Holden Lewis writes about mortgages and real estate for Bankrate.com. His award-winning Web log, Mortgage Matters, explains how mortgage rates and real estate are affected by economic and political developments. The blog is written in easy-to-understand language for people who are not professionals in the mortgage or real estate industries.

Lewis has worked as a reporter and editor his entire professional life. His experience in the mortgage and real estate business comes only as a customer. He has bought two houses and sold one, using an agent every time. He has refinanced once and has a home equity line of credit, which he kept even as the rate doubled.

After graduating from the University of North Texas, Lewis worked for the Associated Press, where he reported from the United States and Mexico, and then as a reporter and editor for The Blade in Toledo, Ohio. He moved to Florida in 1999 to write about personal finance for Bankrate.com. He lives in Jupiter, Fla., with his wife and son and a large collection of lawn-care implements.