Kate Kippenberger — Kate Kippenberger · October 20, 2026

How rate changes affect what you pay each month

Mortgage Market Update

My Mortgage Company

Kate Kippenberger — Kate Kippenberger

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

How rate changes affect what you pay each month

Hi there. This week I'm breaking down something I get asked about constantly—and it's worth understanding whether you're shopping, refinancing, or just keeping an eye on the market.

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.


Mortgage Basics

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: when rates go up, your payment goes up (if you're adjustable or refinancing). When rates go down, your payment goes down. But here's what surprises most borrowers—the relationship isn't one-to-one. A small rate move can mean a meaningful change to what you owe each month, depending on your loan balance and term. Understanding this helps you make better decisions about when to lock in, whether to refinance, or how to budget for the future. If you're curious how current rate movements might affect your specific situation, I'm happy to walk through the numbers with you.

Reach out anytime you want to see how rate changes translate to your payment.

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

Kate Kippenberger — Kate Kippenberger

You are receiving this from Kate Kippenberger — Kate Kippenberger.  Unsubscribe