Kaelan Cheatham · October 20, 2026

Your mortgage isn't one-size-fits-all

Mortgage Market Update

Kaelan Cheatham

Kaelan Cheatham

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Your mortgage isn't one-size-fits-all

Hi there. This week I want to clear up a really common source of confusion among homeowners and buyers—and it might affect how you think about your own loan.

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

Why your neighbor's mortgage deal might not be yours

One of the biggest mistakes I see is borrowers comparing their rates or terms to someone else's without understanding the full picture. Your credit score, down payment amount, property type, and loan program all affect what you qualify for and what you'll pay. A friend's great rate might not be available to you—and vice versa. That's not unfair; it's how lending works. The good news is that when you sit down with me, we look at your specific situation and find the best program and terms for you, not a generic deal. If you're curious what's actually possible on your end, I'd love to walk through the options.

Let's talk about what loan program makes the most 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 Kaelan Cheatham team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

K

Kaelan Cheatham

Kaelan Cheatham

loans@cheathamteam.com

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