It’s a ‘bad’ time to buy a home, but millions still are
Homebuyers are accepting the reality of higher costs.
4 min read
Nov 22, 2023
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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HELOCs replace cash-out refinancing for equity-rich homeowners
Even at higher rates, a HELOC is worth considering over other types of financing.
2 min read Nov 03, 2023 -
Millennials and mortgages: navigating the path to homeownership in a changing market
Millennials are different from previous generations when it comes to homebuying. Here’s what that looks like.
7 min read Oct 30, 2023 -
Housing market fact or fiction: 49% believe now is a bad time to buy — but is it really?
We asked Americans how they view the current real estate market, and their place in it.
6 min read Oct 30, 2023 -
Reporting rent payments boosts credit for would-be homebuyers
A free rent reporting program has helped thousands increase their credit scores.
3 min read Oct 26, 2023 -
Experts: Mortgage rates won’t rise much more — but also won’t go down any time soon
The sharp rise in mortgage rates raises a new question: How much higher could they go?
3 min read Oct 20, 2023 -
Largest mortgage lenders raise jumbo loan cutoff ahead of new 2024 limits
The largest mortgage lenders have raised the ceiling on conforming loans.
2 min read Oct 11, 2023 -
Mortgage rate forecast October 2023: Higher for longer
Don’t expect mortgage rates to depart from the current trend, experts say.
3 min read Oct 01, 2023
