Shipping container fans say metal boxes can ease housing squeeze
If you’re willing to live in a small space, you can save big bucks.
3 min read
Jul 16, 2021
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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Why Georgia is Bankrate’s best state for retirement in 2021
Florida and Arizona rank high in Bankrate’s list of top places to retire, but they’re not No. 1.
2 min read Jul 07, 2021 -
This index shows where you should buy a home, and where you’re better off renting
See which markets are more likely to reward renting over buying, and vice-versa.
2 min read Jun 03, 2021 -
Survey: More Americans say pandemic has delayed financial milestones
The pandemic has folks putting off major financial decisions, like homebuying.
3 min read Apr 07, 2021 -
Real estate commissions fall to new lows as homes fly off the market
Real estate commissions have fallen to a new low, and the reasons might surprise you.
4 min read Mar 02, 2021 -
5 most and least popular states for Americans who moved during COVID
Texas and Florida added the most new residents. New York and Illinois lost the most.
3 min read Feb 12, 2021 -
Biden Admin and housing: Tax credits for first-time homebuyers, more
Biden’s housing platform attacks affordability issues.
4 min read Nov 11, 2020 -
The surprising reasons home prices have held up in this recession
U.S. home prices rarely fall during recessions, and the latest downturn follows that pattern.
4 min read Sep 25, 2020
