Repayment of a mortgage loan requires that the borrower make a monthly payment back to the lender. That monthly payment includes both repayment of the loan principal, plus monthly interest on the outstanding balance. Loan payments are amortized so that your monthly payment remains the same during the repayment period, but during that time, the percentage of the amount that goes towards principal will increase as the outstanding mortgage balance decreases. Mortgage payments can also include pre-payments of property taxes, homeowner's insurance, mortgage insurance, and monthly homeowner's association dues into an escrow account, managed by your lender. When those items are due, your lender will make the payment to the tax authority, insurance company or homeowner's association.