When you are promised a "rate lock" from a lender, it means that you are guaranteed to get a specific interest rate over a certain number of days while you work on your application process. This means your interest rate will not rise as you are going through the application process.
Rate lock periods can vary in length, between 15 to 60 days, with the longer ones usually costing more. A lending institution will agree to hold an interest rate and points for a longer period, say 60 days, but in exchange, the rate (and sometimes points) will be higher than that of a rate lock of fewer days.
In addition to going with the shorter rate lock period, there are other ways you are able to get the best rate. The larger the down payment, the smaller your interest rate will be, because you will have more equity from the beginning. You could choose to pay points to reduce your rate over the life of the loan, meaning you pay more initially. One strategy that makes financial sense for some is to pay points to reduce the interest rate over the term of the loan. You'll pay more up front, but you'll save money, especially if you don't refinance early.
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