What the state data show
The 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data cover reported originations by institutions subject to HMDA. They are useful for comparing broad activity across Washington, Idaho, and Indiana, but they are not a complete count of every mortgage and do not show what a particular borrower can qualify for today.
Across purchase, refinance, and cash-out refinance originations shown below, purchase loans were the largest category by count in all three states: about 61% in Washington, 65% in Idaho, and 61% in Indiana. That describes reported 2025 activity—not a recommendation to buy or a prediction about 2026.
| State | Purchase loans | Purchase volume |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 85,968 | $48.46 billion |
| Idaho | 29,211 | $11.61 billion |
| Indiana | 87,808 | $26.13 billion |
Refinance activity was meaningful, but still smaller than purchase activity
HMDA separates refinance from cash-out refinance. That distinction matters when you shop: a rate-and-term refinance and a cash-out transaction can have different pricing, documentation, equity, and mortgage-insurance considerations.
Do not use the state totals to decide whether a refinance is worthwhile. Put your current loan beside the proposed loan and compare the interest rate, APR, points, lender credits, financed costs, payment, term, and remaining balance over the period you expect to keep it.
| State | Refinance count / volume | Cash-out count / volume |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 30,736 / $18.37B | 23,431 / $7.91B |
| Idaho | 6,754 / $2.85B | 9,283 / $2.29B |
| Indiana | 26,756 / $8.48B | 28,714 / $5.05B |
Home-equity borrowing continues to grow nationally
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that outstanding HELOC balances rose by $13 billion in the second quarter of 2026 to $459 billion. It was the seventeenth consecutive quarterly increase. Growth in balances shows that homeowners are using home-equity credit; it does not establish that a HELOC is cheaper or safer for a particular household.
The 2025 HMDA data also show substantial originated open-end, dwelling-secured credit activity in each service state. These counts include reported open-end lines across all loan-purpose categories and should not be compared directly with the closed-end purchase and refinance counts above.
| State | Reported open-end originations | Reported volume |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 37,957 | $6.56 billion |
| Idaho | 12,522 | $1.98 billion |
| Indiana | 38,304 | $4.15 billion |
A savvy comparison shopper's next move
For a purchase, request same-day written scenarios using the same price, down payment, loan type, term, and lock period. Compare rate and APR, points and lender fees, lender credits, mortgage insurance, cash to close, and the money you will retain after closing.
For a refinance, calculate a break-even period and compare remaining balances—not only the new payment. Before replacing a favorable first mortgage to access equity, compare a HELOC or fixed second mortgage with a cash-out refinance. For any variable-rate line, ask about the index, margin, current fully indexed rate, adjustment rules, draw period, repayment period, minimum payment, annual fee, early-closure fee, and maximum rate.
Market totals cannot tell you which structure is best. Use them as context, then make the decision with current written terms for your property, credit profile, income, goals, and expected holding period.
How to read the dates
State tables use 2025 HMDA data accessed September 24, 2026. The national HELOC balance is from the New York Fed's Q2 2026 report released in August 2026. Weekly applications, live interest rates, home listings, and lender pricing move faster and are intentionally not blended into these annual and quarterly tables.
A few common questions
In the 2025 HMDA originations summarized here, purchase loans were the largest of the three displayed closed-end purpose categories in Washington, Idaho, and Indiana. That annual result does not describe every lender or predict today's mix.
No. It shows broader use of home-equity credit. Compare the variable-rate terms, fees, repayment structure, and combined housing payment with a fixed second mortgage and a cash-out refinance before deciding.
Not by themselves. HMDA is annual and backward-looking. It is a broad activity record, not a live application index, rate quote, or forecast.
Use the same loan scenario and date. Compare rate, APR, points, lender fees and credits, cash to close, mortgage insurance, payment, lock period, and remaining balance over your expected holding period.
Put the guidance to work
Compare seller concessions and temporary buydowns · Model rental cash flow · Compare a HELOC with cash-out refinancing
Open document checklist · Cash-to-close planner · Loan Estimate review
King County guide · Snohomish County guide · Washington local guides
Read the original sources
Program rules and lender requirements can change. Confirm current terms before acting.