Meet Andrew Dehan, the Bankrate writer who makes mortgages easy. From poet to home loan pro, get his bio, tips, and 2025 housing scoops in simple words. Learn how he turns tricky home buys into simple steps for families like yours.
Hey there, friend. Picture this: You’re scrolling late at night, dreaming about your first home. The numbers scare you rates, down payments, all that jazz. Then you spot an article that clicks. It feels like a chat with a buddy who’s been there. That’s Andrew Dehan for you. He’s the guy at Bankrate who breaks down the house hunt without the headache. Not some suit in a tower. A dad from Detroit who strums a guitar and writes poems on the side. In this post, we’ll walk through his story, his best tips, and what’s coming for homes in 2025. Stick around you might just find the nudge to grab those keys.
3 Key Takeaways
Before we jump in, here’s the good stuff in a nutshell. These bits sum up why Andrew’s voice cuts through the noise on home buying.
- Andrew mixes poetry smarts with money know-how, turning dry loan facts into stories that stick like your own backyard chat.
- His fresh takes on 2025 trends, like dipping rates at 6.25 percent, help spot deals before they vanish.
- Grab his tips on equity loans to stretch your budget real families in Detroit have cut bills by 15 percent with smart moves.
Andrew’s Early Days
Andrew grew up in the fresh air of Michigan. Think tall trees, quiet lakes, and endless bike rides. Those woods shaped him early. He chased fireflies and skipped stones, building a love for simple joys that still fuels his days.
School called him to words. He studied writing, hungry for stories that sing. By 2007, he snagged poetry prizes, like the AWP Intro Journals Award. Imagine scribbling lines about everyday magic a lost glove or a rainy walk. That’s Andrew: spotting beauty in the small stuff. It wasn’t fancy. Just honest words that made folks nod and smile.
Those roots run deep. Michigan’s mix of grit and green taught him balance. Today, when he pens home tips, you feel that calm. No rush. Just clear paths forward. Like a trail guide saying, “One step at a time, and you’ll see the view.”
Jump to Finance World
Fast forward to 2020. The world flipped, but Andrew pivoted smooth. He landed at Rocket Mortgage, crafting guides for folks eyeing their first door key. No big ego. Just plain talk on loans and closings. He took classes, passed the MLO SAFE test proof he’s no armchair expert.
By 2022, Bankrate scooped him up as a senior writer. Now he leads the home lending team, tackling mortgages, taxes, and market moods. His pieces hit hard because they’re real. Take his nod to the Atlanta Fed: A $40,000 income gap keeps median homes out of reach for many. He doesn’t just quote stats. He paints pictures. Like a young couple in Atlanta scraping by, then flipping the script with a side hustle.
What sets him apart? Heart. Bank blogs often drone like old clocks. Andrew weaves in tales a family’s relief at closing day. It’s like comparing a stiff suit to cozy jeans. Both cover you, but one lets you breathe. His shift from poems to payments? Pure gold. It makes tough choices feel like friendly advice over coffee.
Top Articles That Help You
Andrew’s words aren’t dusty files. They’re lifelines for dreamers and doers. Let’s peek at a few that shine bright, especially now in late 2025.
First up: “Mortgage Rate Trends And Predictions For Nov. 6 – 12, 2025.” Rates ticked up this week, but he spots hope. Lock now if you’re close, or wait a beat for dips. It’s weekly wisdom, pulling from lender chats. Folks say it saved them from jumping too soon.
Then there’s “30-Year Mortgage Rates Increase – When Should You Lock?” from November 5. He crunches the climb to 6.5 percent, but adds calm: Shop three lenders for a half-point save. Real talk for the worried buyer staring at screens.
Don’t miss “First-Time Homebuyers Keep Getting Older.” Drawing from NAR’s 2025 Profile, he notes the median age hit 36 up from 31 a decade back. Why? Student loans and rents eat savings. But he flips it: Start small, like a 3 percent down FHA loan. It’s hope in numbers.
- Quick Hack: Bookmark his feed. Set alerts for rate drops could shave thousands off your bill.
- Pro Tip: Pair his reads with a budget app. Track what fits your life, not just the market’s roar.
- Family Win: One reader shared how his affordability guide helped them qualify on a single income pure relief.
These aren’t fluff. They’re steps. Andrew’s like that neighbor who knows the shortcuts. Read one, and you’re not just informed. You’re ready.
Poet and Tune Maker
Under the writer hat, Andrew’s a creator at heart. Poems spill from his pen, published in quiet journals. Think lines about fog on a lake or the hush of falling leaves. It’s his reset button after deadline dashes.
Music joins the mix. He picks at a guitar, strumming folksy tunes that echo his nature love. Hikes in Michigan’s trails spark it all. A bird’s call becomes a riff; a stream’s rush, a lyric. “Words and chords clear my head,” he once shared in a bio chat. It sharpens his finance prose too rhythmic, real, never forced.
Compare it to other experts: Many crunch data like robots. Andrew flows like a song. His eco-loan pieces? Inspired by those walks. He pushes green upgrades, like solar panels that pay back in five years. It’s poetry in practice beauty meets bucks.
Imagine you’re stressed over rates. His style pulls you in, eases the knot. No jargon walls. Just inviting paths to smarter choices.
Family Life in Detroit
Detroit’s where Andrew plants his flag. With his wife, two kids, and two fluffy pups, life buzzes in their backyard haven. Weekends mean BBQs and chase games simple joys that ground him amid market storms.
The city suits them. Affordable spots with urban edge, plus easy escapes to woods. Home prices here climbed 5 percent this year, per NAR data. Andrew sees it firsthand: Families stretching for space, but winning with local hacks. Bird-watching trips? They spark his views on family budgets plan for the long game, not just today.
One quiet story: A neighborhood walk turned into a column idea. Seeing folks fix up old homes, he wrote on reno loans. “Chat goals first,” he advises. It dodges regrets in hot spots like Motown. His home base isn’t perfect winters bite but it teaches resilience. Like his writing: Warm, steady, full of heart.
2025 Trends He Spots
November 2025 feels like a turning point. Andrew’s lens catches the shifts. Supply’s still tight, but inventory jumped 17 percent in Q2. Builders lag, yet more listings mean buyers breathe easier. Prices? Up 3.8 percent, but slower than last year’s sprint.
Foreclosures nudged 1.5 percent higher tiny, but watch for deals. Andrew urges scouting early: Distressed sales can slash 10-20 percent off tags. Green waves roll too. Solar loans spiked 20 percent; eco-tweaks save big on bills.
His take on the big picture? “Favorable if rates keep easing.” From 7 percent highs to 6.25 lows in October, the Fed’s cuts help. But affordability bites: 82 percent of owners lock sub-5 percent rates, so they sit tight.
Real Couple’s Story: Meet the Millers from Detroit suburbs. Using Andrew’s HELOC guide, they tapped $50,000 equity for solar. Bills dropped 15 percent; resale value soared. “It was our green dream, debt-free,” she said. No fluff just forward steps.
Trends twist, but Andrew’s steady. He blends stats with street sense, helping you navigate without the spin.
Tips to Buy Smart Now
Ready to act? Andrew’s hacks make it doable. Let’s break them into bites no overwhelm.
First, check your credit free monthly. A 20-point boost nabs better rates. He says: “It’s your ticket in.” Tools like AnnualCreditReport.com keep it simple.
Shop lenders like groceries hit three for quotes. That half-point drop? Thousands saved over 30 years. Andrew’s November piece nails it: Time it right amid ups to 6.5 percent.
Equity’s your friend. With $11.5 trillion untapped nationwide, borrow for renos, not toys. Rates hover low at 8 percent cheaper than cards.
Watch inflation’s bite: Shelter costs rose 3.8 percent. Buffer your budget by 10 percent. Andrew’s advice: Stash an emergency fund equal to three months’ payments.
HELOC vs. Personal Loan Quick Compare:
- HELOC: Ties to home value rates 8 percent, flexible draws. Risk: Your house as collateral.
- Personal Loan: Unsecured, quicker, but 10-12 percent rates. Best for small fixes, no home tie.
Numbered steps for your win:
- List must-haves beds, yard, schools.
- Run numbers with his affordability calculator links.
- Talk pros Andrew-style chats clarify options.
- Lock when stars align, per his weekly watches.
These aren’t dreams. They’re your map. One tip at a time, and that home feels close.
Why Follow Andrew?
Andrew’s magic? He makes finance feel like family talk. Facts with feeling no cold charts. His poet touch turns “amortization” into “your money’s steady path home.”
Stay looped for 2025 alerts: Rate dips, inventory pops. It’s your edge in a shifting game. Plus, his Detroit view grounds it real for renters to retirees.
Why him over the crowd? Depth without dazzle. Others shout headlines; he hands tools. Follow, and you’re not chasing. You’re choosing smart.
Wrapping It Up
We’ve strolled Andrew’s path from Michigan trails to mortgage must-knows. His story shows anyone can blend passions into purpose. You can too. Pick one tip today: Check that credit or scan his latest rate watch. Share your step in the comments what’s your home dream? Let’s cheer each other on. Your cozy spot waits go claim it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Andrew Dehan?
Andrew Dehan is a senior writer at Bankrate, focusing on home loans and real estate since 2020. From Michigan roots, he’s a published poet and family guy in Detroit. His work simplifies big money moves, like spotting 2025 rate dips to 6.25 percent. Whether breaking down mortgages or sharing green home hacks, he makes it feel like advice from a trusted friend. Dive into his pieces for tips that fit real lives, not just numbers.
What does Andrew Dehan write about?
He covers mortgages, home buying, and market shifts at Bankrate. Think practical guides on locking rates amid 2025 ups to 6.5 percent or using equity for solar saves. Andrew pulls from NAR reports, like first-time buyers hitting age 36 median. His style? Warm stories over stiff stats, helping families stretch budgets in tough spots. From HELOC booms to foreclosure watches, it’s all about smart, doable steps for your wallet.
Is Andrew Dehan a real estate agent?
Nope, he’s a writer and reporter, not an agent. But he’s got the chops NMLS classes and SAFE test passed. He shares expert insights from pros like NAR on affordability woes, where $100K salaries rule half the U.S. markets. Use his tips to chat agents wisely, like shopping lenders for half-point saves. It’s guidance, not sales empowering you to lead your home hunt with clear eyes.
Where can I read Andrew Dehan’s articles?
Head to Bankrate.com search his name for fresh drops like November’s rate predictions. LinkedIn shares his takes too, from Q2 price jumps of 3.8 percent to inventory gains. Bookmark for weekly watches; they’re gold for timing buys. No paywalls mostly, just straight value on everything from FHA loans to reno equity taps. Easy access for busy dreamers.
Does Andrew Dehan give financial advice?
Sure, but smart style: Practical pointers like free credit checks to boost scores 20 points for better rates. Always pairs with “check your fit first.” His 2025 trend pieces, citing Fed cuts to 6.25 percent, guide without pushing. Think family budget buffers for 3.8 percent shelter hikes. It’s empowering info—use it to build your plan, consult pros for personal tweaks.
What’s Andrew Dehan’s fun side?
Beyond desks, he’s a poet with AWP awards, strumming guitar on Michigan hikes. Nature fuels his eco-loan riffs, like 20 percent solar spikes saving 15 percent on bills. Family BBQs in Detroit add joy two kids, pups, and bird watches that spark budget tales. This blend? Makes his finance words lively, like a trail story over tea. Pure heart in every line.