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Loan officers have a bigger equity story to tell, but rising stress signals mean the borrower conversation needs to be more targeted and less promotional.
Homeowner equity reached $18 trillion in the second quarter, according to ICE data reported by HousingWire on August 10, 2026. The same report said July home prices rose 1.5%, while mortgage delinquencies increased to 3.55% in June and foreclosures also moved higher.
That combination matters for mortgage professionals because it tells two different stories at once. Many homeowners still have meaningful equity to work with, but a growing slice of borrowers may be feeling enough payment pressure that early outreach, clean qualification and careful product guidance matter more than a generic cash-out pitch.