Definition of "Float"

Ron Utterback real estate agent

Written by

Ron Utterbackelite badge icon

Keller Williams First Atlanta

Allowing the interest rate and points to vary with changes in market conditions, as opposed to 'locking' them. Floating may be mandatory until the lender's lock requirements have been met. After that, the borrower may elect to lock the rate and points at any time but must do so a few days before the closing. Allowing the rate to float exposes the borrower to market risk and also to the risk of being taken advantage of by the loan provider.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Mortgage Terms

The total cash required of the home buyer/borrower to close the purchase plus loan transaction or the loan transaction on a refinance. Required cash includes the down payment, points and ...

Rates and points quoted by loan providers. You cannot safely assume that mortgage price quotes are always timely, niche-adjusted, complete, or reliable. Timeliness: Most mortgage lenders ...

A rate lock, plus an option to reduce the rate if market interest rates decline during the lock period. ...

Same as term Interest Rate: The rate charged the borrower each period for the loan of money, by custom quoted on an annual basis. A mortgage interest rate is a rate on a loan secured by a ...

An option exercised by the borrower, at the time of the loan application or later, to 'lock in' the rates and points prevailing in the market at that time. When lenders 'lock/' they ...

Same as term Qualification: The process of determining whether a prospective borrower has the ability to repay a loan. ...

A borrower who does not meet the underwriting requirements of mainstream lenders. Sub-prime borrowers pay more than prime borrowers and are sometimes taken advantage of. ...

The period until the last payment is due. The maturity is usually but not always the same as the period used to calculate the mortgage payment. ...

The number of days for which any lock or float-down holds. The longer the period, the higher the price to the borrower. ...

Popular Mortgage Questions