Ronald Carias · October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable: which one fits you?

Mortgage Market Update

Ronald Carias

Ronald Carias

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable: which one fits you?

When you're ready to buy or refinance, one decision shapes your entire loan. Let me break down what you need to know to make the right call for your situation.

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 Comparison

Fixed vs. adjustable: which fits your plan?

One of the biggest choices you'll make is whether to lock in a fixed rate for the life of your loan or start with an adjustable rate. A fixed rate stays the same no matter what happens to the market — predictable, stable, and simple. An adjustable rate typically starts lower but can change over time, which means your payment could go up (or down) depending on rate movements. The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay in the home, how comfortable you are with payment uncertainty, and what your financial situation looks like. If stability matters most to you, fixed is the way to go. If you think you'll move or refinance within a few years, an adjustable option might make sense. I'd love to walk through both sides of this with you and help you figure out which aligns with your goals.

Let's talk through your options — reach out anytime.

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 Ronald Carias team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

R

Ronald Carias

Ronald Carias

ronaldc@barrettfinancial.com

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