Mortgage Market Update

Chris Ristau

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Should you refinance? Here's how to decide

Hey there. This week I want to talk about one of the questions I hear most often: is now a good time to refinance?

National Mortgage Rates · November 2, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

7.13%

FHA 30-Year

6.96%

VA 30-Year

6.76%

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.

Refinancing Basics

When refinancing makes sense (and when it doesn't)

Refinancing isn't always the right move, even when rates shift or your situation changes. The real question is whether the benefit outweighs the cost and time involved. Sometimes staying put is the smarter play—especially if you're close to paying off your loan or planning to move soon. Other times, refinancing can genuinely improve your financial picture by lowering your payment, shortening your timeline, or switching loan types to match your goals. The only way to know for sure is to look at your specific numbers: how long you plan to stay, what you'd pay to refinance, and what you'd actually save. I'm happy to walk through the math with you, no pressure, so you can make the call that's right for your situation.

If you're curious whether refinancing makes sense for you, reach out and we can run the numbers together.

Tip of the Week

Refinancing resets your amortization clock. If you're 10 years into a 30-year loan, consider a shorter term to avoid paying more total interest.

Tips for Homeowners

Co-Signing a Mortgage: What You're Really Agreeing To

1.	Co-signing makes you equally responsible for the debt. If the primary borrower misses payments, your credit score takes the same hit and the lender can pursue you for the full balance.

2.	The co-signed mortgage debt appears on your credit report and counts toward your DTI. This can limit your ability to qualify for your own financing until the loan is paid off or refinanced out of your name.

3.	There's no automatic way to remove yourself as a co-signer — the primary borrower must refinance the loan in their name alone. Get this understanding in writing before you sign.

Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Chris Ristau team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

Your Mortgage Advisor

Chris Ristau

chris@e3loans.com

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