Steve Orloff · October 20, 2026

What actually determines your monthly payment

Mortgage Market Update

My Mortgage Company

Steve Orloff

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

What actually determines your monthly payment

It's not always the conversation you'd expect, but it's the one that matters most.

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.


Payment Planning

Why your monthly payment matters more than the rate alone

When you're looking at mortgages, it's easy to fixate on interest rates—they're the number everyone talks about. But here's what I see in conversations with borrowers: the actual payment you'll make each month is what shapes your life. A lower rate is great, but loan terms, down payment size, and loan type all play a role in what you actually owe every thirty days. That's why I always encourage people to think about the full picture, not just the headline number. If you're shopping for a mortgage, weighing a refinance, or just curious what your situation looks like, I'm happy to walk through your options and show you how different choices affect what lands in your budget.

Let's talk through what a payment would look like for your 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

Steve Orloff

You are receiving this from Steve Orloff.  Unsubscribe