Spring homebuying season kicks off with tight inventory, posing challenges for buyers
“Buyers are absolutely in this sprint to get to the front of the line,” RE/MAX CEO Nick Bailey says.
5 min read
Feb 28, 2022
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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As affordability squeeze tightens, manufactured homes could offer some relief
“Grandma’s trailer” no longer, high-end manufactured homes are indistinguishable from site-built homes.
5 min read Feb 08, 2022 -
6 ways to get your home ready for listing photos
Even in a seller’s market, first impressions matter. Here’s how to prepare for your closeup.
3 min read Jan 21, 2022 -
5 hottest, coolest U.S. housing markets
San Francisco had the most homes topping list price in December.
1 min read Jan 13, 2022 -
5 housing trends for 2022: What’s ahead for mortgage rates, home prices, demographic trends?
The National Association of Realtors expects price appreciation to dip below 3% in 2022.
3 min read Dec 29, 2021 -
Survey finds 74% of homeowners haven’t refinanced despite historically low mortgage rates
The findings offer some clues about why so many homeowners are leaving money on the table.
5 min read Oct 18, 2021 -
Millennials go their own way when it comes to tapping home equity, survey finds
Tapping equity for home improvements? Tap away. How about trips and electronics? Think again.
5 min read Oct 06, 2021 -
The most valuable college majors in 2021, ranked
Engineering majors continue to have high salaries and a low unemployment rate.
6 min read Oct 04, 2021
