Headshot of Rory Arnold

Rory Arnold

Staff writer

Rory Arnold is a Los Angeles-based writer who has contributed to a variety of publications, including Rocket Mortgage, Quicken Loans, LowerMyBills, Ranker, Earth.com and JerseyDigs. Rory received his Bachelor of Science in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. He also completed the SoFi/Coursera Fundamentals of Personal Finance Specialization consisting of five courses: Introduction to Personal Finance, Saving Money for the Future, Managing Debt, Fundamentals of Investing, and Risk Management in Personal Finance.

Expertise

Mortgage
Personal Finance
Real Estate

Education

New York University


Recent Articles

9-minute read

What is private mortgage insurance? PMI defined and explained

Learn what private mortgage insurance is, when PMI is required, how much it costs, and how to cancel it. Compare options before you apply.

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9-minute read

What are hard money loans and how do they work?

Learn how hard money loans work, what they cost, and when they may make sense for real estate investors. Compare risks and alternatives before you apply.

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11-minute read

A complete guide to the Fannie Mae HomeStyle loans for renovations

Learn how a Fannie Mae HomeStyle renovation loan works, including borrower eligibility, rates, renovation financing options, and FHA 203(k) comparisons.

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7-minute read

What is home value and how do you determine it?

Your home value impacts various areas from selling to refinancing. Learn what your home value is and how to find it.

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8-minute read

Is homeowners insurance required? What buyers need to know

Is a homeowners insurance policy required? Insurance is not legally required, but your lender will require you to carry a policy to protect its investment.

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8-minute read

What does clear to close mean? What to expect

Clear to close is an important milestone in the mortgage process. Learn what clear to close means, how it fits into underwriting, and what happens next.

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5-minute read

Do you have an underwater mortgage? Here are your options

Learn what an underwater mortgage is, how to tell if you have one, and what options may help if you owe more on your mortgage than your home is worth.

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3-minute read

Federal Reserve statement explained – July 2026

The Federal Reserve held the target range for the federal funds rate steady at 3.5% - 3.75% at its July 29 meeting. This is the fifth meeting without a change.

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9-minute read

Builder’s risk insurance for homeowners: What to know

Learn how builder’s risk insurance for homeowners works, what it covers, what it costs and when you may need coverage before work begins.

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