Desiree Tyquiengco · October 20, 2026

The number that matters most to your budget

Mortgage Market Update

Desiree Tyquiengco

Desiree Tyquiengco

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

The number that matters most to your budget

Hi there — it's easy to get caught up in rate talk, but your actual monthly payment is what counts.

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.


Affordability Check

When your payment matters more than the rate

I talk to borrowers every week who focus entirely on interest rates — and rates do matter. But here's what I see trip people up: a lower rate doesn't always mean a lower monthly payment. If you're stretching to afford a home right now, or if you're wondering whether you can take on a bigger mortgage, the payment is what actually shows up in your bank account each month. Rates move, programs change, and your personal situation evolves. That's why it's worth a conversation about what payment you're genuinely comfortable with, and then we can work backward to find the loan structure that gets you there.

Let's talk through what a real payment looks like 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 Desiree Tyquiengco team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

D

Desiree Tyquiengco

Desiree Tyquiengco

desiree@evolvecl.com

You are receiving this from Desiree Tyquiengco.  Unsubscribe