🏠 Escrow, Taxes, and Insurance: How They Impact Your Monthly Payment
Your mortgage payment is more than just principal and interest. Learn how escrow, taxes, and insurance affect your real monthly cost — and what to look for in your Loan Estimate.
💬 Introduction
You found a great interest rate. The monthly mortgage payment looks affordable.
But then, at closing — the number is hundreds higher than you expected.
What happened?
The answer often lies in escrow, property taxes, and homeowner’s insurance — costs that are frequently underestimated or misunderstood.
At Loan Verdict, we help borrowers and real estate investors see the full monthly picture before signing. This post will break down how these additional costs are calculated, when they’re included in your loan, and what to watch out for.
🧾 What Is Escrow?
Escrow in a mortgage refers to a separate account your lender uses to collect and hold money for:
Property taxes
Homeowner’s insurance
Sometimes other items (like flood insurance or HOA dues)
Each month, a portion of your payment goes into this account. When taxes or insurance are due, your lender pays them on your behalf.
✅ It’s convenient — but it also increases your monthly mortgage payment.
📊 Property Taxes: A Big Variable
Your property taxes are based on the assessed value of your home and your local tax rate.
For example:
In California, the base rate is 1%, but with local assessments and bonds, most homeowners pay 1.2%–1.5% annually
On a $500,000 home, that’s $6,000–$7,500 per year, or $500–$625/month
📌 Many buyers forget this is included in their mortgage payment — and are surprised at closing.
🛡️ Homeowner’s Insurance: Required by Lenders
You must carry hazard/homeowner’s insurance to get a mortgage.
Costs vary based on:
Property value
Coverage level
Location (e.g., fire zones, wind/flood risk)
Typical annual premium: $600–$1,500+
That’s another $50–$125/month added to your payment via escrow.
🚨 The Escrow Trap: Underestimation
Sometimes, lenders lowball taxes and insurance in the Loan Estimate to make the monthly payment look more attractive.
What happens later?
You may face a surprise shortage
Your lender increases your monthly payment after closing
Your loan becomes less affordable than you expected
This is why it’s so important to know what’s actually included in the payment quote you're given.
🧠 How Loan Verdict Helps
When you schedule a review with Loan Verdict, we:
Confirm whether escrow is included in your quoted payment
Double-check estimated property taxes based on public data
Review your insurance assumptions for realism
Calculate your true monthly obligation, not just principal & interest
Help you avoid “payment shock” at closing or during your first year
🔗 Related Resources:
Escrow Accounts Explained – CFPB
How to Estimate Property Taxes – NerdWallet
🙌 Final Thoughts
A mortgage quote without taxes and insurance is like a price tag that doesn’t include tax — it’s incomplete.
Before you sign anything, make sure you know your real monthly cost — not just the teaser number.
✅ Call to Action
Want a second opinion on your loan and monthly payment estimate?
Schedule a consultation today at www.loanverdict.com — and let’s make sure the numbers truly add up.
