Julie Swenson · October 20, 2026

Loan term: the decision nobody talks about

Mortgage Market Update

My Mortgage Company

Julie Swenson

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Loan term: the decision nobody talks about

Hi there. This week I want to cover something that doesn't make headlines but absolutely should—because it affects your monthly payment and long-term costs in a big way.

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.


Mortgage Basics

Why your loan term matters more than you think

When you're shopping for a mortgage, the interest rate gets all the attention. But the length of your loan—whether it's 15 years, 30 years, or something in between—shapes your finances just as much. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but you build equity faster and pay far less interest overall. A longer term gives you breathing room in your budget each month. Neither is right or wrong; it depends on what works for your situation right now. The key is understanding the tradeoff so you can choose what actually fits your life, not just what sounds good in the moment.

If you'd like to talk through which loan term makes sense for you, I'm here to walk you through it.

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 My Mortgage Company team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

M

My Mortgage Company

Julie Swenson

You are receiving this from Julie Swenson.  Unsubscribe