What should you do once your mortgage is paid off?

Asked by: Prof. Dereck Schuppe  |  Last update: February 6, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (31 votes)

Here are a few things you'll need to do once you've paid off your mortgage.
  1. Collect documents from your servicer. ...
  2. Update your homeowners insurance. ...
  3. Pay your own property taxes. ...
  4. Get in touch with your accountant. ...
  5. Keep an eye on your credit score. ...
  6. Should you pay off your mortgage early?

What is the next step after paying off a mortgage?

Once your mortgage is paid off, you'll receive a confirmation from your lender. You're now responsible for paying your homeowners insurance and property taxes. Going forward, it's important to reassess your budget and financial goals.

What paperwork to keep after mortgage is paid off?

Key takeaways. While you can discard monthly mortgage statements, it's important to keep all mortgage documents, such as the promissory note, deed of trust and proof of title insurance, for the life of the loan.

Do you still have to pay property tax after a house is paid off?

Once you pay off your house, your property taxes aren't included in your mortgage anymore, because, voila! You don't have one. Now it's on you to pay property taxes directly to your local government.

What do I do after I finish paying my mortgage?

Once a mortgage has been cleared the homeowner can either:
  1. Continue to live in the property and enjoy their reduced outgoings.
  2. Sell up and make use of the money made from the sale.
  3. Remortgage the property with a residential mortgage to access money without having to sell and move elsewhere.

I'm 32, Should I Invest or Pay Off My House?

30 related questions found

How do I get my deed after paying off my mortgage?

You must obtain the property deed through your county.

If you need a copy of your property deed, we advise you to contact the county your mortgage is recorded in or check their website for instructions on how to request one.

How much do I need to retire if my house is paid off?

For example, if you plan to travel frequently in retirement, you may want to aim for 90% to 100% of your pre-retirement income. On the other hand, if you plan to pay off your mortgage before you retire or downsize your living situation, you may be able to live comfortably on less than 80%.

Do I have to do anything when I pay off my mortgage?

Paying off your mortgage means that you have 100% equity in your home and no longer have to make monthly loan payments to your lender. Once your loan is paid off, you'll have to pay your home insurance premiums and property taxes out of pocket, instead of through an escrow account.

How to pay taxes after a mortgage is paid off?

Congratulations on paying off your mortgage! Your taxes will no longer be paid from your escrow account, so you are responsible for paying them directly to the Hancock County Treasurer's Office. Tax statements are mailed out from the Treasurer's Office once per year and include both the spring and fall payment coupons.

How long does it take to transfer ownership of a property?

It usually takes four to six weeks to complete the legal processes involved in the transfer of title.

Can I throw away old mortgage papers?

You can throw away old mortgage statements, but proceed with caution, because in some cases you should keep old mortgage papers for a long time. For example: Keeping the promissory note, Closing Disclosure, deed of trust and proof of title insurance for the life of a loan is typically required.

Where to store a deed to a house?

What are the best places to keep real estate deeds? Your bank or building society can take care of your deeds. Although keeping your paper documents in a safe deposit box is a very convenient option, they typically charge you for renting a deposit box.

What do you get from bank after paying off mortgage?

Once the bank has processed the payoff, they will issue a Discharge of Mortgage. This document needs to be recorded at the Registry to show that the mortgage is no longer in effect. You should ask your lender if they will record the discharge or if they will be mailing it to you.

What paperwork do you get when you pay off your mortgage?

A deed of reconveyance, also known as a satisfaction of mortgage, is a document that proves you've paid off your mortgage. The deed of reconveyance releases the lien the mortgage lender placed on your property. You'll need this document to prove a clear title when you sell your home.

Is it better to be mortgage free?

One of the most significant benefits of paying off your mortgage is the peace of mind that comes with owning your home outright. Without a mortgage, you don't have to worry about monthly payments, which can be especially comforting in retirement or during economic downturns.

At what age do most people pay off their mortgage?

There is no specific age to pay off your mortgage, but a common rule of thumb is to be debt-free by your early to mid-60s.

Do I still have to pay property tax after my house is paid off?

While you're paying the bank, your payment goes to principle, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI). After it's paid off, the loan goes away and you're left with the taxes and insurance. The loan is paid and the bank no longer cares about those - it's no longer their concern.

What do I do when my mortgage is paid off?

When you pay off your mortgage, take these steps to smooth the financial path as you assume full ownership of your home:
  1. Receive mortgage release documents.
  2. Update your insurance and taxes.
  3. Allocate your extra funds.
  4. Monitor your credit.

What happens to escrow when a mortgage is paid off?

Once mortgage payoff funds are posted, money held in escrow with your current lender will be returned to you from that lender. The existing escrow account cannot be transferred unless your current lender is the same as your new lender, in which case your payoff will be reduced by your current escrow balance.

What happens when a mortgage is fully paid off?

Once you've sent the payoff amount, your mortgage lender is responsible for sending you and the county recorder documentation to release the mortgage and lien on your home. You should be sent any funds remaining in escrow.

Do property taxes go up when you pay off your mortgage?

They are considered ad valorem, which means they are assessed according to the value of your property. Since property values rise over time, so do property taxes. Even after you pay your mortgage, the property tax bills keep coming until you no longer own a home.

Who do I notify when I pay off my mortgage?

Updating your insurance provider and local taxing authority

After paying off your mortgage, it might be a good idea to ensure your homeowner's insurance provider and local taxing authority have been notified of the change in your property's lien status. This responsibility typically falls upon the homeowner.

What is the 2% rule for mortgage payoff?

The 2% rule states that you should aim for a 2% lower interest rate in order to ensure that the savings generated by your new loan will offset the cost refinancing, provided you've lived in your home for two years and plan to stay for at least two more.

What is a good monthly retirement income?

The ideal monthly retirement income for a couple differs for everyone. It depends on your personal preferences, past accomplishments, and retirement plans. Some valuable perspective can be found in the 2022 US Census Bureau's median income for couples 65 and over: $76,490 annually or about $6,374 monthly.