Barrett Financial Group · October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—what's the difference?

Mortgage Market Update

Megan Maruna

Barrett Financial Group

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—what's the difference?

When you're shopping for a mortgage, you'll hear a lot of terms thrown around. Today I want to clarify one of the most important ones.

National Mortgage Rates · October 16, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

7.28%

FHA 30-Year

7.13%

VA 30-Year

6.93%

Rate trend

Source: Optimal Blue daily mortgage indices via FRED

Rates shown are national mortgage index rates and are provided for informational purposes only. Actual rates vary based on credit profile, loan amount, and market conditions. Please contact us for a personalized rate quote.


Loan Programs

Fixed vs. adjustable: which fits your plan?

One of the biggest decisions in getting a mortgage comes down to whether you want a rate that stays the same for the life of your loan, or one that can move over time. A fixed rate gives you predictability—your payment stays put no matter what happens in the market. An adjustable rate typically starts lower, which can mean a smaller initial payment, but it can change later. Neither is right for everyone. The choice really depends on how long you plan to stay in your home, how much payment flexibility you have, and your comfort level with uncertainty. I'd be happy to walk through both options and show you how they'd work for your specific situation.

Let's talk through which approach makes sense for you.

Tip of the Week

Your loan officer can run a credit simulator to show exactly which actions will move your score the most.

Tips for Homeowners

Year-End Tax & Mortgage Planning

1.

Consider making your January mortgage payment in December to get an extra month of deductible interest in the current tax year (consult your tax advisor first).

2.

If you plan to sell next year, now is a good time to document improvements — receipts and records add to your cost basis and reduce taxable capital gain at sale.

3.

Review your W-4 withholding if you bought a home this year — your mortgage interest deduction may mean you're having too much withheld from each paycheck.

Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Megan Maruna team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

M

Megan Maruna

Barrett Financial Group

megan@barrettfinancial.com

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