To say current mortgage rates are volatile, is an understatement. For the last two months there’s been strong swings in mortgage pricing, mortgage rates to very unstable. Nothing can be more frustrating for pre-approved home shopper knowing their ability to qualify and their subsequent proposed payment could change at anytime. How to deal with volatile rates amidst buying a house…

Agreeing On An Interest Rate

Most lenders will not lock your interest rate until you have a ratified purchase contract. Lenders offer interest rate locks for 30 days, 45 days, 60 days and some even as long as 90 days, with the majority of buyers doing thirty-day rate locks to match the traditional thirty day contract.

To Lock or To Float?

Rate Locking-committing on an interest rate, in other words “locking in a rate” you willing to take for the term of the loan, e.g. 360 months for a 30 year fixed rate loan

Pro’s:

√payment clarity upfront

√more time to budget and plan your finances during the escrow process

√more time for the lender to get your loan through the underwriting process

√more allowance to focus on other aspects of your home purchase

Cons:

√missed opportunity for reduction in the interest rate

Rate Floating-defined is simply not locking your interest rate. Floating essentially allows your interest rate and payment to move on a daily basis until you fully commit to your lender on an interest rate.

Pros:

√the opportunity for a lower interest rate and better terms

√ depending on your individual lender’s policies, the ability to switch loan programs during the loan process such as going from a 15 year fixed rate mortgage to a 30 year fixed-rate mortgage etc.

Cons:

√ risky position to be an in a volatile rate environment

√ risk of losing earnest money deposit if you can’t qualify due to a higher payment

Buying A Home: Lock Or Float The Mortgage Rate

In a nutshell, it depends on your personal threshold for how much risk you’re willing to take on by floating  your loan for  interest rate opportunity. If you can qualify for the mortgage loan even if rates were to rise during your loan process, you would have the luxury of being able to take advantage of a favorable market market reaction the next time the bond market rallies.

On the flipside, you’d be entering into a purchase contract with thousands of dollars on the line in exchange for what may or may not come to fruition with rates. This is why it solely depends on your appetite for risk and how much you’re willing  to gamble the market. If you have a 30 day close of escrow that’s not much time in an attempt to seize a better interest rate.

 Following Considerations Come Into The Picture

• ordering of appraisal, or rather making sure value comes in at purchase price
• doing inspections
• releasing inspection contingencies
• providing updated financial documentation in a timely manner to the lender  (biggest task in most cases)
• releasing loan contingencies

While these steps in the purchase process seem relatively small, they can very quickly become task heavy which otherwise shifts your focus from the market ensuring all the ducks lineup. Granted, your loan professional and real estate agent will be many of these steps in conjunction with you, still, these are additional things to the mindful of in addition timing the market.

Strategy For Locking In A Mortgage Rate

In a perfect situation, locking ahead of major economic news is generally the most conservative approach. It is known that prior to large economic events transpiring, information  is revealed that estimates the direction the financial markets will take when the news is actually released.

For example whenever the Federal Reserve or anyone of the Fed presidents make a statement about the financial markets (usually causes mortgage rates to move radically), information before the news hits, is revealed to gauge the potential direction investors will take when the news actually is perceived.

Biggest Market Movers Month To Date

• Jobs report first Friday of the month sets the tone for mortgage rates for the rest of the month
• Anytime the Federal Reserve makes a statement especially lately, due to the Fed’s position on the tapering of buying mortgage-backed securities

*Mortgage Tip:  Most lenders would be happy to refinance you down the road anyway in the  event rates did drop. Typically, most lenders have about a six month waiting time refinance your purchase loan you obtain six months earlier.

When you get into contract to purchase a home, if you can justify locking up front, do it. Interest rate volatility is not something you want to gamble with as there’s many other aspects to purchasing a home you might not realize. You can  can get pre-approved to purchase a home with a conservative rate strategy unique to your situation. Start today by getting a complementary purchase mortgage rate quote.