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Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
The Loan Estimate is the opening offer, and the Closing Disclosure is the final statement. You will receive the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before your closing. This form should be very similar to your initial Loan Estimate, allowing you to verify that the terms and costs are what you agreed upon.
An escrow surplus occurs when there is more money in the account than is needed to cover the projected bills. If the surplus is over a certain threshold (usually $50), the lender is required by law to send you a refund check. If the surplus is smaller, the amount may be credited back to your escrow account, potentially lowering your future monthly payments.
There is no single universal minimum, as it depends on the loan type. Generally, a FICO score of 620 is a common benchmark for conventional loans. Some government-backed loans (like FHA) may accept scores as low as 500 with a larger down payment, but a higher score will always secure you a better interest rate.
You will need to repay the missed amounts. You and your servicer will agree on a repayment plan before the forbearance ends. Common options include a repayment plan (adding a portion of the missed payments to your regular bills for a set time), a lump-sum payment (paying the full amount at once, which is less common), or a loan modification (permanently changing the loan terms, such as extending the loan term).
Yes, you can. “Clear to close” is not a legally binding commitment from you; it means the lender is ready to finalize the loan. You can still switch, but the risks of delay and complications are at their highest at this stage.
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