HELOC Rates Drop to 7.21%, Equity-Rich Homeowners Decline to 43.3%

In the first quarter of 2026, 43.3% of properties with a mortgage were classified as 'equity-rich,' a decrease from 44.6% in the previous quarter, the lowest since Q4 2021. The average HELOC rate is currently 7.21%, with a national average home equity loan rate at 7.36%. HELOCs reached a 2026 low of 7.19% earlier in the year. Such declines in equity-rich homeowners and rising loan rates may affect borrowing capacity and homeowner decisions in the market.