Real Estate

From finding your dream home to securing a great financing offer, we guide you through every step of the homebuying process.

Bankrate and OJO help you complete the homebuying process with ease.

We've paired with OJO, an AI-driven real estate assistant that communicates via text, to help you navigate the homebuying process with speed and precision.

Get personalized recommendations

Based on your preferences, OJO quickly learns the details you crave and can text you newly listed homes or answer every little (and not so little) question.

Supercharge your agent relationship

Ready to set up a tour or put in an offer? OJO can connect you with a local expert and quickly get them up to speed so you can hit the ground running.

Get expert help with your budget

Ready for financing? OJO can help you search Bankrate’s lender network to find the top mortgage offers that you prequalify for.

This home just hit the market. It's two miles outside your preferred area, but matches your preference of four bedrooms and space to grow.

When was the bathroom last renovated?

According to the listing agent, the bathroom was remodeled last year.

Is the backyard private?

The backyard is fenced and has a large oak tree for extra shade.

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OJO will be texting you any minute to get things started.

Real Estate Basics

Unsolicited home sale offers

Offer letters come in many forms, and you should work with an agent to figure out the best deal.

3 min read

How to make an offer on a house

Learn what to include an offer to buy a house to get your bid noticed.

6 min read

Buy or rent? How to decide

Want to buy a home? Or keep renting? We give you some pluses and minuses.

5 min read

NAR Confederate flag ban

The National Association of Realtors determined that Confederate flags are hate symbols that have no place in listing photos.

2 min read

Editor's Picks

5 housing trends for 2022: What’s ahead for mortgage rates, home prices, demographic trends?

4 min read

Real Estate

How long does it take to buy a house?

5 min read

Real Estate

Renting vs. buying a home: Which is right for you?

5 min read

Latest Articles

Could 3D printing be the future of homebuilding? See this demo house

This model 3D-printed home looks unassuming, but it’s a big step forward in building tech.

4 min read Jul 02, 2021
The building trades have a labor shortage. That means higher prices for homeowners and buyers

The labor shortage in the building trades is not a new trend, but it’s taking on a new urgency.

4 min read Jun 28, 2021
National eviction moratorium set to expire: States vary widely in delinquencies

Tenants may have access to other resources that can help them stay in their homes.

3 min read Jun 21, 2021
Do you need a real estate agent to sell your home? Here are the pros and cons

There are advantages to working with a real estate agent — and potential drawbacks.

7 min read Jun 17, 2021
The new rules for selling your home and buying another at the same time

In this market, buying your new home and selling the old can be fraught. Here’s what to do.

5 min read Jun 16, 2021
What is a townhouse?

This housing type has unique advantages, including affordability.

5 min read Jun 14, 2021
The weird, wild housing market in 5 charts

The housing market has defied all predictions. Here’s what the data reveals.

1 min read Jun 07, 2021
Renovation costs soared as much as 50% in 2020. Here’s why the high prices may stick.

Home renovation costs are being driven by high demand and supply constraints.

3 min read Jun 01, 2021
When will the housing market cool down?

Low mortgage rates are pushing home prices, but so is lack of inventory.

2 min read May 25, 2021
Weekly mortgage and real estate Q&A: Investing in property abroad

Now can be a great time to invest in real estate abroad, especially in places where markets may be less competitive than the U.S.

4 min read May 24, 2021