Angie Keene · October 20, 2026

What your loan type actually does

Mortgage Market Update

Angie Keene

Angie Keene

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

What your loan type actually does

Hi there. This week I want to talk about something that doesn't always get enough attention when people are shopping for a mortgage: the loan program itself.

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

Why your loan type matters more than you think

Not all mortgages work the same way. The loan you choose affects not just your interest rate, but how your payment behaves over time, what flexibility you have, and how much you'll pay overall. Some programs lock your rate for the full term. Others let it adjust. Some have stricter qualification rules; others are more forgiving. The right choice depends on your timeline, risk tolerance, and financial goals—and it's rarely a one-size-fits-all answer. I've seen borrowers save thousands by picking the program that actually fits their situation, rather than just chasing the lowest rate they can find. If you're not sure whether your current loan is still the best fit, or if you're shopping and feeling overwhelmed by options, let's talk through what matters for you.

Reach out if you'd like to walk through which loan program makes 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 Angie Keene team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

A

Angie Keene

Angie Keene

akeene@barrettfinancial.com

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