Brandon Ladd - Loan Officer

10/18/2026

📊 **Weekly Mortgage Rate Update

Some encouraging news for homebuyers this week!

Mortgage rates moved lower across all six major loan categories in the latest update, offering some relief after several weeks of elevated rates.

🏡 **National Average Rates**

• 30-Year Conventional: **7.294%** ⬇️
• 30-Year Jumbo: **7.403%** ⬇️
• 30-Year FHA: **7.080%** ⬇️
• 30-Year VA: **6.900%** ⬇️
• 30-Year USDA: **6.983%** ⬇️
• 15-Year Conventional: **6.617%** ⬇️

While rates remain higher than they were earlier this year, the recent improvement is a reminder that mortgage markets can change quickly.

**What does this mean if you're thinking about buying a home?**

Rather than waiting for the perfect interest rate, it may be worth finding out what your options look like today.

Your loan program, credit profile, down payment, and financing structure can all influence your monthly payment. Sometimes, exploring different options can make a bigger difference than a small change in rates.

Whether you're actively house hunting or just considering your next move, understanding your numbers is a great place to start.

Have questions about buying, refinancing, or today's mortgage market? Feel free to reach out!

*Source: Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices (OBMMI), rates as of 10/15/2026. The OBMMI rate indices represent national average rates that include discount points and do not reflect par pricing. The rates shown do not represent Fairway's rates. Individual rates vary based on credit score, loan type, occupancy, loan-to-value ratio, and other factors.*

10/17/2026

If affordability has been standing in the way, this may be worth a closer look. Our limited-time ARM program features a reduced introductory rate that could help eligible buyers keep more options on the table. Contact me for details.

10/17/2026

10/16/2026

“We're supposed to close next week, and now the lender is asking for something else?”

That's a phone call nobody wants to make or receive.

The buyer thinks everything is done. The Realtor is trying to keep the transaction on track. And suddenly there's another question that needs to be answered.

Sometimes it's something relatively simple. Other times, it takes a little more work to figure out what's going on.

What matters at that point is understanding exactly what the lender needs, why they need it, and whether there's a reasonable path forward.

Not every problem has a quick fix.

But when something unexpected comes up, clear communication can make a big difference.

Especially when everybody is looking at the same closing date on the calendar.

10/15/2026

Buying a home is a big move, and a little breathing room can go a long way. For a limited time, we're covering the cost of a 0.5% temporary rate buydown for new buyers, helping lower your mortgage payment during your first year at home! DM to learn more.

10/15/2026

“We got pre-approved for more than we expected. Should we look at more expensive houses?”

That's a good problem to have, but it's also where I think buyers need to be careful.

Just because the financing works doesn't mean the payment is going to work for your everyday life.

I've seen people get excited about a higher approval amount without really thinking about what that means for their monthly budget.

Vacations, retirement savings, kids' activities, unexpected expenses. Those things don't disappear when you buy a house.

Sometimes the best thing you can do with a higher pre-approval is know you have options, not necessarily use every dollar of it.

There's a difference between being able to buy a house and being comfortable owning it.

10/12/2026

“It’s Saturday night and my buyer just found the house. Can you update their pre-approval?”

This is one of those situations that reminds you real estate doesn’t always happen between 9 and 5.

Buyers tour homes after work.

They look at houses on weekends.

And sometimes the house they’ve been waiting for shows up when everybody else is supposed to be off.

That’s when being able to get an answer matters.

Sometimes it’s an updated pre-approval.

Sometimes the buyer wants to know how a different price changes the numbers.

Sometimes the Realtor just needs to talk through the financing before writing the offer.

Not every question has to become an emergency.

But when a buyer is ready to make a decision, I don't want their mortgage lender to be the reason everyone has to wait until Monday.

10/11/2026

📊 **Weekly Mortgage Rate Update | October 11, 2026**

Mortgage rates showed some improvement in the latest update, with all six major loan categories moving lower.

However, rates remain elevated following several weeks of increases, reminding us how quickly market conditions can change.

🏡 **National Average Rates**

• 30-Year Conventional: **7.424%** ⬇️
• 30-Year Jumbo: **7.374%** ⬇️
• 30-Year FHA: **7.176%** ⬇️
• 30-Year VA: **7.088%** ⬇️
• 30-Year USDA: **7.120%** ⬇️
• 15-Year Conventional: **6.735%** ⬇️

While it's encouraging to see rates move lower, one day of improvement doesn't necessarily signal a longer-term trend.

For homebuyers, this is a good reminder that **your mortgage strategy matters just as much as the direction of interest rates.**

Different loan programs, down payment options, credit profiles, and financing structures can make a meaningful difference in your monthly payment.

Rather than trying to predict exactly where rates will go next, it may be more helpful to understand what you can comfortably afford today and what options are available.

Thinking about buying or refinancing? I'd be happy to help you explore the numbers and determine what makes sense for your situation.

*Source: Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices (OBMMI), 10/8/2026. The OBMMI rate indices represent national average rates that include discount points and do not reflect par pricing. The rates shown do not represent Fairway's rates. Individual rates vary based on credit score, loan type, occupancy, loan-to-value ratio, and other factors.*

https://www2.optimalblue.com/obmmi/