Mortgages By Nikki · October 20, 2026

Picking the right loan program for you

Mortgage Market Update

Mortgages By Nikki

Mortgages By Nikki

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Picking the right loan program for you

The mortgage you choose shapes your finances for years. Here's what matters when you're deciding.

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

Not all mortgages work the same way

When you're shopping for a mortgage, you'll run into terms like fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, FHA, conventional, and jumbo. Each one has different rules about how long your rate stays locked in, what down payment you need, and how your monthly payment behaves over time. The right choice depends on your situation: how long you plan to stay in the home, how comfortable you are with payment changes, and what you can put down. I've seen borrowers save real money—and sleep better at night—simply by choosing the loan structure that actually fits their life, not just the one that sounds cheapest today. Understanding your options means you're not just getting a mortgage; you're getting the right one.

Let's talk through which program makes sense for where you're at.

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 Mortgages By Nikki team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

M

Mortgages By Nikki

Mortgages By Nikki

team@mortgagesbynikki.com

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