Christine Rakoczy
Senior Writer
Background
Christine Rakoczy has been a financial writer since 2008, contributing to major publications, including Credit Karma, CBS MoneyWatch, WSJ, and Forbes Advisor. While her special focus is diving deep into mortgages, Christine has extensive experience with all types of financial topics.
In addition to writing for online articles, Christine has also taught business administration courses at a career college and has served as a subject matter expert on numerous business and legal courses.
Christine earned her JD from UCLA School of Law in 2008 and has a BA in English, Media, and Communications, with a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Rochester.
Expertise
- Mortgages
- Credit Scores
- Personal Finance and Budgeting
Education
- JD, UCLA School of Law, 2008
- BA, University of Rochester
- Certificate in Business Administration, University of Rochester
Recognition/Awards
- CALI Award Recipient: 2006, 2007
Latest Articles by Christine Rakoczy
What Is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?
3-minute read
Private Mortgage Insurance Protects Lenders When Buyers Make Low Down Payments
Refinance Break-Even Point: What Does It Mean?
3-minute read
Learn the Simple Formula to Calculate Your Refinance Break-Even Point
Caveat Emptor: Understanding ‘Buyer Beware’ in Real Estate
3-minute read
Can You Count on a Home Seller to Tell You About a Property?
Debt Consolidation Refinance: Is It Right for You?
3-minute read
How Your Home’s Equity Can Help You Save Money
How to Get a Home Equity Line of Credit
3-minute read
A Step-by-Step Guide to Unlocking Your Home’s Equity
A Guide to Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs)
3-minute read
Learn how ARMs work, common types, and whether one could help lower your monthly payment.
What Does ‘Active Under Contract’ Mean in Real Estate?
3-minute read
Home buyers must understand this MLS status
Mortgage Documents: Tips and Checklist for Homeowners
3-minute read
What Paperwork Do You Need for a Mortgage?
20-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: What to Consider
3-minute read
Is a mortgage with a 20-year repayment term or a 30-year repayment term right for you?
Mortgage Refinance: What Is It & How Does It Work?
3-minute read
How it works, the types of loans you can refinance, and the pros and cons of refinancing.
Types of Mortgage Refinance Loans
3-minute read
With multiple refinance options to consider, what’s the best way for you to refinance your mortgage?
Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?: 7 Questions to Ask
3-minute read
What Questions You Should Ask Before Refinancing
Second Mortgage vs. Refinance: A Complete Guide
3-minute read
Learn the pros and cons of these two options here.
What Is a No-Closing-Cost Refinance and Is It Right For You?
3-minute read
Find out what it is and if it is right for you.
6 Ways to Lower Your Mortgage Payment
3-minute read
See If You Can Reduce Your Monthly Mortgage Costs
How Much Does It Cost to Refinance a Mortgage?
3-minute read
Average Refinance Closing Costs, “No Cost” Refinancing, and More
Cash Out vs. No Cash Out Refinance: What’s the Difference?
3-minute read
Explore Pros and Cons of Cash Out and No Cash Out Refis
Property Taxes: What They Are and How To Calculate Them
3-minute read
Learn About Interest Rates and Monthly Payments for These Loans
How Mortgage Interest Rates Have Changed (or not Changed) over Time
3-minute read
What the Last 40 Years of Data Indicates
Mortgage Interest Deduction: What Homeowners Should Know
3-minute read
Which Mortgage Costs Are Tax Deductible in 2025?
Home Maintenance Checklist: A Guide for Homeowners
3-minute read
Our Home Maintenance List Will Help Keep Your Home in Top Shape All Year
What Is Earnest Money in Real Estate?
3-minute read
Learn About Earnest Money Deposits When Buying a House
How Seller Financing Works: Benefits and Risks for Buyers and Sellers
3-minute read
Understand the Pros and Cons of Seller Financing Your Home
Moving Tips and Checklist for a Stress-Free Move
3-minute read
How to Prepare for a Move and Where to Start
How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Home?
3-minute read
You May Pay Commissions, Closing Costs, Taxes, and More
What Is a 30-Year Fixed Mortgage and How Does It Work?
3-minute read
Learn how 30-year fixed mortgages work, including pros and cons, in our guide.
What Does Contingent Mean in Real Estate?
3-minute read
5 Common Real Estate Contingencies for Buyers
Closing Costs: What They Are and What You Can Expect to Pay
3-minute read
What You Can Expect to Pay on Closing Day
Should You Pay off Your Mortgage Early?
3-minute read
Find Out if Making Extra Mortgage Payments Makes Sense for You
Prequalified vs. Preapproved: What's the Difference?
3-minute read
Learn more about how they compare.
Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV): What It Is and How It’s Calculated
3-minute read
Why LTV Is Important When You Want a Mortgage
What Is Escrow and How Does It Work?
3-minute read
For some homebuyers, an escrow account is an important piece of a mortgage.
How Much Is the Average Down Payment on a House?
3-minute read
Find Out if You Should Make a Larger or Smaller Down Payment
Understanding Home Appraisals: Everything You Need to Know
3-minute read
How Home Appraisals Estimate the Value of a House
How the Government Shutdown Could Affect Your Mortgage
3-minute read
Learn whether that could affect your ability to get a mortgage.
Contingent vs. Pending: What Do They Mean?
3-minute read
Pending and contingent both mean an offer has been accepted. However, contingent listings may not be as final.
What Is a 15-Year Fixed Mortgage and How Does It Work?
3-minute read
Find out what it is and if it is right for you.
Appraisal Contingency: What It Is and How It Can Help
3-minute read
An Appraisal Contingency Protects You from Paying More than a Home Is Worth -- or Having Problems with Your Loan-to-Value Ratio
What Does 'Active With Contingency' Mean?
3-minute read
A home that's active with contingency has an accepted offer -- but the deal is far from final
Is a 50-year Mortgage a Good Idea?
3-minute read
Here’s what you need to know about 50-year mortgage loans.
How To Get a Mortgage Preapproval
3-minute read
Learn how to get a mortgage preapproval step by step
State and Local Tax Deduction Changes Could Leave Homeowners Feeling SALTy
3-minute read
Learn More About Who Might Benefit
What Is a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)?
3-minute read
A HELOC Allows You to Borrow Against the Equity of Your House
What Are Mortgage Discount Points?
3-minute read
Decide If Paying for Discount Points Is Right for You
How Much Should You Spend on a House?
3-minute read
Think About All Your Expenses Before You Decide.
2026 Housing Market Outlook: Is a Gradual Thaw on the Horizon?
3-minute read
As the housing outlook for 2026 takes shape, there are optimistic signs that the market may be shifting.
FHA Closing Costs: What’s Included and How Much You’ll Pay
3-minute read
What Fees Can FHA Homebuyers Expect at Closing?
How Much Does It Cost to Build a House?
3-minute read
Does Building Your Own Home Come at a Premium Price?
