Did you know that the standard home loan actually pays four different costs associated with home ownership? Here's what your monthly payment will pay.

If you have a conventional 30 year mortgage, part of your payment goes to retire the principal. The principal is the amount you borrowed on the loan.

Second, the payment includes the monthly interest cost associated with the loan. In the early years of a loan, most of the payment goes for interest.

Third, part of the montly payment goes for the payment of local real estate taxes imposed by your county, city, or state.

Fourth, part of your monthly payment is for homeowner's insurance. No financial institution will loan without full insurance on the property.

When looking for a home loan, the best path to take is to compare loans from different sites. And by all means contact your local financial institutions. Often the best deals are not on the net but down the street.