Mortgage Market Update

Eitan Shafshak

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Which loan program is actually right for you?

Every borrower's situation is different, and so is every mortgage program. This week, I want to help you think through which one fits best.

National Mortgage Rates · October 16, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

7.28%

FHA 30-Year

7.13%

VA 30-Year

6.93%

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 Fit

Picking the right loan type matters more than you think

When you're shopping for a mortgage, it's easy to focus only on the interest rate. But the loan program itself—whether it's conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, or something else—shapes your entire borrowing experience. Different programs have different rules about down payments, credit requirements, property types, and what you can and can't do with the loan later. The right fit for your neighbor might not be the right fit for you. I've seen borrowers get approved for programs they didn't actually need, or miss programs they qualified for that would have been a better match. It's worth having a real conversation about which programs align with your situation, your timeline, and your plans for the home. I'm here to walk you through the options and explain what each one means for you.

Let's talk about which program makes sense for your situation.

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 Eitan Shafshak team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

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