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When Should You Lock Your VA Loan Rate?
Locking too early leaves gains on the table. Locking too late risks a bad print. Here's the framework we use with borrowers.
MA
Megan Alarcón
VA Refinance Team Lead · NMLS #2081455
Published Jun 10, 2026 5 min read
Rate lock timing is part market, part personal. The framework we use: if you have a contract in hand and closing inside 30 days, lock. If you're 45+ days out, watch. If you're floating, know your exit rate — the rate at which you'd bail on the deal — before you need to make the call.
The three inputs
- How many days until closing?
- Where is the 10-year Treasury versus its 30-day range?
- What macro prints hit between now and lock deadline?
About the author
Megan Alarcón
VA Refinance Team Lead · NMLS #2081455 · U.S. Navy spouse
Megan leads our refinance desk and has spent a decade helping military families translate VA jumbo, cash-out, and IRRRL scenarios into concrete monthly-savings numbers. Featured commentator on VA lending policy changes.