An escrow account is where you can put money to ensure that your real estate taxes get paid on time. Escrow accounts may be managed by either a mortgage company or the homeowner himself. Putting money in escrow means to set money aside in this account for real estate taxes. Learn the pros and cons of who should manage an escrow account.
Escrow Account Misuse
Escrow Account Misuse Lender takes escrow account funds to make last mortgage payment instead of refunding to homeowners Q: Our local paper published your letter from the folks who had to send a certified check for their final mortgage payment after 30 years of monthly payments. We experienced an unexpected final payment on our mortgage [...]
What You Need to Know About Prepaying a Mortgage
What you need to know about prepaying a mortgage. Based on the type of mortgage you have, your loan terms may change. Q: I saw your video on your YouTube Channel on how making an extra payment on your mortgage pays your loan down faster. When you make an extra payment do you apply all [...]
How Soon After Buying a House Can You Switch Homeowners Insurance?
Buying a home can be an exciting and overwhelming process. When all the paperwork’s been signed, you’ve moved in, and the dust has settled, you may be thinking twice about your choice in homeowners insurance. How soon after you buy your home can you switch insurance providers, what happens to the money you may have [...]
Mortgage Escrow Rules Require Money To Be Returned
When you pay off your mortgage loan in full, your lender is required to return any tax and insurance mortgage escrow money back to you. Q: I hope you can help me with this question. I have been searching the Internet and reading as much as I can on The Dodd-Frank Act and cannot find [...]
Short Sale or Foreclosure: Will You Save Money?
Many people think you save money by buying a home that's a short sale or foreclosure. That's not necessarily true. Even if you do save money on a short sale it can take longer to close on escrow. California real estate agent Charlotte Laws talks about saving money with short sales or foreclosures.
Escrow Money Treated As Income For Taxes
When you receive money from a canceled contract, it's usually treated as ordinary income for taxes. When a real estate contract goes bad, the money put into escrow is treated as income as opposed to capital gains. The escrow money will be taxed at a higher rate because the ordinary income tax rate is higher than the capital gains tax rate.
Seller May Cancel Sale Due to FHA Mortgage Requirement
When you buy a home with an FHA loan you have to follow their rules, including one where you can't close on a home if it was just sold 90 days earlier. If a seller is eager to sell he may not want to wait that long. Can the seller keep the buyer's deposit if the closing gets delayed or canceled?
Contract Holds Answer To Escrow Refund
What's the penalty for backing out of a real estate contract? If the house failed inspection you might have cause to withdraw, but if you've simply changed your mind, you might lose the money in escrow. Look at your real estate contract for the terms.