Ron Gardiner · November 3, 2026

How much of your home do you actually own?

Mortgage Market Update

My Mortgage Company

Ron Gardiner

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

How much of your home do you actually own?

Hi there—this week I want to talk about something that's quietly working in your favor: equity. It's one of the most powerful features of homeownership, and it's often overlooked.

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 Building

Your home is working for you every month

Every mortgage payment you make does two things: it covers interest and principal. The principal part? That's building equity in your home. Over time, as you pay down your loan balance, you own more of your property outright. This equity can become a tool later—whether you want to refinance, tap into it for a major project, or simply own your home free and clear sooner. The catch is that equity grows fastest when rates are stable and you're making regular payments. If your financial situation has changed, or if you're curious whether your current loan is still the right fit for your goals, that's worth exploring. I'm happy to take a look at where you stand.

Reach out anytime if you'd like to understand your equity position better.

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 My Mortgage Company team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

M

My Mortgage Company

Ron Gardiner

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