Tony Zerwas · October 20, 2026

Your interest rate and what it really costs

Mortgage Market Update

Tony Zerwas

Tony Zerwas

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Your interest rate and what it really costs

Every week I share practical mortgage guidance for people buying, refinancing, or just keeping their home finances on track. Today I want to talk about something that matters more than most borrowers realize.

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

Why your rate matters more than you think

I talk to borrowers all the time who focus on whether they can qualify for a loan, but not enough think about what their interest rate actually does to their finances over time. A lower rate doesn't just sound better—it changes your monthly payment, how much interest you pay over the life of the loan, and how much of each payment goes toward building equity in your home. Even small rate differences add up. The rate you lock in today affects your monthly budget for years, so it's worth understanding how rates work and where yours might land based on your situation, credit profile, and the loan program you choose. If you're curious about what rate environment looks like for you right now, I'm here to walk through it.

Let's talk about what your rate could look like—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 Tony Zerwas team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

T

Tony Zerwas

Tony Zerwas

tony@tonyzerwas.com

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