Harris Nightingale · November 3, 2026

What can you do with your home equity?

Mortgage Market Update

Harris Nightingale

Harris Nightingale

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

What can you do with your home equity?

One of the best parts of homeownership is building equity over time. This week, I want to explain what that means and how it might help you.

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.


Equity & Access

What your home equity can do for you

If you've owned your home for a while, you've likely built equity—the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe. That equity isn't just a number on paper. Depending on your situation, it can be a real tool. Some borrowers use it to access funds for repairs, education, or consolidating debt. Others use it to improve their loan terms. The key is understanding what options make sense for your goals and your finances. If you're curious whether your equity could work for you, I'm happy to walk through what's realistic given your specific position.

Reach out anytime—no obligation—and we can talk through whether tapping your equity makes sense right now.

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

H

Harris Nightingale

Harris Nightingale

hnightingale@gosfc.com

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