Mortgage Market Update

Jonathan Lee

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Picking the right loan type for your situation

Not all mortgages are created equal. Here's why the program you choose matters just as much as the rate itself.

National Mortgage Rates · October 16, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

7.28%

FHA 30-Year

7.13%

VA 30-Year

6.93%

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

The loan type you choose matters more than you think

When you're shopping for a mortgage, it's easy to focus on the interest rate and miss something equally important: which loan program actually fits your situation. Fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate options, FHA loans, VA benefits, conventional financing—they each work differently and suit different borrowers. The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay in your home, your risk tolerance, and what you can afford today versus down the road. I've seen borrowers save real money simply by matching their loan to their actual life plan, not just chasing the lowest rate on day one. It's worth a conversation to explore what's available to you.

Let's talk about which loan program makes sense for where you are right now.

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 Jonathan Lee team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

Jonathan Lee

jlee@helm.mortgage

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