Josh Patoka

Mortgages Writer

About

Having lived in several states, owning primary residences and investment properties, Josh Patoka uses his experience using mortgages and HELOCs to help first-time home buyers and home owners find the best home loan for their financial goals. His work has been featured on several financial and media websites.

Mortgages expert Josh Patoka was a transportation operations supervisor for a Fortune 500 company for seven years before becoming a personal finance writer to share his experience with paying off debt quickly, investing and achieving financial goals while living on a limited income. Since 2015, he has been writing full time for multiple personal finance platforms including Forbes Advisor, Fox Business, Credible and Plutus Foundation award-winning blogs like Well Kept Wallet and Wallet Hacks.

He paid off his mortgage early and currently utilizes his HELOC to pursue personal opportunities, such as buying investment properties. Josh currently owns two long-term rentals and enjoys spending his free time gardening or learning new skills with his children.

Expertise

Home loans
Real estate investing
Home equity
HELOCs
Mortgage refinancing

Achievements

Over 9 years of experience covering home loans and personal finance
Personal experience with obtaining home loans, mortgage refinances and HELOCs
Featured in several national publications and award-winning personal finance platforms
Owns investment properties

Other Publications

Education

Virginia Military Institute (B.A., International Studies)

Honors and Awards

B.A. with Academic Distinction

3 months ago

Best Texas Mortgage Lenders of 2024

Forbes Advisor looked at the best mortgage lenders in Texas to make home loan comparison shopping easier for you. Whether you’re looking to buy a home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Midland, or Houston, or you’re just beginning the home-buying...
4 months ago

KeyBank Mortgage Review

KeyBank is a regional bank that offers mortgages in select states. While the lender focuses primarily on the 16-state region where it offers its banking services, its home lending capabilities extend to 39 states. Conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, mortgage refinance...
5 months ago

Using A HELOC To Pay Off Your Mortgage

Using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) is an unconventional approach to paying off your mortgage early. While tapping your home equity to reduce your home loan balance has several potential benefits, it’s not an ideal option for every...
5 months ago

How To Use Home Equity To Build Wealth

Home equity can be a valuable tool as you pursue your financial goals. By utilizing your home equity, you can borrow money with competitive rates and flexible repayment terms and avoid taking on higher-interest debt, like personal loans or credit...
5 months ago

Best Mortgage Lenders With No Origination Fee Of May 2024

Most mortgage lenders charge an origination fee, which is usually around 1% of the total cost of the loan. The purpose of the fee is to cover expenses like application processing, underwriting the loan and other administrative services the lender...
5 months ago

BRRRR Method: What Is It And How Does It Work?

Investing in rental properties requires extensive knowledge of the market, plus a little bit of strategy. The BRRRR method is a common real estate investment strategy used to buy fixer-uppers, perform repairs and utilize the equity to purchase another property....
7 months ago

Average Down Payment On A House In 2024

Many home buyers are curious about how much money they should have for a down payment on a house. Down payment amounts vary by loan program, age group and state. Here, we look at the average down payment for a...
7 months ago

Average Rent By State

Where you choose to call home often comes down to the price of rent. If you’re planning to relocate to a different state—or are just curious about what your neighbors on the other side of the border are paying—looking at...
8 months ago

Connecticut Housing Market 2024: Trends & House Prices

With tight inventory levels and still-high prices, the Connecticut housing market shares many similarities with the national market. Here’s a closer look at Connecticut’s current real estate trends and where the market might go for the rest of 2023. Current...
9 months ago

Mortgage Prequalification Calculator

Prequalifying for a home loan is the first step of the mortgage application process. To quickly estimate your monthly payment, use Forbes Advisor’s mortgage prequalification calculator. Simply enter some basic details about your current financial situation and desired home value...
9 months ago

Additional Payments Mortgage Calculator

Making extra mortgage payments on a one-time or recurring basis can help you pay off your mortgage sooner and save you a small fortune in total interest costs. This additional payments mortgage calculator makes it easier to estimate your potential...
10 months ago

Washington, D.C. Housing Market: What’s Happening In 2023?

Washington, D.C. is a bustling city with a diverse culture, lots of history, exciting nightlife and plenty of jobs for young professionals and peak earners. There are 67 unique neighborhoods across the district’s four quadrants. D.C. has an expensive housing...
10 months ago

Virginia Housing Market: What’s Happening In 2023?

The Virginia housing market is diverse with exposure to the Washington D.C. metro area, the coastal Hampton Roads metro area, Richmond in Central Virginia and Shenandoah Valley. Many of Virginia’s counties have been in a post-pandemic seller’s market with three...
10 months ago

Las Vegas Housing Market: What’s Happening In 2023?

Much like its desert climate and booming tourism industry, the Las Vegas housing market has been one of the hottest in the country. The U.S. Census Bureau ranked the Las Vegas metro area as the 97th fastest-growing, with 19,000 new...
11 months ago

California Housing Market: What’s Happening In 2023?

The California real estate market is one of the most expensive in the U.S. that’s adjusting to higher mortgage rates and rising inflation. However, the Golden State housing market remains healthy in its various regions, including the tech-savvy Bay Area...
11 months ago

Veterans United Home Loans Review 2024

Veterans United Home Loans is licensed to lend in all 50 states and specializes in loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It also offers specialized programs to help military borrowers and their families get preapproved. You’ll...
11 months ago

Debt-To-Income Ratio Calculator

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is a pivotal factor in qualifying for the lowest interest rates—and it’s easy to calculate. How To Use This Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator One of the most important numbers that lenders look at when evaluating a mortgage...
11 months ago

Current 20-Year Refinance Rates

If you have a 10- or 15-year mortgage and are struggling to make your monthly payments, refinancing into a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage can help make those payments more affordable. Compare current 20-year mortgage refinance rates and see if a 20-year...
12 months ago

A Guide To VA Renovation And Rehab Loans

If you’re eligible for a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan and you’re willing to buy a fixer-upper, a VA alteration and repair loan can provide the necessary financing to purchase the home and make repairs. You can...
12 months ago

Current 20-Year Mortgage Rates

With mortgage interest rates hovering near multi-year highs, a 20-year home loan can provide a more competitive rate for homebuyers than a standard 30-year term. At the same time, a 20-year mortgage offers more financial flexibility than a 15-year term...
1 year ago

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...
1 year ago

Best Mortgage Lenders For Low And No Down Payments Of 2024

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...
1 year ago

Should I Refinance To A 15-Year Mortgage?

Refinancing to a 15-year mortgage instead of a new 30-year term can help you secure a better rate and pay significantly less interest over the life of your loan. You may also be able to pay off your mortgage sooner,...
1 year ago

Guide To Restrictive Covenants In Real Estate

When comparing homes to buy, you may discover that some communities have restrictive covenants in place. These housing rules are most common in condominiums, townhomes, planned communities and subdivisions with a homeowners association (HOA). Many different types of real estate...
1 year ago

What Is Tenancy In Common?

If you’re planning on buying real estate with a friend, relative or business partner, you may consider a tenancy in common (TIC) agreement. This legal arrangement allows for shared ownership of a home and defines the ownership stake for each...
1 year ago

Best Places To Live In Florida In 2024

Florida has been a long-time favorite destination for retirees. But in the past few years, working households have been flocking to the state for promising career opportunities, a relatively low cost of living and no state income tax. Not to...
1 year ago

Bay Area Housing Market

The San Francisco Bay Area real estate market is going through a transitional phase as home prices adjust to changing economic and housing trends. Homes are finally becoming more affordable, although the regional cost of living remains expensive. Here is...
1 year ago

Denver Housing Market 2024

The Denver housing market is one of Colorado’s most active as the state capital is home to many employers and is one of the Mountain West’s largest cities. People also have been flocking to the Mile High City from more...
1 year ago

Everything You Need To Know About Government-Backed Mortgages And Loans

Government-backed mortgages can be easier to qualify for compared to conventional loans. This can make them a good choice if you have a lower income, don’t have perfect credit or can’t afford a large down payment. Some borrowers might also...
2 years ago

Ohio First-Time Homebuyer Programs

There are several statewide grant and loan programs you might qualify for as an Ohio first-time homebuyer. These programs typically provide down payment assistance and flexible borrower requirements. For example, you could be eligible for unique benefits if you have...