Jason Erickson · November 3, 2026

What's your home actually worth today?

Mortgage Market Update

Jason Erickson

Jason Erickson

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

What's your home actually worth today?

Hi there. I wanted to touch base about something that often surprises homeowners—the equity they've quietly built. Let me explain why it matters.

National Mortgage Rates · November 2, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

7.13%

FHA 30-Year

6.96%

VA 30-Year

6.76%

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

Your home may be worth more than you think

If you've owned your home for a few years, or if your neighborhood has appreciated, you might have built equity without realizing it. Equity is the difference between what your home is worth today and what you still owe on your mortgage. It's real money—and it can work for you in several ways: some people tap it to fund repairs or education, others use it to pay off debt at lower rates, and some leverage it to invest. The first step is understanding how much equity you actually have. I can help you get a clear picture of your home's current value and what that means for your options going forward. There's no obligation, and it's valuable information to have either way.

Let's talk about your home's equity and what you might do with it.

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 Jason Erickson team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

J

Jason Erickson

Jason Erickson

jason@barrettfinancial.com

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