Suzanne De Vita

3 weeks ago | bankrate.com | Jeff Ostrowski |Suzanne De Vita

Homes are acutely unaffordable, a reality that’s pushing stressed-out buyers to consider fixer-uppers. While older homes might offer bargains upfront, there’s a catch: Aging properties saddle owners with maintenance costs that squeeze budgets and test patience. Homebuyers need nearly $117,000 in household income to afford a home, so buying an older one that needs work isn’t necessarily an ideal solution. How old are America’s homes? America’s housing stock is graying.

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.

1 month ago | bankrate.com | Andrew Dehan |Suzanne De Vita

Mortgage rates could stay within a narrow range for the remainder of 2025, according to a poll by Bankrate, making it harder for homebuyers and homeowners with higher rates to time their choices to buy or refinance. The quarterly poll, which asks experts for their expectations on the 10-year Treasury yield and 30-year mortgage rates, was conducted from March 20 to March 26, 2025. Will mortgage rates go down further this year?

1 month ago | bankrate.com | Laurie Richards |Suzanne De Vita

My husband and I have owned our first home for a full year. In that year, we sharpened our painting skills, became frequent shoppers at The Home Depot and discovered just how much goes into owning a home versus renting an apartment. One of our biggest takeaways: No matter what type of home you buy, it’s important to set aside funds for emergencies and unexpected expenses. This is even more important if you’re buying an older house, like we did, or waived the home inspection, which we also did.

1 month ago | bankrate.com | Andrew Dehan |Suzanne De Vita

Average mortgage rates came down across all terms compared to a week ago, according to Bankrate data. Rates for 30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, 5/1 ARMs and jumbo loans all dropped. Mortgage rates move for many reasons, and can be buffeted quickly as conditions in the economy shift. President Trump’s recent tariff announcements have driven investors to 10-year Treasury bonds, driving the yields down and taking mortgage rates with them.