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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.
BH
Bolt Home Loans LLC Editorial Team
Editorial Team ·
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
Bolt Home Loans LLC Editorial Team
Editorial Team ·
Content reviewed by licensed mortgage professionals at Bolt Home Loans LLC, NMLS #2784913.