About
With over three years of experience writing in the housing market space, Robin Rothstein demystifies mortgage and loan concepts, helping first-time homebuyers and homeowners make informed decisions as they navigate the home loan marketplace. Her work has been published or syndicated on Forbes Advisor, SoFi, MSN and Nasdaq, among other media outlets.
Robin is a staff writer at Forbes Advisor, covering mortgages, loans and the housing market. She previously worked as a contractor for SoFi, writing and updating foreclosure and housing market content. Her articles featuring home loan topics, mortgage rate and housing market predictions, foreclosure rate updates and lender reviews have been published or syndicated on Forbes Advisor, SoFi, MSN and Nasdaq, among other media outlets.
As a longtime homeowner, Robin is invested in her community and has followed local land use issues in her hometown of New York City for over a decade, inspiring her to pen the short play “Grassroots” about a cherished local bar forced to close due to high rents. “Grassroots” was included in the anthology The Best Ten-Minute Plays 2021, published by Smith and Kraus.
Expertise
- Mortgages
- Home equity loans
- HELOCs
- Lender reviews
- Housing market
Achievements
- Published or syndicated on Forbes Advisor, SoFi, MSN and Nasdaq
- Previously wrote and updated foreclosure and housing content for SoFi
- Over a decade of experience reviewing local land use applications
- Author of “Grassroots,” a play about a cherished local bar forced to close due to high rents, included in The Best Ten-Minute Plays 2021, Smith and Kraus
Education
University of Pennsylvania, B.A. English, Cum Laude
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Best Mortgage Lenders For Non-QM Loans Of 2025
Nonqualified mortgage (non-QM) loans can help home buyers qualify for a loan even if they don’t meet the stringent qualification criteria of traditional mortgages. We researched more than 30 lenders to find the best options. The highest-rated lenders offer flexible... -
First-Time Home Buyer Market Share Drops To All-Time Low Amid Persistent Headwinds
A new report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that would-be buyers hoping to purchase their first home still can’t catch a break. Despite rising incomes across all buyer types, soaring home prices and high mortgage rates are... -
Buyer’s Agent Commissions Hold Steady Despite Recent Real Estate Industry Shift
Following years of litigation, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed to pay $418 million to settle a series of high-profile antitrust lawsuits filed in 2019 on behalf of home sellers. The settlement received final court approval on November 26,... -
Mark Your Calendar: The Day To Snag The Best Deal On A Home Is Approaching
It’s been a demoralizing few years for home shoppers. Sky-high home prices and steep mortgage rates have put homeownership out of reach for many, turning the American dream of owning a home into a pipe dream. Housing supply has also... -
Unlocking Homeownership: Essential Mortgage Programs For Native American Home Buyers
Homeownership can be challenging for many, but for Native Americans, the obstacles to owning a home have historically been profound and unique. The data highlights this disparity. In 2023, only 51.6% of Native Americans or Alaskan Natives owned their homes,... -
Down Payments Dip From Historic Highs: What This Means For Home Affordability
There’s a glimmer of good news for would-be home buyers who have been shut out of the housing market due to affordability challenges. On the national level, the median down payment came in at an average of 14.5% and a... -
Flying Solo: What Singles Considering Homeownership Need To Know
I bought my home—a small studio apartment—in New York City as a single person over two decades ago. After several years of renting and subletting, it was the best move I ever made. I was also apparently ahead of the... -
Building A Future: How A New Administration Could Impact Home Affordability
With the 2024 presidential election fast approaching, many pressing issues, including the future of housing affordability, hang in the balance. Both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have acknowledged America’s home affordability and supply issues. But how... -
Examining The Cost Of Living By State In 2024
The rising cost of living remains a prominent concern across the U.S., with surveys showing that Americans rank inflation as one of the top problems facing the country. As prices continue to soar in nearly every aspect of life—from groceries... -
Housing Market Predictions For 2025: When Will Home Prices Drop?
As 2025 gets underway, the housing market remains challenging, with stubbornly high home prices and mortgage rates prolonging buyer struggles. Mortgage rates hover closer to 7% than 6%—far from what most economists and analysts forecasted—within range of the rates we saw... -
Best Reverse Mortgage Companies Of 2025
With more retired homeowners needing to tap into home equity as a supplemental financial resource, the mortgage industry is focusing more on reverse mortgages. Home equity is often an older homeowner’s most substantial asset, and they can access it through... -
Best Jumbo Loan Lenders Of 2025
Jumbo loans are an excellent—and sometimes necessary—option for those who need to finance high-priced real estate. However, finding the right jumbo loan lender can be overwhelming. To help you in your search, Forbes Advisor compiled a list of jumbo loan... -
Insider Insights: 12 Housing Market Experts Highlight Key Strategies For Home-Buying Success
Aspiring homeowners experienced a lot of challenges in 2023. Elevated interest rates, eye-watering home prices and abysmal housing stock resulted in inflated costs that stymied buyers. While experts say the housing market should see some easing in 2024, don’t expect... -
Using A HELOC To Pay Off Your Mortgage
If you’re a homeowner with a mortgage balance that you want to pay off early, getting a home equity line of credit (HELOC) could be a viable solution. However, despite the various upsides that come with using a HELOC to... -
Best Construction Loan Lenders Of 2025
If you’re seeking to build a new home from scratch, transform a fixer-upper or launch a substantial home renovation, a construction loan can lay the groundwork for your ideal abode. To help you find the right financing, Forbes Advisor compiled... -
Mortgage Rates Forecast For 2025: Experts Predict How Much Rates Will Drop
After hitting a peak of 7.04% in January 2025, mortgage rates have retreated, but the decline has been sluggish, as rates remain trapped in a narrow mid-6% band. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped 13 basis points to start... -
Flood Risk Disclosure Laws: Which States Have Them And How They Protect Home Buyers
Buying a home is a significant investment. Before making a commitment you regret, you should always obtain as many details as possible about the property you plan to make your long-term residence. As the country experiences more frequent and extreme... -
Best Hard Money Lenders Of 2025
If you’re considering flipping or rehabbing an investment property, or you’re between properties and need fast cash for a down payment, a hard money loan could be the way to go. All of the hard money lenders on this list... -
How To Buy A Home If You Have Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) affirmed the “equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency” of individuals with disabilities. Roughly 27% of American adults currently live with a disability, according to the CDC. Like many Americans, those... -
Interest-Only Mortgage Calculator
An interest-only mortgage is a type of home loan in which the borrower only pays the interest on the loan for a specified introductory period. After this interest-only period concludes, the borrower must pay both interest and principal for the... -
Best Mortgage Lenders For Low And No Down Payments Of 2025
For many borrowers, soaring prices and high interest rates can make it difficult to purchase a home. Thankfully, some lenders provide manageable down payment options and subsidized closing costs to help potential home buyers. Forbes Advisor compiled a list of... -
Flagstar Bank Mortgage Review
Flagstar Bank’s home loan advisors can assist customers with their home mortgage needs in all 50 states via internet and phone and at retail home lending offices across the country. Its home loan options serve a wide variety of borrowers,... -
Mortgage Amortization Calculator
If you repay a mortgage according to an amortization schedule, it means you’ll make payments in monthly installments over the life of the loan. These payments are applied to your loan principal as well as interest—usually more of your payments... -
FHA Loan Calculator
If you’re a first-time homebuyer who hasn't saved enough to make a large down payment or are concerned you might not qualify for a conventional home loan, a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan could be ideal. Loans that are insured... -
Best Online Mortgage Lenders Of 2025
There are more online mortgage lenders than ever before. We compiled a list of the best online mortgage lenders that excel in various areas to help you find a lender that fits your needs. -
Current 10-Year Mortgage Rates
If you're looking to refinance—or in some cases buy a new home—a 10-year mortgage might be a good option for you. Here are the current 10-year mortgage rates and how you can find the right lender. What Are the Current... -
Best VA Mortgage Lenders Of 2025
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans come with significant benefits, especially if you don’t have a large down payment or your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is higher than what conventional mortgage lenders require. You’ll also typically need to be a... -
Today’s 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates
Refinancing your mortgage could be a good choice if you can qualify for better terms, such as a lower interest rate, or to help you pay off your house faster. One option to consider is refinancing to a conventional 15-year,... -
Compare Current VA Mortgage Rates
If you’re a veteran or active-duty service member, a mortgage guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) could be your ticket to affordable homeownership. VA loan interest rates are typically lower than conventional loan rates. These loans also generally...
About
With over three years of experience writing in the housing market space, Robin Rothstein demystifies mortgage and loan concepts, helping first-time homebuyers and homeowners make informed decisions as they navigate the home loan marketplace. Her work has been published or syndicated on Forbes Advisor, SoFi, MSN and Nasdaq, among other media outlets.