Nicole Strong · September 10, 2026

How much of your home do you actually own?

Mortgage Market Update

Nicole Strong

Nicole Strong

Thursday, September 10, 2026

How much of your home do you actually own?

Hello everyone. This week I want to talk about something that happens quietly in the background of homeownership—and why it matters.

National Mortgage Rates · September 10, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

6.76%

VA 30-Year

6.48%

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.


Equity Building

Your home is working for you every month

Every mortgage payment you make builds equity—that's the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe. Over time, this becomes real wealth. The sooner you start, the more you accumulate. If you've been a homeowner for a few years, you may have more equity than you realize, which can open doors: you could refinance into better terms, tap that equity for a major expense, or simply enjoy the peace of mind that comes with owning more of your own home. The best time to think about your equity is before you need it. If you're curious whether your equity could work harder for you, I'd love to walk through your options.

Reach out if you'd like to talk about what your equity means for your financial future.

Tip of the Week

Gift funds from family can be used toward a down payment on most loan types — your lender will need a simple gift letter.

Tips for Homeowners

VA Loans: Benefits Every Veteran Should Know

1.

VA loans require no down payment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI), making them one of the most powerful home-buying tools available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses.

2.

VA loans do require a funding fee (typically 1.25%–3.3% of the loan amount), which can be rolled into the loan. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating may be exempt from this fee.

3.

There's no VA loan limit for eligible borrowers with full entitlement — you can finance as much as a lender will approve. If you've had a prior VA loan, partial entitlement rules may apply.

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

Your Mortgage Advisor

N

Nicole Strong

Nicole Strong

nicole.strong@onerealmortgage.com

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