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Mortgage Market Update
Jeff Naylor
Naylor Home Loans powered by Barrett Financial Group
Saturday, October 31, 2026
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Builder confidence hits 14-year low—what it means for you |
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This week brought some sobering news about the housing market's near-term outlook. We wanted to walk you through what builders are seeing and why it matters for your home-buying or refinancing plans.
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National Mortgage Rates · October 29, 2026
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Conventional 30-Year
7.15%
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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.
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Loan Programs
Not all mortgages work the same way
When you're shopping for a loan, it's easy to focus only on the interest rate. But the type of mortgage you choose shapes your payment, risk, and flexibility for years to come. Fixed-rate loans lock in your payment for the whole loan term. Adjustable-rate mortgages may start lower but can change over time. Some programs let you put down less upfront; others reward larger down payments. Government-backed loans have different rules than conventional ones. The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay, how comfortable you are with risk, and what your finances look like today. I'd be happy to walk you through what each option means for your situation.
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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.
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Tips for Homeowners
Co-Signing a Mortgage: What You're Really Agreeing To
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1.
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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.
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2.
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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.
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3.
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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.
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Mortgage News Daily
The National Association of Home Builders' confidence index fell to 29 in October—its weakest reading in 14 years. Builders cite higher mortgage rates, rising construction costs, and labor shortages as the main culprits, with buyer interest taking the biggest hit. This slowdown in builder activity typically means fewer new homes coming to market, which can affect your choices and potentially support prices.
| Key takeaway: A lack of builder confidence usually translates to tighter housing inventory, which can work against buyers but may give sellers more leverage. |
Read full article →
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Mortgage News Daily
New home sales remained essentially flat in September, with builders moving units at an annual pace of 676,000—down less than 1% from August. While this shows some resilience, the broader three-year trend has been sideways, suggesting the market is searching for its footing. Inventory of new homes for sale remains relatively lean at 476,000 units.
| Key takeaway: The new-home market isn't collapsing, but it's not growing either—meaning limited selection for buyers shopping new construction. |
Read full article →
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Mortgage News Daily
Home prices edged up in August with annual appreciation reaching 2.4%, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency index. The monthly gain was modest at 0.3%, and price growth continues to vary significantly by region, ranging from 0.5% to 4.4% depending on location. After years of rapid appreciation, the slower pace may provide some breathing room for affordability.
| Key takeaway: Price growth is cooling in most markets, which could make shopping less frantic but doesn't signal any kind of collapse. |
Read full article →
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Mortgage News Daily
Existing home sales have essentially flat-lined since bottoming out around 4 million units annually at the end of 2023, and September's uptick did nothing to change that trend. Sellers and buyers alike have been hesitant to move in this environment of elevated rates and economic uncertainty. This sideways activity leaves many homeowners and prospective buyers feeling stuck.
| Key takeaway: The existing home market remains sluggish, which means less competition among sellers but also fewer buyers actively shopping. |
Read full article →
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Have questions about how any of this affects your mortgage or home purchase? We're here to help — reach out to the Jeff Naylor team any time and we'll walk you through your options. |
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4800 NW Camas Meadows Drive Ste 260, Camas, WA 98607
503-358-6551 | www.naylorhomeloans.com
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