|
Mortgage Market Update
Ken Janes
Ken Janes
Friday, October 23, 2026
|
Rates moved—here's what that means for you |
|
Rates are constantly moving, and I know it can feel confusing to keep up. This week I want to clear up one of the most common questions I hear about how rate changes actually affect your mortgage.
|
|
National Mortgage Rates · October 22, 2026
|
Conventional 30-Year
7.25%
|
|
| |
|
%22%2C%22fill%22%3Atrue%2C%22tension%22%3A0.4%2C%22pointRadius%22%3A4%2C%22pointBackgroundColor%22%3A%22%233b5bdb%22%2C%22borderWidth%22%3A2%7D%5D%7D%2C%22options%22%3A%7B%22plugins%22%3A%7B%22legend%22%3A%7B%22display%22%3Afalse%7D%7D%2C%22scales%22%3A%7B%22y%22%3A%7B%22ticks%22%3A%7B%22callback%22%3A%22function(v)%7Breturn%20v%2B%5C%22%25%5C%22%7D%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23666%22%7D%2C%22grid%22%3A%7B%22color%22%3A%22rgba(0%2C0%2C0%2C0.06)%22%7D%7D%2C%22x%22%3A%7B%22grid%22%3A%7B%22display%22%3Afalse%7D%2C%22ticks%22%3A%7B%22font%22%3A%7B%22size%22%3A11%7D%2C%22color%22%3A%22%23666%22%7D%7D%7D%7D%7D&w=520&h=180&bkg=white&f=12) |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Mortgage Basics
What happens to your payment when rates change
A lot of people assume that if rates drop, their payment automatically goes down—but that's only true if you refinance. Your current loan is locked in. What changes in rate environment is your opportunity: when rates move lower, refinancing can mean a meaningfully lower payment on the same home. When rates move higher, it affects what new borrowers can afford, which sometimes softens home prices in certain markets. If you're thinking about buying or exploring a refinance, understanding how rates and payments connect helps you make a smarter move. The rate environment is always shifting, and timing matters. If you'd like to talk through how today's rates might work for your situation, I'm here to walk you through the numbers.
|
|
Tip of the Week
Test your sump pump before the rainy season by pouring water into the pit — a failed pump can lead to serious basement flooding.
|
|
Tips for Homeowners
Rate Lock Strategy: When and How Long to Lock
|
|
1.
|
A rate lock guarantees your interest rate for a set period — typically 30, 45, or 60 days. Longer locks cost more but protect you if the process takes longer than expected.
|
|
2.
|
Lock when you're under contract and confident the deal will close. Don't lock before you have a signed purchase agreement — you're paying for protection you may not need.
|
|
3.
|
If rates drop after you lock, ask your lender about a float-down option. Some lenders offer this for a fee, allowing you to take advantage of a lower rate if the market moves in your favor.
|
|
|
Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Ken Janes team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
|
|
You are receiving this from Ken Janes. Unsubscribe
|