Harris Nightingale · August 19, 2026

What rate changes mean for you

Mortgage Market Update

Harris Nightingale

Harris Nightingale

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

What rate changes mean for you

This week I wanted to walk you through something that comes up a lot in my conversations with clients—and tends to cause more confusion than it should.

National Mortgage Rates · August 13, 2026

30-Year Fixed

6.67%

FHA 30-Year

6.47%

VA 30-Year

6.33%

Rate trend

Source: Freddie Mac PMMS & Optimal Blue via FRED

Rates shown are national averages 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.


Smart Money

What happens to your payment when rates move

A lot of people ask me what they should do when they hear rates have shifted. Here's the thing: if you're already locked into a mortgage, your payment stays exactly the same—rate changes don't touch it. But if you're thinking about refinancing or buying soon, rate movement absolutely matters. Even a small shift changes what you can afford monthly and what loan size makes sense for your situation. That's why it's worth understanding how rates work and what your options really are right now.

If you'd like to talk through how current conditions might affect your goals, I'm here.

Tip of the Week

Inspect your attic insulation. Proper insulation reduces heating and cooling costs and can prevent ice dams on your roof.

Tips for Homeowners

Fall Home Prep: Heating, Safety & Systems

1.

Have your heating system serviced before it's needed. A furnace failure in winter is an emergency — routine maintenance costs far less than emergency repairs.

2.

Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries. Carbon monoxide poisoning risk rises when heating systems run more frequently.

3.

Drain and shut off exterior faucets and sprinkler systems before the first freeze to prevent burst pipes — one of the most expensive and disruptive homeowner emergencies.

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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