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Holden Lewis

Holden Lewis is NerdWallet's authority on mortgages and real estate. He has reported about mortgages since 2001, covering a boom, a bust and a recovery. He has been president of the National Association of Real Estate Editors and has won writing awards from NAREE, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2014, he addressed NeighborWorks America's annual conference on the subject of homeownership in the era of change. He is rehabbing his mom's house. Email: [email protected].

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Posts by Holden Lewis:

Mortgage Outlook: A Slight Uphill Climb for February Rates

Holden Lewis
Feb. 1, 2021

February mortgage rates forecast The average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage went up in January, after falling seven months in a row. But don’t fret. The story is more…

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The Property Line: Biden Housing Plans Include Down Payment Help

Holden Lewis
Jan. 21, 2021

It’s hard to afford a house if you’re a first-time buyer. The Biden administration has a plan for that: giving first-timers up to $15,000 to apply toward a down payment.…

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Mortgage Outlook: January Rates Remain in the Deep Freeze

Holden Lewis
Dec. 23, 2020

January mortgage rates forecast The year begins with mortgage rates near historically low levels, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging under 3%. Rates will remain low in January. Today’s mortgage…

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The Property Line: Buyers Face Emotional Journey in 2021

Holden Lewis
Dec. 16, 2020

Plan to buy your first home in 2021? It’ll probably take months instead of weeks, and you might feel demoralized at times. That’s not negative thinking. It’s an acknowledgment that…

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How a Mortgage Escrow Account Works

Holden Lewis & Kate Wood
Dec. 8, 2020

Escrow is when a third party holds and then disburses funds on your behalf. It’s typically used when buying a home, for money that will change hands at the closing.…

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Mortgage Outlook: Rates Stay Low as December Deadlines Loom

Holden Lewis
Nov. 30, 2020

December mortgage rates forecast The good news is that mortgage rates are unlikely to rise in December. The bad news is why: The United States faces much economic uncertainty. At…

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January Existing Home Sales Commentary

Holden Lewis
Feb. 19, 2021

You can’t buy what’s not for sale, and that economic truism applies to houses. The pace of home sales accelerated in January, but even more houses would have been sold…

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The Property Line: 8 Housing and Mortgage Trends for 2021

The Property Line: 8 Housing and Mortgage Trends for 2021

Holden Lewis
Nov. 18, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to touch every corner of the housing market in 2021. It will keep mortgage rates low and affect who will be able to buy homes.…

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SOFR ARMs Are Here: What the New Index Means for Your Mortgage

Holden Lewis
Nov. 17, 2020

Adjustable-rate mortgages are going through a transition that introduces a new index, new rules and new terminology. As a result, an ARM you get today is likely to differ from…

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Mortgage Outlook: For November Rates, the Picture Is Hazy

Mortgage Outlook: For November Rates, the Picture Is Hazy

Holden Lewis
Nov. 2, 2020

November mortgage rates forecast Mortgage rates move unpredictably in the weeks after presidential elections — not always, but often enough to humble any forecaster who is asked to predict mortgage…

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