Mike Garrett · October 20, 2026

Why your mortgage payment might (or might not) change

Mortgage Market Update

My Mortgage Company

Mike Garrett

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Why your mortgage payment might (or might not) change

Hi there. One question I hear a lot is about how interest rates affect what homeowners actually pay each month.

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.


Rate Environment

What happens to your payment when rates move

A lot of people ask me how rate changes actually affect their monthly mortgage bill. Here's the straightforward answer: if you have a fixed-rate loan, your payment stays locked in and doesn't change—ever. But if you're thinking about taking out a new loan or refinancing an existing one, a change in rates does shift what your payment would be. Higher rates mean a higher payment on the same loan amount; lower rates work in your favor. The key is understanding where rates are headed before you decide to lock one in. That's why it's worth checking in on rates regularly—not to panic, but to stay informed about your options and timing.

Give me a call if you want to talk through how the current rate environment might affect your specific situation.

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 My Mortgage Company team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

M

My Mortgage Company

Mike Garrett

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