New RESPA Rule FAQs - Good Faith Estimates

1) Q: What happens if a GFE is not provided to a borrower?

A: In a transaction involving a federally related mortgage, the loan originator is required to provide a GFE to the borrower. Failure to provide a GFE as required is a violation of Section 5 of RESPA.

2) Q: When will the use of the new GFE and HUD-1 forms be required?
A: The new GFE and HUD-1 forms must be used as of January 1, 2010. The new GFE and HUD-1 forms may be used before this date. Please note that if a loan originator issues a GFE on the new form, then the settlement agent must use the new HUD-1 form and the tolerances and other requirements in the revised RESPA regulations will apply.

3) Q: If a GFE is issued on the old form prior to January 1, 2010, and the loan will close after January 1, 2010, which HUD-1 form is to be completed by the settlement agent?

A: If a GFE is issued on the old form prior to January 1, 2010, then the old HUD-1 form must be used even if closing will occur after January 1, 2010. For GFEs issued on the old form, the loan originator has the option to reissue the GFE (with the same terms and charges) on the new form, in which case the settlement agent must complete the new HUD-1 form.

4) Q: When does a loan originator have to issue a GFE?

A: A loan originator must issue a GFE no later than 3 business days after the loan originator receives an application or information sufficient to complete an application. Application is defined as the submission of a borrower‘s financial information in anticipation of a credit decision relating to a federally related mortgage loan, which shall include the following: (1) borrower‘s name, (2) borrower‘s monthly income; (3) borrower‘s social security number to obtain a credit report; (4) property address; (5) estimate of value of the property; (6) loan amount and (7) any other information deemed necessary by the loan originator.

5) Q: What is a loan originator?

A: "Loan originator" means a lender or a mortgage broker.

6) Q: What fees can a loan originator charge before issuing a GFE?

A: Prior to issuing a GFE, the loan originator may, at its option, collect a fee limited to the cost of a credit report.

7) Q: I am a mortgage broker. Can I provide the GFE?

A: Yes, a mortgage broker can provide the GFE, however the lender is ultimately responsible for ascertaining that the GFE was provided to the applicant.

8) Q: There are not enough lines on the GFE or the HUD-1 to show all of the charges that are appropriate for some of the categories. Where should these charges be listed?

A: Additional lines may be added to Blocks 3, 6 and 11 of the GFE. Additional lines may also be added to the HUD-1.

9) Q: Is a GFE a loan commitment?

A: No, the GFE is not a loan commitment. A GFE is an estimate of settlement charges a borrower is likely to incur to obtain a specific loan.

10) Q: At what point can a loan originator charge a loan applicant fees for services other than the cost of obtaining a credit report?

A: After a loan applicant both receives a GFE and indicates an intention to proceed with the loan covered by the GFE, the loan originator may collect fees beyond the cost of a credit report for origination-related services.

11) Q: If the borrower is taking out two loans to finance the purchase, how should the loan originator disclose the charges from each loan on the GFE and the HUD-1?

A: Each loan must have a separate GFE and a separate HUD-1. However, the principal amount of the second loan and a brief explanation of the second loan should be listed on Lines 204 – 209 of the HUD-1 for the first loan.

12) Q: What are processing and administrative services?

A: Processing and administrative services are those services required to perform the functions involved in title service and origination service. Processing and administrative services include, but are not limited to the following: document delivery, document preparation, copying, wiring, preparing endorsements, document handling and notarization.

*The preceding Q&A was originally published on the HUD website.