Angie Keene · October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—what's the right fit?

Mortgage Market Update

Angie Keene

Angie Keene

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—what's the right fit?

One of the most important loan decisions isn't about the rate itself—it's about the structure. Here's what you should know.

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 vs. adjustable: which one matches your plan?

When you're shopping for a mortgage, one of the biggest decisions is whether you want a fixed-rate loan (payment stays the same for the life of the loan) or an adjustable-rate option (payment may change after an initial period). There's no universally right answer—it depends on how long you plan to stay in the home, your comfort with payment changes, and what makes sense given where rates are today. If you're planning to sell or refinance within a few years, an adjustable option might work. If you want predictability and plan to stay put, fixed is usually the safer choice. The key is understanding your own timeline and risk tolerance, not just picking based on the initial rate alone. I'd love to walk through which structure fits your situation best.

Let's talk through the pros and cons for your specific 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 Angie Keene team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

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Angie Keene

Angie Keene

akeene@barrettfinancial.com

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