Mortgage & Money
Financing, refinancing, insurance, and cash flow.
Why Your Home Insurance Renewal Came With a Bigger Deductible
Insurers raised deductibles on 1 in 5 renewal notices in 2024, often swapping a flat $1,000 for a 1-5% hurricane or wind-hail clause.
The Home Bills That Quietly Rise Every Year (and How to Spot Them)
Property taxes, insurance premiums, and escrow shortages push the average mortgage payment up 3-8% a year even on a fixed rate.
How to Split Home Costs With a Partner or Co-Owner Fairly
Most co-owners split costs by income share, not 50/50, and a written agreement signed before closing prevents 80% of later disputes.
How to Budget for a Rental's Vacancy Months Before It Hits
A rental sitting empty for 30 days can cost a landlord $1,800 or more — here's how to set aside the right amount before it happens.
A Neighbor's Tree Fell on Your House: Who Pays? (2025)
In most states, your own homeowners insurance pays for tree damage from a neighbor's tree, even if the tree was theirs to begin with.
Why You Got an Escrow Surplus Check This Year (Explained)
A $50-or-more escrow surplus triggers a mandatory refund check within 30 days under federal RESPA rules, and here's why yours showed up now.
Why FHA Mortgage Insurance Doesn't Go Away Like PMI
FHA loans with less than 10% down keep mortgage insurance for the life of the loan, unlike PMI which drops off automatically at 78% LTV.
Why Did My Home Insurance Premium Go Up This Year?
Home insurance premiums rose a median of 11% to 20% in 2024, driven by rebuilding costs, reinsurance rates, and more frequent severe-weather claims.
Where Your Old Escrow Balance Goes After a Refinance
Your old escrow balance is refunded to you by check within 20-30 days of your refinance closing, not automatically applied to the new loan.
When Does PMI Automatically Cancel by Law? The 78% Rule
Federal law requires PMI to automatically cancel once your loan balance hits 78% of the home's original value, if payments are current.
What's Really Included in Mortgage Closing Costs?
Closing costs typically run 2% to 5% of your loan amount, so a $350,000 mortgage can mean $7,000 to $17,500 due at signing.
Escrow Payment Jumped? Here's Why and What to Do Next
An escrow payment jump of $100-$400 a month usually traces back to a property tax reassessment or insurance renewal, and most shortages can be spread over 12 months.
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