How to get the best mortgage rate
With interest rates rising, shopping around is more important than ever.
11 min read
Feb 18, 2025
Taylor Freitas
Contributor, Personal Finance
Taylor Freitas is a Bankrate contributor with over a decade of professional journalism experience. Over her career, she has covered various topics, including personal finance, credit cards, travel rewards, home ownership, mortgages, and home improvement.
When she isn’t writing, Taylor can be found using points and miles to explore new countries (most recently, Cambodia and Vietnam), discovering new music, and cheering on her beloved USC Trojans.
Find Taylor Freitas beyond Bankrate
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Taylor's latest articles
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Washington, D.C. first-time homebuyer assistance programs
If you’re a first-time homebuyer in Washington, D.C., help is available.
5 min read Feb 13, 2025 -
What is negative equity? A guide to underwater mortgages
It’s when your home’s value sinks below the amount you owe on your mortgage.
9 min read Feb 11, 2025 -
How do real estate agent fees and commissions work?
Real estate commissions: How much they are, how they work, who pays them.
5 min read Feb 06, 2025 -
How to buy land using your home equity
If paying cash or obtaining a land loan isn’t an option, you might be able to use a second mortgage to buy land.
6 min read Feb 06, 2025 -
What is a notice of default?
A notice of default is the first legal step in foreclosure. If left unaddressed, you could lose your home.
4 min read Jan 31, 2025 -
Closing costs in Kansas: Who pays for what
Who pays closing costs in Kansas? Both buyers and sellers will have some form of expenses.
5 min read Jan 07, 2025 -
FHA loans: Definition, requirements and limits
FHA loans can help borrowers with less-than-ideal credit and cash. But they aren’t perfect.
9 min read Dec 17, 2024