By Sam Wax
One of the first things potential borrowers will say in the introductory phone call goes along the lines of “I just want the best rate.” This very straightforward statement has a complicated answer. Mortgage rates can change every single day, and sometimes will change more than once a day. Once you’re able to find a rate that fits your budget, you don’t want it slipping away while your loan is being processed. To prevent that, you can request a rate lock.
A rate lock is an agreement between you and your lender that guarantees a specific interest rate for a set period of time while your loan moves toward closing. These rate locks typically last between 30 and 60 days. Think of it as pressing “pause” on a rate you’re happy with. Even if rates climb the week after, yours stays put.
How a Rate Lock Actually Works
Once you’ve found a home, signed a purchase contract, and applied for your mortgage, you can ask your lender to lock your rate. Something most Borrowers fail to recognize is that this needs to be requested; it isn’t automatic. Once the request is received, your lender will issue a loan estimate with the locked rate, lock period, and expiration date.
Even if you’re able to obtain a lock rate, it’s important to stay vigilant throughout the process. large changes to your loan application, such as a new car or a job change, could void your lock and set you back to square one.
The Best Time to Lock In Your Rate
The best time to lock in your rate is whenever you feel comfortable and have a closing date in mind. If you’re waiting for the perfect interest rate, chances are you’ll keep waiting until the house you’re looking at is long gone. As mentioned previously, rates change every day and can change multiple times throughout a single day, so banking on a low rate is dangerous thinking.
A practical approach: get pre-approved early so you know your numbers, then lock once you’re under contract on a home.
How Long Should Your Rate Lock Be?
This is what separates My Easy Mortgage from the pack. While most mortgage brokers offer 15-, 30-, and 45-day lock windows, My Easy Mortgage provides custom locks. Say you have 33 days until closing. My Easy Mortgage can rate lock for your specific day so you’re not paying for extra days you don’t need, and you’re not playing the waiting game either. The same applies if you have a loan that is closing in 15 days. Whatever your situation, My Easy Mortgage can tailor your rate lock so you’re not paying more than necessary.
What Separates My Easy Mortgage
To go along with the aforementioned custom lock, My Easy Mortgage also provides rate locks to the 100th of a percentile. Most mortgage lenders will go by quarters of a percentile, making it so you have to pay more out of your own pocket to guarantee a specific rate. At My Easy Mortgage, we pride ourselves on fixing a rate to the smallest margin possible, saving you money in the process.
Make sure you set yourself up with the gold standard when it comes to rate locks.
Tips to Make Your Rate Lock Work for You
- Chasing Perfection can cost you. If a rate fits your budget today, it might not be there tomorrow. Lock it in.
- Stay responsive to your lender’s calls and document requests. Delayed paperwork is the number one reason why your rate lock can expire.
- Ask questions. Find out exactly what the lock covers, what happens if it expires, and what extension fees look like. No surprises.
- Avoid big financial changes. Don’t open new credit cards, make large purchases, or switch jobs during the lock period. These can derail your approval entirely.
The Bottom Line
Locking your mortgage rate is one of the smartest moves you can make during the homebuying process. It gives you budget certainty and peace of mind while your loan is being finalized. In today’s market, where rates remain sensitive to economic shifts, that protection is worth its weight in gold.
Not sure when the right time to lock is? That’s exactly what we’re here for. At My Easy Mortgage, we monitor rates daily and help you make a confident decision.
Whether you are a first-time buyer or looking to refinance, My Easy Mortgage, a reputable mortgage broker located at 2405 Creel Lane, STE 102, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544, and 16703 Early Riser Ave, Suite 266, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638, has a team of experienced professionals who can guide you through the process. Contact them at (813) 513-9846 to discuss your mortgage needs.
