Thursday, June 11, 2009

Estimated Mortgage Closing Costs

At various points in your loan application process, you are entitled to get estimates of the costs and fees associated with getting a mortgage and going through settlement.

The "good faith estimate"
With such a long list of potential charges at settlement, it is important to know what to expect. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires your mortgage lender to give you a "good faith estimate" of all your closing costs within 3 business days of submitting your application for a loan, whether you are purchasing or refinancing the home. This is a good faith estimate, but the actual expenses at closing may be somewhat different. If you are purchasing the home, you will also get an information booklet, Buying Your Home: Settlement Costs and Helpful Information.

Truth in lending information
For home purchases, the lender is required, under the Truth in Lending Act, to provide a statement containing "good faith estimates" of the costs of the loan within 3 business days of submitting your application. This estimate will include your total finance charge and the annual percentage rate (APR). The APR expresses the cost of your loan as an annual rate. This rate is likely to be higher than the stated contract interest rate on your mortgage because it takes into account discount points, mortgage insurance, and certain other fees that add to the cost of your loan. When refinancing your mortgage, you will receive the truth in lending disclosures before you settle.

The "HUD-1" statement
When you purchase a home or refinance your mortgage, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act also requires the lender to give you a copy of the HUD-1 or HUD-1A Settlement Statement 1 day before you go to settlement, if you request it. This final statement of settlement costs will show all the fees and charges you will be expected to pay at settlement.

Fees paid outside of settlement
Some fees may be listed on the HUD-1 and marked as "Paid Outside of Closing" (or "POC"). You will pay some of these fees, such as for credit reports and appraisals, before settlement. Other fees, such as those to a mortgage broker, you will pay at settlement.

Sample Settlement Costs
Because costs may vary from one area to another and from one lender to another, the following example is an estimate only. This example is based on a $150,000 home with a 5% or a 20% down payment. Excluding reserves for property taxes and down payment, settlement costs for the 5% down payment loan vary between $4,690 and $13,940; settlement costs for the 20% down payment loan vary between $4,285 and $12,060. Your costs may be higher or lower than the examples below.

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