New data showed contrasting signals for the U.S. housing market, as home equity levels hit record highs, showing sustained strength, while noticeable heightened stress affected certain segments of borrowers, according to ICE Mortgage Technology. Of the record $18 trillion in equity, 47.5 million homeowners hold $11.7 trillion they can tap, which comes close to $212,000 per borrower, ICE reported. The burgeoning accrued amounts available are leading many lenders to increasingly highlight or roll out new home equity lines of credit or related products, as mortgage rates continue to discourage refinances. Last summer, the Mortgage Bankers Association forecasted a 9.5% increase in HELOCs for 2026 and a 4.1% rise in home equity loans. The wide range of rates borrowers have locked inElsewhere in its First Look, ICE Mortgage Technology researchers noted the wide variation of mortgage rates among seemingly similar buyers who purchased a home this year.