
What the Fed’s February rate hike means for homebuyers and sellers
The Fed has raised interest rates for eight meetings in a row, but February’s hike was much smaller.
With its double-digit price increases and intense fear of missing out, this housing boom feels a bit like the last bubble. But it's different in some important ways -- homes are in short supply, and lending standards remain far tighter than they were from 2003 to 2007.
— Jeff Ostrowski
Jeff Ostrowski writes about the U.S. housing market for Bankrate. He has appeared on CNBC and numerous radio and television outlets to discuss his reporting about real estate trends.
As the COVID-19 pandemic roiled the U.S. economy, Jeff created Bankrate's Housing Hardship Index to track which states were being hit the hardest by the crisis. As the economic slowdown transitioned into a housing boom, Jeff created Bankrate's Housing Heat Index to show which states are experiencing the most robust real estate economies.
Jeff has closely covered two nationwide housing booms and one devastating bust. Before joining Bankrate, he wrote about real estate, business and the economy for the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal. Jeff serves on the board of the nonprofit National Association of Real Estate Editors. He twice has won gold awards in the group’s journalism contest. His Bankrate coverage of housing affordability was honored in the most recent Best in Business awards from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing.
With its double-digit price increases and intense fear of missing out, this housing boom feels a bit like the last bubble. But it's different in some important ways -- homes are in short supply, and lending standards remain far tighter than they were from 2003 to 2007.
— Jeff Ostrowski
The Fed has raised interest rates for eight meetings in a row, but February’s hike was much smaller.
Mortgage rates have backed off from 7 percent.
The average rate on home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) rose to 7.73 percent this week from 7.72 percent the previous week, according to Bankrate’s national survey of large lenders.
Your lender could freeze or lower your credit line. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare.
Mortgage rates have been volatile, but there are deals to be had.
American Advisors Group and Finance of America Reverse were the most active lenders in this niche.
VA loans remain popular, but volumes dropped a bit in 2021.
Buying a home can be a long, complicated process. This step-by-step guide will help you get to the finish line.
Here are the largest FHA mortgage lenders of 2021, both by loan volume and loan value.
Non-bank lenders continue to overtake traditional banks in the mortgage biz.
Sale volume has been on a downward trend all year. That trend continues with the National Association of Realtors’ newest numbers.
The banking giant’s retrenchment means less choice for consumers.
A widely watched inflation report comes out Thursday.
The mortgage market maker will use bank accounts to determine creditworthiness.
Yes, the housing market is cooling. But there’s wide agreement among experts about one thing.
Top mortgage and real estate news of the week
VA construction loans have many advantages, including no down payment.
If you have an FHA loan, a hassle-free refinance is available.
Considering refinancing your ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage? Here’s what to know.
A 15-year mortgage might sound more attractive, but there are tradeoffs.
A 10/1 ARM is a common type of 30-year adjustable-rate mortgage.
Learn about this valuable benefit for veterans and servicemembers.
Explore these loan options if you want a house but your savings are small.
There are many refinance options based on level of equity.
Refinancing your mortgage can be a sound financial move. Or a bad one. Here’s how to tell.
Underwater mortgages can occur during an economic downturn when home values fall.
You can refinance an FHA loan to a conventional loan if you meet the requirements.
The best type of loan depends on the property and what you plan to do with it.
A tug of war is playing out in the mortgage market. Inflation is pushing rates up, while fears of a recession are pulling them back down.
Until inflation is tamed, mortgage rates are likely to keep rising.