Harris Nightingale · October 20, 2026

Choosing the right loan program matters

Mortgage Market Update

Harris Nightingale

Harris Nightingale

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Choosing the right loan program matters

Hi there. This week I want to talk about something that often gets overlooked when people are mortgage shopping—and it shouldn't.

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

Not all mortgages work the same way

When you're shopping for a mortgage or thinking about refinancing, the interest rate gets most of the attention—but the loan program you choose matters just as much. Different programs come with different rules about down payments, credit requirements, flexibility, and how rates are set. A conventional loan works one way; an FHA loan another. Some programs let you lock in a fixed rate for 30 years; others adjust over time. Understanding which program fits your situation—your timeline, your finances, your plans for the home—is what turns a mortgage from a financial obligation into a tool that actually works for you. I'd love to walk you through the options and help you see which one makes sense.

Get in touch and we can talk through which loan program fits your situation best.

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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