Nobody tells you what a mortgage actually costs until you’re already in it.

I borrowed $280,000.
My monthly payment is $1,847.
Over 30 years that’s $664,920.
I borrowed $280,000.
I’m paying back $664,920.
That’s $384,920 in interest.
To live in something I already call mine.
And that’s before:
Property taxes — $7,200 a year.
Homeowners insurance — $2,400 a year.
Maintenance — $3,500 a year average.
Realtor fees when I sell — 5% of whatever it’s worth.
The bank gets paid first.
The government gets paid second.
The insurance company gets paid third.
Then maybe.
After 30 years.
After $664,920.
After everything.
It’s yours.