Guillermo Ley · October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—what's the difference?

Mortgage Market Update

Guillermo Ley

Guillermo Ley

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—what's the difference?

One of the first decisions in a mortgage is choosing your rate structure. I want to break down how each one works and who they're usually right for.

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 Program Basics

Fixed vs. adjustable: which loan fits your plan?

When you're shopping for a mortgage, one of the biggest choices is whether to lock in a fixed interest rate for the life of your loan or start with a lower adjustable rate that changes over time. A fixed rate gives you predictability—your payment stays the same for 15, 20, or 30 years, which makes budgeting easier and protects you if rates rise. An adjustable rate typically starts lower, which can mean smaller payments early on, but it can increase later, so it works best if you plan to sell or refinance before the adjustment kicks in. Neither is right or wrong; it depends on how long you're staying in the home and how comfortable you are with payment uncertainty. The right choice is personal, and I'd love to walk through what makes sense for your specific situation.

Let's talk through which structure aligns best with your timeline and comfort level.

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 Guillermo Ley team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

G

Guillermo Ley

Guillermo Ley

gley@canopymortgage.com

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