Loan Estimate Explainer

A Loan Estimate is a form you receive from the lender after applying for a mortgage. It includes the details about your home loan, such as the monthly payment, interest rate, and closing costs.

1. Date Issued:

   After you apply for a mortgage, the lender will send you a Loan Estimate within three days.

2. Loan Term:

   The loan term is the number of years you have to repay the loan. The term affects the monthly payment, the interest rate, and how much interest you'll pay over time. 30-year and 15-year terms are the most common.

3. Loan Product:

   The loan product can be either a fixed or adjustable rate mortgage. With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate and monthly payment of principal & interest will stay the same. However, the interest rate and monthly payment for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) can change after closing.

4. Loan Type:

   We offer Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. Most homebuyers with excellent credit go for a conventional loan, a low-cost mortgage with a minimum down payment of only 3%. An FHA loan is an affordable mortgage even when your credit isn't perfect. Get approved with a 3.5% down payment and a 600 credit score. With a VA loan, a servicemember, veteran, or eligible surviving spouse can buy a home with no down payment, no mortgage insurance, and a favorable rate. A USDA loan helps you buy a home in a rural area with no down payment.

5. Rate Lock:

   A rate lock is an agreement between you and the lender. The lender agrees to give you an interest rate with certain fees for a specific time. In return, you agree to accept the lender's offer and close the loan before the lock expires. Contact the lender to lock the interest rate after applying for the loan but before closing. Learn more about locking your interest rate.

Loan Terms are the mortgage details, such as the loan amount, interest rate, and monthly principal and interest payment. We will send you a revised Loan Estimate if the loan terms change before closing.

6. Interest Rate:

   The interest rate is the price you pay to borrow money. View current mortgage rates on our website now.

7. Monthly Principal & Interest:

   Lenders calculate Monthly Principal & Interest payments based on the loan amount, term, and interest rate. The principal portion repays the loan, while the interest is the price you pay for borrowing the money. 

8. Prepayment Penalties:

   We never charge Prepayment Penalties, a fee for paying off all or part of your loan early.

9. Balloon Payments:

   We don't offer loans with Balloon Payments. A balloon loan has a final payment at the end of the loan term that is higher than previous payments. 

The Projected Payments table estimates your monthly housing payments for the loan term. In addition, you can see if the lender requires mortgage insurance, and they will manage your property tax and homeowner’s insurance payments through an escrow account.

10. Mortgage Insurance:

    You may have to pay mortgage Insurance, depending on the loan type and the amount of your down payment. Compare the cost of mortgage insurance when shopping for a mortgage. Some lenders charge more than others for mortgage insurance. Conventional mortgage insurance. FHA mortgage insurance.

11. Estimated Escrow:

    Estimated Escrow is the portion of your monthly payments that the lender collects to pay your homeowner's insurance and property tax bills. The amounts can change depending on how much you pay for homeowner's insurance and property taxes. Learn more about an escrow account.

12. Estimated Total Monthly Payment:

    Estimated Total Monthly Payment is the amount you'll pay the lender each month. The four main components of a mortgage payment are the Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance (PITI). Learn more about your monthly payment.

13. This Estimate Includes:

    The lender will set up an escrow account to manage payments for property taxes and homeowner’s insurance when the boxes are marked “Yes.”

The Costs at Closing table shows Estimated Closing Costs and Estimated Cash to Close.

14. Estimated Closing Costs:

    Estimated Closing Costs are Loan Costs plus Other Costs minus Lender Credits. See page 2, Closing Costs Details, for a breakdown.

15. Estimated Cash to Close:

    Estimated Cash to Close is the money you'll need at closing when you buy the home. The amount may change. If it does, the lender will provide a revised Loan Estimate so you're well-informed every step of the way. See page 2, Calculating Cash to Close, for details.

Loan Costs are fees you pay to the lender and third parties. Add up the costs in sections A and B to determine how much the lender charges you for the loan. 

16. Origination Charges:

    Origination Charges are fees paid directly to the lender at closing. Compare the overall origination charges when shopping for a mortgage. Some lenders charge fees for Underwriting, Processing, Administration, and etc. A lower interest rate mortgage may have higher origination charges or vice versa. 
    

17. Discount Points:

    Points or "discount points" are fees paid to the lender to reduce the interest rate on your home loan. Points allow you to spend extra upfront at closing to lower the monthly payment and save money over time. Learn more about discount points.
    

18. Services You Cannot Shop For:

    The lender may order third-party services and pass the fees on to you. For example, we may request a property appraisal from an approved appraiser and ask you to pay for it. Some lenders charge more for these services than others. Or they may throw in fees for a credit report, flood determination, or tax search. So, compare the total cost of the "Services You Cannot Shop For" when shopping for a mortgage. 
    

19. Appraisal Fee:

    An appraisal is a report completed by a real estate appraiser on the home's fair market value based on recently sold comparable properties in the area. The lender uses the appraisal or the home's sales price, whichever is less, to determine the property's value. The lender orders the report and asks you to pay the fee upfront. In any case, because you can't select an appraiser, the lender can't increase the appraisal fee after you receive the Loan Estimate.
    

20. Services You Can Shop For:

    The lender may require additional third-party services, like title insurance. "Services You Can Shop For" means you can pick the companies to perform the services, pay the fees they charge, and lower your loan costs. Please don't just compare the overall cost in this section when shopping for a mortgage. Like most homebuyers, you'll probably use alternative service providers so that the price will be the same. 
    

21. Title Fees:

    Title Fees are the estimated costs for title insurance, settlement fees, and other services provided by the lender's title company. If the lender orders the title work through their service provider, you'll pay the amounts listed on the Loan Estimate. Most likely, however, you'll use the title company the seller, real estate agent, or attorney recommends. So the cost of title services will change.
    

Other Costs are taxes, government fees, and prepaid items. These fees may vary on the initial Loan Estimates you receive from lenders. Lenders may not know the exact amounts when you first apply, like how much you'll pay for property taxes. They will update the numbers before closing. You'll pay the same charges at closing when you buy a home, no matter which loan you choose. So don't compare these fees when shopping for a mortgage. 

22. Recording Fees and Other Taxes:

    Pay Recording Fees and Other Taxes to the county at closing. The county keeps track of all purchases and sales.
    

23. Transfer Taxes:

    Transfer Taxes are a one-time fee paid at closing to a city, county, or state. The amount varies depending on where the property is. However, the cost will be the same regardless of the loan or lender you use to buy a home. Find out how much with our Transfer Tax Calculator.
    

24. Prepaids:

    Prepaids are the homeowner's insurance and mortgage interest you pay at closing when you buy a home. Learn more about prepaid items. 
    

25. Homeowner's Insurance Premium:

    Lenders require proof that you have homeowner's insurance on the property to protect you and the lender in case of an accident or disaster involving your home. The amount on the Loan Estimate is a ballpark figure. Before purchasing a home, select an insurance provider, pay the annual Homeowner's Insurance Premium, and send us proof of insurance. Learn more about Homeowner's Insurance.
    

26. Prepaid Interest:

    Prepaid Interest is mortgage interest you pay to the lender from the day you sign the loan agreement through the last day of the month.

27. Initial Escrow Payment:

    Initial Escrow Payment at Closing is the money you deposit with the lender that the lender will use to pay future homeowner's insurance and property taxes. If you set up an escrow account, deposit two months of homeowner's insurance and 2-months of property taxes when you close. Your monthly mortgage payments will include insurance and taxes. The lender will save the insurance and tax portions in the escrow account. Then, when the bills are due, the lender will pay them for you from the money saved in the escrow account.
    

28. Lender Credits:

    Lender Credits are the amount of money the lender will contribute at closing to pay your closing costs. The lender can pay all or a portion of your closing costs. However, the contribution cannot be more than the actual closing costs. 

In the Calculating Cash to Close table, the lender estimates the cash you’ll need at closing. 

29. Down Payment:

    A Down Payment is money you pay upfront to buy a house. You'll need a down payment of at least 3% for a conventional loan and 3.5% for an FHA loan. You don't need a down payment when using a VA or USDA loan to buy a home.
    

30. Deposit:

    Deposit or earnest money is the cash you put up as security to show the seller you're serious about buying a home. The amount depends on how much the seller will accept to take the property off the market. The average good faith deposit is between 1% and 3% of the property's purchase price. After signing the real estate sales contract, make a check or wire transfer payable to a third party, such as the real estate attorney, realtor, or title company. The third party will hold the money in a trust account until closing. Then, subtract the earnest money from the estimated cash to close. Learn more about your deposit.
    

31. Seller credits:

    Seller credits are the funds the seller kicks in to pay your closing costs. Asking the seller to pay your closing costs is an excellent way to reduce the amount of money you'll need at closing when you buy a home. How much depends on your agreement with the seller. Negotiate the seller's credits upfront when offering to buy the house. Typically, the limit is 3% - 6% of the sales price of the property or the total amount of the closing costs, whichever is less.  Learn more about seller credits.
    

32. Estimated Cash to Close:

    Estimated Cash to Close is the money you'll need at closing when you buy the home. It includes the down payment plus the closing costs minus any earnest money and seller credits. Your cash-to-close may change. If it does, we'll provide a revised Loan Estimate so you're well-informed every step of the way.