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Topic
Taxes, insurance, maintenance and what to do if you fall behind on payments. It covers the homestead exemption, the escrow account, HOAs and how a home is inherited.
Stage 1 of 2
The payments, taxes, insurance and decisions that come after you buy.
27 guides in this stage
Featured guide Essential guide 13 minute read
Who charges property tax, how it is calculated, how it is paid through escrow, which exemptions and appeals exist and what part is deductible.
The most important thing
It is a local tax: assessed value of the home × the rates of the county, city and school district, minus exemptions. Your county sets the bill.
Verified on October 17, 2026
Essential guide Home insurance explained: what it covers, how much to buy What home insurance covers, why the lender requires it, how to choose the amount and the deductible, why flood is separate and what happens if it lapses. 13 min read Verified on October 17, 2026 
What a repair quote must include What a repair estimate and contract should say according to the FTC and ENERGY STAR, and where to look up a contractor's license in your state. 10 min read Verified on November 6, 2026 
Water heater: when to repair it and when to replace it How long a water heater lasts, how to care for it, what to check before replacing it, which types save energy and which public help can pay for the repair. 10 min read Verified on November 6, 2026 
Roof: when to repair it and when to replace it What to do if your roof leaks, how to avoid scams after a storm, what Florida's law and insurance rules say and which programs help pay for a roof. 9 min read Verified on November 6, 2026 
Heating and air conditioning: when to repair and when to replace When to think about replacing your AC or furnace, the upkeep ENERGY STAR recommends, how to hire a technician and which public help pays for the repair. 9 min read Verified on November 6, 2026 The data behind these guides
The guides on Owning a home cite these figures. They update when their sources publish new ones; what you see here is current.
See all the dataSources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024) · FHFA (2025 data)
Stage 1 of 2
Keep going with the other guides on owning, from the most read to the most specific.
Featured guide 9 minute read
What the EPA, the USGS and insurance laws say about cracks, moisture, radon and sinkholes, and which programs help you strengthen your home's foundation.
The most important thing
Radon gets in through foundation cracks and gaps; the EPA says all homes should be tested.
Verified on November 6, 2026
Contractor scams after a disaster How to spot a fake FEMA inspector or a contractor taking advantage of a storm, what the law says about price gouging and where to report it. 9 min read Verified on November 6, 2026 
USDA 504: home repair loans and grants for rural homeowners USDA Section 504 repair loans and grants for very-low-income rural homeowners: the age rule for grants, the 1% interest rate and how to apply. 13 min read Verified on October 31, 2026 
Land surveys, property lines and easements What a land survey is, where to find yours, who can mark your property lines, what an easement is and what to do if you disagree with a neighbor. 9 min read Verified on October 31, 2026 
Property tax relief for older homeowners Exemptions, assessment freezes, deferrals and credits on property tax for older homeowners: how each one works and the verified programs in your state. 10 min read Verified on October 31, 2026 
Property taxes: paying through escrow or on your own When escrow is required, how it is waived or canceled, what happens if you pay property taxes yourself and how to avoid falling behind or paying penalties. 10 min read Verified on October 31, 2026 Stage 1 of 2
Keep going with the other guides on owning, from the most read to the most specific.
Featured guide 11 minute read
How to file and document a home insurance claim, what each kind of adjuster does, the check with your lender and what to do if you are denied or underpaid.
The most important thing
Protect the home from more damage and keep receipts: the company reimburses reasonable costs.
Verified on October 31, 2026
Home warranty or homeowners insurance: the differences What a home warranty covers and what homeowners insurance covers, why one does not replace the other, what to ask before buying one and who regulates them. 10 min read Verified on October 31, 2026 
Building an ADU for your family: what to check first Before you build an ADU for your parents or children: permits, your city's rules, how to pay for it, taxes and what FHA and Fannie Mae require. 10 min read Verified on October 31, 2026 
Behind on property taxes: what happens and what to do What happens if you do not pay your property tax: penalties, interest, a lien, tax certificate or home sales, and how to catch up with your county. 11 min read Verified on October 31, 2026 
Adding a family member to your deed: gift tax and risks If you put a family member on your home's deed: the gift tax and Form 709, the tax basis, your mortgage, Medicaid and other risks to weigh first. 10 min read Verified on October 31, 2026 Stage 1 of 2
Keep going with the other guides on owning, from the most read to the most specific.
Featured guide 19 minute read
Refinance, assume the loan or request a release of liability: what FHA, VA, Fannie Mae and federal law say in divorce, separation and death.
The most important thing
The deed says who owns; the note says who owes. Taking a name off the deed does not take it off the loan.
Verified on October 29, 2026
Wills, transfer-on-death deeds and inheriting a home What a will requires, how a transfer-on-death deed works, what happens to the mortgage when you inherit a home and what heirs' property is. 14 min read Verified on October 17, 2026 
Why did my escrow payment go up? The annual analysis Why your payment changes with escrow even at a fixed rate: the annual analysis, shortages, deficiencies, the cushion and how to dispute an error. 12 min read Verified on October 17, 2026 
Renting out a room or unit in your home: the basics Before you rent out a room, half of a duplex or a separate unit: fair housing, your ad, the lease, the deposit, taxes and insurance. 12 min read Verified on October 17, 2026 
How to appeal your property tax assessment, step by step How to read your notice of value, what evidence works, how the informal review and hearing work, and protest deadlines in Texas, Florida and California. 13 min read Verified on October 17, 2026 Tools
The calculators these guides use. Each one leaves you with a result you can use today.
How much is left for housing each month.
What you get → what is left
Your monthly payment with taxes and insurance.
What you get → monthly payment
Your home's estimated tax per year and per month.
What you get → tax per year
The price your income can carry.
What you get → maximum price
Stage 1 of 2
Keep going with the other guides on owning, from the most read to the most specific.
Featured guide 11 minute read
What your homeowners policy leaves out, how earthquake policies work, what the FAIR Plan is and what to do if your insurer drops you over wildfire risk.
The most important thing
Homeowners insurance usually covers fire but not earthquakes or floods: those policies are bought separately.
Verified on October 17, 2026
Homestead exemption: what it is, what it saves, how to apply What the homestead exemption is, who qualifies, how much it lowers your home's value in Texas, Florida and California, how to apply and which dates matter. 13 min read Verified on October 17, 2026 
HOA and CDD fees: dues, special assessments and unpaid dues What an HOA and a Florida CDD are, what they charge, how they show up on your Loan Estimate and what happens if you fall behind, depending on your state. 16 min read Verified on October 17, 2026 
Flood insurance (NFIP): who needs it and what it covers Why home insurance does not cover floods, when you must buy NFIP coverage, what it covers, the 30-day wait, flood zones and how to file a claim. 13 min read Verified on October 17, 2026 
Home maintenance: how to budget for repairs How to plan and save for home maintenance and repairs: what insurance does not cover, what the IRS says and what help exists to fix up your home. 13 min read Verified on October 17, 2026 Stage 2 of 2
What happens to your loan, how much you keep and how to prepare the move.
2 guides in this stage
Featured guide 10 minute read
How to get your mortgage payoff amount, negotiate with your agent, figure what you keep, what to disclose to the buyer and the IRS home sale exclusion.
The most important thing
Ask in writing for your loan payoff amount: it must arrive within seven business days.
Verified on October 31, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Short answers taken from the guides on this topic; each one links the guide that explains it with its sources.
Because the property tax and insurance paid from your escrow account change every year, and the servicer adjusts your payment after the annual analysis. Ask for the annual escrow statement: it shows what went up.
Read the full guideYes. You can shop separately and choose the provider and plan; the NAIC reminds you that you are not required to buy from the company your lender recommends. What the lender can require is proof of coverage.
Read the full guideThe estimate is the offer: according to the FTC, it should state the work, materials, completion date and price. The contract is the agreement you sign: it adds the contractor's details and license, the start and end dates, spoken promises and your right to cancel if you sign at home.
Read the full guideAccording to the Department of Energy's Energy Saver Guide, most storage water heaters last 10 to 15 years, and tankless ones can last more than 20 years. If you don't know its age, look at your purchase papers.
Read the full guideThe full path with its steps in order, the calculators these guides use, and the agencies their rules come from.
The full path
This topic is part of a path with steps in order, so you know what to do first. Taxes, insurance and protecting your home. 8 steps in order.
See the pathEvery rule, number and date in these guides comes from what these agencies publish. Each guide links the exact page.
and 62 more official sources
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