Some programs offer 30-45 day rate locks when you pay for your appraisal, one that rate locks indefinitely so long as you as the borrower aren’t holding up the loan process, while others rate lock once we get to underwriting. 

The locked in listing commission to the listing agent is 3% or $1000 whichever is greater.  

If there was a Fire, Windstorm, Etc. that is covered by the policy and it results in a loss of Rental income, that coverage would be triggered. 

I have explored this idea in the Caribbean and South America a few times and never pulled the trigger as it was too much headache. 

.- Is this '777 Challenge' just an upsell gimmick that aims to lock me into some long-term subscription service with their company?

Nope says the driver with a lock and chain in is hand.

It does depend on what the lease says, but in general if you're using the TREC or Texas Realtors lease, you should have recourse to simply post a notice of abandonment on the inside of the door and if they don't contact you in 48 hours you can legally take possession and change the locks.

Hot tip: If you are an active homebuyer and have locked in a mortgage rate, don’t hesitate to ask your lender if you can re-lock that rate.

If interest rates fall below your locked-in level and rental rates continue to climb, what is the timeframe to break even?

I had a call yesterday with a rep that made me feel confident, but not quite ready to pull the trigger just yet until getting more verified reviews of their track record of returns and service.