Should I pay off my mortgage early?
If you’ve got some extra cash, should you use it to pay down your mortgage?
4 min read
Sep 24, 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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Fed cuts, mortgage rates fall to lowest levels in nearly a year
Mortgage rates drop in hopes of a Fed rate cut
3 min read Sep 17, 2025 -
How to get rid of private mortgage insurance (PMI)
Here’s how PMI removal works.
5 min read Sep 16, 2025 -
A few weeks could save you hundreds when it comes to mortgage rates
In today’s volatile rate environment, waiting a few weeks to apply for a mortgage cost save — or cost — you hundreds.
3 min read Sep 16, 2025 -
Mortgage rate scenarios to watch following a likely Fed rate cut
Three mortgage rate scenarios to watch following a likely Fed rate cut
4 min read Sep 15, 2025 -
How are mortgage rates determined?
Understanding mortgage rate movements could save you money.
6 min read Sep 12, 2025 -
With Fed expected to cut, mortgage rates fall to lowest levels in nearly a year
Mortgage rates drop in hopes of a Fed rate cut
3 min read Sep 10, 2025 -
First-time homebuyer qualifications
You can be a “first-time homebuyer” — and get financial aid — even if you’ve owned a place before.
5 min read Sep 09, 2025
