MORTGAGE MARKET BRIEFING

Jason Thomas

Golden Bay Mortgage Group

Friday, November 6, 2026

THIS WEEK

Should you buy, sell, or wait? Here's what's happening

The housing market is sending mixed signals right now—some good news on new construction and home prices, but plenty of reasons to pause before making a big move. Here's what you need to know.

RATE SNAPSHOT · November 5, 2026

CONVENTIONAL 30-YR

7.18%

30-day Range: 7.18%–7.40%

CONVENTIONAL 15-YR

6.57%

30-day Range: 6.57%–6.73%

FHA 30-YR

6.90%

30-day Range: 6.90%–7.21%

VA 30-YR

6.76%

30-day Range: 6.76%–7.13%

Source: Optimal Blue daily mortgage indices via FRED · 30-yr and 15-yr: Freddie Mac weekly survey · Informational only

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Payment Reality

What actually changes when rates move

I get asked this often: if rates go up or down, how much does my payment actually shift? The answer matters because it helps you plan. When rates move, your monthly payment moves with them — sometimes noticeably, sometimes less so depending on your loan amount and term. Understanding this connection helps you make smarter decisions about timing, loan type, and whether refinancing pencils out. It also removes the guesswork from "what if" conversations. If you're thinking about buying soon or looking at your current mortgage, it's worth sitting down and talking through how rate changes could affect your specific situation. I'm here to walk you through the real numbers whenever you're ready.

Let me show you how rate movements affect your payment and options.

Tip of the Week

Closing costs typically run 2-5% of the loan amount. Ask your lender for a Loan Estimate so there are no surprises.

Tips for Homeowners

Protecting Yourself from Mortgage Scams

1.	Wire fraud is one of the fastest-growing real estate scams. Never wire closing funds based solely on email instructions — always verify account numbers by calling your title company at a number you look up yourself.

2.	Loan modification and foreclosure rescue scams target homeowners in distress. Legitimate help is available free through HUD-approved counseling agencies at 800-569-4287.

3.	Be wary of unsolicited offers to refinance or cash out equity at terms that sound unusually favorable. If someone contacts you out of the blue, verify their NMLS license number at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

Mortgage News Daily

New home sales hold steady in September

New home sales barely budged last month, staying near the healthy levels we saw in August. While the market hasn't grown much over the past three years, this stability suggests builders and buyers are finding some common ground even as affordability remains tight.

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Mortgage News Daily

Home price gains slow to a crawl

Home prices inched up just 0.3% from July to August, with annual appreciation now at 2.4%. Different regions are moving at very different speeds, which means your local market may look quite different from what you see in the national headlines.

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03	Redfin Blog Is now a good time to buy a house? Rates are unpredictable, prices are high, but more homes are hitting the market. The answer depends on your personal situation, timeline, and local conditions—there's no one-size-fits-all answer right now. READ FULL ARTICLE →

04	Redfin Blog Should you sell your house right now? With expensive homes, a slower market, and cautious buyers out there, selling isn't ideal everywhere—but some cities still favor sellers. Whether it makes sense to list depends heavily on where you live and what your goals are. 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 Jason Thomas team any time and we'll walk you through your options.

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