New Mortgage Disclosure Forms

Share your opinion with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

It’s not very often that the general public gets to weigh in on items that will affect the entire mortgage industry. Recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released drafts of a new one-page (two-sided) mortgage disclosure form and is asking for YOUR opinion. The final form will combine the two mortgage disclosures that are currently required -- the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) mortgage disclosure and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Good Faith Estimate -- into one two-page form, down from the current five pages.

While these forms are covered in-depth in the Home Stretch workshop, they certainly can be confusing for the average homebuyer, and the CFPB is asking the general public to offer their opinion on which of the two is easier for you (or your customers) to understand.

Both versions show the key loan terms like the interest rate, the monthly loan payment, any closing costs and taxes. Borrowers can quickly see how much they'll be paying per month, and, if the loan is adjustable, how those payments might change throughout the life of the loan.

Interestingly, the form also shows the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) paid over a five-year period, along with the amount of principal you will have paid off in five years (real equity).

The CFPB will be working on these forms until July of 2012, but over the next few months, the agency will be revising and re-uploading the form(s) on its site based on the input it receives.

So… go vote! Let your opinion be heard. Then come back and let us know which one you prefer in the comments. The two forms are available here.

When comparing the forms, we recommend that you focus on what information mortgage lenders and/or brokers should share with homebuyers to make the process as easily understood and transparent as possible. Remember… our goal at the Minnesota Home Ownership Center, and of our lender and real estate partners, is successful homeownership. Which form do you think will best help potential buyers in that respect?

Are you a Minnesota resident thinking of buying your first home? Do terms like TILA, RESPA and GFE sound like a foreign language? You can learn more about these, and many more, terms, the mortgage loan process and the best steps to follow to be a successful homeowner by taking a Home Stretch workshop. For more information, click here.