Bankrate

Homeownership costs keep climbing — and now utilities are joining the list. Electricity prices are up 5.1% this year, on top of 5% last year. Here's what's driving it and what you can do. bit.ly/4eO9lIj

Redlining ended decades ago. The $212,000 equity gap it left behind didn't. bit.ly/4wwPp37

2026 was supposed to be the year of the "Great Housing Reset." Mortgage rates had other plans. Here's what's keeping buyers and sellers on the sidelines. bit.ly/4nuvspi

A low intro mortgage rate can help you buy a home. But what happens when it resets higher? One homeowner went from 4.625% to 6.625% and is now weighing when to refinance. bit.ly/42vWNhp

In 2026, median earners are priced out of 75% of the housing market. For many first-time buyers, getting a home now means more lenders, more compromises and redefining what’s “essential.” bit.ly/3OYsM6O

A small difference in your mortgage rate adds up over time. Over 30 years, even a slightly lower rate can save you tens of thousands of dollars — enough to make a real impact on your financial future. bit.ly/4cThMRj

Mortgage myths are still shaping how many people think about buying a home. From credit scores to down payments, the reality is often more flexible than expected. bit.ly/4tMGo43

Asia Ore plans to buy a home—just not yet. The 28-year-old is prioritizing savings and stability as the median age of first-time buyers hits a record 40. bit.ly/490dDc3

Where are buyers gaining the upper hand in today’s housing market? Bankrate’s Buyer Opportunity Index shows Colorado Springs, Raleigh, and Austin now favor buyers, while New York, Milwaukee, and Chicago remain highly competitive. bit.ly/42RhrIM

A $10,000 disagreement cost one home seller $16,000. In parts of the Sun Belt, a cooler market is shifting leverage to buyers. Holding out for more can come at a cost. bit.ly/48xLgBC

NEWS: The Fed held interest rates steady for a third straight meeting — and what could likely be Jerome Powell’s last as chair.

Mortgage rates are easing, and nearly 3M homeowners could lower their payment by refinancing. At 6.34%, 2.7M could benefit today, with millions more if rates fall. bit.ly/3OTPFbj

Priced out of buying, some Americans are considering building instead. But with land loan rates as high as 10%–16%, that path isn’t simple either. Here’s how one Seattle construction worker is navigating the tradeoffs: bit.ly/4cfDKh7

Buying your first home? It’s a lot, we know. Start with the basics: know what you can afford, understand your loan options and shop around for the best rate. bit.ly/36E2EIe

Jocelyn Becerra spent a year working nights and weekends, putting every dollar from her second job toward a down payment. In a market where many are priced out, her story shows what it can take to buy a first home today. Read more: bit.ly/4cqOKHj

Will mortgage rates drop by the end of the year? Bankrate’s latest survey of 18 leading economists signals a shift in the trajectory of the U.S. economy. From mortgage rate relief to labor market resilience, here is what the experts forecast for 2026. bit.ly/3Qb07vs

Kayla Palmer thought she found her Nashville dream home. Instead, she found a “money pit.” In a fast-moving market, it’s easy to get swept up in the rush to close. But as Kayla learned, the real costs of homeownership often start after you get the keys. bit.ly/4cypos4

Existing home sales slowed in March, down 3.6% as higher mortgage rates and low inventory weigh on the market. Activity isn’t zero—but with rates around 6.5%, buyers need to be strategic. Shopping around for a mortgage rate still matters.

The “starter home” didn’t disappear—it got harder to build. In many parts of the U.S., the path to building smaller, more affordable homes has narrowed over time. bankrate.com/mortgages/yimb…

Ayesha Garnett knew buying a home wouldn’t be easy. In a market where many are priced out, she cut back, stayed disciplined and found a path to homeownership. “You can have what you want — you just got to really work for it.” bit.ly/47OE3ge