Christina Maciejewski · October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—how to choose

Mortgage Market Update

Christina Maciejewski

Christina Maciejewski

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable—how to choose

Hi there. This week I want to clear up one of the most common questions I hear when people are shopping for a mortgage or thinking about refinancing.

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 path makes sense for you?

One of the biggest decisions when getting a mortgage—or refinancing one—is choosing between a fixed-rate loan and an adjustable-rate mortgage. A fixed rate stays the same for the life of the loan, so your payment never changes. An ARM starts lower but adjusts over time, which means your payment can go up (or down). Neither is right for everyone. Fixed rates work best if you plan to stay in your home long-term and want predictability. ARMs can make sense if you're planning to move or refinance within a few years and want to take advantage of a lower starting point. The key is understanding your own timeline and comfort level with uncertainty. I'd be happy to walk you through both options and show you how each might look for your specific situation.

Let's talk through 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 Christina Maciejewski team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

C

Christina Maciejewski

Christina Maciejewski

cmaciejewski@power-lending.com

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