The Home State blog
Written by the people who underwrite here.
Local answers for McHenry County and the Fox Valley: down-payment programs, property taxes, closing costs, loan limits, and the situations where a portfolio bank can say yes. No content-farm filler.
Local guidesWisconsinWisconsin property tax, explained for homebuyers: mill rates, credits, due dates, and escrow
How a Wisconsin property tax bill works: assessed vs. equalized value, the Lottery and Gaming Credit, First Dollar Credit, due dates, and escrow.
Home State Bank mortgage team · Sep 18, 2026 · 8 min
Local guidesIllinoisThe best suburbs of Chicago you may not have toured yet: a home buyer's guide to McHenry County
An honest look at the best suburbs of Chicago in the far northwest: Crystal Lake, Cary, Algonquin, Huntley, Woodstock, and McHenry. Commute, taxes, loans.
Home State Bank mortgage team · Sep 17, 2026 · 8 min
Local guidesWisconsinBuying a home in Fox Valley, Wisconsin: the communities, the housing stock, and how to finance it
A home buyer's guide to Fox Valley Wisconsin: Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Kaukauna, Oshkosh and more, with Census and Realtor data and financing tips.
Home State Bank mortgage team · Sep 14, 2026 · 7 min
Local guidesIllinoisMcHenry County property taxes: the homestead exemptions you can claim, and how to budget the bill into your mortgage
Effective tax rates by town, the $8,000 General Homestead and Senior exemptions, the Senior Freeze income limit, how to apply in Woodstock, and how the tax line changes your mortgage payment.
Home State Bank mortgage team · Sep 9, 2026 · 8 min
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