When buying a home, most people focus on the home price, interest rate, and monthly payment. But there’s another major factor that can significantly affect your mortgage: property taxes. These taxes can make your mortgage payment higher than expected and understanding how they work is key to managing your budget effectively.
Why Your Mortgage Has an Escrow Account and How It Works for You
When you close on a home loan, you’ll likely hear the term “escrow account” mentioned–and if you’re like most buyers, you may not be entirely sure what it means. While it might sound complicated, an escrow account is a helpful tool that simplifies homeownership and protects your investment.
Understanding Mortgage Escrow Accounts and Why They Are Important
A mortgage escrow account is a financial tool used by lenders to manage and disburse payments for property-related expenses, like property taxes and homeowners insurance. Rather than paying these expenses separately, a portion of your monthly mortgage payment is set aside in the escrow account.
What Is a Mortgage Loan Servicer?
Working through the mortgage process can be complex, and one significant yet often misunderstood aspect is the role of a mortgage loan servicer. You might be familiar with lenders, the entities that provide the funds for your home purchase, the servicer is the company you’ll interact with most frequently over the life of your loan.
Why Is My Mortgage Escrow Account Sending Me a Check?
Various factors can lead to fluctuations in these estimated expenses. If the actual costs turn out to be lower than anticipated, your escrow account may end up with an excess balance, resulting in a refund check being sent to you.
