Matthew Harden · October 20, 2026

When refinancing actually makes sense

Mortgage Market Update

Matthew Harden

Matthew Harden

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

When refinancing actually makes sense

Hi there—I wanted to touch base this week about refinancing, because I hear questions about it all the time. Here's what you should know before deciding if it's right for you.

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.


Refinancing Basics

When it makes sense to refinance your loan

Refinancing isn't just about chasing lower rates—though that's often the reason people consider it. You might also refinance to shorten your loan term, switch from adjustable to fixed, tap into your equity for a major expense, or lower your monthly payment during a tight financial season. The key is understanding what you're trying to achieve and whether the costs of refinancing align with your goal. Every situation is different, which is why it's worth having a real conversation about your specific circumstances rather than assuming refinancing is or isn't right for you.

If you're curious whether refinancing could work for your situation, I'd be happy to walk through the numbers with 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 Matthew Harden team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

M

Matthew Harden

Matthew Harden

matthew.harden@onerealmortgage.com

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