Christina Maciejewski · October 20, 2026

Your home budget moves with the rates

Mortgage Market Update

Christina Maciejewski

Christina Maciejewski

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Your home budget moves with the rates

Hi there. I want to help you see the full picture of how mortgage rates affect not just your payment, but your actual buying power.

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.


Affordability Check

How rate changes reshape what you can afford

When mortgage rates move, it doesn't just change your monthly payment—it shifts how much home you can actually qualify for. A higher rate means your lender can approve you for a smaller loan amount at the same income level, because more of your payment goes to interest. The reverse is true when rates dip. This matters whether you're shopping now, thinking about upgrading later, or wondering if a refinance could free up borrowing power for other goals. The key is understanding that affordability isn't fixed—it moves with the market. If you've been holding off on a conversation because rates felt high, or if you're curious what's actually possible for your situation today, I'd love to walk through the real numbers with you.

Let's talk about what you can afford in this market.

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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