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Good Faith Estimate (GFE) versus Initial Fees Worksheet

south florida brokers and associates. As of the first of the year HUD issued new rules regarding Good Faith Estimates (also know as GFE’s).  These newly adopted rules called for stricter guidelines for the preparation of GFE’s by lenders, mortgage bankers and mortgage brokers.  Obviously the look of the GFE and layout has changed; however, the real change in the rules is how accurate the preparer must be in estimating closing costs and loan origination fees.  In the past there were not many guidelines regarding the accuracy of these items.  Although, I feel that there are many great mortgage brokers and lenders working in our market; I must also admit that I had many instances where the final HUD at he closing table had significant differences from the original GFE, and trust me, it was never in the favor of the buyer.  Although, there is no way to prove it; it would appear that preparers of GFE would under estimate closing costs, prepaid items and origination fees in order to get the buyer / borrower to commit to them, only to later at the closing table, at the 11th hour change-up the numbers.  “Well, now what here we are a the closing table, with a ton of deposit money in escrow at risk if we don’t close.”  Naturally, this would anger any buyer and anger any agent or broker representing the buyer.

I for one am glad that the new rules are in place. The rules basically state that there is only a small margin of acceptable variance from the GFE to the final HUD for the previously mentioned fees.  Also, if these fees do vary by more than the acceptable margin then the lender must absorb the difference.  I feel that this will help in more honest and responsible lending.

Lenders are naturally concerned about this rule as they see it as potential losses.  Therefore, many lenders have responded by creating “initial fees worksheet”. This worksheet will give an estimate of fees and prepaid items, etc. However, this particular worksheet will be provided prior to application, that is prior to the borrower having their credit pulled, or even providing the property address.  The main thing for a buyer / borrower to remember is that this is not a GFE and should not be taken as such. The “initial  fees worksheet” offers no guarantees whatsoever.

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South Florida Brokers & Associates, Inc.