Katy Betcher · September 2, 2026

What your home equity can do for you

Mortgage Market Update

KATY BETCHER

Katy Betcher

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

What your home equity can do for you

One of the smartest parts of homeownership happens quietly in the background—your equity growing with every payment you make. Let me walk you through why it matters and when to pay attention to it.

National Mortgage Rates · August 27, 2026

30-Year Fixed

6.66%

FHA 30-Year

6.55%

VA 30-Year

6.38%

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.


Home Equity

Your home is working for you—here's how

One of the best parts of owning a home is that every mortgage payment builds equity—money that belongs to you. The longer you own, the more equity you accumulate, and that opens doors: you can borrow against it for renovations, pay down debt, or access funds for life's big moments. The tricky part is knowing what you actually have available without a clear picture of your home's current value and what you still owe. If you haven't checked in on your equity position in a while, it might be worth a conversation. The market changes, your paydown adds up, and your options could be better than you think.

Let's take a quick look at what your equity position is today and what it might mean for your goals.

Tip of the Week

Your mortgage interest may be tax-deductible if you itemize. Check with your tax professional to see if it benefits you.

Tips for Homeowners

Understanding Mortgage Points

1.

One mortgage point equals 1% of your loan amount. Paying points ("buying down the rate") reduces your interest rate — typically 0.25% per point, though this varies by lender and market.

2.

Calculate your break-even: divide the cost of the points by your monthly savings. If it takes 4 years to break even and you plan to stay 10 years, buying points makes sense.

3.

Points paid on a home purchase are generally tax-deductible in the year paid (if you itemize). Points on a refinance must be deducted over the life of the loan.

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

Your Mortgage Advisor

K

KATY BETCHER

Katy Betcher

katy@barrettfinancial.com

You are receiving this from Katy Betcher.  Unsubscribe