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Why a mortgage payment can increase

Fixed interest rate does not always mean a fixed total payment. Escrow components like taxes and insurance can change.

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Escrow basics: shortage vs surplus

What escrow is, why shortages happen, and how annual escrow analysis impacts monthly payments.

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First-year homeownership costs

A practical breakdown of recurring vs one-time costs homeowners often see in the first year.

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Homeowners insurance: what changes and why

How premiums are set, why rates rise, and how insurance costs flow into escrow and monthly payments.

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Escrow & mortgage statements

Escrow analysis, shortages, statements, and why payments change.

HOA & community fees

Assessments, reserves, fee increases, and common notices.

Insurance & property taxes

Premium increases, declarations pages, reassessments, and billing.

Maintenance & home systems

HVAC, roof, plumbing, electrical—what to expect over time.

Latest guides

Why mortgage payments can increase even with a fixed rate

Understand escrow-driven changes from property taxes and insurance premiums.

What an escrow shortage is and why it happens

How annual escrow analysis works and what triggers shortages or surpluses.

How to read a mortgage statement

A section-by-section walkthrough of the terms homeowners see every month.

Homeowners insurance declarations page explained

What it includes, what it does not, and why lenders ask for it.

HOA special assessments explained

What triggers them, how they are communicated, and typical timelines.

Annual home maintenance checklist

A practical schedule for systems and common wear items.