

Should you lock a home equity loan interest rate this June? The answer, unfortunately, isn't a simple yes or no.
It depends heavily on your individual circumstances and predictions about future interest rate movements – predictions no one can make with certainty.
Arguments for Locking in June 2024:
Rate Volatility: Interest rates have been fluctuating considerably.
If you believe rates are likely to rise further, locking in a current rate offers protection against future increases.
This provides peace of mind and predictability in your monthly payments.
Time Sensitivity: You might have a specific deadline for needing the funds from your home equity loan.
Locking in now secures your rate and avoids the risk of delays caused by rate changes.
Personal Risk Tolerance: Some borrowers are more risk-averse than others.
If you prefer certainty over the potential for slightly lower rates in the future, locking in is a sensible choice.
Arguments Against Locking in June 2024:
Potential for Lower Rates: Interest rates could potentially fall in the coming months.
Locking in now might mean missing out on a lower rate if this happens.
The potential savings could be significant, depending on the loan amount and term.
Locking-in Fees: Some lenders charge fees for locking in a rate.
These fees need to be factored into your decision to determine whether the potential savings from a lower rate outweigh the cost of locking in.
Economic Uncertainty: Predicting future interest rate movements is inherently uncertain.
While some experts might offer forecasts, these are not guarantees.
Locking in could prove to be the wrong decision if rates unexpectedly decline.
Factors to Consider:
Your Current Rate: What rate are you being offered now? Compare this to your historical understanding of rates.
Your Loan Term: A longer loan term means you'll be paying interest for a longer period, making the impact of even small rate changes more significant.
Your Financial Situation: Can you comfortably afford the monthly payments at the current rate, even if rates were to increase slightly?
Market Predictions: Research economic forecasts and interest rate predictions from reputable sources, but remember that these are just educated guesses.
Recommendation:
Before making a decision, shop around and compare offers from multiple lenders.
Discuss your options with a financial advisor who can help you assess your risk tolerance and make a decision aligned with your financial goals.
Don't rush the process; take time to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
The best approach is to consider your individual circumstances and make an informed decision based on your own risk assessment and financial future.

When it comes to locking in an interest rate on a borrowing product, the timing can be difficult to get right. Wait too long and you risk having to pay more than you would have at an earlier point. Start too early, however, and you could see yourself getting locked in to a rate that declines right after you close on the loan. Monitoring the interest rate climate closely, then, for opportunities to act (and for times to step back) is critical. And it's even more important for homeowners considering a .
Since these funds come directly out of your home, which serves as collateral in the borrowing exchange, you'll want to ensure long-term affordability to offset any That means knowing when to lock a home equity loan interest rate – and when not to. In the unique interest rate climate of June 2025, however, there's a compelling case to be made for locking in a home equity loan rate now. Below, we'll list three reasons why this makes sense for homeowners in need of extra financing.
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While each homeowner's financial situation is different, many homeowners considering a home equity loan would benefit from locking in a low rate now. Here's why:
and continued to slowly drop in the early months of 2025. But that progress has been slowed in recent weeks, with rates here dropping from 8.36% on May 14 to 8.23% on May 21 to 8.24% on May 28 and 8.25% on June 4, according to data.
While those aren't major differences week-over-week, they do indicate some uncertainty on behalf of lenders as they await new data on , and economic policies. Considering that rates are still lower than the approximate 8.80% average from early 2024, those in need of a home equity loan now may want to lock in what's available at the moment – and look to should the market significantly cool in the future.
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Optimism earlier this year that the Federal Reserve would continue its interest-rate cut campaign in 2025 has waned significantly after the central bank kept rates paused at its January, March and May meetings. And the are also dim. Finally, if rates are eventually cut, either in July or September, it's likely to be just by 25 basis points to start, which will have a muted impact on home equity loan interest rates. Understanding this dynamic, then, and with relatively low home equity loan rates already available, it makes sense to lock in a rate now to limit any additional expenses that could arise from an extended rate pause.
The ? Close to 13% now. And the average credit card rate? Around , just recently . Even , which were clearly the earlier this year, have become more expensive lately as rates there are up by more than 25 basis points from where they were earlier this spring.
Matched up against these alternatives, then, and with the benefit of a in a climate in which rates could easily rise again, proceeding with a home equity loan makes sense now. Not only is it cheaper than a credit card and HELOC – it will remain so as these other two alternatives have variable rates that could rise in response to market conditions while the home equity loan rate secured today will be the same one six months from now (or longer).
It may not always make sense to lock in a rate on a borrowing product, especially if the climate is cooling. But June 2025 isn't necessarily that economic atmosphere. With home equity loan rates low (but stagnant), the chances of higher rates for longer appearing more and more likely and the reality that rates here are still lower than some alternative products with variable rates, homeowners in need of financing may find that locking in a home equity loan rate this June makes the most sense for their needs and long-term goals.
