|
Mortgage Market Update
Scott Smith
Scott Smith
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
|
Picking the right loan type for you |
|
Hi there. This week I want to talk about something that gets overlooked—the loan program itself, not just the rate attached to it.
|
|
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 Habit
Why your loan type matters more than you think
When you're shopping for a mortgage, it's easy to focus only on the interest rate. But the type of loan you choose—fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, FHA, conventional—shapes your entire borrowing experience. Each has trade-offs: a fixed rate gives you predictability; an adjustable rate might start lower but can change. Some programs require less down, others offer better terms for strong credit. Understanding which loan fits your life (not just your budget today) keeps you from making a choice you'll regret in five years. I'd like to walk you through your options and what each one really means for your situation. Let's talk about which loan program makes sense for your goals.
|
|
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 Scott Smith team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
|
|
You are receiving this from Scott Smith. Unsubscribe
|