The Black neighborhood home appraisal gap is real. Can we close it?
There’s still a big divide between Black and White home price tags.
9 min read
Jul 12, 2024
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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Co-buying startups help frustrated homebuyers hack the market
As homebuyers grapple with affordability, some startups have stepped in to help facilitate co-buying.
4 min read Jun 12, 2024 -
What happens to the housing market in an election year?
Are presidential election years bad for the housing market?
3 min read May 24, 2024 -
The lock-in effect is keeping homes off the market. How long will it last?
Homeowners are staying on the sidelines of the housing market, biding their time.
4 min read May 20, 2024 -
In debate over mortgage ‘junk’ fees, lenders and regulators disagree
The government is stepping up scrutiny of “junk” fees — but are they really junk?
5 min read Apr 16, 2024 -
What to do when your mortgage servicer gets hacked
Learn what to do if your mortgage loan servicer gets hacked.
5 min read Mar 18, 2024 -
Younger homeowners more likely to have used retirement savings for a down payment — should you?
Is it worth using retirement savings to fund a down payment on a home?
5 min read Mar 11, 2024 -
Survey: More than half of aspiring homeowners say cost of living, low income hold them back
More than half of aspiring homeowners in a new Bankrate survey say cost of living and low incomes prevent them from saving for a down payment and closing costs.
5 min read Feb 26, 2024
