Robin C. Morton · September 2, 2026

Small credit moves, bigger mortgage wins

Mortgage Market Update

Robin Morton

Robin C. Morton

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Small credit moves, bigger mortgage wins

Hi there—I wanted to touch on something that comes up a lot with borrowers: the real-world impact of credit scores on your mortgage options.

National Mortgage Rates · August 27, 2026

30-Year Fixed

6.66%

FHA 30-Year

6.55%

Rate trend

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 Habits

Why your credit score matters more than you think

Your credit score isn't just a number—it's one of the biggest factors that affects the interest rate you'll qualify for on a mortgage. Even a modest difference in your rate can mean thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. The good news is that credit scores aren't fixed. If yours could use some work, there are concrete steps you can take: pay bills on time, keep credit card balances low, and avoid opening too many new accounts at once. If you're thinking about buying or refinancing in the next year or two, focusing on your credit now can pay real dividends when it comes time to apply.

If you'd like to talk through where you stand and what might help your situation, I'm here to help.

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 Robin Morton team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

R

Robin Morton

Robin C. Morton

rmorton@cachetref.com

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