Lock or Float? Your Georgia Mortgage Rate Strategy for the Week of January 6, 2026
Mortgage rates are like the weather in Georgia - one day it's sunny, the next day you need an umbrella. If you're in the middle of buying a home right now, you're probably asking yourself the same question every buyer asks: "Should I lock my rate today, or wait and see if it gets better?"
Let me break down what's happening in the market this week and give you a clear game plan based on when you're closing.
What's Happening in the Market Right Now
Here's the snapshot as of Wednesday morning:
📉 Bond Market Activity: Bonds opened lower this week, which caused mortgage rates to tick up slightly (about .125-.250 of a discount point increase). Not a huge move, but noticeable if you're watching your rate sheet.
📊 This Week's Economic Calendar:
Weekly Unemployment Claims (released Thursday): Last week's reading came in at 208,000 new claims—slightly better than expected. When unemployment stays steady or rises a bit, it's generally good news for mortgage rates because it signals the Fed doesn't need to keep the economy "too hot."
Big One on Friday: The December Employment Situation Report drops at 8:30 AM ET. This is the single biggest market mover each month. If job growth disappoints or unemployment ticks up, mortgage rates could improve. If jobs beat expectations, rates could spike higher by Friday afternoon.
🔮 The Trend: We're in a "wait-and-see" moment. Rates are hovering near 2-month lows (around 6.19% for a 30-year fixed according to Mortgage News Daily), but Friday's jobs report could shake things up.
Lock or Float? Here's My Recommendation Based on Your Closing Date
Let me make this simple. Your decision should be based on when you're closing, not on trying to time the perfect rate.
Closing in 15 Days or Less
🔒 LOCK NOW.
You're too close to closing to gamble. Even if rates drop 0.125% after Friday's report, the risk of them spiking higher isn't worth it. Lock today and sleep well knowing your payment is set.
Closing in 30 Days
🔒 LOCK (with caution).
You're in the "danger zone." If Friday's jobs report comes in weaker than expected, you might see rates improve slightly - but the window is narrow. My advice: lock by Thursday unless you're willing to monitor rates daily and have a backup plan. If you're the type who checks rate sheets obsessively, you could float until Friday morning, but be ready to lock fast if things turn.
Why lock? A 30-day window feels like a lot of time, but rate locks typically take 1-2 business days to process, and you don't want to be scrambling during your final walk-through.
Closing in 45-60 Days
📊 FLOAT (for now).
You have time on your side. Let Friday's jobs report play out. If rates improve after the release, great -lock then. If they spike, you still have 4-6 weeks to ride out the volatility and catch a better rate later.
Watch for this: If rates drop 0.25% or more in the next 2-3 weeks, lock immediately. Don't get greedy. A quarter-point improvement is a win - take it and move on.
What Could Move Rates This Week?
Keep an eye on these events:
Friday's Jobs Report – The big one. Expect volatility.
Fed Commentary – Any speeches from Federal Reserve officials about future rate cuts (or lack thereof) can move markets.
Inflation Data – We're between CPI releases, but any surprise inflation news (like housing cost data) could ripple through.
According to recent analysis from Mortgage News Daily, rates have been "effectively unchanged for 5 straight days" heading into this week, but that calm could break quickly depending on Friday's data.
The Bottom Line
If you're closing soon (under 30 days), lock your rate and move on with your life. If you're closing in 45-60 days, you can afford to float a bit longer and see if rates improve after this week's economic releases.
Remember: The goal isn't to get the perfect rate - it's to get a good rate and not stress yourself out chasing perfection. I've seen too many buyers gamble and lose because they waited for rates to drop another 0.125%. Don't be that buyer.
Need Help Deciding?
I'm here to walk you through this. Whether you're buying your first home in Atlanta, refinancing in Savannah, or trying to figure out if a VA loan is right for you, let's talk strategy.
📞 Call me at (770) 733-1551
📧 Email me at [email protected]
🌐 Visit turnermortgageteam.com
Stay sharp out there, and I'll have another update for you next week.
– Brett Turner
Mortgage Loan Officer | Turner Mortgage Team
Helping Georgia homebuyers lock in the right rate at the right time.
This analysis is based on current market conditions as of January 8, 2026. Mortgage rates can change daily or even multiple times per day. For the most current rates and personalized advice, contact Turner Mortgage Team directly.
