Matthew Bramow · October 31, 2026

What's your home equity doing for you?

Mortgage Market Update

Matthew Bramow

Matthew Bramow

Saturday, October 31, 2026

What's your home equity doing for you?

One of the best parts of homeownership isn't just having a place to live—it's watching your stake in that home grow over time. Here's what you should know.

National Mortgage Rates · October 29, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

7.15%

FHA 30-Year

7.04%

VA 30-Year

6.79%

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

Building equity: what's actually happening to your home

Every payment you make builds equity in your home—that's the gap between what your house is worth and what you still owe. Over time, as you pay down your loan balance and your home's value can appreciate, that equity grows. It's one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available to homeowners, and many people don't realize how much they've accumulated until they actually need it. Whether you're thinking about a major home project, managing expenses, or planning ahead, understanding your equity position helps you make smarter decisions. If you'd like to know where you stand or explore what your equity might mean for your situation, I'm here to walk you through it.

Let's talk about your home's equity and what options might be available to you.

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 Matthew Bramow team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

M

Matthew Bramow

Matthew Bramow

mike.ross@modelmtg.com

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