Home equity lenders broaden the base with new HELOC and loan products
They’re courting new borrowers with innovative features and looser criteria.
5 min read
Mar 22, 2024
Jeff Ostrowski
Writer and Housing Market Analyst
EXPERTISE
- Mortgages
- Mortgage refinancing
- Mortgage rate trends
- Housing market
- Real estate
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Master of Arts, University of Illinois at Springfield
- Continuing coursework, including NMLS Mortgage Loan Originator education and MLO SAFE Test
About the author
Jeff Ostrowski has closely covered two nationwide housing booms and one devastating bust. Before joining Bankrate in 2020, he spent more than 20 years writing about real estate, business, the economy and politics. He previously worked as a reporter at the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal.
From 2019 through 2025, Jeff served on the board of the nonprofit National Association of Real Estate Editors. He twice has won gold awards in the group’s journalism contest. His Bankrate coverage of housing affordability was also honored with a Best in Business award from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing.
When he’s not working, Jeff enjoys surfing, biking and traveling, usually with a surfboard or bike.
Jeff is the author of How to Buy a Home in a Miserable Market, available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.
Jeff beyond Bankrate
Jeff wants you to know
When you’re applying for a mortgage, shop around and do your homework — informed borrowers can save thousands of dollars over the life of their loan. Don’t fixate on finding the absolute perfect option, though, or timing your loan to a low point for mortgage rates. If you’re borrowing now, mortgage rates could go down in the future. Avoid worrying about all those things that are both out of your control and impossible to predict.
Jeff's latest articles
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How to successfully negotiate real estate commissions
The way real estate commissions work is about to change. Here’s how to negotiate successfully.
4 min read Mar 21, 2024 -
Pandemic mortgage forbearance draws to a close, but new relief options emerge
Though the pandemic emergency has ended, mortgage borrowers still have relief options.
5 min read Mar 21, 2024 -
Rates remain elevated | Mortgage rates for March 20th, 2024
Today's average rate for the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.90, the average rate you'll pay for a 15-year fixed mortgage is 6.48 percent, and the average rate on a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage is 6.64 percent.
5 min read Mar 20, 2024 -
Should you pay off your mortgage before a recession?
Owing money on a house can feel risky, but keep in mind where mortgages rank in the debt hierarchy.
4 min read Mar 19, 2024 -
Rates decrease - Mortgage rates for today, March 19, 2024
The current average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.88, the average rate you'll pay for a 15-year fixed mortgage is 6.41 percent, and the average rate on a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage is 6.38 percent.
5 min read Mar 19, 2024 -
What to do when your mortgage servicer gets hacked
Learn what to do if your mortgage loan servicer gets hacked.
5 min read Mar 18, 2024 -
Rates decrease - Today's mortgage rates, March 15, 2024
The current average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.86, the average rate for the benchmark 15-year fixed mortgage is 6.40 percent, and the average rate on a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage is 6.20 percent.
4 min read Mar 15, 2024
