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Dan Rafter

Contributing writer

Dan Rafter has covered mortgage, real estate and personal finance topics for more than two decades. During this time, he’s written for such publications as the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, Phoenix Magazine, Mental Floss Magazine, Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Wise Bread and Lending Tree.

He’s also written about insurance, technology, careers and commercial real estate. When he’s not freelancing, he is the editor of Midwest Real Estate News, a trade magazine focusing on commercial real estate.

Expertise

Mortgage

Real Estate

Personal Finance

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, bachelor’s degree in journalism

Recent Articles

A house with peeling paint, suggesting a property in need of maintenance or renovation.

8-minute read

How to find fixer-upper homes: Everything you need to know

Are you searching for a fixer-upper to be your dream home or your next fix-and-flip? Learn how to find and buy a fixer-upper that won’t turn into a mon...

A thoughtful-looking woman outside a coffee shop, potentially pondering or contemplating something.

4-minute read

A guide to the FHA MIP refund chart

Borrowers who refinance their FHA loan within 3 years may be eligible for a refund. Read here to understand the FHA MIP refund chart and what you may get bac...

A fashionable women sitting on a stool looking outside, possible posing for a photo.

4-minute read

Fee simple: What is it in real estate and how does it work?

Fee simple refers to a landowner’s absolute ownership of real property. Read our article to learn about how fee simple determines real estate or land o...

8-minute read

Are home sales slowing down? Housing market predictions for 2023

Are home sales slowing down in 2023? Read to learn about what to expect of the housing market in 2023, including real estate prices, mortgage rates and more.

A daughter smiling and looking up at his father.

7-minute read

American residential warranty reviews for 2024

American Residential Warranty provides coverage for many types of home appliances and systems. Learn more about their plans, prices and customer ratings here...

Professional woman typing something with multiple screens in front of her.

5-minute read

Deficiency judgment: What is it and how does it work?

Read our guide to find out what deficiency judgments are in real estate, how they work in foreclosures and what mortgage borrowers should know about them.

A country-style home with a wrap-around deck, showcasing its exterior and architectural design.

6-minute read

VA loan down payment requirements

VA loans have different down payment terms compared to other types of mortgage loans. Use this guide to learn about the requirements for VA loan down payment...