Escrow Accounts, Do You Absolutely Need One?


With escrow accounts the money for your home insurance and property tax is added to your monthly mortgage payment and is paid out each year. With that said, you may think that having an escrow account takes the responsibility off your shoulders because the bank will make the payment for you each year from your escrow savings account. But beware, because many people have found that their property tax and home insurance have not been paid on time or at all!

Another negative fact about an escrow savings account is that the lender holding it doesn't have to pay you interest. There are only approximately 14 states that actually must pay interest on an escrow savings plan. You can ask your financial institution if they will allow you to save for your home insurance and property tax in a separate savings account as well.

If you are applying for an FHA or Federal housing Administration loan, try to avoid having to set up an escrow plan. Some lenders may say that you have to have this type of savings account, but it's not true. As a matter of fact, if you offer to open your own savings plan to save for home insurance and property taxes, your lender is required by state law to comply.

Use caution though, because some financial institutions may try to charge you a fee of up to 1% of the mortgage loan if they omit the escrow savings account plan. Be sure to read the fine print before signing anything.

Chris Rodriguez is the author/publisher of http://www.online-finances.com. Discover helpful information on mortgages, car loans, student loans, consolidation loans, and much more. Check out our website before you get your next loan or visit just to get tips and valuable information on a particular financial subject.







Related News



Understanding Mortgage Refinance Rates - SheKnows.com

Understanding Mortgage Refinance Rates
SheKnows.com, AZ -Sep 4, 2008
Mortgage refinance rates are the lowest rates, homeowners can get when trying to refinance their mortgages. Simple, isn’t it? Maybe so, but obtaining the ...

Today's Law: Mortgage Help - WKYC-TV

Today's Law: Mortgage Help
WKYC-TV, OH -2 hours ago
Under this program a borrower in danger of losing his home can refinance into a more affordable government insured mortgage. The program does not begin ...

Mortgage Refinancing Points to Consider - Corsavoo.com

Mortgage Refinancing Points to Consider
Corsavoo.com, France -23 hours ago
Though it is probable to attain a no-cost refinance mortgage from a mortgage loan lender, remember that these lenders are out there, trying to earn a ...

Troubles spread to prime Md. mortgages - Baltimore Sun

HispanicBusiness.com

Troubles spread to prime Md. mortgages
Baltimore Sun, United States -Sep 6, 2008
... interest-only mortgage with an adjustable rate. The rate kept rising until it was just too much, and he was told he couldn't refinance because the value ...
Report says 3.1 percent of Conn. mortgages overdueNewsday
Home loan troubles break records againThe Associated Press
Foreclosures, Overdue Mortgages Increase AgainWall Street Journal
Bloomberg
all 684 news articles

Five reasons the Fannie/Freddie bailout should not happen -- and ... - BloggingStocks

Five reasons the Fannie/Freddie bailout should not happen -- and ...
BloggingStocks -3 hours ago
High cost to refinance monthly debt. Bloomberg writes that as of "mid-August the companies had $223 billion of debt to refinance by the end of the quarter. ...


Washington's Fannie And Freddie Plan: Why Now? - Forbes

Times Online

Washington's Fannie And Freddie Plan: Why Now?
Forbes, NY -Sep 6, 2008
Any announcement would come just weeks before the two companies have to refinance $225 billion of mostly short-term notes. Fannie and Freddie sell debt to ...
Video: Feds Take Over Mortgage GiantsAssociatedPress
Questions, and Hope, on Plans for Mortgage GiantsNew York Times
Government bail-out for US mortgage giants FannyMae and FreddyMacdomain-B
Nolan Chart LLC - HULIQ (press release)
all 3,406 news articles

Risky mortgages threaten to keep housing market down - Detroit Free Press

Business Wire (press release)

Risky mortgages threaten to keep housing market down
Detroit Free Press, United States -11 hours ago
They can't refinance because housing prices have nose-dived, and lenders are demanding full documentation of income and assets. Losses on liar loans could ...
Fannie, Freddie fallout feltAsbury Park Press
all 12 news articles

Baytown woman sues lenders, says she was a victim of predatory ... - Houston Chronicle

Houston Chronicle

Baytown woman sues lenders, says she was a victim of predatory ...
Houston Chronicle, United States -Sep 4, 2008
Nanette Lewis refinanced her mortgage to get peace of mind. Instead, she says, she got a bait-and-switch, predatory loan and heartbreak. Now far less naive, ...

What’s A Divorce Got to Do with Your Mortgage Refinance? - Corsavoo.com

What’s A Divorce Got to Do with Your Mortgage Refinance?
Corsavoo.com, France -Aug 25, 2008
When you’re the aggrieved partner, you silently wish that things will suddenly take a better turn, especially with an unpaid mortgage. Refinance plans have ...

Mortgage Refinance Options to Think About - 3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine

Mortgage Refinance Options to Think About
3x24 - Your Newspaper and News Magazine, Germany -Aug 26, 2008
Very few people in the world can afford to purchase a home in one payment so the world of mortgages and mortgage payments ‘came to be’. Mortgage refinance...