Amerisave Logo
Amerisave Logo

Glossary of Mortgage Terms

Explore commonly used mortgage terms that are frequently used by AmeriSave Mortgage.
Escrow Fee

Escrow fees are charges paid at closing to a neutral third party, such as an escrow company, title company, or real estate attorney, for managing the transfer of funds and documents between buyer, seller, and lender during a real estate transaction.

Escrow Holdback

An escrow holdback is an agreement to set aside money in a third-party account at closing to pay for necessary repairs to the property that can't be done before the sale is final.

Escrow Shortage

An escrow shortage happens when your escrow account doesn't have enough money to cover upcoming property tax and insurance payments, which usually leads to a higher monthly mortgage bill.

Escrow Waiver

If you get an escrow waiver, you don't have to use an escrow account to pay your property taxes and homeowners insurance. Instead, you can pay them directly.

Recent Articles

Bridge Loan vs. HELOC: How to Choose the Right Way to Fund Your Next Move in 2026

Bridge Loan vs. HELOC: How to Choose the Right Way to Fund Your Next Move in 2026

Why This Choice Trips Up Even Careful Home Buyers The worst advice home buyers get when they are trying to buy and sell at the same time is that a bridge loan...

Closing Costs in California: Your 2026 Home Buyer's Guide to Fees, Taxes, and What You Actually Pay

Closing Costs in California: Your 2026 Home Buyer's Guide to Fees, Taxes, and What You Actually Pay

What Closing Costs Really Mean for a California Home Buyer Buying a home in California is exciting right up until someone hands you a stack of numbers and asks...

California Jumbo Loan Limits for 2026: What Makes a Loan Jumbo, How to Qualify, and How to Decide

California Jumbo Loan Limits for 2026: What Makes a Loan Jumbo, How to Qualify, and How to Decide

What makes a mortgage jumbo in California The most common misunderstanding I've run into about jumbo loans is that they're only for mansions and luxury buyers....