ICE · News · 20260810N

Interest Rate Environment

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. · 2026-08-10 · Importance 22 · Surprise 32

ICE’s August 2026 Mortgage Monitor reported that mortgage-holder equity reached a record $18 trillion, while annual home-price growth reached a 14-month high of 1.5% in July. The report attributed gains partly to lower mortgage rates earlier in 2026 but warned that appreciation could soften as rates have risen. It also identified substantial rate disparities among similarly qualified borrowers and historically wide discounts for bank-owned real-estate properties.

Key facts

• The report noted increased equity and home price appreciation due to lower rates earlier in the year, but it also noted potential softening in acceleration as rates have risen. source