Harris Nightingale · October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable: here's what matters

Mortgage Market Update

Harris Nightingale

Harris Nightingale

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable: here's what matters

When you're shopping for a mortgage, the interest rate gets most of the attention. But the structure of your loan—how your rate works over time—matters just as much.

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

Fixed vs. adjustable: which fits your plan?

One of the biggest choices you'll make is whether to lock in a fixed rate for the life of your loan or start with a lower adjustable rate that can change over time. Fixed-rate mortgages give you payment stability and peace of mind—you know exactly what you'll owe each month, no matter what happens to market rates. Adjustable-rate mortgages can offer a lower starting point, but your payment may go up after the initial period ends. The right choice depends on your timeline, risk comfort, and how long you plan to stay in your home. If you're unsure which structure makes sense for your situation, I'd love to walk through the trade-offs with you.

Reach out anytime—I'm happy to explain how each option would work 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 Harris Nightingale team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

H

Harris Nightingale

Harris Nightingale

hnightingale@gosfc.com

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