Thomas Malinoski · October 20, 2026

Fixed rate or adjustable? Here's what matters

Mortgage Market Update

Thomas Malinoski

Thomas Malinoski

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed rate or adjustable? Here's what matters

Hi there. This week I want to walk you through something fundamental that sometimes gets overlooked when people are house hunting or thinking about refinancing.

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 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 type of loan you choose—fixed-rate versus adjustable, conventional versus government-backed—shapes your entire borrowing experience. A fixed-rate loan keeps the same payment forever. An adjustable-rate loan starts lower but can change. Government programs like FHA or VA loans have different rules and protections than conventional mortgages. Understanding which fits your situation, your timeline, and your comfort level with risk is just as important as knowing today's rates. The right loan type means fewer surprises down the road.

Let's talk about which loan program makes the most sense for your goals.

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 Thomas Malinoski team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

T

Thomas Malinoski

Thomas Malinoski

thomas.malinoski@onerealmortgage.com

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