What is a Rate Lock Period? - Alliance Financial Resources, LLC

What is a rate lock period? How can you make sure your rate is low?

A rate lock or a rate commitment is a lenders promise to hold a certain interest rate and a certain number of points for you for a specified period of time while your application is processed. This prevents you from going through your whole application process and at the end of it finding out the interest rate has gone up.

A rate lock period can vary in length, and longer ones usually cost more. A lender will agree to hold your interest rate and points for a longer period, say 60 days, but in exchange the rate and maybe points are higher than with a shorter rate lock period, for example.

There are many ways besides opting for a shorter rate lock period to get a lower rate, though. A larger down payment will result in a lower interest rate than a smaller one, because youre starting out with more equity. You can pay points to lower your rate over the life of the loan, but that means you pay more up front. For many people, this makes sense and is a good deal.

Closing costs are fees paid by the lender, which the lender in turn charges you to close the loan. Many people pay closing costs when they sign on the dotted line, but a person can also finance their closing costs. Paying closing costs when the loan closes will reduce your interest rate.

Finally, the interest rate a lender is willing to offer you depends on your credit score and your debt-to-income ratio. If you have good credit and your income far exceeds your debt obligations, you will qualify for a lower rate.

We are a direct lender mortgage bank with lending authorization in the following states for Conventional, HUD, FHA, VA, USDA, Reverse, and Commercial lending.

We are a direct lender with offices in various locations focusing on providing home loans to the people in the communities we serve throughout the United States. We are here to help borrowers achieve the dream of home ownership and help them take advantage of today’s real estate investment opportunities.

Our loan professionals are highly trained in all of the various loan products currently available. We are well prepared to answer any questions you may have about buying a home or to assist you with analyzing your current home loan. Simply put, they are here to help you make informed right-fit mortgage decisions.

The customer experience is our number one priority. Communication is a very important part of our business model and our unique loan process, and our investment in technology reflects just that. We have mastered the ability to effectively communicate with all parties involved on each and every transaction keeping everyone up-to-date from the first phone call through funding. Our goal is to use all of our resources to make your transaction as smooth and efficient as possible.

With the experience, resources and exceptional service standards, you will see why we deliver…simply better home loans as we are working to expand our lending in other states as well.