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Mortgage Market Update
Cait Haugen
Cait Haugen
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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What really determines how much you can borrow |
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One of the best conversations I have with clients isn't about rates or points. It's about affordability—the real, honest answer to what you can manage each month.
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National Mortgage Rates · October 16, 2026
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Conventional 30-Year
7.28%
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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.
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Affordability Math
Why your income matters more than your credit score
When you're thinking about buying or refinancing, it's easy to fixate on credit scores. But here's what I see in real conversations: lenders care deeply about whether you can actually afford the payment. That comes down to your income, your existing debts, and how much of your monthly earnings would go toward housing. Two people with identical credit scores can qualify for very different loan amounts—or one might qualify and the other might not—because their income pictures are different. If you're planning to buy soon or exploring a refinance, understanding your own debt-to-income ratio is worth the time. It shapes what's actually possible for you. Let's talk about what you can realistically afford—reach out and we can work through the numbers together.
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Tip of the Week
Your loan officer can run a credit simulator to show exactly which actions will move your score the most.
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Tips for Homeowners
Year-End Tax & Mortgage Planning
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1.
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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).
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2.
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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.
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3.
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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.
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Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Cait Haugen team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
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