Ever noticed your mortgage payment quietly climbing, even though you locked in a fixed rate? Blame skyrocketing property taxes and insurance—especially if you live in places like Florida or Colorado. Lenders stash part of your payment in an escrow account to cover these bills, but when costs spike, so does your monthly payment. Pro tip: Always check how much of your mortgage is going to escrow, and budget for those surprise hikes! #RealEstate #Homeownership #MoneyTips