The Mortgage Corner With GreenState Credit Union: What is an Escrow Analysis? 

To understand what an escrow analysis is, we must first understand what an escrow account is. 

An escrow account is an account established at the time of mortgage closing to hold the property taxes and insurance premiums. When an escrow account is established the monthly payment due from the borrower will include the actual loan principal and interest, plus the monthly equivalent of the property taxes and insurance premium for the home. When the taxes and insurance items are due, they are paid by the mortgage lender from the homeowners’ escrow account. 

Now that we have that understanding, let’s walk through what an escrow account analysis is. 

An escrow

Pride of Ownership Speaks Volumes Throughout this Beautiful Home Located in a Secluded Cedar Falls Neighborhood - 628 Oak Park Blvd., Cedar Falls 

4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,992 Square Feet | .37 Acres | $284,900

Listed by Tom Herzmann, 319.961.0452

Pride of ownership speaks volumes throughout this beautiful home located in a secluded, quiet neighborhood with a private backyard surrounded by mature shade trees. Walk into the welcoming spacious foyer which also has access to the oversized 2 stall garage. You will find this immaculate and beautifully maintained home boasts both comfort and style. Filled with natural light, the living room is spacious and is open to the dining area and kitchen where there is ample storage and an eat in area

Enjoy Fall Around the Cedar Valley with these Fun Events & Activities

All events pulled from the cedarvalley365.com calendar. 

Fall is finally here in the Cedar Valley! A time when we all look forward to new recipes, coffee flavors, cooler temps, fall athletics, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and the beautiful colors of the landscaping around. As the seasons change there is no shortage of things to do and enjoy around the Cedar Valley. All events and activities are pulled from the Cedar Valley 365 Calendar, for more and an updated view of events please see cedarvalley365.com.

Area Pumpkin Patches

• The Patch, Cedar Falls
• Hanson's Hallow, La Porte City
• Sherman's Pumpkin Farm & Corn Maze, Manchester
• Apples on the Avenue, Nashua

August Listing of the Month: There is Only One Word to Describe this Renovated Ranch, Stellar! 1123 Ridgemont Rd., Waterloo

4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3,084 Square Feet | .29 Acres |  2 Garage | $409,900

Listed by Jane Obermeier, 319.404.5395

One word, STELLAR! If this home could only have one word as its description it would be STELLAR! The attention to detail and the pride of ownership is clearly evident in this gorgeous remodeled ranch home. You will find it easy to picture yourself living here with nothing to do but move in! The moment you open the front door you will be captivated by the stunning three sided gas fireplace with custom built mantle in the large open living room. As you move into the dining room and kitchen you will love

Beautiful Craftsman Style Can be Found in this Klunder Home in Reinbeck Iowa - 105 Valley Dr., Reinbeck

4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2,309 Square Feet | .34 Acre | 2 Stall Garage | $419,900

Listed by Rachel Iverson, 712.261.4772

This 2008 Klunder Home build is a stunning 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom property that boasts a range of incredible features that are sure to impress. The recently updated main bathroom features a beautifully tiled shower, while the new electric fireplace with stone finishes adds a touch of modern elegance to the living space. The screened in back porch is the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee or relax in the evening, surrounded by beautiful landscaping that adds to the overall appeal of the property. One of the

This Custom Built Sprawling Ranch is Unmatched in Today's Market - 4137 Wynnewood Dr., Cedar Falls

4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 4,098 Square Feet | .43 Acre | 3 Stall Garage 

Listed by Gale Bonsall, 319.231.9700

Fieldstone pond's panoramic view is one of the most sought after in our market. This Prairie style home was custom designed and built by a local general contractor for his family. The quality and special features of this all brick home is almost unmatched in today's marketplace. The Prairie style is highlighted on the exterior by the large overhangs, windows, trim and much more. This style is carried throughout the interior of the home with it's solid oak doors, built-ins and more. The main floor provides access to an oversized deck for

Tucked Back off Ridgeway Ave You will Find this Adorable Bungalow - 411 W Ridgeway Ave., Waterloo

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | 1,080 Square Feet | .18 Acre | 2 Stall Garage | $159,900

Listed by Paige Peyton, 319.404.9899

Tucked back off Ridgeway Avenue this adorable Bungalow is one you don't want to miss! Instantly be greeted by the inviting front porch area, perfect for enjoying morning coffee and listening to the birds sing. As you enter, the spacious living room welcomes you with the cozy fireplace and ample nature light. Continuing through the home, and find the large dining room, seamlessly connected to the kitchen. The kitchen boasts all-new appliances, including an added dishwasher, a gas range, and plenty of cabinet space. The breakfast

This Acreage in Jesup Iowa Has Everything You Would Want for Small Town Living - 1173 210th St., Jesup

3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3,109 Square Feet | 2.13 Acres | 3 Stall Garage | $324,500

Listed by Laurie Lynch, 319.810.8374

Take a look at this acreage just outside of Jesup! A cute white house with black shutters, 4 garage stalls, several outbuildings in great shape and a yard full of beautiful landscaping and fruit trees. This home has solar panels taking utilities to an average of $14/month! On the main floor sits 2 large bedrooms, 1.75 baths, a large laundry room and the main living areas including the kitchen, dining and living room. Upstairs is a master suite and a large attic storage area. Down in the basement sits 2 sections of

Sellers: Don't Let These Two Things Hold You Back

Article from KCM

Many homeowners thinking about selling have two key things holding them back. That’s feeling locked in by today’s higher mortgage rates and worrying they won’t be able to find something to buy while supply is so low. Let’s dive into each challenge and give you some helpful advice on how to overcome these obstacles.

Challenge #1: The Reluctance to Take on a Higher Mortgage Rate

According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the average interest rate for current homeowners with mortgages is less than 4% (see graph below):

But today, the typical 30-year fixed mortgage rate offered to buyers is closer to 7%. As a result, many homeowners are opting to stay put

Two Things to Know About Your Annual Tax Bill

It is that time of year when everyone in the Cedar Valley will be receiving their tax bill in the mail. Did you know that your tax "bill" is a bill that doesn't necessarily need to be paid? More times than not your property taxes are tied into your monthly mortgage payment, known as escrow. Before sending in any payment make sure to check with your lender to see if you have this tied into your mortgage payment. 

Want to save a little money on your property taxes? Then you need to apply for a Homestead Tax Credit! A Homestead Tax Credit could grant you up to $200 a year that can be put toward property taxes. This can be done online or by going to your county assessor's office. This is only applicable