Updated July 2026. Most refinance borrowers walk into lender conversations unprepared, and that information gap costs them real money. Knowing what to ask separates borrowers who lock a competitive rate from those who accept whatever a single lender quotes. This guide is built specifically for refinance borrowers in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia who want to shop smarter, protect their credit score during the process, and understand exactly what they’re agreeing to before they sign.
Each question below is designed to surface the structural differences between lenders, particularly between wholesale mortgage brokers and retail lenders like Rocket Mortgage, Veterans United, and Movement Mortgage. Whether you’re pursuing a rate-and-term refinance, a VA IRRRL, an FHA Streamline, a cash-out refinance, or a jumbo refi, these questions give you a framework to evaluate every quote on equal terms.
We’ll also show you how to ask these questions without triggering a hard credit inquiry — a critical detail for rate shoppers who don’t want their score dinged before they’ve chosen a lender. The NoTouch Credit Pull is a soft credit pull mortgage process that functions as a soft pull mortgage broker service and a full no credit hit mortgage application. It is also what lenders and borrowers refer to as a mortgage pre approval without hard pull — sometimes called a no hard inquiry mortgage pre approval. Zero credit impact until you’re ready to lock. Let’s get into it.
Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647 | Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC, NMLS #376205 — Licensed in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Legal Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to lend or a loan approval. Rates and programs are subject to change without notice and vary based on individual credit profile, loan-to-value ratio, property type, and market conditions. Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC, NMLS #376205, is licensed to originate mortgage loans in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia only. Not available in all states. All loans subject to underwriting approval. Equal Housing Lender.
1. What Is Your Actual Rate — And What APR Goes With It?
The Challenge It Solves
Lenders advertise headline rates, not total costs. A 6.50% rate sounds better than 6.75% — until you factor in the fees attached to each quote. Without asking for both the rate and the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), you’re comparing apples to oranges. The APR folds in lender fees, discount points, and certain closing costs to give you a single number that reflects the true cost of borrowing over the life of the loan.
The Strategy Explained
Here’s a worked example using a $300,000 refinance to show why this question matters so much.
Lender A: 6.75% rate, $1,500 in lender fees, APR approximately 6.82%. Monthly principal and interest payment: roughly $1,946.
Lender B: 6.50% rate, $4,500 in lender fees, APR approximately 6.72%. Monthly P&I payment: roughly $1,896.
Lender B saves you about $50 per month in payments. Over 60 months, that’s $3,000 in payment savings. But Lender B charged you $3,000 more in upfront fees. The break-even on that fee difference is exactly 60 months. If you sell, move, or refinance again before the five-year mark, Lender A was actually the cheaper loan — despite carrying a higher rate.
That’s the kind of analysis a lender who only shows you the rate will never walk you through.
Implementation Steps
1. Ask every lender for both the interest rate and the APR on the same loan scenario — same loan amount, same term, same program.
2. Request an itemized fee worksheet alongside the rate quote so you can see exactly what’s driving the APR difference.
3. Calculate your personal break-even: divide the total fee difference between two quotes by the monthly payment difference. If that number exceeds how long you plan to keep the loan, the lower-rate option may not be worth the upfront cost.
Pro Tips
Ask lenders to quote you on the same day when possible. Rates move daily, and a quote from Tuesday versus Thursday can skew your comparison. If you want a reliable market benchmark while you shop, learning how to compare mortgage interest rates across lenders gives you a framework that goes beyond the headline number. If a lender is reluctant to provide the APR alongside the rate, that hesitation itself is useful information about how transparent they intend to be throughout the process.
2. Can You Run My Scenario Without a Hard Credit Pull?
The Challenge It Solves
Many borrowers avoid shopping multiple lenders because they’re afraid of damaging their credit score with repeated inquiries. This concern is understandable but often overstated — and it should never stop you from comparing quotes. The real risk is working with lenders who pull your credit hard before you’ve decided to move forward, leaving inquiry marks on your report before you’ve committed to anything.
The Strategy Explained
Ask every lender upfront: can you give me a rate quote and scenario analysis using a soft credit pull mortgage? A soft pull gives the lender enough information to run your scenario accurately without leaving a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is sometimes called a no hard inquiry mortgage pre approval or a mortgage pre approval without hard pull, and it’s the right way to shop rates before you’ve selected a lender.
At MortgageRefinanceRates.com, this process is called the NoTouch Credit Pull. It allows Duane Buziak to run your full refinance scenario — rate, program, estimated payment, and closing cost range — without triggering a credit hit. You only authorize a hard pull when you’re ready to move forward with a specific loan application.
The CFPB notes that multiple mortgage inquiries within a short window — typically 45 days — are generally counted as a single inquiry for scoring purposes under FICO models. But that protection only applies once you’ve authorized hard pulls. A soft pull mortgage broker can quote you accurately before that window even opens.
Implementation Steps
1. Before giving any lender your Social Security number, ask directly: “Will this be a hard or soft credit pull?”
2. Ask whether they can provide a rate scenario and estimated payment using a no credit hit mortgage application process before you formally apply.
3. Once you’ve narrowed to your top one or two lenders, authorize the hard pull — ideally within the same 45-day window to maximize FICO’s rate-shopping protections.
Pro Tips
Not every lender offers a genuine soft pull option. Some will claim they can quote you without pulling credit but then run a hard inquiry anyway when you provide your information. Ask specifically for the NoTouch Credit Pull by name when speaking with MortgageRefinanceRates.com — it’s a defined process, not a vague promise. For retail lenders, ask them to document in writing whether their initial quote requires a hard pull.
3. What Are Your Lender Fees — All of Them?
The Challenge It Solves
Headline rates get the attention. Fees are where lenders make up the difference. Origination fees, underwriting fees, processing fees, and third-party costs can vary significantly between lenders — and a borrower who only compares rates without comparing fees is leaving money on the table. The Loan Estimate form (required by federal law within three business days of application) itemizes these costs, but you can and should ask for a fee breakdown before you formally apply.
The Strategy Explained
The table below shows the structural differences between a wholesale broker and three retail lenders. Note that specific rate quotes for competitors are not fabricated here — rates change daily. What doesn’t change is the structural reality of how each lender type operates.
| Lender Type | Quoted Rate | Lender Fees | Cash-Out LTV Ceiling | Program Access | FICO Floor | Est. Closing Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wholesale Broker (MortgageRefinanceRates.com) | Wholesale pricing — shopped across 500+ lenders | Lower — broker compensation disclosed; no retail markup | 100% LTV (VA cash-out); 80% conventional; 97.75% FHA | VA IRRRL, FHA Streamline, conventional, jumbo, cash-out, debt consolidation | 580+ (FHA); 620+ (conventional); VA has no published minimum | 15–25 days typical for streamline programs |
| Rocket Mortgage (retail) | Retail pricing — single lender shelf | Higher — retail margin built into rate and fees | Conventional and FHA programs; VA available | Conventional, FHA, VA — limited wholesale program access | 580+ (FHA); 620+ (conventional) | 30–45 days typical |
| Veterans United (retail, VA-focused) | Retail pricing — VA-specialized shelf | Retail margin applies; VA IRRRL available | 100% LTV (VA cash-out per VA program rules) | Primarily VA; conventional available but not the focus | 620+ typical for most programs | 30–45 days typical |
| Movement Mortgage (retail) | Retail pricing — single lender shelf | Retail margin applies | Conventional and FHA; VA available | Conventional, FHA, VA — limited program breadth vs. broker | 580+ (FHA); 620+ (conventional) | 30–45 days typical |
The key structural difference: a wholesale broker like MortgageRefinanceRates.com is required by law to disclose compensation. Retail lenders build their margin into the rate and fee structure without a separate compensation disclosure requirement. That transparency gap matters when you’re trying to evaluate whether you’re getting a competitive deal.
Implementation Steps
1. Ask each lender to list every fee by category: origination, underwriting, processing, and third-party costs (title, appraisal, recording).
2. Use the table above as a scoring sheet — fill in each column for every lender you contact.
3. Compare total lender-controlled fees separately from third-party costs, since third-party fees are often similar across lenders while lender fees vary significantly.
Pro Tips
Watch for “discount points” buried in the fee section. One point equals 1% of the loan amount. Paying points to buy down your rate can make sense if your break-even timeline supports it — but only if you know you’re paying them. If you’re comparing a wholesale broker against a retail lender on total cost, the Rocket Mortgage vs. broker breakdown illustrates exactly how that fee structure difference plays out in practice. Ask explicitly: “Are there any discount points included in this quote?”
4. What Refinance Programs Do You Actually Have Access To?
The Challenge It Solves
Not every lender can serve every refinance scenario. A retail lender’s product shelf is limited to the programs that lender has chosen to offer. If your best option is a VA IRRRL, an FHA Streamline, a jumbo refinance, or a cash-out refinance to 100% LTV under VA program rules, you need a lender who actually has access to those programs — not one who will try to fit you into whatever they do offer.
The Strategy Explained
Program access is one of the most important structural questions in refinance shopping, and most borrowers never ask it. Here’s a quick breakdown of the major refinance programs and what to ask:
VA IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan): Available only to eligible veterans, service members, and surviving spouses with an existing VA loan. Requires no appraisal or income verification in most cases. Ask: “Can you originate a VA IRRRL, and do you have access to multiple VA wholesale investors?” The VA.gov IRRRL page outlines eligibility requirements in detail.
FHA Streamline Refinance: Available to borrowers with existing FHA loans. No appraisal required, limited income documentation. Ask: “Do you offer FHA Streamline refinances, and what are your lender-specific overlays?” The HUD FHA Streamline page defines the program’s core requirements.
VA Cash-Out Refinance: Allows eligible veterans to access up to 100% of their home’s appraised value. This is a VA program rule — VA cash-out refinances go to 100% LTV. Ask any lender quoting a VA cash-out whether they cap it below 100% LTV, because some retail lenders impose overlays that restrict the program below its maximum.
Jumbo Refinance: For loan amounts above the 2026 FHFA conforming loan limit of $806,500 (or $1,249,125 in high-cost areas). Jumbo program access varies widely — a broker with access to multiple wholesale jumbo investors has a significant structural advantage over a retail lender with one internal jumbo product. Understanding what drives jumbo loan rates helps you evaluate whether the quote you’re receiving is genuinely competitive.
Implementation Steps
1. Tell the lender your current loan type (VA, FHA, conventional, jumbo) and ask which refinance programs they can originate for that loan type.
2. Ask specifically whether they can access multiple investors for your program — or whether they’re limited to a single internal product.
3. If you’re a veteran, ask about both the VA IRRRL and VA cash-out options and confirm the lender will go to 100% LTV on the cash-out program without overlay restrictions.
Pro Tips
A broker with access to 500+ wholesale lenders can shop your scenario across multiple investors simultaneously. A retail lender can only offer what’s on their own shelf. This difference is most consequential when your scenario has a complexity — a lower FICO score, a higher LTV, a non-standard property type, or a jumbo loan amount — that a single lender’s guidelines might not accommodate.
5. What Is the Break-Even Timeline on This Refinance?
The Challenge It Solves
Refinancing costs money upfront. The question isn’t whether a lower rate saves you money — it’s whether you’ll stay in the loan long enough to recoup the closing costs through monthly savings. A lender who can’t walk you through this calculation quickly either doesn’t understand it or doesn’t want you to think about it. Either way, it’s a red flag.
The Strategy Explained
Here’s the math on a $350,000 refinance scenario:
Current loan: $350,000 balance at 7.25%. Monthly principal and interest: approximately $2,388.
New loan: $350,000 at 6.50%. Monthly principal and interest: approximately $2,272.
Monthly savings: approximately $116.
Total closing costs: $5,800.
Break-even point: $5,800 divided by $116 = 50 months, or roughly 4.2 years.
If this borrower plans to stay in the home for seven or more years, the refinance is clearly beneficial — they’ll recoup the closing costs and continue saving $116 per month for years afterward. If they’re planning to sell or move within three years, the refinance doesn’t pencil out regardless of how attractive the rate looks. For a deeper look at how to evaluate this decision, knowing when to refinance your mortgage covers the timing factors that go beyond simple break-even math.
Implementation Steps
1. Ask the lender: “What is the break-even point on this refinance based on my closing costs and monthly savings?”
2. If they can’t answer immediately, calculate it yourself: total closing costs divided by monthly payment savings equals break-even in months.
3. Compare your break-even timeline against your realistic plans for the property — how long you expect to own it and whether another refinance is likely before then.
Pro Tips
Break-even math changes if you roll closing costs into the loan balance instead of paying them upfront. Rolling costs into the loan increases your new balance and slightly reduces your monthly savings, which extends the break-even timeline. Ask the lender to show you the break-even calculation for both scenarios: costs paid at closing versus costs rolled into the loan.
6. How Long Will You Lock My Rate — And What Happens If Closing Runs Long?
The Challenge It Solves
A rate quote means nothing if it expires before your loan closes. Rate locks typically run 15 to 60 days, and the cost of the lock is often embedded in the rate itself — longer locks generally come with a slightly higher rate. If closing runs past your lock expiration date, you either pay a lock extension fee or relock at current market rates, which may be worse than your original quote.
The Strategy Explained
Ask every lender three specific questions about rate locks: How long is the lock period? What does a lock extension cost if closing is delayed? And do you offer a float-down option if rates drop after I lock?
Retail lenders with large pipelines — including high-volume operations like Rocket Mortgage and Movement Mortgage — can experience processing backlogs that push closing timelines past the original lock period. When that happens, the extension fee becomes your problem, not theirs. A wholesale broker channel often closes streamline programs like the VA IRRRL and FHA Streamline in 15 to 25 days, which reduces the risk of lock expiration significantly.
Float-down options are worth asking about even if you don’t expect to use them. A float-down provision allows you to capture a lower rate if the market moves in your favor after you’ve locked. Not all lenders offer this, and those that do typically charge for the option or require rates to drop by a defined threshold before the float-down activates. Understanding the full range of rate lock strategy options before you commit can protect you from unnecessary extension costs.
Implementation Steps
1. Ask: “What lock periods do you offer, and how does the rate change between a 30-day and 45-day lock?”
2. Ask: “What is your lock extension fee, and under what circumstances would I need to pay it?”
3. Ask: “Do you offer a float-down option, and what are the terms?”
Pro Tips
Get the rate lock terms in writing before you move forward. Verbal commitments about lock periods and extension policies are unenforceable. The Loan Estimate and Lock Confirmation document should both reflect the agreed-upon lock period and expiration date. If a lender is vague about lock extension costs, assume those costs will be significant if you need them.
7. What FICO Score and LTV Do I Need to Qualify for the Rate You Quoted?
The Challenge It Solves
Advertised rates are almost always quoted at the best possible credit tier — typically a 740 or higher FICO score and a loan-to-value ratio of 80% or below. If your actual credit profile differs from those assumptions, the rate you were quoted is not the rate you’ll receive. This is called rate-tier pricing, and it’s one of the most common sources of surprise between initial quote and final loan offer.
The Strategy Explained
Ask every lender: “What FICO score and LTV did you use to generate this quote?” Then ask: “If my actual score is [your score] and my LTV is [your LTV], what does the rate look like?”
On conventional refinances, FICO score adjustments (called loan-level price adjustments, or LLPAs) can meaningfully change the rate between a 740 score and a 680 score. On VA and FHA programs, the pricing impact of credit score is generally less severe — VA has no published minimum FICO requirement, though individual lenders set their own overlays, and FHA allows scores down to 580 with standard guidelines. Borrowers navigating a lower score should also review bad credit refinance options that may be available even when conventional pricing tiers work against you.
LTV thresholds also matter on conventional refinances. Borrowers above 80% LTV on a conventional loan typically pay private mortgage insurance or receive a pricing adjustment. On a VA cash-out refinance, eligible veterans can access up to 100% LTV — a meaningful program advantage that no conventional product matches.
It’s also worth asking whether the lender uses VantageScore 4.0 alongside traditional FICO models. Some lenders and investors are beginning to accept VantageScore 4.0 as an alternative scoring model, which can benefit borrowers whose VantageScore is materially higher than their FICO score.
Implementation Steps
1. Ask the lender to confirm the FICO score and LTV assumptions behind the rate they quoted.
2. Provide your estimated current score and LTV and ask for a revised quote based on your actual profile.
3. If you’re a veteran, ask specifically whether the lender caps VA cash-out LTV below 100% — and if so, why, since the VA program itself permits 100% LTV.
Pro Tips
If your FICO score is in a transitional range — say, 695 to 710 — ask the lender whether a rapid rescore or targeted credit improvement could move you into a better pricing tier before you lock. Even a small score improvement can translate to a meaningfully lower rate on a large loan balance. A good broker will model this for you before recommending a path forward.
8. What Is Your Average Closing Timeline for a Refinance?
The Challenge It Solves
Closing speed is a practical variable that affects rate lock cost, borrower certainty, and the total cost of the transaction. A lender who takes 60 days to close a refinance when a 30-day lock was quoted either charges an extension fee or relocks at current market rates — both of which can erode the savings the refinance was supposed to generate.
The Strategy Explained
Closing timelines vary by program type and lender channel. FHA Streamline refinances and VA IRRRLs are designed to close faster than full-documentation conventional refinances because they require less underwriting — no appraisal in most cases, limited income documentation, and a streamlined approval process. Under ideal conditions, these programs can close in 15 to 25 days through a wholesale broker channel.
Full-documentation conventional and cash-out refinances typically require an appraisal, complete income verification, and more extensive underwriting review. Expect 30 to 45 days as a realistic baseline, with retail lenders on the longer end of that range due to pipeline volume. If you’re considering a cash-out refinance specifically, understanding what drives cash-out refinance rates and timelines helps you set realistic expectations before you lock.
Ask each lender for their average closing timeline specifically for your program type — not their best-case scenario. A lender who quotes 10 days for every program regardless of documentation requirements is telling you what you want to hear, not what’s operationally realistic.
Implementation Steps
1. Ask: “What is your average closing timeline for a [VA IRRRL / FHA Streamline / conventional rate-and-term / cash-out] refinance?”
2. Ask: “What lock period do you recommend based on that timeline, and what does it cost?”
3. Ask: “What are the most common reasons closings run past the projected date, and how do you handle that?”
Pro Tips
Closing timeline is also a service quality indicator. A lender who can’t give you a specific average timeline for your program type probably doesn’t track it — which means they don’t manage it. Brokers who work within wholesale lender channels often have dedicated operations teams and defined processing benchmarks that retail lenders’ large consumer divisions don’t always match.
9. Are You a Broker or a Direct Lender — And Why Does That Difference Matter?
The Challenge It Solves
This is the foundational structural question — and most borrowers never ask it. The answer determines how many lenders are competing for your loan, what pricing you have access to, and how much transparency you get about the compensation your lender earns. Getting this answer right frames every other question on this list.
The Strategy Explained
A mortgage broker works on your behalf to shop your loan scenario across multiple wholesale lenders simultaneously. Brokers are required by federal law to disclose their compensation. Because they access wholesale pricing, they can often deliver lower rates and fees than retail lenders on the same loan scenario. MortgageRefinanceRates.com operates as a wholesale broker through Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC, with access to more than 500 wholesale lending partners.
A direct retail lender originates loans using its own capital and guidelines. Rocket Mortgage, Veterans United, and Movement Mortgage are retail lenders — they each have a defined product shelf, and they price loans to include their own margin without a separate compensation disclosure requirement. This doesn’t mean retail lenders are bad options, but it does mean you have less visibility into what they’re earning on your transaction. For a side-by-side look at how these two channels compare on a real refinance scenario, the mortgage broker vs. bank comparison breaks down the structural differences in plain terms.
According to the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), national average 30-year fixed rates are published weekly and serve as a useful benchmark for evaluating whether the rate you’ve been quoted is competitive relative to the broader market. Pull the current week’s PMMS rate and compare it against every quote you receive — it gives you a market reference point that no single lender controls.
The MBA Weekly Applications Survey also tracks national refinance application volume, giving you a sense of whether the broader market is active or contracting at the time you’re shopping. You can access that data at the MBA’s research page.
Implementation Steps
1. Ask directly: “Are you a mortgage broker or a direct lender?” If the answer is unclear or evasive, ask again.
2. Ask a broker: “How many wholesale lenders will you shop my scenario to, and will you show me the competing quotes?”
3. Ask a retail lender: “Can you explain how your compensation is structured on this loan?” Compare the transparency of the answers.
Pro Tips
The broker versus retail distinction matters most when your scenario has any complexity: a credit score below 720, a high LTV, a jumbo loan amount, a VA or FHA program, or a property type that some investors restrict. In straightforward scenarios, both channels can be competitive. In complex scenarios, a broker’s ability to shop across 500+ investors versus a retail lender’s single product shelf is a meaningful structural advantage.
Your Implementation Roadmap
Nine questions is a lot to manage across multiple lender conversations. Here’s how to sequence them for maximum impact.
Start with Question 2. Protect your credit score before anything else. Ask every lender whether they can run your scenario using a soft credit pull mortgage before you authorize any hard inquiry. This lets you gather real quotes without a credit hit.
Then tackle Questions 1 and 3 together. Rate and fees are inseparable. Use the comparison table from Question 3 as your scoring sheet across every lender you contact. Fill in each column for each lender and let the total cost picture — not just the headline rate — drive your comparison.
Move to Questions 4 and 5. Program fit and break-even math are the two filters that determine whether a refinance makes sense for your specific situation. A lender who can’t answer both of these questions clearly isn’t the right partner for a transaction this significant.
Questions 6 through 9 round out the due diligence: lock terms, credit tier pricing, closing timelines, and the broker-versus-retail structural question that frames everything else.
Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647 | Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC, NMLS #376205 is licensed in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia and can run your refinance scenario using the NoTouch Credit Pull — a no credit hit mortgage application process that gives you a real rate and payment estimate before any hard inquiry is authorized. Whether you’re pursuing a VA IRRRL, FHA Streamline, conventional rate-and-term, cash-out, or jumbo refinance, the process starts with a soft pull mortgage broker conversation, not a credit ding.
Compare personalized refinance rates now or call 804-212-8663 to speak directly with Duane. Today’s rate environment is competitive — borrowers in VA, FL, TN, and GA who ask the right questions are locking better deals than those who don’t.
Frequently Asked Questions: What to Ask Mortgage Lenders Before You Refinance
These eight questions address what refinance borrowers in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia most commonly ask before starting the lender comparison process.
Q1: Can a lender give me a real rate quote without pulling my credit?
Yes. Ask for the NoTouch Credit Pull by name. This soft credit pull mortgage process allows a wholesale broker to generate accurate rate quotes and payment scenarios without a hard inquiry. It operates as a no credit hit mortgage application — your score is untouched until you authorize a hard pull at application.
Q2: What is the maximum LTV on a VA cash-out refinance?
VA cash-out refinances allow up to 100% LTV per VA program rules, per VA.gov. This is not 90% or 95% — it is 100%. Some retail lenders apply overlays that reduce this ceiling; a wholesale broker can access investors who lend to the full program maximum.
Q3: What is the 2026 conforming loan limit for jumbo qualification?
The 2026 baseline FHFA conforming loan limit is $806,500, with a high-cost area ceiling of $1,249,125, per the FHFA conforming loan limits page. Balances above $806,500 require jumbo underwriting and investor-specific pricing.
Q4: How does APR differ from the interest rate on a mortgage quote?
The interest rate reflects the cost of borrowing principal. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) folds in lender fees, discount points, and certain closing costs, expressing total borrowing cost as a single annualized figure. The CFPB explains that APR is the more complete cost comparison tool across competing quotes.
Q5: What does a break-even calculation look like on a refinance?
Divide total closing costs by monthly payment savings. Example: $5,800 in closing costs ÷ $116/month savings = 50-month break-even. If you keep the loan beyond 50 months, the refinance is net positive. If you sell or refinance sooner, the upfront costs outweigh the savings.
Q6: What is the difference between a VA IRRRL and a VA cash-out refinance?
A VA IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan) is a VA-to-VA streamline refinance requiring no appraisal and minimal documentation in most cases. A VA cash-out refinance allows eligible veterans to borrow up to 100% LTV against their home’s appraised value. The VA.gov IRRRL page outlines full eligibility criteria.
Q7: What should I ask a lender about rate lock expiration?
Ask: (1) How long is the lock period? (2) What is the extension fee if closing runs long? (3) Do you offer a float-down option if rates drop after I lock? Get all three answers in writing. A wholesale broker processing streamline programs like VA IRRRL and FHA Streamline typically closes in 15–25 days, reducing lock extension risk.
Q8: Which states does Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC originate refinance loans in?
Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC, NMLS #376205, is licensed for mortgage origination in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia. Reach Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, directly at 804-212-8663 to initiate a mortgage pre approval without hard pull on any refinance program — VA IRRRL, FHA Streamline, conventional rate-and-term, cash-out, or jumbo.
