How Long Do Mortgage Rate Quotes Last, On Average?

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Mortgage rates aren't changing as quickly as they did this summer, but they're still changing pretty quickly.

Over the last two month, on average, lenders have updated pricing every 4 hours, 11 minutes. Over the last week, it's 3 hours, 20 minutes.

It's tough to shop for mortgage rates at a time like this.

Look, I'm a guy who studies mortgage markets for a living so consider my advice for when you're rate shopping.  Unless you're willing accept a higher mortgage rate, stop trying to beat the market for a lower one. More often than not, you're going to lose.

This is especially true because mortgage rates tend to rise a lot faster than they fall.  We even having a saying about it in the business: Mortgage rates take the elevator up and the escalator down.

Therefore, as you're doing your rate shopping, remember that saving money is saving money and there's almost never a reason to hold out for that extra 1/8 percent.  An 1/8 percent equates to a nominal amount of money that won't change your retirement or fund your next home improvement project.  Moral victories aren't worth gambling for.

Mortgage rates change.  That's what they do.  So if you're in the market for one, it helps to know what the market's doing.

You have two ways to stay on top of rates in near-real time.

1. Follow me on Twitter.
2. Fan this blog on Facebook.

Or, let's make it more personal.

Call orand we can talk about your mortgage rates needs. I'm licensed in a lot of states and if I can't help you personally, I'm happy to direct you to someone that can.

Either way, get a move on. In just a few hours, that rate quote you're staring at is going to be expired.