Understanding Your Monthly Mortgage Statement

This is the company that sends the statement, processes your payments, keeps track of principal and interest paid, and manages your escrow account (if you have one). This is a good place to start if you have questions or concerns. Their contact information will be at the top left of your statement. Note your account number, which should also be on your statement, before contacting them.

This section details how your monthly loan payment is broken down. Typically, your payment includes three categories:

• Principal — the amount you originally borrowed
• Interest — the cost of the loan
• Escrow — property taxes based on the home’s value and the rates for the county or city (typically due annually or semiannually)

Thinking of paying off your mortgage early? There may be a cost to pay off early. Whether you pay it off through refinancing, by selling your home, or by some other means, you would have agreed to this penalty fee when you closed on the loan. Be sure to check this section before you pay off your loan completely to avoid surprises.

Review the dates and confirm that your last payment was credited on time. If not, contact your servicer to correct the issue.

Look for any new charges or fees in the explanation of amount due and ensure that payment dates are accurate. If you spot any errors, call your servicer to resolve the issue.

If you must submit paperwork, be sure to use the servicer’s correct address. Chances are the address used for information requests is different than the address used for payments. You should be able to find the correct address on your statement. If not, check the servicer’s website.