Rate Lock-in

Definition

• A written agreement or contract in which the lender guarantees the borrower a specified interest rate, provided the loan closes within a set time period.

Synonyms
lock-in, mortgage rate lock-in, interest rate lock-in, rate hold

Related Terms and Acronyms

• Commitment — Definition,
  • A written agreement from a lender promising to lend money on certain terms for a specified time period.
• Lock-in — Definition,
  • A lender's guarantee that the mortgage rate quoted will not change for a specific period. The borrower wants the lock to stay in effect until closing.
• Mortgage Rate — Definition, Very Important,
  • The interest rate on a mortgage loan.
  ➥ You can compare mortgage rates using this website by clicking 'Rates' above.
• One-year Adjustable — Definition,
  • Mortgage whose annual rate changes yearly. The rate is usually based on movements of a published index plus a specified margin, chosen by the lender.
• Pre-approval — Definition,
  • A process that mortgage lenders use to determine how much money they would lend you based on a thorough review of your financial situation. Lenders issue a pre-approval letter which strengthens your position when bidding on a home, as it shows sellers that you will be able to raise funds needed to purchase.
• Purchase Agreement — Definition,
  • A written promise to pay a specific amount for a property at a specified time. The purchase agreement is a written statement of the offer, which both the borrower and the seller will sign if the offer is accepted.
• Rate — Definition,
  • Percentage a borrower pays for the use of money, usually expressed as an annual percentage.
• Rate Hold — Definition,
  • The length of time, typically between 60 and 120 days, that a lender will guarantee a loan's interest rate once you are locked in.
• Variable Rate Mortgage (VRM) — Acronym, Very Important,
  • Home loan in which the interest rate is changed periodically based on a standard financial index. Also called an "Adjustable-rate Mortgage."
  ➥ A type of mortgage loan offered by brokers and lenders.