Credit: Nate Hovee/Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate California home prices are some of the highest in the country, with the median home price in December 2025 hitting $850,680, according to the California Association of Realtors. That means most buyers will need a mortgage to afford a home. Just like…
Credit: Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate When you work with an online mortgage lender, the entire application process often happens without any face-to-face interaction. Online mortgage companies don’t have branch locations; instead, they operate exclusively online. To assemble our list of the best online lenders, we’ve reviewed…
With winter in full swing, many households are bracing not just for freezing temperatures but also for the “financial freeze” the season brings. Winter introduces a unique set of seasonal expenses that can significantly drain savings or catch you off guard. By understanding these hidden costs and effectively winterizing your…
A 16th birthday is a major milestone. There’s the driver’s license, the newfound freedom, the open road. Then, for most families, comes the insurance bill. “It was exhausting,” said S. Bowers, an Ilinois-based project manager mom who recently shopped for car insurance for her 17-year-old son. “I got several quotes,…
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Key takeaways Secured auto loans are the most common financing option for borrowers looking to purchase a vehicle. These types of loans tend to offer larger loan amounts and more competitive interest rates compared to unsecured auto loans. In most cases, a secured auto loan is the right move. A…
To pay off holiday credit card debt fast, you should prioritize high-interest debt using the “Avalanche Method.” In addition, increase your payment frequency to weekly/bi-weekly instead of monthly and immediately apply financial windfalls like tax refunds to your principal. Combining these steps with a strict 2026 budget and professional credit…
Key takeaways Access to credit is tightening for all consumers, but particularly for consumers with subprime credit scores of 699 or lower. Both new and used vehicle prices remain high, and approvals for subprime borrowers have declined since the first quarter of 2025. Pre-tariff inventory is declining, and vehicles manufactured…
Key takeaways A personal loan can get you cash within days at a fixed rate and steady payment. Personal loans tend to carry lower, more affordable interest rates than credit cards, if you have good or better credit. Before deciding to get a personal loan, consider potential downsides, such as…
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…
Most drivers only interact with a rental car on vacations or time away — and for many, they can also be a means to getting a vehicle of their own. While rental cars go through many drivers, they also typically have thorough maintenance records and a low price tag. But…
Key takeaways Applying for a car loan with good to excellent credit may result in a more competitive interest rate from lenders. Disputing errors on your credit report and paying bills on time are some of the primary tactics that can help you build better credit. If you need quick…
Key takeaways A second-chance auto loan is an auto loan that caters to borrowers with subprime or deep subprime credit. Second-chance car loans come with higher interest rates that can inflate the price of a car loan by hundreds of dollars. There are more affordable alternatives to second-chance auto loans,…
Luis Alvarez/GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate Key takeaways There is no minimum credit score required to buy a car, but most lenders have minimum requirements for financing. Most borrowers need a FICO score of at least 661 to get a competitive rate on an auto loan. If you have a…
With the costs of college and retirement increasing at breakneck speed, many parents are feeling the need to invest in their children’s futures as early as possible. Common options include 529 plans and custodial IRAs, with a new option emerging in 2026 dubbed “Trump accounts.” Created under the “One Big…
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