We've all heard the word "mortgage," but what's really included in all of that? Why do homeowners find themselves surprised when their monthly bill ends up being way more than they bargained for?

In Episode #2 of the Mortgage Secrets podcast, John Downs of Downs Capital breaks it all down for you, sharing nuggets from his 17 years of experience in the mortgage industry to keep you awake and aware throughout your home buying process. Before you find yourself completely blindsided with an inflated bill, find out everything that goes into your monthly house payment.

John explains in this episode what the heck amortization is, who might not want an escrow account, why online mortgage calculators are usually misleading, and other factors that might cause your monthly house payment to fluctuate. Be aware, know what your fees look like, and you'll never be surprised!