Kurt Kessler · October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—what's the difference?

Mortgage Market Update

Kurt Kessler

Kurt Kessler

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—what's the difference?

One of the biggest decisions in any mortgage is choosing the right loan structure for your life. Let me break down the trade-offs so you can decide with confidence.

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

Fixed vs. adjustable: which fits your plan?

When you're shopping for a mortgage, one of the biggest choices you'll make is whether to lock in a fixed rate for the life of your loan or start with an adjustable rate that can change over time. A fixed rate gives you predictability—your payment stays the same whether rates rise or fall. An adjustable rate often starts lower, which can mean a smaller payment early on, but it carries the risk of going up later. The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay in your home, your comfort with payment changes, and what the current rate environment looks like. There's no universal "best" answer—it's about what aligns with your situation. I'd love to walk you through how each option could work for your specific goals and timeline.

Let's talk through which loan type makes sense for your home plans.

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 Kurt Kessler team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

K

Kurt Kessler

Kurt Kessler

kurtkessler@barrettfinancial.com

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