTI. This can limit your ability to qualify for your own financing until the loan is paid off or refinanced out of your name.

3.	There's no automatic way to remove yourself as a co-signer — the primary borrower must refinance the loan in their name alone. Get this understanding in writing before you sign.

Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Harris Nightingale team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

Harris Nightingale

hnightingale@gosfc.com

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