Patrick Culleton · October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable — what's better for you?

Mortgage Market Update

Patrick Culleton

Patrick Culleton

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Fixed or adjustable — what's better for you?

One of the most important choices in getting a mortgage is selecting the right loan structure for your life. This week, I'm breaking down what actually matters when you're deciding between fixed and adjustable rates.

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 works for your plan

When you're choosing a mortgage, one of the biggest decisions is whether to lock in a fixed rate for the full term or start with an adjustable rate. A fixed rate stays the same for 15, 20, or 30 years — predictable and stable. An adjustable rate often starts lower but can change after an initial period, which means your payment could go up (or down). Neither is right for everyone. It depends on how long you plan to stay in the home, your comfort with payment changes, and what makes sense for your budget. I'd love to walk you through both options and help you figure out which fits your situation best.

Let's talk through which loan structure 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 Patrick Culleton team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

Patrick Culleton

Patrick Culleton

Patrick Culleton

patrick@patrickhomeloans.com

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