Dan Rafter
Writer
Background
A graduate of the Journalism department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dan Rafter has written about mortgage lending, credit scores, insurance, real estate, and personal finance topics for more than 30 years. During this time, he’s written for publications, such as the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Phoenix Magazine, Mental Floss Magazine, Grit, and many others. His stories have also appeared on Bankrate.com, CreditCards.com, and WiseBread.com, among others.
Expertise
- Mortgage Finance
- Credit Scores
- Credit Cards
- Insurance
- Bankruptcy
Education
- Alum, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Organization Affiliations
- Freedom Mortgage
Latest Articles by Dan Rafter
What Is Cash to Close? Meaning, Costs, and How It’s Calculated
9-minute read
Know How Much You’ll Have to Bring to the Closing Table
What If Your Home Value Drops After Getting a HELOC?
9-minute read
Understand How Equity Changes Impact HELOCs
What Is a Deed of Trust and How Does It Work?
5-minute read
Learn How a Deed of Trust Could Impact You
Does Getting Prequalified for a Mortgage Hurt Your Credit?
7-minute read
Keeping Track of Your Credit After Getting Prequalified
FHA Loans vs. USDA Loans: Which Fits Your Needs?
8-minute read
The Differences Between an FHA and USDA Loan
How Much Can You Afford With a VA Loan?
5-minute read
No required down payments make these loans an attractive option
