Maggie Kempken

About the author

Maggie is a former managing editor for Bankrate mortgages, home equity and personal finance. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the home lending editorial team and leads a team of personal finance experts who help make home loans and other personal finance topics accessible and easy to understand.

Maggie has worked on the Bankrate editorial team since September 2020, where she became the managing editor for insurance (auto, home and life) before moving over to manage the home lending team. Prior, she worked in marketing and communications within the regulated utility industry for six years. She has over 25 years of experience in brand creation and management, public relations, B2B and B2C marketing, writing and communications.

Before joining Bankrate, Maggie started her career in the hospitality industry, working for the gold standard in brand excellence, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. She also has experience working in the health insurance, tech and association management industries, and has helped numerous startups develop and incorporate foundational business and marketing plans. When she’s not working, Maggie enjoys spending time with her family, as well as traveling and cooking.

Maggie wants you to know
I think for a lot of people buying their first home, you kind of get carried along by the process (which your builder and/or your realtor usually directs with the goal of getting you in a home as quickly as possible). Often, you're just grateful when you get approved for a mortgage so you can get the house you want (I know I was). But taking a little extra time to understand what's available to you, how it works--and who can give it to you for the lowest cost--can save you thousands over the years.