mortgage brokers usually lock the rates within 30 days

unless you insist to lock the rate earlier.

It's hard to timing the market for purchase. We recommend the market rate. On the short term, the rate is on the up trend channel. It will(definitely will) drop in the future. The 30 yr fixed rate was between 5.75% and 6.625% for the last couple of years. And every year you can get 5.875% or 6% if you like to refi.