Matt Isaacs · October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—which one fits you?

Mortgage Market Update

Matt Isaacs

Matt Isaacs

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—which one fits you?

There's more than one way to structure a mortgage. This week, I'm breaking down the two main options and what they mean for your payment and your peace of mind.

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

Fixed vs. adjustable: which fits your plan?

One of the first choices in any mortgage is whether to lock in a rate for the life of the loan or start with a lower rate that adjusts over time. A fixed rate gives you payment certainty and peace of mind—your payment never changes. An adjustable rate often starts lower, which can mean smaller payments early on, but it can rise later depending on market conditions. Neither is right for everyone. The best choice depends on how long you plan to stay in your home, how comfortable you are with payment uncertainty, and what your financial priorities are right now. I'd be happy to walk you through the tradeoffs and help you think through which structure makes sense for your situation.

Let's talk about which loan type aligns with your goals.

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 Matt Isaacs team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

M

Matt Isaacs

Matt Isaacs

misaacs@barrettfinancial.com

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