E3 Home Loans · October 20, 2026

Fixed rate or adjustable—what's the difference?

Mortgage Market Update

Chris Ristau

E3 Home Loans

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed rate or adjustable—what's the difference?

One of the most important decisions in getting a mortgage isn't the rate itself—it's the type of loan you choose. Here's what matters most.

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 Program Fit

Fixed or adjustable: which works for your plan

When you're shopping for a mortgage, one of the biggest choices isn't about the lender—it's about the loan itself. A fixed-rate mortgage keeps your payment the same for the entire loan term, which makes budgeting predictable and straightforward. An adjustable-rate mortgage starts lower but can change over time, which works well if you plan to sell or refinance before rates adjust. Neither is right or wrong; it depends on how long you'll stay in the home and what payment stability means to you. I'd be happy to walk through how each option might look in your specific situation.

Let me know if you'd like to talk through which loan type fits your timeline and comfort level.

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 Chris Ristau team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

C

Chris Ristau

E3 Home Loans

team@e3loans.com

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