Lock or Float Before the Fed? Wrong Question.

You're under contract on a rental, the close lands across a Fed meeting, and your rate lock is ticking. Lock now, or float and hope? Host Martin Maxwell makes the case that it's the wrong question — the Fed doesn't set your mortgage rate, so the real move is matching a rate-execution lever to where your close date actually falls. This episode walks the three levers: the lock (and why to match its window to your real close date, not a maybe), the float-down (and why it's lender-by-lender on investment paper — ask by name before Wednesday), and the seller-funded buydown (the 2%-concession cap on an investment loan and the permanent-vs-2-1 trap) — Tuesday's post walks both paths side by side, with the breakeven math. Then the harder truth: when no rate you can get will make the deal, it was never a rate problem. Run the deal the way Martin does — in the cash flow calculator — and put it through the +5 Rule before you lock anything. Watching a lock expire mid-close this week? We break the exact decision down as a scenario — see all three options and decide for yourself. Full write-up, sources, and the glossary terms are on the episode page. Thank you for tuning in to the 5-Minute PRIME Podcast! Ready for more tips to master personal finance and real estate investing? Visit REIPrime.com for additional resources and strategies to build your wealth. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone looking to level up their finances. Follow us on social media for daily updates and more actionable advice!