Updated April 2026: This post has been refreshed with current information about escrow shortages, property tax adjustments, and homeowner options in Washington State.
If you’ve recently received a notice from your mortgage servicer telling you that your monthly payment is increasing, you’re not alone — and you’re probably wondering why. The most common culprit is an escrow shortage, and in Washington State’s higher-cost markets, these notices have been a regular occurrence as property values and tax assessments have climbed.
Here’s what’s happening and what you can do about it. [Read more…]
A home buyer recently asked me, “What would the difference in taxes be between Pierce County and King County?” It’s one of the most common questions I get when preparing a mortgage quote — and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on where the property sits, not just which county. 
