Source: Mortgage Express

Interest rates in Australia are on the way up and understandably that’s a big concern for homeowners. Especially those facing interest rate hikes right before refinancing or settlement. One way to protect against interest rate rises, if you’re preparing to refinance to a new lender or set up a new loan, is to rate lock. Rate locking your fixed interest home loan for a set period of time before your loan application is completed, means you get the interest rate you were offered when you applied rather than what’s available at settlement time.

What is a rate lock?

Sometimes the home loan deal a borrower is offered is no longer available by the time their application is approved, because interest rates have changed. A rate lock protects from fluctuating interest rates, letting you lock in the rate you get quoted while you work through the process to refinance to a new lender or buy your new home.

With a rate lock, the lender agrees to lock in a rate that’s been offered for a stated period of time, guaranteeing that the rate will remain unchanged even if interest rates fluctuate.

How long does a rate lock last?

Rate locks differ from lender to lender, but typically lenders will rate lock from 30 to 60 days, which is usually enough time for the borrower to submit an offer and settle on their new home or refinance their existing loan to their new lender. 

When should you rate lock?

If you’re setting up a new home loan or refinancing to another lender – and it’s expected to take a little longer than usual – it may be worthwhile locking in your rate, especially if interest rates are rising or fluctuating often. Otherwise you may end up with a higher interest rate at settlement time, instead of the interest rate deal you got when you applied.

Is there a cost to rate lock?

Rate locking fees differ from lender to lender, but typically you can expect to pay around 0.2 per cent of your loan amount or a flat fee that’s proportional to your loan amount. Some lenders may also let you get a lower rate if interest rates drop.

What are the drawbacks?

The mains things to be aware of when rate locking are:

• Weigh up the cost to rate lock against potential saving in interest rates.
• If your loan application is denied, the rate locking fee may be non-refundable.
• Some lenders don’t offer a lower interest rate if interest rates drop once you’ve locked in your rate so you could lose out on savings.
• Get clear on your lender’s rate lock rules and check how changes to your loan could impact your rate lock.

Get the right advice before you rate lock

With interest rates rising, it makes sense to rate lock and get peace of mind knowing that you’ve locked in the best interest rate available to you. But there is a cost charged by lenders, so it pays to check if it’s going to save you money in the long run. Before you rate lock, get the right advice – talk to a Mortgage broker who can help you make informed decision about your financial future.