Mortgage rates have continued to drift lower, and the bond market is holding onto its recent gains for now. Markets are betting the Fed will leave rates unchanged at this week’s meeting, but its comments could influence where mortgage rates head next.
Meanwhile, the latest Case-Shiller report brings home prices back into focus. Remember, affordability isn’t just about interest rates—home prices matter, too, and waiting for lower rates could mean paying more for the same home.
TRUE - INDEPENDENT - MORTAGE BROKER
Rates as of [Wednesday October 28, 2026]
UNDERWRITING FEE WAIVED ON ALL SCENARIOS!!!
LOAN PROGRAM
RATE
APR/POINTS
30 YEAR FIXED
7.125%
7.374% / 0.801
15 YEAR FIXED
6.375%
6.754% / 0.738
FHA 30 YEAR FIXED
6.500%
7.723% / 0.788
VA 30 YEAR FIXED
6.375%
6.764% / 0.663
JUMBO 30 YEAR FIXED
6.750%
6.877% / 0.546
*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Assumed 760 credit score, OR/WA purchase. Rates include pricing up to a 1% loan fee. Based on $600,000 purchase price with 20% down. FHA APR based on $600,000 purchase price with 3.5% down includes MI. VA with 0% down & 2.15% Funding Fee. Jumbo loan based on $1,125,000 sales price with 20% down/780 credit score. Rates are subject to change during the loan term. That change can increase or decrease your monthly payment. See Hood River Mortgage Group for details. Rates are subject to change without notice.
PUBLISHED NATIONAL AVERAGE RATES Mortgage backed securities chart
How Mortgage News Daily Calculates These Rates
Averages are based on actual rate sheets from a variety of wholesale, correspondent and retail lenders, using a consistent “top-tier” borrower scenario. Rates are updated daily as market pricing changes.
The typical scenario assumes:
780 FICO
75% LTV / 25% down
30-year fixed conventional conforming loan
Top-tier agency pricing
No unusual or program-specific pricing adjustments
Actual mortgage pricing can vary based on credit, down payment, loan amount, property type, loan program, points and other factors.
📈 Reading the MBS Chart
MBS prices and mortgage rates generally move in opposite directions.
MBS price ↑ = Good for mortgage rates — pricing improves, which can lead to lower rates.
MBS price ↓ = Bad for mortgage rates — pricing deteriorates, which can put upward pressure on rates.
The one-month chart helps show the overall trend rather than focusing on any single day.
When MBS prices are trending higher, that’s generally a positive sign for mortgage rates.
When prices are trending lower, rates are typically facing upward pressure.s are typically facing upward pressure.
This Week’s Program Highlight:
Buy Before You Sell — Strategies to Make It Work
Working with a move-up buyer who’s found their next home but needs a plan for their current one? There may be more options than waiting for the existing home to sell!
HELOC for the Down Payment: Tap available equity in the current home to help fund the down payment on the next one, even before the current home sells.
Buy Now, Sell Later & Recast: Once the current home sells, apply the proceeds toward the new mortgage principal and request a recast to lower the monthly payment—without refinancing, if the loan qualifies.
Cash Buyers: Keep Your Options Open: For buyers with substantial cash, a first-lien line of credit may provide access to funds down the road instead of tying up all available liquidity in the property.
The takeaway: Whether your client needs down payment funds, wants to lower their payment after selling, or simply wants to keep cash accessible, there may be a strategy that fits.
Have a client planning their next move? I’m happy to review the numbers and explore the options
Give me a call and let's see !
Have First Time Home Buyers?
Ask me about my Oregon Housing Down Payment Assistance Programs
Mortgage Strategy Tips:
Encourage buyers to compare multiple lenders—rate quotes don’t require multiple full applications.
Mortgage brokers can’t mark up government loans (VA, FHA, USDA), making them especially competitive.
Proactively review past clients for refinance or cash-out opportunities.
Ask about DSCR and non-QM options for investor clients.
