As mortgage insurance gets cheaper, PMI becomes less of ‘a dirty word’
Mortgage borrowers with low down payments are paying less for that ri
3 min read
Jan 07, 2025
Jeff Ostrowski
Writer and Housing Market Analyst
EXPERTISE
- Mortgages
- Mortgage refinancing
- Mortgage rate trends
- Housing market
- Real estate
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Master of Arts, University of Illinois at Springfield
- Continuing coursework, including NMLS Mortgage Loan Originator education and MLO SAFE Test
About the author
Jeff Ostrowski has closely covered two nationwide housing booms and one devastating bust. Before joining Bankrate in 2020, he spent more than 20 years writing about real estate, business, the economy and politics. He previously worked as a reporter at the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal.
Since 2019, Jeff has served 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 also honored with a Best in Business award from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing.
When he’s not working, Jeff enjoys surfing, biking and traveling, usually with a surfboard or bike.
Jeff is the author of How to Buy a Home in a Miserable Market, available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.
Jeff beyond Bankrate
Jeff wants you to know
When you’re applying for a mortgage, shop around and do your homework — informed borrowers can save thousands of dollars over the life of their loan. Don’t fixate on finding the absolute perfect option, though, or timing your loan to a low point for mortgage rates. If you’re borrowing now, mortgage rates could go down in the future. Avoid worrying about all those things that are both out of your control and impossible to predict.
Jeff's latest articles
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Forecast: Mortgage rates to settle in 2025
Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride shares his take on what will happen to mortgage rates in 2025.
2 min read Jan 02, 2025 -
Can you buy a home while carrying credit card debt?
You can, but a lot depends on credit utilization. Here’s what that means and how it factors into getting a mortgage.
4 min read Nov 04, 2024 -
The mortgage refinance window finally cracks open
But is the reduction in rates worth a rush to redo your loan?
3 min read Sep 12, 2024 -
Here’s why mortgage rates won’t fall after the Fed cut
Today’s mortgage rates already reflect the likelihood of a September Federal Reserve rate cut.
2 min read Sep 12, 2024 -
What homebuyers should know before the upcoming Fed meeting
With a Fed rate cut finally on the horizon, here’s what homebuyers should know.
3 min read Sep 09, 2024 -
Mortgage wire fraud: Don’t send your down payment without first taking this simple step
There’s often a very short window to recover home down payment funds wired to scammers.
5 min read Aug 19, 2024 -
Survey: Younger homeowners are more willing to tap home equity for nonessential, big-ticket purchases
When, if ever, is it ok to cash in your ownership stake?
7 min read Aug 06, 2024
