The Loan Estimator- Your #1 Mortgage Consumer Protection
If you have made a mortgage application one of the most critical disclosures that you must receive from your perspective lender or Mortgage Loan Officer within 3 business days of your loan application is called the Loan Estimator. This is not just a simple disclosure. It constitutes a legal document much like a contract between you and your lender. The Loan Estimator must be transmitted to you swiftly. It can be hand delivered to you the same day that you apply. Hand delivery is the most effective method of delivery because it's considered delivered when it is handed to you. If transmitted by email, first you would have had to consent to receiving documents electronically and the delivery of the Loan Estimator is then effective when you have received the email. If transmitted by fax, it is not considered as delivered until the next day after you signed receipt of it and faxed it back to sender. If the Loan Estimator is mailed, delivery is effective 3 business days after the Loan Estimator is mailed.
The Loan Estimator itemizes all of the costs associated with your loan and the Annual Percentage Interest Rate (APR) much like the Good Faith Estimate and Truth In Lending Statement that the Loan Estimator document has replaced for all residential transactions consisting of more than four mortgage installment payments and a finance charge.
The Loan Estimator can't be changed frivolously or even for errors. If so re-disclosure is required, and even then it could only be regenerated under the following circumstances outlined under the Truth In Lending Act (TILA). TILA doesn't permit any exceptions. NONE!
1- Change in APR;
2- Change in Loan Product(a discussion with your loan officer should ensue as to why he or she believes another product is in your best interest. Always inform your attorney of this change in order to determine if it meets the goals of your purchase contract.); or
3- Prepayment Penalty is added.
The purpose of the loan estimator is for you to become familiar with the cost of your loan and the terms of your perspective mortgage payments. With this information in one view, the legislature's intended goal are fulfilled: a. that you be more familiar with your loan product; b. that you become familiar with the cost of the loan in a five year outlook; and c. that you discover alternative options if the suggested loan product doesn't meet your objectives.
Under TILA, the MLO must be diligent in ascertaining all of the anticipated charges in the transaction with few exceptions such as third party expenses, like attorney fees The lender/ MLO is even charged with having to anticipate the termite inspector's fee especially if the lender usually assigns the inspection to a few preferred inspectors. Otherwise the loan officer cannot change the loan estimator if the lender's appraiser's fee is a bit higher then usual. Its important in fact detrimental if a lender doesn't familiarize itself with charges including recording fees. Some degrees of variance exist. Unfortunately, the lender is at risk is it underestimates or overestimates fees payable by the borrower. Errors in itemization often lead to lenders approving lender credits at the closing table in favor of the buyer (borrower) in an effort to cure its mistakes.
Fees and Costs itemized on the Loan Estimator include direct and indirect charges associated with extending you credit; fees required of third party that the lender is affiliated with including broker charges, premiums for insurance related to the transaction, charges imposed on the creditor for approving the loan; discounts for inducing payments by means other than credit; and finder fees. You may recognize some of the below fees and charges.
1-debt cancellation fee
2-appraisal fee
3. Credit report fee
4. Points, Assumption Fees
5. Carrying Charges
6. Service charges
7-transaction charges
8. activity charges
The Loan Estimator is exempt for the following transactions.
1-Home Equity Loans
2-Reverse Mortgages
3-Loans made by individuals or entities making a maximum of 5 loans per year.
4-Loans made by a non-natural person (business entity).
A house purchase is a major investment. For many consumers it is probably the only major purchase made in your lifetime. Therefore, heed the precaution of having an astute attorney to guide you through all of the formalities. If you are represented by a realtor, your realtor cannot carry the onus of dealing with the minutia of details and legal documents you will be presented with by your lender. The Loan Estimator is just one such document. If you don't have an attorney experienced in these matters, important details with long term implications may be overlooked.
Keep in mind that a mortgage is usually for 15 or 20 years for most residential transactions. Therefore, stop, pause in your zeal to get obtain what may be best characterized as your single most valuable asset and hire a law firm that is also a escrow closing and title agent such as Assurance Legal, LLC.
Why Assurance Legal, LLC? Because Assurance Legal, LLC is closings done right! Get your closing done right with Assurance Legal LLC. We take the Lender's loan estimator and Lender's final closing disclosure seriously.
Assurance Legal, LLC is owned by Attorney Jennifer A. Blanc who has been in the field of real estate for over 25 years and is capable of insuring over the title of your real estate acquisition, clear title of defects, and now as a settlement agent Assurance Legal, LLC can assure you of a smooth escrow closing.
Subscribe to our blog and learn more about Assurance Legal, LLC title agency services at at https://www.assurancelegalre.com/title-agency-services.
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