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Mortgage Market Update
Jeff Naylor
Naylor Home Loans powered by Barrett Financial Group
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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Home prices up, but buyer interest is cooling |
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This week we're seeing a tale of two markets: prices continuing to climb in some areas while buyer activity slows down. Here's what that means for your home plans.
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National Mortgage Rates · October 20, 2026
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Conventional 30-Year
7.33%
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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.
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Refinancing Strategy
When does refinancing actually make sense?
A lot of people think refinancing is only worth it if rates drop dramatically. But there are other reasons to refinance that have nothing to do with the rate environment. Maybe you want to shorten your loan term to pay off your home faster, or switch from an adjustable rate to something fixed and predictable. Some borrowers refinance to tap equity for a major expense, or to remove mortgage insurance once they've built enough equity. Each situation is different, and the math looks different for each one. The key is understanding what you're actually trying to accomplish, then running the numbers with those specific goals in mind.
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Tip of the Week
Your loan officer can run a credit simulator to show exactly which actions will move your score the most.
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Tips for Homeowners
Year-End Tax & Mortgage Planning
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1.
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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).
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2.
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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.
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3.
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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.
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Mortgage News Daily
Home prices picked up momentum in July with stronger annual gains reported by major indices, though the increases are modest compared to historical trends. When you account for inflation, the picture looks even less impressive—prices are rising, but your purchasing power isn't keeping pace as much as the raw numbers might suggest.
| Key takeaway: Home price growth is real but uneven by region, so it pays to look closely at what's happening in your specific market rather than assuming national trends apply to your area. |
Read full article →
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HousingWire
Mortgage applications dropped 5.3% in the latest week, with purchase applications falling 7% and running 18% below last year—this happened even as mortgage rates declined. The pullback suggests that affordability concerns and broader economic uncertainty are keeping many potential buyers on the sidelines.
| Key takeaway: Falling rates alone aren't enough to pull buyers off the fence right now, which tells you how much the monthly payment and overall affordability picture matter to purchasing decisions. |
Read full article →
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Mortgage News Daily
Signed contracts on existing homes edged up slightly in August, with the South and West gaining ground while the Northeast and Midwest retreated. Despite elevated mortgage rates, the modest rebound shows that some regions are holding steadier than others in this slower market.
| Key takeaway: Where you live makes a real difference right now—gains in one region are being offset by weakness elsewhere, so your local market conditions matter more than the national headline. |
Read full article →
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Mortgage News Daily
New home builder sentiment dropped sharply in September to its lowest level in over three years, driven by higher mortgage rates, rising construction costs, and labor shortages. This combination is making builders hesitant to break ground on new projects, which could eventually affect the supply of new homes available to buyers.
| Key takeaway: When builders pull back on new construction, it typically means fewer homes available for buyers down the road, which could keep upward pressure on prices if you're thinking about buying in the next year or two. |
Read full article →
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Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Jeff Naylor team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
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4800 NW Camas Meadows Drive Ste 260, Camas, WA 98607
503-358-6551 | www.naylorhomeloans.com
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