Linda Bell
Senior Writer, Home Lending at Bankrate
Senior Writer Home Lending @Bankrate, Award-winning reporter, writer & creator of personal finance content. Previously @NerdWallet, @Bloomberg & @FoxBusiness
Articles
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1 week ago |
bankrate.com | Linda Bell |Troy Segal
Multigenerational homes, in which multiple age groups live under one roof, have quadrupled between 1971 and 2021, involving nearly 60 million people. The rise is attributed to high housing costs, caregiving concerns, and social shifts in the U.S. population. Making a home multigenerational involves creating spaces that cater to all age groups, ensuring comfort, functionality, and some level of independence and privacy.
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2 weeks ago |
bankrate.com | Linda Bell |Troy Segal
Home equity rates were flat for the week as the U.S. economy showed signs of cooling. The average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) rose one basis point this week to 7.95 percent, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Home equity loans held steady, with the average $30,000 home equity loan clocking in at 8.36 percent — unchanged at this low for 2025.
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3 weeks ago |
bankrate.com | Linda Bell |Troy Segal
The top stories in home equity, mortgages and real estateUsually, prices drop when demand dwindles. But In March 2025, the median home price was more than $403,00 — the highest March median on record – even as home sales recorded the slowest number for the month since 2009. What does this all mean for the housing market, and for home affordability? Homeowners in the U.S. have seen a big boost in wealth thanks to rising home equity, which hit nearly $35 trillion by the end of 2024.
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3 weeks ago |
bankrate.com | Linda Bell |Troy Segal
Both home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are heading down. The average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) once again broke through the 8 percent barrier, declining 8 basis points this week to 7.94 percent, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Home equity loans also retreated in the latest week, with the average $30,000 home equity loan falling four basis points to 8.36 percent.
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3 weeks ago |
bankrate.com | Linda Bell |Suzanne De Vita
When my husband and I bought our New Jersey home more than 20 years ago, we were thrilled to have found a house that checked nearly all of our boxes. That list included lower property taxes — one of the hidden costs of homeownership that can make it harder to afford to buy. For four years, my husband and I basked in the glow of those low taxes. We faithfully paid our quarterly bill, oblivious to what lay ahead. Today, our “low” tax bill is anything but.
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Home equity loans are everywhere, but not everyone qualifies. Here’s what you need to know about them and how you can boost your odds of approval. https://t.co/kt5yTBqPu7
Does buying a home feel out of reach? @Bankrate shows what income you really need to buy a home in each state—the results may surprise you. https://t.co/S1AvGHwjJL
Long-term care costs have skyrocketed, leaving many wondering how they’ll pay for it. Tapping into home equity may be an option. Here’s how it works and what to know first. https://t.co/5H8eSQ7rTi