What mortgage rate should I use to estimate affordability in 2026?

Use the actual rate quoted by a lender for your credit profile and loan program, not a general published average, since mortgage rates move week to week and vary by lender. A North Metro Atlanta lender can give you a real, current quote alongside a pre-approval, which is a far more reliable affordability number than any rate you find published online. Joel Boss works with local lenders and can point you toward one before you start touring homes.