|
Mortgage Market Update
Jeff Naylor
Naylor Home Loans powered by Barrett Financial Group
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
|
Builder confidence hits 14-year low—here's what it means |
|
This week brought some sobering news about the housing market, but don't worry—we're breaking down what's really happening and what it could mean for your home plans. Here are the stories that matter most to you right now.
|
|
National Mortgage Rates · October 29, 2026
|
Conventional 30-Year
7.15%
|
|
| |
|
%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: 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.
|
| |
|
|
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.
|
|
Tip of the Week
Test your sump pump before the rainy season by pouring water into the pit — a failed pump can lead to serious basement flooding.
|
|
Tips for Homeowners
Rate Lock Strategy: When and How Long to Lock
|
|
1.
|
A rate lock guarantees your interest rate for a set period — typically 30, 45, or 60 days. Longer locks cost more but protect you if the process takes longer than expected.
|
|
2.
|
Lock when you're under contract and confident the deal will close. Don't lock before you have a signed purchase agreement — you're paying for protection you may not need.
|
|
3.
|
If rates drop after you lock, ask your lender about a float-down option. Some lenders offer this for a fee, allowing you to take advantage of a lower rate if the market moves in your favor.
|
|
|
Mortgage News Daily
Home builders are increasingly pessimistic, with confidence falling to levels not seen since the Great Recession. Higher mortgage rates, rising construction costs, and labor shortages are the main culprits, and buyer interest has dropped notably. This signals potential challenges ahead for new home availability and affordability.
| Key takeaway: if you're thinking about buying a new home, don't wait too long—builders may pull back further if confidence continues sliding. |
Read full article →
|
|
Mortgage News Daily
Housing starts fell in September even as building permits stayed relatively stable, suggesting builders are hitting the pause button on new projects. This weakness is especially pronounced in single-family homes, which make up the bulk of the market most people are shopping in.
| Key takeaway: fewer new homes being built means less inventory to choose from and potentially more competition among buyers. |
Read full article →
|
|
HousingWire
Home buyers responded quickly to a dip in mortgage rates this week, with applications jumping 3.4% and purchase requests climbing 4%. This suggests buyers are still paying attention to rate movements and ready to act when conditions improve even modestly.
| Key takeaway: if you've been waiting for rates to budge, even small moves are enough to bring buyers back to the table. |
Read full article →
|
|
Mortgage News Daily
National home price indices showed renewed momentum in July, with both major measures recording stronger annual appreciation than previously reported. However, the gains remain modest by historical standards and look less impressive when you factor in inflation.
| Key takeaway: home prices are still moving up in most places, but the increases aren't the dramatic surges we saw a few years ago. |
Read full article →
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
4800 NW Camas Meadows Drive Ste 260, Camas, WA 98607
503-358-6551 | www.naylorhomeloans.com
You are receiving this from Naylor Home Loans powered by Barrett Financial Group. Unsubscribe
|
|
