Kenna Siders · October 20, 2026

The choice between 15 and 30 years

Mortgage Market Update

Kenna Siders

Kenna Siders

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

The choice between 15 and 30 years

Hi there. This week I want to walk you through one of the most important decisions in your mortgage—and one that's easy to overlook.

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 your loan term (how many years you have to pay it back) shapes your finances just as much. A longer term means lower monthly payments but more interest paid over time. A shorter term builds equity faster and costs less overall, but the payment is higher. Neither is automatically right; it depends on your budget, your timeline, and what matters most to you right now. I've worked with borrowers who thrived on a 15-year plan and others who needed the breathing room a 30-year loan provided. The key is understanding the trade-off so you choose deliberately, not by accident.

Let's talk through what term makes 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 Kenna Siders team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

K

Kenna Siders

Kenna Siders

kenna@a-zlending.com

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