Rules to Clarify Cost of Mortgages

The complexities of shopping for home mortgages has always been a struggle for home buyers. Now, the Federal Government is trying to help.

Federal rules that took effect on January 1st now require mortgage lenders and brokers to give consumers better estimates of the barrage of fees they incur when taking out home loans. The new rules mandate a standard three-page Good Faith Estimate that urges consumers to shop around for the best loan and helps them compare lenders' offerings.

One problem in shopping for mortgages is that the lender with the lowest rates often isn't offering the best deal. High fees can wipe out the benefits of low rates, and little-noticed features such as prepayment penalties can burn borrowers. Even for savvy consumers, it is hard to compare different combinations of rates, "points" (paid in exchange for a lower rate), fees and other terms. Lenders often sprinkle in lots of confusing charges, such as processing and messenger fees. Dickering over the smaller fees could distract borrowers from the bigger picture of total costs.

To address those problems, the new estimate form requires lenders to wrap all the fees they control into one "origination charge."

Good Faith Estimates have been around for decades, but there was no standard format. Under the new rules, lenders and mortgage brokers are now required to give consumers the estimate forms within three days of receiving a loan application.

Lenders aren't allowed to increase the origination fee from the estimate. Some other charges not included in the origination fee, such as title services and recording charges, can increase by as much as a combined 10% from the estimate. Estimates for other charges, such as homeowner's insurance and other services provided by third parties selected by the borrower, aren't subject to such limits.

Title insurance typically is the largest fee, and the new forms let consumers know they don't have to accept the insurer suggested by the lender.

HUD has estimated that the revised requirements will save $700 for the typical consumer, partly because of the greater ability to shop intelligently.