How to get the best mortgage rate
Shopping around for the best rate possible is more important than ever.
7 min read
Sep 04, 2025
Taylor Freitas
Contributor, Personal Finance
EXPERTISE
- Real estate
- Home equity loans and mortgages
- Personal finance
- Consumer loans
- Small business loans
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Southern California
Taylor Freitas is a Bankrate contributor with over a decade of professional journalism experience. Over her career, she has covered various topics, including personal finance, credit cards, travel rewards, home ownership, mortgages, and home improvement.
When she isn’t writing, Taylor can be found using points and miles to explore new countries (most recently, Cambodia and Vietnam), discovering new music, and cheering on her beloved USC Trojans.
Find Taylor Freitas beyond Bankrate
- LA Weekly
- CNET
- ZDNet
Taylor's latest articles
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Can you use home equity to buy another house?
Yes, you can. But the more relevant question is: Should you hock one house to buy another?
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Buying a home together before marriage: What to consider
Home purchases are always complicated, but it’s trickier to buy with someone you aren’t legally tied to.
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Can you buy a home on disability?
Homebuyers on disability may have more options than they think.
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10/1 or 10/6 ARM vs. 30-year fixed-rate mortgage
Plan to stay in your house for 10 years or less? A 10/1 ARM may be a good choice.
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What is a notice of default?
A notice of default is the first legal step in foreclosure. If left unaddressed, you could lose your home.
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What is PITI? A complete guide
Among other things, PITI helps lenders decide whether you’ll be able to repay your loan.
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15-year vs. 30-year mortgage: Which is right for you?
One means lower payments, the other costs less overall.
6 min read Jul 08, 2025