10/16/2026
Affordability is probably what keeps you up at night, and with rates ticking up again lately, it's fair to wonder if you should just hit pause.
Here's the honest answer: you can't control where rates go. But you can control several things that shape the rate you actually get.
Your credit score. Even a small improvement can make a real difference in your monthly payment.
Your loan options. Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans each come with their own requirements and rates, and your term and fixed vs. adjustable structure change your payment too.
The kind of home you buy. Many builders are buying down mortgage rates, and buyers of newly built homes landed a lower average rate last quarter than buyers of existing homes, according to Realtor.com.
Curious which levers could work for you? Send me a DM and I'll connect you with a trusted lender and show you what's out there. --Julie