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Jeff Ostrowski

Principal writer, Home lending
Ribbon Icon EXPERTISE
  • Mortgages
  • Mortgage refinancing
  • Mortgage rate trends
  • Housing market
  • Real estate
Education Icon 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.

Since 2019, Jeff has 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.

Cropped image of Jeffrey Ostrowski ebook

Jeff beyond Bankrate

CNN interviews Jeff Ostrowski about hottest and coldest housing market

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Schwab Network interviews Jeff Ostrowski about mortgage rates

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New York Times interviews Jeff Ostrowski about housing supply

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Washington Post cites Jeff Ostrowski about mortgage rates

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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

  • Colorado Mortgage and Refinance Rates

    Looking for home mortgage rates in Colorado? View loan interest rates from local banks, CO credit unions and brokers, from Bankrate.com.

    8 min read Aug 31, 2022
  • Virginia Mortgage and Refinance Rates

    Looking for home mortgage rates in Virginia? View loan interest rates from local banks, VA credit unions and brokers, from Bankrate.com.

    10 min read Aug 30, 2022
  • Connecticut Mortgage and Refinance Rates

    Looking for home mortgage rates in Connecticut? View loan interest rates from local banks, CT credit unions and brokers, from Bankrate.com.

    7 min read Aug 30, 2022
  • Louisiana Mortgage and Refinance Rates

    Looking for home mortgage rates in Louisiana? View loan interest rates from local banks, LA credit unions and brokers, from Bankrate.com.

    9 min read Aug 30, 2022
  • Indiana Mortgage and Refinance Rates

    Looking for home mortgage rates in Indiana? View loan interest rates from local banks, IN credit unions and brokers, from Bankrate.com.

    8 min read Aug 29, 2022
  • Illinois Mortgage and Refinance Rates

    Looking for home mortgage rates in Illinois? View loan interest rates from local banks, IL credit unions and brokers, from Bankrate.com.

    9 min read Aug 29, 2022
  • Missouri Mortgage and Refinance Rates

    Looking for home mortgage rates in Missouri? View loan interest rates from local banks, MO credit unions and brokers, from Bankrate.com.

    8 min read Aug 29, 2022