Home equity hits $18T even as delinquencies, foreclosures rise

Home equity reached a record $18 trillion in the second quarter as annual home price growth accelerated to a 14-month high in July, while mortgage delinquencies and foreclosure activity continued to rise, according to Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)’s August Mortgage Monitor report. Annual home price growth rose to 1.5% in July, marking the fifth consecutive month of acceleration and its strongest single-month increase in more than three years. ICE said lower mortgage rates earlier in 2026 helped boost housing demand, although rates have since moved higher and could limit further acceleration in the second half of the year. “Mortgage holder equity hitting $18 trillion is a remarkable milestone — one that reflects just how much wealth American homeowners have built,” said Andy Walden, head of mortgage and housing market research at ICE. “The spring market provided a meaningful boost to both prices and equity, and we’re seeing those tailwinds work through the data now. At the same time, rates have trended higher since early in the year, which may soften how much additional acceleration we’re likely to see in the second half.” Mortgage holders had $11.7 trillion in tappable equity in ...