I am a regular participant in the Bankrate.com Mortgage Rate Trend survey and this week's survey is now available.

• 70% of participants predict rates will increase 
• 10% of participants predict rates will decrease
• 20% of participants predict rates will remain unchanged

I am predicting that rates will increase over the next 30 days, but that doesn't mean you should necessarily follow my advice when choosing whether to lock a rate, or float it.  My advice may not be appropriate for your individual situation.

From the Bankrate.com survey:

"The market started to believe that the Fed would drop the Fed Funds Rate as soon as next month. And now they're realizing they were wrong. Cue the higher mortgage rates.

If you shopping for mortgages, I recommend that you go ahead and lock in your rate.  There is just too much financial risk in floating a mortgage interest rate -- especially given the volatile nature of the markets.

Not sure if locking is for you?  Take this little test.

Dan Green is an active loan officer. Email or call 513-443-2020. Dan is on Twitter at @mortgagereports.