Troy Segal
Freelance Writer at Freelance
Culture/lifestyle writer & editor, specializing in the arts, dining, travel, and personal finance
Articles
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1 week ago |
bankrate.com | Linda Bell |Troy Segal
The Federal Reserve stood pat on interest rates for the fourth meeting in a row, and home equity loans were flat — but HELOCs bumped up a bit. The average rate on the $30,000 HELoan remained at 8.25 percent for the third straight week. Meanwhile, the average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit rose five basis points to 8.27 percent, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders.
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2 weeks ago |
bankrate.com | Linda Bell |Troy Segal
The top stories in home equity, mortgages and real estateBuying a home might be the American dream, but owning one in 2025 comes with a hefty price tag — with ongoing expenses that many homeowners don’t see coming. A new study by Bankrate finds the average U.S. homeowner shells out more than $21,000 a year on hidden costs, with the biggest chunk (almost $9,000) going to home maintenance. See how your state ranks. Hard to believe we’re halfway through 2025.
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2 weeks ago |
bankrate.com | Linda Bell |Troy Segal
Reversing its recent rise, the average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) fell five basis points this week. At 8.22 percent, it’s still holding close to its highest level of the year, however, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. On the flip side, the average rate on the $30,000 home equity loan was unchanged, remaining at 8.25 percent — a near-low in 2025.
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3 weeks ago |
bankrate.com | Linda Bell |Troy Segal
Home equity rates are on an upward course again. In the most recent week, the average rate on a $30,000 home equity line of credit (HELOC) rose 13 basis points to 8.27 percent, close to the highest level we’ve seen since the beginning of the year, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, home equity loans ticked up too, but much more modestly — just one basis point.
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3 weeks ago |
bankrate.com | Linda Bell |Troy Segal
In 2018, Shannon Martin and her husband snagged a deal on a rundown Victorian Era home. Recently, the couple decided to tackle some much-needed renovations to it. Phase one: They took out a $20,000 personal loan to repair the roof, fireplace and chimney. Phase two: Pay off the personal loan by taking out a larger home equity line of credit (HELOC) at a lower rate later this year, and use the extra funds to tackle additional fixes, like their failing fence. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong.
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Property taxes can creep up fast and can feel completely out of your control. Here’s what triggers reassessments and how to limit property tax surprises. https://t.co/WUtxv0tyb0
Think you know the cost of homeownership? You may not know as much as we thought. @Bankrate breaks down the hidden expenses homeowners face in 2025 and it’s eye-opening. https://t.co/ctYEXei3mt
Thinking of using a HELOC to buy an investment property? It’s possible — but you’ll face challenges. David McMillan explains what to expect and how to prepare. https://t.co/SNf529lvZk