|
Mortgage Market Update
Jake McDonald
Jake McDonald
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
|
Why your mortgage payment might not change when rates move |
|
Hi there. This week I want to clear up a common source of confusion about how rates and payments work together.
|
|
National Mortgage Rates · August 27, 2026
|
%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: Freddie Mac PMMS & Optimal Blue via FRED
Rates shown are national averages 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.
|
|
|
|
Smart Money
What happens to your mortgage payment when rates change
I get this question a lot: if rates move, does my payment change too? The answer depends on what kind of loan you have. If you're locked into a fixed-rate mortgage, your payment stays the same for the life of the loan — that's the whole point of "fixed." But if you're considering an adjustable-rate loan or thinking about refinancing, rate changes absolutely matter. When rates go up or down in the broader market, it affects what new loans cost, which shapes whether refinancing makes financial sense. It also affects how much home you can afford if you're buying soon. Understanding this connection helps you make smarter decisions about timing and loan choices. Let's talk about what rate movements mean for your specific situation.
|
|
Tip of the Week
Your mortgage interest may be tax-deductible if you itemize. Check with your tax professional to see if it benefits you.
|
|
Tips for Homeowners
Understanding Mortgage Points
|
|
1.
|
One mortgage point equals 1% of your loan amount. Paying points ("buying down the rate") reduces your interest rate — typically 0.25% per point, though this varies by lender and market.
|
|
2.
|
Calculate your break-even: divide the cost of the points by your monthly savings. If it takes 4 years to break even and you plan to stay 10 years, buying points makes sense.
|
|
3.
|
Points paid on a home purchase are generally tax-deductible in the year paid (if you itemize). Points on a refinance must be deducted over the life of the loan.
|
|
|
Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Jake McDonald team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
|
|
You are receiving this from Jake McDonald. Unsubscribe
|