by Howard Don Vincent

When you are shopping for mortgage rates, you have to realize that the terms you are quoted represent the terms available at the time of the quote. Unless you also close on that same day, which is unlikely, you will have a risk on the interest rate being higher when you do close.

But banks today frequently offer their customers a lock in period for their mortgage at the time of application. They understand that there is usually a period of time between when the loan application is made and the loan can be settled. And since many people calculate how much mortgage they can pay for based the interest rate, they realize people want to maintain that rate. Locking in a rate for a length of time frequently proves to be advantageous for a borrower. Lenders offer lock in periods for both rates and points.

This feature can be made available at the time of application, while the loan is being processed, or after it is approved.

An example is if a lender gave you a lock in rate for thirty days at 5.5% interest with one point. What this gives you is the right to keep that rate, even if you do not close on the mortgage for another 30 days. This is a fairly common lock in period that banks offer to attract customers. Longer periods are also available, but usually are priced more, since banks are not willing to risk rates moving against them for a longer period without some compensation for the risk.

Remember that the lock in period can turn against you if rates go down instead of up, unless your agreement allows you to break the agreement. This term is made when the lock in period is fixed.

If your loan is not settled during the lock in period, it will lapse and your new loan or new lock in period will be at the increased rate. If there haven?t been any significant movements in rates, the lender may be willing to renew.

There are combinations in terms of lock in periods.

Locked in Interest Rate with Locked in Points. In this case, the lender will hold both the rate quoted and any points quoted.

Rate is locked, points are not. The underlying rate is fixed for the period, but the bank keeps the right to increase the points. In order to keep the original rate, you may have to have extra points.

If interest rates are changing a lot, it is probably a good idea to ask your banker about lock in periods.

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