
A woman of property: Facts about women in real estate
Women could not finance a home purchase on their own until the 1970s.
Your home is often the single most valuable asset you own. So, it’s important to know how to take care of it, maintaining — and even increasing — its worth.
— Troy Segal
Troy Segal is Senior Editor, Homeownership for Bankrate. She handles topics relating to the physical and financial health of homes, from upkeep and maintenance to building equity and enhancing value.
Troy first became interested in finance at her mother’s knee — as her mother researched Treasury bond interest rates in the newspaper’s business section. She grew up to become a staff editor at Business Week for several years, where she developed the magazine’s “Personal Business” section, covering money and wealth management topics from the individual’s point of view. Later, as Social Issues editor, she handled cover stories on education, health care and workplace diversity.
She has also written and edited articles about investments, real estate, banking, and other money subjects for Investopedia, Business Insider, Worth, and Entrepreneur. On the lighter lifestyle side, Troy's experience and interests include dining and theater (for Zagat Survey), fashion and design (for Women's Wear Daily), and travel (for Where New York).
Whether it’s finances or food, what fascinates her is the ways in which money and life intersect.
Troy is a graduate of Harvard College and holds an M.A. from New York University.
Your home is often the single most valuable asset you own. So, it’s important to know how to take care of it, maintaining — and even increasing — its worth.
— Troy Segal
Women could not finance a home purchase on their own until the 1970s.
No, it’s not exactly the same as refinancing your home’s mortgage.
Getting preapproved for the right mortgage amount is the first step in getting your dream home. Here’s how to wangle more from your lender.
If you need to write a letter of explanation, there’s no need to panic.
Borrowing from your home equity can pay off, but only if you’re smart about it.
Protect yourself from being charged over a loan delay that wasn’t your fault.
This legal process could help you in a foreclosure situation — but it comes with a catch.
It’s like a mortgage, only it makes foreclosure a lot easier. Homebuyer beware.
They’re not just mortgages for new builds, and you need to know their unique wrinkles.
Yes, shopping around can make a difference and save you thousands.
Top mortgage and real estate news of the week
Mortgage rates have been volatile, but there are deals to be had.
More often than not, you don’t need to put down money to refinance your mortgage.
It’s doable, but your lender may put you through some extra hoops. Here’s what’s allowed.
BPOs are normally performed by a broker familiar with the local housing market.