Jessica Firmiano · September 17, 2026

Your mortgage payment and interest rates

Mortgage Market Update

Jessica Firmiano

Jessica Firmiano

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Your mortgage payment and interest rates

Hi there. This week I want to clear up a common question I hear from borrowers: what actually happens to your payment when market rates move?

National Mortgage Rates · September 10, 2026

Conventional 30-Year

6.76%

FHA 30-Year

6.82%

Rate trend

Source: Freddie Mac PMMS & Optimal Blue via FRED

Rates shown are national averages 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.

Check My Rate →

Payment Planning

What happens to your payment when rates move

A lot of people wonder whether a rate change affects their monthly mortgage payment—and the answer depends on what kind of loan you have. If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, your payment stays locked in for the entire life of the loan, no matter which way rates go in the market. That's one of the biggest advantages of a fixed rate: predictability. With an adjustable-rate loan, though, your payment can change when the rate adjusts, which is why it's so important to understand the terms upfront. Either way, knowing how your specific loan works means no surprises down the road.

If you'd like to talk through how rate changes might affect your situation, I'm here to walk you through it.

Tip of the Week

Replace weatherstripping around exterior doors every few years. It's one of the cheapest ways to improve energy efficiency.

Tips for Homeowners

USDA Loans: A Zero-Down Option for Rural Buyers

1.

USDA loans offer 100% financing (no down payment) for eligible properties in USDA-designated rural and suburban areas. The USDA's eligibility map may include areas closer to cities than you'd expect.

2.

USDA loans have income limits — typically 115% of the area median income. Both the property location and borrower income must qualify.

3.

There's an upfront guarantee fee (1% of the loan) and an annual fee (0.35% of the balance). These are lower than FHA mortgage insurance and can be rolled into the loan.

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

Book a Call

Your Mortgage Advisor

Jessica Firmiano

Jessica Firmiano

Jessica Firmiano

jfirmiano@petracephas.com

(908) 656-3886

f
ig

6 Wills Way, Piscataway, NJ 08854

(908) 656-3886  |  https://petracephasinc.theradcrm.com/

You are receiving this from Jessica Firmiano.  Unsubscribe