
Due to RESPA Reform, as of January 1, 2010, lenders are required to use a new, uniform, Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form. This new form creates additional disclosure and transparency about the loan product being offered as well as the costs to the borrower. The Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form is 3 pages in length. All lenders will use the same form. This was not true prior to January 1, 2010.
Once a borrower has provided all the information necessary for a lender or broker to complete a Good Faith Estimate (GFE), the loan originator has 3 business days to deliver a Good Faith Estimate to the borrower. It can be delivered via email if the borrower consents.
Consumers will be able to use the new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form to more easily compare loan proposals from various lenders.
The new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form is now more binding on the lender. When I say "more binding," I mean that it IS binding with a few exceptions:
We will go over, in detail, which fees fall into which category as we go through the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form. The fees which are not subject to any tolerance cap are usually those where the borrower chooses to use a service not required to close the transaction, or uses a company, for a required service, other than a company identified by the lender (from which they derived their estimated cost). If the borrower selects one of the companies identified by the lender, or if the lender selects the company for a required service, the lender is bound to the figures quoted with up to a 10% tolerance.
There are 6 pieces of information that have to be on the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) in order for it to be binding on the lender or mortgage broker. They are:
If any of these pieces of information change during the transaction, the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is no longer binding and the Lender or Broker will then issue a new Good Faith Estimate within 3 Business days. Anytime a new Good Faith Estimate is prepared, the borrower cannot close on that transaction for another 3 business days after receipt of the new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form.
The sections, and therefore the numbers quoted, on the new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form now correspond to identically numbered sections on the Settlement Statement (HUD1 or HUD1A) that the borrower sees at closing.
Let's examine these forms, beginning with the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form, page 1:

Mortgage shopping will soon be a lot less complicated.
RESPA Reform takes effect on January 1, 2010. While still not perfect, the changes do simplify the ability to compare loan offerings between lenders. The goal was to simplify and improve disclosure requirements for mortgage settlement costs under RESPA. My analysis: Mission Accomplished
Here are some key highlights for borrowers:
Here are some more changes and an overview of the new forms.
You will be better able to understand an compare loan proposals from different lenders if you have an agent who understands the process. Your best bet is to hire an Exclusive Buyers Agent who will work only on your side of the transaction. Overall the reforms will make it easier for the average borrower to comparison shop for a mortgage loan.
As advocates for the Home BUYER, one of the services we offer our clients is to help them evaluate lenders and loan options using our TOTAL Cost of the LoanSM system.
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home within 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A!
Call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - "The Real Estate Agents on the Buyer's Side" TM - Salt Lake City, UT
Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved
Finally...

Many Buyers pay 1-3% too much for their loan in up-front costs, even after "shopping" for lenders. Some choose a lender solely based on which one has the lowest up-front costs, but they end up paying for it by getting an interest rate that is higher than they qualify for. Others unnecessarily pay too much in fees in order to get the lowest interest rate.
Shopping for a loan does not have to be difficult or complicated. The key is to take control of the process, get organized, and make sure you do it right.
Here are some basics on ONE way to shop for a loan. Click each link for more information on each topic:
As advocates for the Home BUYER, one of the ways we protect our clients above and beyond what most traditional agents do is by offering to help them evaluate lenders and loan options using our TOTAL Cost of the LoanSM system.
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home within 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A!
Call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - "The Real Estate Agents on the Buyer's Side" TM - Salt Lake City, UT
Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved
Finally...

Many Buyers pay 1-3% too much for their loan in up-front costs, even after "shopping" for lenders. Some choose a lender solely based on which one has the lowest up-front costs, but they end up paying for it by getting an interest rate that is higher than they qualify for. Others unnecessarily pay too much in fees in order to get the lowest interest rate.
Shopping for a loan does not have to be difficult or complicated. The key is to take control of the process, get organized, and make sure you do it right.
Here are some basics on ONE way to shop for a loan. Click each link for more information on each topic:
As advocates for the Home BUYER, one of the ways we protect our clients above and beyond what most traditional agents do is by offering to help them evaluate lenders and loan options using our TOTAL Cost of the LoanSM system.
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home within 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A!
Call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - "The Real Estate Agents on the Buyer's Side" TM - Salt Lake City, UT
Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved
Finally...

Many Buyers pay 1-3% too much for their loan in up-front costs, even after "shopping" for lenders. Some choose a lender solely based on which one has the lowest up-front costs, but they end up paying for it by getting an interest rate that is higher than they qualify for. Others unnecessarily pay too much in fees in order to get the lowest interest rate.
Shopping for a loan does not have to be difficult or complicated. The key is to take control of the process, get organized, and make sure you do it right.
Here are some basics on ONE way to shop for a loan. Click each link for more information on each topic:
As advocates for the Home BUYER, one of the ways we protect our clients above and beyond what most traditional agents do is by offering to help them evaluate lenders and loan options using our TOTAL Cost of the LoanSM system.
If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home within 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction! Make sure you hire an E B A!
Call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.
Exclusive Buyers Agents do not list homes and never represent Sellers. They represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...
©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - "The Real Estate Agents on the Buyer's Side" TM - Salt Lake City, UT
Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved
Finally...

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