What are property taxes & how do they intertwine with mortgage payments?

Millions of homeowners dedicate their income to mortgage payments and property taxes every year. If you intend to purchase a home in the future, knowing how mortgage payments and property taxes work and intertwine can give you a better understanding of where your money goes. 

How does property tax work?

Property tax is collected by your local government and allocated to provide resources for citizens such as state parks, schools, road improvement and more. 

The property tax amount is calculated based on the local property tax rate and the value of your home. 

Mortgages & property taxes

Your mortgage insurance includes more than the raw amount of your home. In addition to the cost of the home borrowed, the amount also covers interest rates, mortgage insurance, homeowners insurance and the property tax for your district. 

Your mortgage lender estimates the amount of property tax you’ll owe at the end of the year based on the property tax rate of your area and divides it by 12. 

This amount is then added into your monthly mortgage payments. If you underpay, you’ll owe money to the government, but if you overpay, you’ll receive a tax refund. 

What about after I pay off my house?

Paying off your mortgage is a gradual process worthy of celebration. However, once the house is paid off, it’s essential to remember yearly property taxes are still due. 

To stay on top of payments, you can contact your local government, and they can invoice the amount you owe each year. They may also offer you multiple payment options, as some require one lump sum per year, while others may offer quarterly payments.  

Understanding your property tax options puts you ahead of the game and helps you better understand how your money helps to improve your community’s overall well-being.