What is the draw period on a HELOC?
It’s the fun part, when you get your money. But you have to be ready when it ends.
5 min read
Oct 20, 2025
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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Mortgage rates fall slightly amid hopes for another Fed rate cut
After holding steady for three straight weeks, mortgage rates edged a bit lower.
3 min read Oct 15, 2025 -
What is a HELOC?
A HELOC works like a big credit card — one that uses your home as collateral for cash you borrow.
12 min read Oct 13, 2025 -
3 traps the mortgage industry doesn’t want you to know about — and how to avoid them
The mortgage industry has ways to keep you from shopping around or getting the best deal. Here’s how to avoid the traps.
6 min read Oct 10, 2025 -
Mortgage rates continue to hold steady, despite Fed rate cut
Despite a rate cut, mortgage rates have held steady for three straight weeks.
3 min read Oct 08, 2025 -
No movement for mortgage rates, despite Fed rate cut
Despite the Fed rate cut, mortgage rates hold steady.
3 min read Oct 01, 2025 -
Survey: One in six aspiring homeowners have given up in the last five years
A discouraging housing market has some aspiring homeowners ending their home search.
5 min read Sep 29, 2025 -
Mortgage rates rebound after Fed rate cut
Mortgage rates rise after a Fed rate cut.
3 min read Sep 24, 2025
