We recommend that you carefully compare closing costs
between lenders before selecting a loan. This task is complicated by the
fact that different lenders and brokers use different names for the same
item. All lenders and brokers are required to provide you with a Good
Faith Estimate detailing the services you may be required to get and
pay for in connection with your loan.
This Good Faith Estimate will give you a way to compare loans and see
what your closing costs would be. Below you will find a list of coded
names that describe the different fees, which may be associated with the
services previously mentioned. These codes and names correspond to those
found on the HUD-1 Settlement Statement.
Lender Fees
801 - Loan Origination Fee
A fee to cover the lender’s costs for obtaining financing and
administrative costs, most often expressed as a percentage of the
loan amount (1% = 1 point). Can be a flat fee and/or paid by sellers
and third parties.
802 - Loan Discount Fee Discount Points
Often called "points", is a one-time charge to you from
lender to lower the interest rate on your loan. Generally, the more
points you pay, the lower your rate. Each point is 1% of the loan
amount. For example, if you have a loan amount of $100,000, one
point would cost you $1000. Sometimes you will see offers with
negative points. Negative points refer to money paid to you that can
be used to offset your other closing costs. You will usually see a
higher interest rate with negative points.
803 - Appraisal Fee
The appraisal fee covers the cost of evaluating your home to
estimate the fair market value. The appraised value of your home is
used to calculate LTV. See LTV for more information.
804 - Credit Report Fee
This fee covers the cost of obtaining a credit report, which shows
how you have handled other credit transactions. The lender uses this
report in conjunction with information you submitted with your
Q-form regarding your income, outstanding bills, and income to
determine whether you are an acceptable credit risk, how much the
lender can loan you and at what interest rate.
805 - Lender Inspection Fee
This covers inspections by the lender or outside inspector of your
house/property. Most often associated with new construction.
806 - Mortgage Insurance Application Fee
You may be charged this fee to process an application for Mortgage
Insurance (MI) if needed.
807 - Assumption Fee
The assumption fee is a charge to you, if you take over the existing
mortgage on the house you are purchasing. For example, if you are
buying an existing house from someone you may have the option to
take over the mortgage that the seller is paying.
808 - Mortgage Broker Fee
If you use a broker to get a loan, any fees charged by the broker
are listed here.
809 - Underwriting Fee
A cost to cover the final analysis and approval of the mortgage;
often the lender's cost to the investor who will subsequently
purchase the loan.
810 - Tax Service Fee
A fee paid to set up a service which identifies the payment due date
of local taxes for the servicer of the loan.
813 - Processing Fee
A fee charged by the lender to cover costs associated with the
processing and closing of a mortgage loan.
814 - Application Fee
A fee to reimburse the lender for internal costs associated with
initiating the application process.
822 - Flood Certification Fee
Since your house is collateral for your loan, the lender wants to be
sure the property is not in a flood zone. This fee covers obtaining
a report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that
indicates whether or not your property is in a flood zone. If your
home is located in a flood zone, you will need to get flood
insurance. Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood
damage. This only covers the report and not the insurance if needed.
Lender Pre-paid Items
901 - Interest
Lenders require you to pay the interest due on your mortgage from
the close date to the first day of the following month. The interest
due is calculated using the loan's interest rate, the loan amount
and the number of days until your first payment. For example, if you
close on the 11th of March, you will pay 21 days interest
(3/11-3/31) assuming your first payment is May 1st. Mortgage
interest is always collected in arrears therefore you will pay the
April interest in the May payment using the example above.
902 - Mortgage Insurance
Premium Lenders usually require Private mortgage insurance (PMI)
when your LTV (loan amount divided by property value) is greater
than 80%. The insurance protects the lender in case of loan default.
903 - Hazard Insurance
Premium Since the property is collateral for the loan, you will be
required to insure your house. At closing, you must pay the first
year's premium or prove that you already have coverage (if
refinancing). If you are purchasing a condominium, your association
policy will already cover your unit and you will not need to make
this payment. Homeowner's insurance covers you against damage from
fire, wind, and other natural hazards. Flood damage is usually not
covered by a Homeowner's Insurance Policy.
Escrow Account Deposits
An escrow account is an account used when the lender will be paying
your homeowner’s insurance and property taxes on your behalf. You
prepay the amounts and the lender pays the costs as they come due. You
will probably have to pay an initial amount to start the reserve
account.
1001 - Hazard Insurance
This fee represents the amount the lender withholds to ensure you
pay your homeowner's insurance on time. Typically, the lender will
require you to pay two months of premiums at closing, and then the
remaining payments are included in your monthly payments.
1002 - Mortgage Insurance
If you need private mortgage insurance (PMI), you may be required to
prepay those premiums. Remember to reference canceling mortgage
insurance to see when you can stop paying it.
1003 - City Property Tax
If your property is in a jurisdiction where city taxes apply, you
will be required to pay a portion of the taxes at closing.
1004 - County Property Tax
The amount of property tax you owe can vary dramatically by county
and the date you purchase your home.
Title Charges
1101 - Settlement or Closing Fee
This fee pays for the services of the escrow holder or settlement
service that handles all the financial transfers and payments
associated with the closing process. The title company sets these
fees.
1102-1104 - Title Fee
Title fees may include title search, title examination and title
insurance.
1105 - Document Abstract Preparation Fee
Lenders or title companies may charge a fee to cover the costs of
preparing the final legal documents required for closing.
1106 - Notary Fee
This fee covers the cost of a person licensed as a notary public to
swear to the fact that the individuals named in the documents are
the actual persons that signed them.
1107 - Attorney Fee
You may be charged a fee to pay for legal services of a settlement
service provider at closing. The lawyer will usually oversee the
signing of the documents.
1108 - Title Insurance
The total cost of your and lender's title insurance.
1109 - Title Insurance Lender's Coverage
Protects the lender against loss due to problems or defects in
connection with the title. The face amount of coverage is usually
written for the amount of the mortgage loan and covers losses due to
defects for problems not identified by title search and examination.
1110 - Owner's Title Insurance
This fee covers the part of the title insurance policy that protects
the owner against loss due to disputes over ownership of the
property. The owner's policy is not necessary for a refinance
transaction as the existing policy remains in full force and effect,
if obtained when you purchased your house, for as long as the owner
owns the property.
1112 - Carrier Fee
A fee paid to an overnight delivery service for delivery of mortgage
documentation.
Government Fees
1201 - Recording Fee
After you close, your mortgage is recorded at the county office to
make record of your mortgage.
1202 - City/County Tax/ Stamps
You may be charged tax on your mortgage by the state the property
resides in.
1203 - State Tax/ Stamps
You may also be charged tax on your mortgage by the state the
property resides in.
Additional Settlement Charges
1301 - Survey Fee
Your lender may require a surveyor to conduct a survey of your
property. A survey determines the exact location of the home and the
lot line, as well as, easements and rights of way. This also
protects you to ensure you have record of your property boundaries
and size.
1302 - Pest Inspection Fee
This fee covers the cost of inspections for termites and other pest
infestation.
1303 -1305 - Lead-Based Paint Inspection Fee
Houses built prior to 1978 may be required to have an inspection for
lead-based paint hazards.
