Abiel Sanchez · October 20, 2026

Your rate is only half the story

Mortgage Market Update

Abiel Sanchez

Abiel Sanchez

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Your rate is only half the story

Hello, this week I want to talk about something that surprises a lot of borrowers. Most people focus on one number when they should be looking at several.

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.


Rate Environment

When your rate matters less than you think

I talk to a lot of people who assume their interest rate is the only thing that affects what they pay each month. The truth is more nuanced. Your rate, loan term, down payment, and home price all work together. Sometimes a slightly higher rate paired with a larger down payment actually costs you less overall. Other times, a lower rate on a longer loan means higher monthly payments than you'd expect. The math isn't always obvious, which is why it pays to look at the full picture before you commit. I'm happy to walk through what your actual numbers would look like under different scenarios.

Let's run through some real options that fit 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 Abiel Sanchez team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

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Abiel Sanchez

Abiel Sanchez

abiel.sanchez@onerealmortgage.com

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