Now is the perfect time to lock in a low mortgage rate. The economy is continuing to grow – which is fantastic! – and it is affecting the housing market. CNBC reported Wednesday that applications to refinance a home loan rose 5 percent. Why the sudden interest in refinancing? With the economy growing, the Federal Reserve is likely to increase rates when it meets on March 13 and there is a high probability that rates will increase even further in 2017. There is no need to worry, however, because River City Mortgage can lock in a low rate right now.