Closing Disclosure

The Closing Disclosure, a five-page document that outlines the key aspects of your mortgage loan. It includes information about the purchase price, loan fees, and interest rate. Insurance, closing costs, and estimated real estate taxes. It is important to read it carefully. In fact, it is one of the most important steps in purchasing a house.

Understanding Your Closing Disclosure Is Important

It is important to fully understand the terms of any loan you are considering before you sign. This is because once you sign, it's a binding agreement to all terms and conditions, no matter what the paperwork may contain.

It is important that you read the Closing Disclosure sent by your lender. The Closing Disclosure is one of the last forms you will receive before closing on your new loan. It lists the terms and costs of your mortgage. This allows you to compare these to the Loan Estimate you received at the beginning.

The Closing Disclosure, like all mortgage forms can be confusing to read, especially if it's not clear what you should look for. This article will explain everything you need to know about the Closing Disclosure. This will ensure that you are clear when signing. A good agent will also be able to help you go through the Closing Disclosure and correct any mistakes. This is only one reason to use a licensed real estate agent for buying or selling a house.

 

What Are The Closing Costs Amount

 

Closing costs may amount to 3% -6% of the property's price. If you get a mortgage for $200,000, closing costs can be as high as $6,000 to $12,000.

Your down payment is not included in closing costs. You may be able to negotiate with the seller to cover some or all of your closing costs when you buy a home.

The Closing Disclosure 3-Day Rule

The law requires that your lender gives you the standard Closing Disclosure at minimum 3 days prior to closing. This is the Closing Disclosure 3-day Rule. This is due to the TILA–RESPA Integrated Disclosures guidelines that went into effect October 3, 2015.

Before these rules were implemented, home buyers received two documents: the HUD-1 Settlement Statement, and the Truth in Lending Disclosure Statement. These documents had two problems: they were confusing and they were provided only at closing, which left home buyers with very limited opportunity to read and understand them.

Closing Disclosure's 3-day rule gives you ample time to review the final terms of your loan before signing your closing documents.

The 3-day rule makes it relatively easy to predict the sequence of events that will lead up to you receiving a closing disclosure. Lenders try to avoid issuing Closing Disclosures before they know the exact closing costs and fees. They don't want the agreement to be changed and to wait 3 more days. The Closing Disclosure will not be issued until you have received approval, insurance, and an estimate.

 

This Is The Timeline:

 
  • All costs are calculated.

  • The Closing Disclosure Form is issued.

  • The 3-day rule is in effect.

  • Sign the form.

Basics of the Closing Disclosure Formula

 

Loan Term

This section of the disclosure statement describes the terms of your mortgage. This section gives you an exact snapshot of the amount and length of your mortgage payments. It can be broken down into five parts.

 

Interest Rate:

The rate refers to the fee that you pay your lender to borrow money. The interest rate is a percentage of the loan amount you pay each year as an interest to borrow money. It's included in your monthly mortgage payment. If you have locked in your interest rate, your interest rate should not change from the one on your Loan Estimate.

Monthly Principal, Interest, and Principal Loans:

This table shows you the principal and interest amount that you will pay each month. You will not see the monthly mortgage insurance or escrow payment if they are included in your monthly payment.

Prepayment Penalty:

This is the fee that some lenders may charge you if your mortgage is paid off early.

Balloon Payment:

You should be aware if yours has one. This one-time payment is due at the close of your loan. You will typically pay lower monthly payments if you have a mortgage with a balloon payment. This can be dangerous as you could owe a substantial amount at the end.

Predicted Payments

The Closing Disclosure explains the main components of your mortgage loan. It also shows how payments have changed over time. This section gives you an accurate picture of your monthly and annual owes.

 

Payment Calculation:

Your mortgage loan includes the principal, interest, mortgage coverage (if you do not put 20% down), and an estimated escrow to cover your homeowners' insurance as well as property taxes. This section will show you the total amount of all your payments during the term of your mortgage.

Monthly Estimated Payment:

This is the total amount you will pay each month. It includes principal, interest, mortgage insurance, and escrow. Your lender uses an escrow account to store your property taxes bills and homeowners insurance premiums. You will see your monthly estimated payments here if an escrow account is available for you mortgage. Ask your lender if anything in this section differs from the Loan Estimate. It is important that you are able to afford the monthly estimated payments for the term of your mortgage.

Estimated taxes, Insurance and Assessments:

It is possible to choose not to escrow taxes or insurance. If so, these are listed in this section. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, and homeowner association dues may not be included in escrow. These costs should be budgeted for throughout the year.

Costs At Closing

The closing costs will be broken down further in this section to provide you with a clear view of what you'll have to pay your lender at closing. Closing costs typically amount to within 2% and 5% of the loan amount.

The cash to close amount is listed at the bottom of your itemized costs. This is the total amount you will need at closing. Because it includes your down payment, the amount listed will be greater than your total closing costs.

 

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