Good Faith Estimate

A Good Faith Estimate referred to as a GFE must be provided by a mortgage lender or broker in the United States to a customer, as required by the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). The estimate must include an itemized list of fees and costs associated with your loan and must be provided within three business days of applying for a loan. These mortgage fees, also called settlement costs or closing costs, cover every expense associated with a home loan, including inspections, title insurance, taxes and other charges.

A good faith estimate is a standard form which is intended to be used to compare different offers (or quotes) from different lenders or brokers. The good faith estimate is only an estimate. The final closing costs may be different  sometimes very different.

Beginning January 1, 2010 brokers who arrange federally related mortgage loans must use the new Good Faith Estimate. Brokers who previously used the combined Mortgage Loan Disclosure Statement/Good Faith Estimate form, RE 883, must now provide two separate disclosure forms to borrowers when arranging federally related mortgage loans. The RE 882 Mortgage Loan Disclosure Statement and the new Good Faith Estimate required by HUD will together meet the disclosure requirements of the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA) and the California real estate law. The disclosure forms must be provided to the borrower within 3 days of receipt of a loan application.

Brokers who arrange non-traditional mortgage loans are reminded they must provide borrowers with the Mortgage Loan Disclosure Statement/Good Faith Estimate, RE 885. They must be aware, however, that the Good Faith Estimate portion of the form is no longer sufficient to comply with the new federal requirements. The RE 885 must also be accompanied by the new Good Faith Estimate form for all federally related non-traditional mortgage loans.