Ashley Zierer · October 20, 2026

Fixed vs. adjustable: which fits your plan?

Mortgage Market Update

Ashley Zierer

Ashley Zierer

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed vs. adjustable: which fits your plan?

Hi there. One question I hear a lot is which mortgage structure makes the most sense—and the honest answer is it depends on your goals and comfort level.

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

Choosing between fixed and adjustable rates

One of the biggest decisions in getting a mortgage is whether to lock in a fixed rate for the life of your loan or go with an adjustable rate that starts lower but can change over time. Fixed rates give you predictability—your payment stays the same whether rates go up or down. Adjustable rates can work well if you plan to sell or refinance before the rate adjusts, or if you're comfortable with potential payment changes down the road. The right choice depends on your timeline, risk tolerance, and how long you actually plan to stay in the home. I'd love to walk through what makes sense for your situation and help you understand the real tradeoffs.

Let's talk about which structure works best for you.

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 Ashley Zierer team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

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Ashley Zierer

Ashley Zierer

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