*ARM=Adjustable Rate Mortgage. APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rate lock is good for and loan must close within 60 days of pre-approval. Borrower can re-lock if rates go down within the time period or when property is secured. If a property is not found within the 60-day lock period an extension may be secured for a fee of .375 basis points per month. Property must be owner-occupied to qualify for rate lock. Rates are subject to increase or decrease at the end of the fixed rate period, may adjust annually, and are based on an index plus a margin. The current index is the 1-Year Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) as published in The Wall Street Journal. The 5 year Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT) is used as the index for the 5/5 ARM product. P&I payment is subject to change after first interest adjustment. Sample payments based on a $200,000 loan amount quoted as of 10/25/23 and subject to change without notice. The loan and accompanying interest rates, points, and APRs may differ and be adjusted based on your credit history, loan-to-value (LTV), occupancy, property type, loan amount, and loan purpose. 5/5 ARM = 60 monthly payments of $1,248 at 6.920% APR. 3/6 ARM = 36 monthly payments of $1,394 at 7.358% APR. 5/6 ARM = 60 monthly payments of $1,248 at 7.214% APR. 7/6 ARM = 84 monthly payments of $1,264 at 7.130% APR. 10/6 ARM = 120 monthly payments of $1,280 at 7.052% APR. Loan funding is subject to membership eligibility and credit approval. Membership is subject to eligibility. All new accounts will be verified through ChexSystems and are subject to credit approval. Real Estate Loans are subject to credit approval. NMLS #685526
Southland News
Protect yourself from rising interest rates
Lock in your mortgage rate with Southland
Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner, you'll benefit from discovering the best time to lock in a mortgage rate. Understanding how mortgage loans and interest rates work can help make the home-buying process a little easier.
Like any loan, borrowers need to pay interest on the money borrowed. The money you initially borrow is called the principal, and the cost to borrow the principal is called interest. Interest is charged as a percentage of the principal. The interest rate determines how much interest you'll pay over the life of the loan. Therefore, the lower the mortgage interest rate, the less it will cost you over the life of the loan.
With Lock While You Shop from Southland Credit Union, you can secure the best-possible interest rate before you close on your home, even in a rising rate environment. Lock in your pre-approved mortgage rate for 60 days while you search for your dream home.
What is Lock While You Shop?
Lock While You Shop is a mortgage loan benefit that you can take advantage of to ensure your interest rate won’t change between the official loan offer and closing, as long as you close within the specified time frame and there are no changes to your application. Mortgage interest rates can change daily, sometimes hourly. With Lock While You Shop, your rate won’t change while you shop for the perfect home.
How to get started
First, you’ll need to fully understand your budget and credit situation. You can connect with a Mortgage Loan Consultant and begin going over how much money you make, how much you owe and what kind of monthly mortgage you’d be comfortable paying. This is a great time to find out if you need to fix any credit issues you might have, or if you’ll need to start saving extra for a down payment.
Next, get your mortgage loan pre-approval. Our team of real estate experts will help you find a mortgage that best fits your needs and lifestyle including Lock While You Shop.
Then, you’ll need to find a real estate agent. Southland's partner, First Team Real Estate, offers Members commission rebates and escrow discounts.
Important things to know about Lock While You Shop
There’s no cost to lock in your rate, and you can opt to “re-lock” your rate if rates go down during the lock period.
Once your rate is locked, there are some exceptions that could cause your rate to change. The following may cause the interest rate and, if applicable, any discount points to be modified:
- You decided to change the kind of loan you are requesting or the amount of your down payment.
- The appraisal on the home you want to buy came in lower than expected.
- A change to your application—including your loan amount, credit score, additional debt incurred or verified income.
- A negative change in your monthly income or other financial sources.
Locking in your rate
Rate lock requests may be made during the Real Estate Lending department's regular business hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Rate lock period
The standard Lock While You Shop period is 60 days from the date the loan is pre-approved by the by the Underwriting department.
If a fully executed purchase agreement for the subject property is not obtained within the 60-day time period, you can apply for a 30-day extension.
What if rates go down during the lock period?
If rates decrease during the lock-period you can re-lock your rate at the lower rate one time during the term.
Lock While You Shop loans
The Lock While You Shop program is available for the following loan programs: 5/5 Conventional Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)*, 3/6, 5/6, 7/6 and 10/6 SOFR Conventional ARMs.
Rate lock cost and fees
There is no cost to lock your rate for you initial 60-day Lock While You Shop period.
If a property is not found within the 60-day lock period, an extension may be secured for a fee of .375 basis points per month.