Shopping for a loan isn’t the same as shopping for shoes. Though loans do come in different sizes and cater to different needs, when you’re shopping for a loan you’ll mostly be looking at a lot of paperwork. Exciting, right? Your loan officer can explain some of these papers, but it’s important to be aware of a few steps you’ll go through before you get there. This will ensure the best fit possible.
Something that is an important part of every mortgage process is the good faith estimate (GFE). It’s an official document that is required by the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and therefore is carefully put together by the mortgage broker. Here’s why knowing how to read a GFE matters to you and your future mortgage.
What is a GFE?
A Good Faith Estimate spells out loan costs and fees in an itemized list and must be delivered within three business days of you applying for a loan. The mortgage lender enumerates the closing costs and other expenses related to the mortgage for you to review, and with this information, you can decide if the loan is right for you. In addition to closing costs you will find that inspections, taxes, title insurance, and other expenses are listed. Because the form is standard, you can request and compare these estimates from different lenders to see how the fees add up in each case. The GFE should be free, though you may have to pay a fee for a credit check to the different lenders. Basically, a GFE allows you to compare offers, become an informed buyer, and understand how the loan costs add up.
Even though a GFE is just that—an estimate—it is an official one. The lender doesn’t have too much wiggle room in changing up the terms of your final loan once you decide to borrow from them. Some items cannot change, others can change by only 10%, and others (like your initial escrow deposit, your daily interest charges, and your homeowners insurance, etc.) can, in fact, change between the GFE and the final loan. For a full list of what can and cannot change, or what can change by only a bit, please reference the government’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website about GFEs.
How to Read and Compare GFEs
There are some great government websites that can show you what GFEs look like, what to expect to be listed under each section, and how to read them. This form is an example that you can use when comparing different estimates. After reading through this sample form and comparing several estimates from different lenders on your own, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can get the hang of understanding GFEs.
So when you are shopping around for loans while buying your next house, make sure to make use of the wealth of information out there—window shop, as it were. Mortgage rates and costs can differ from lender to lender, so take the time to understand the good faith estimates you acquire so you can find the right style to fit your mortgage needs.
Beyond the GFE
One last thing I’ll note: the cost of a loan is not the only thing to consider when deciding on which lender to use. Other items like availability of loan products, underwriting, escrow, and closing times, as well as customer support reputation are all things that should be considered beyond the GFE. As with anything, sometimes you truly get what you pay for.
My husband and I are looking at a house that has an HOA, but we never lived with one before so we are curious to know if there are benefits to having one. I liked how you pointed out that one good thing is that they will provide a landscape company to help with the yard work. It will be great not having to worry about spending all of our time doing it, but having it still look nice.
Very nice love the colors
I would love to have a tiny home to live in! It seems more manageable and affordable. The Hiatus in Oregon is beautiful. I love the wood floors. can you put a tiny house on any property? Thanks for the inspiration and information!
I have a home in Stamford CT and I am looking for someone to assume my mortgage. Not sure if you are interested in something like this based on what I saw on your website. Eric
Is it possible to buy a first home with a 580 credit score? The house is in Groton ct and is only $90,000