Michele Petry
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Articles by Michele Petry
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HELOCs dip, home equity loan rates tick higher Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate A mixed week for home equity rates. The $30,000 home equity line of credit fell two basis points to 7.43%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan rose two basis points to 8.12%, its highest level this year. As HELOC rates become more affordable, Brandon Schneider, founder and financial planner at Deliberate Wealth, highlights some of their benefits.
Upward streak for HELOCs continues as home equity loans decline Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate A split decision for home equity rates this week. In its fifth straight week of gains, the $30,000 home equity line of credit jumped two basis points to 7.41%, close to its highest level this year, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan fell four basis points to 8.05%.
Mortgage rates rise again as inflation reading, Iran conflict undermine confidence Original
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates moved up once again this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.46%, up from 6.43% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey.
Mortgage rates remain above 6.5% as inflation spikes Original
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates inched up this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.55%, up from 6.51% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey.
Mortgage rates dip below 6.5% as Fed holds steady Original
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates moved down this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.48%, down from 6.55% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey.
Mortgage rates dip, but still above 6.5% Original
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates retreated this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.51%, down from 6.56% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey.
Mortgage rates dip, but still above 6.5% Original
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates retreated this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.56%, down from 6.60% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey.
Mortgage rates continue to rise as bond yields climb Original
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates moved up once again this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.60%, up from 6.46% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey.
Mortgage rates rise as Iran conflict rattles confidence Original
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates moved up once again this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.43%, up from 6.37% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey.
How much house can I afford?
Mortgages How Much House Can I Afford? A house is one of the biggest purchases you can make, so figuring out how much you can afford is a key step in the home-buying process. You’ll need to start by weighing how much money you have coming in — your monthly earnings from your job, investments and any other streams of income — versus how much you have going out to cover costs like student loans, credit card balances and car payments.
HELOC rates fall near 7% as home equity loan rates hold the line Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate A big drop in HELOC rates in the latest week. The $30,000 home equity line dropped 13 basis points to 7.04%, its lowest level since 2022, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. In contrast, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan was unchanged, holding at 7.85%. Both HELOCs and home equity loans are the most affordable they’ve been in years, making them a more competitive borrowing option.
Mortgage rates spike as Iran conflict continues Original
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates moved up once again this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.44%, up from 6.27% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey.
HELOC rates hit lowest level in more than three years as Fed stands pat on rates Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate A slight drop in HELOC rates for the week, as the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at its second meeting of 2026. The $30,000 home equity line dipped one basis point to 7.17%, the lowest it’s been in three-plus years, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan jumped one basis point to 7.85%.
Fed holds steady, but mortgage rates still rise Original
Image by PM Images/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Mortgage rates moved up once again this week, with the 30-year fixed rate averaging 6.27%, up from 6.19% last week, according to Bankrate’s latest lender survey.
Home equity rates hold steady at multi-year lows Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate No movement for home equity rates in the latest week. The $30,000 home equity line and the five-year $30,000 home equity loan were unchanged, holding at 7.18% and 7.84%, respectively, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders.
HELOC Rates Hit Lowest Level In Three-Plus Years Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity rates became more affordable in the latest week. The $30,000 home equity line of credit sank 14 basis points to 7.18%, its lowest level in more than three years, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan fell three basis points to 7.84%.
Modest Shifts Leave Home Equity Rates Largely Steady Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate A mixed performance for home equity rates this week, holding near their lowest levels in about three years. The $30,000 home equity line of credit rose one basis point to 7.32%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan fell two basis points to 7.87%.
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HELOC & Home Equity Rates Decline To 3-Year Lows Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity rates fell this week, reaching their lowest levels in about three years. The $30,000 home equity line of credit fell one basis point to 7.31%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan fell three basis points to 7.89%. While rates can influence the home equity product you decide to take, they’re not the only factor at play.
HELOC & Home Equity Rates Up Slightly Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Slight gains for home equity rates in the latest week. The $30,000 home equity line of credit rose one basis point to 7.32%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan gained two basis points to 7.92%. Even with this week’s rise, home equity rates are holding close to three-year lows.
HELOC & Home Equity Rates At Multi-Year Lows Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity borrowing costs have dropped to levels not seen in about three years. The $30,000 home equity line of credit fell 13 basis points to 7.31%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the five-year $30,000 home equity loan edged down two basis points to 7.90%. In this favorable rate environment, how do you decide if a HELOC or a home equity loan is the best option for you?
Home Equity And HELOC Rates Hold At Three-Year Low Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate No movement in home equity rates, as the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at its first meeting of 2026. The $30,000 home equity line of credit and the five-year $30,000 home equity loan were flat for the week, remaining at 7.44% and 7.92%, respectively, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders.
Home Equity And HELOC Rates Hit 3-Year Lows Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Mixed action for home equity rates in the latest week, with both products landing at their lowest level in three years. The benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity loan fell six basis points to 7.92%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. At the same time, the $30,000 home equity line of credit remained unchanged, holding at its three-year low of 7.44%.
HELOC Rates Plunge To Lowest Level In 3 Years Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate HELOC rates took a big dive in the latest week, dropping to three-year lows. The $30,000 home equity line of credit plummeted 78 basis points to 7.44%, as a major lender resumed its promotions, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity loan rose one basis point to 7.98%. Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate, puts the two-week HELOC roller coaster ride in context.
HELOCs Soar Above 8% To Start The New Year Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate A huge jump in HELOC rates to start the new year. The $30,000 home equity line of soared 59 basis points to 8.22%, as a major lender ended promotions, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity loan dropped two basis points to 7.97%.
HELOCs Near 3-Year Lows, Home Equity Rates Hold Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate HELOC rates are feeling the impact of the Federal Reserve’s recent quarter-point rate cut. The $30,000 home equity line of credit fell 18 basis points to 7.63%, its lowest level in almost three years, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity loan held steady at 7.99% for the third week in a row.
Home Equity Rates Hold Steady Despite Fed Cut Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity rates held steady as the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter point at its final meeting of 2025. The $30,000 home equity line of credit was unchanged, holding at 7.81% for the fifth straight week, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity loan also held at 7.99%, its lowest level in two years.
Little Change in Home Equity Rates Ahead of Fed Meeting Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity rates barely budged heading into the final Federal Reserve meeting of 2025. The $30,000 home equity line of credit was unchanged, holding at 7.81% for the fourth straight week, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity loan fell two basis points to 7.99%, its lowest level in two years.
Holiday Brings Little Change To Home Equity Rates Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Minimal movements for home equity rates this Thanksgiving week. The $30,000 home equity line of credit was unchanged, holding at 7.81% for the third week in a row, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity loan inched up two basis points to 8.01%, keeping near its lowest point in two years. Rates have stayed within a tight range throughout November.
Home Equity Rates Hold Steady At Two-Year Lows Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Home equity rates were unchanged in the latest week, holding at their lowest point in two years. The $30,000 home equity line of credit stayed at 7.81%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark five-year $30,000 home equity loan also didn’t budge, remaining at 7.99%.
Home Equity Rates Fall To Lowest Level In Two Years Original
Image: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate More relief for home equity rates in the latest week. The $30,000 home equity line of credit fell one basis point to 7.81%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders, its lowest level in two years. Meanwhile, the benchmark 5-year $30,000 home equity loan dropped three basis points to 7.99%, also at a two-year low. Where might home equity rates go in the near term?
HELOCS Drop, Home Equity Loans Hold Steady Original
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Home equity line of credit (HELOC) rates have dipped to levels not seen since March 2023. The $30,000 home equity line of credit fell eight basis points to 7.82%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark 5-year $30,000 home equity loan was unchanged, holding at 8.02%, a two-year low.
Home Equity Loan Rates Fall on Fed Cut Original
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate It’s a mixed showing for home equity rates as the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter point, its second rate reduction in 2025. The benchmark 5-year $30,000 home equity loan fell nine basis points to 8.02 percent, its lowest level since March 2023, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the $30,000 home equity line of credit rose five basis points to 7.90 percent.
Home Equity Rates This Week Barely Budge Original
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate A split decision for home equity rates in the latest week. The $30,000 home equity line of credit rose one basis point to 7.85 percent, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark 5-year $30,000 home equity loan edged down two basis points to 8.11 percent, extending its lowest level in two years.
Home Equity Rates Maintain Their Two-Year Low
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Minimal movement in home equity rates in the latest week. The benchmark 5-year $30,000 home equity loan edged down two basis points to 8.13 percent, marking the second week at its lowest level in two years. Meanwhile, the $30,000 home equity line of credit was unchanged, holding at 7.84 percent, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders.
Home Equity Rates Slide To Two-Year Lows Original
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Home equity rates ticked lower in the latest week, reaching levels not seen since 2023. The $30,000 home equity line of credit fell five basis points to 7.84 percent, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. Meanwhile, the benchmark 5-year $30,000 home equity loan fell six basis points, to 8.15 percent.
Is Home Equity The Solution To Record-High Debt? Original
hikesterson/Getty Images Table of contents Traditional ways to access home equity A new approach Bottom line: Read the fine print Sometimes, two seemingly incongruous things can be true at the same time. For example, it’s true that U.S. homeowners have amassed an extraordinary amount of home equity these days — roughly $34.5 trillion.
Home Equity Rates Remain Near 2025 Lows
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate Home equity rates nudged modestly higher in the latest week, sticking close to their lows of the year. The $30,000 home equity line of credit rose one basis point to 7.89 percent, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. The benchmark 5-year $30,000 home equity loan rose two basis points, to 8.21 percent.
Home Equity Borrowing Forecast: What's Next
carlofranco / Getty Images Table of contents Fed tightening to improve home equity rates Home equity rate relief impact Teaser rate offers will be subdued Why equity tapping is likely to rise How homeowners can prepare The Federal Reserve just did something it hadn’t yet done in 2025: It lowered its benchmark overnight lending rate. While the markets largely expected September’s quarter-point rate cut, it does mark the beginning of a potential easing cycle after months of holding rates steady.
Home Equity Rates Tumble One Week After Fed Cut Original
Image by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate A sharp pullback in home equity rates, one week after the Fed’s highly anticipated quarter-point rate cut. The $30,000 home equity line of credit tumbled 17 basis points to 7.88 percent, its lowest level in about a year-and-a-half, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. The benchmark 5-year $30,000 home equity loan dropped to a new low, falling 9 basis points, to 8.19 percent.
Can The Fed Save The Housing Market?
Image by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Table of contents The affordability problem Is the Fed to blame? Will Fed cuts save the housing market? Bottom line By most objective measures, the U.S. housing market is in a rut. After peaking at 6.1 million existing-home sales in 2021, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), transaction volume dipped to just over 4 million by 2024. And 2025 sales are on pace to stay right around that mark.
What Not To Say When Selling A House Original
Las Vegas Review-Journal/Getty Images Table of contents What not to tell buyers What not to ask your agent Tips for smarter communication Key takeaways Understanding what not to say when selling a home can help you maintain bargaining power and secure a higher price. It’s best to let your real estate agent do the talking when possible, to avoid revealing information that might negatively impact the sale.
Rising Repair Costs Are Hurting Home Affordability Original
Even as home price appreciation has slowed down, affordability has gotten worse, especially for first-time homebuyers. As has often been noted, a slower rate of price appreciation doesn’t mean that prices are going down; it just means they’re going up more slowly. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta estimates that homebuyers needed a median income of over $126,000 to afford a median-priced home in June, while the actual median income in the U.S. was a bit over $79,000 — a gap of almost $47,000.
The Private Listing Controversy In Real Estate Original
Last year’s lawsuit regarding agent commissions has resulted in many home listings being purposely kept off the MLS and exclusive to a specific brokerage. Proponents of this strategy say it maintains sellers’ privacy and gives them important marketing advantages. Opponents think that keeping a listing from prospective buyers harms the seller and amounts to dereliction of duty. It’s been a rough year for home sales.
When Are Home Prices Going To Fall?
U.S. home prices have been on a roll. Defying the downward pull of an affordability squeeze and elevated mortgage rates, home values keep setting records. In fact, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) just reported 24 consecutive months of year-over-year price increases. When might this momentum finally reach its limits? Not any time soon, apparently: The median price of existing-home sales rose to $435,300 in June, an all-time record, according to NAR.
What Is A Joint Mortgage, And Should You Get One?
Joint mortgages allow two or more people to combine their assets and income to qualify for a home loan. Joint mortgage loans don’t impact the ownership of the home, which is dictated by the names on the property title. When applying for a joint mortgage, lenders consider the credit score of all parties who are part of the mortgage application. If you’re concerned you might not qualify for a mortgage on your own, you might consider teaming up with one or more other parties on your application.
Down Payment Help For Homebuyers: Where To Look Original
Coming up with enough cash for a down payment is one of the biggest hurdles for homebuyers, especially first-timers. But putting down a full 20 percent of the purchase price isn’t necessary — many financing options have much lower requirements. There are also many down payment assistance programs that can help buyers cover these and other homebuying costs. The dream of homeownership probably seems farther and farther away for many prospective buyers.
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac To Begin Using VantageScore Original
For decades, mortgage lenders have used a single credit score — the FICO score — to underwrite applications for home loans. But that’s about to change. Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, announced July 8 that mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will begin using a second credit score from a competing company that takes more financial factors into account. “Credit history will no longer just include credit cards and loans,” Pulte wrote on X.
Real Estate Investors’ Impact On The Housing Market
Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate Table of contents Is Wall Street gobbling up Main Street? Or are investors actually helping the market? States most impacted by investor ownership Boon, bane or somewhere in-between? Key takeaways Many people — and politicians — blame large investors for buying up available homes and making prices unaffordable for everyday Americans. But studies show that the largest institutional investors operate in only a small handful of U.S. markets.
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