09/14/2026
It's very frustrating when the CORRECT numbers aren't disclosed to Buyers by their Realtors, Lenders, and other professionals involved...including the Seller's Realtor
What makes it more disappointing is when you see these videos on social media of Homeowners in TEARS because their "mortgage" went up $600/month+...
It wasn't their mortgage that increased, but the escrow holdback required to pay the property taxes when they become due because the BANK used the wrong numbers.
And they, rightfully so, feel betrayed... your property taxes going up $600+ per month can easily kill what you considered a "good investment" or put you in a rough position financially feeling like you're "house poor"
BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF?
> Found a property you like?
> Go to the COUNTY Property Appraiser Site
> Put in the folio # for the property (public information), list price, respond if this will be your homestead or not
> See the Estimate
OR
Some Loan Officers recommend using 1.5% of the purchase price for primary/homestead. So let's run this one:
$750K List Price
1.5%
$11,250 ANNUAL Property Taxes
$937.50/month
BTW, when I started in Real Estate, I called the Property appraiser's office and asked them to explain to me how this whole system works and they were soooo patient with me. So if none of this makes sense to you, feel free to call the property appraiser's office for the county you're looking in and ask them to teach you everything you need to know about your future property taxes.
Looking to Buy?
DM
Sincerely,
Jonny & Maria
Your Real Estate Duo