Mortgage Loan Estimate Comparison Worksheet

Compare mortgage offers using official Loan Estimates issued for the same property, loan amount, loan type, and general timeframe. Record the interest rate, rate-lock status, total monthly payment, mortgage insurance, origination charges, lender credits, cash to close, and five-year borrowing cost. A low advertised rate alone does not show the total cost or risk of a loan.

This printable worksheet helps Georgia home buyers organize questions for lenders. It is educational information, not lending, financial, legal, or tax advice. Rising Star Properties and Rising Star Realty Group are not mortgage lenders.

Before you compare

Request an official Loan Estimate from more than one lender.
Ask each lender to quote the same loan amount, term, product, occupancy, down payment, and points-or-credits approach.
Try to obtain the estimates close together because rates and pricing can change.
Confirm whether each rate is locked, the lock expiration date, and what could change.
Do not send Social Security numbers, bank statements, tax records, account numbers, or identity documents through an unsecured website form.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says a lender generally must provide a Loan Estimate within three business days after receiving the six required application items. The Loan Estimate is not a loan approval and does not commit you to that lender.

Loan Estimate comparison table

Print this page or copy the headings into your private worksheet. Enter information exactly as shown on each official estimate.

Item	Lender A	Lender B	Lender C
Estimate date
Loan type and term
Loan amount
Interest rate
Rate locked? Expiration?
Principal and interest
Mortgage insurance
Estimated taxes, insurance, and assessments
Estimated total monthly payment
Origination charges
Points paid
Lender credits
Total closing costs
Estimated cash to close
Five-year interest and fees
Prepayment penalty, balloon, or adjustable features?
Can lender meet contract closing date?

How to compare the numbers

Monthly payment

Compare the estimated total monthly payment, not only principal and interest. Identify mortgage insurance and expenses that are estimated but not escrowed. HOA or condominium dues may be outside the lender's payment estimate, so include them in your household budget separately.

Upfront lender-controlled costs

CFPB guidance emphasizes comparing origination charges, services you can shop for, and lender credits. Taxes, insurance, prepaid interest, and government charges may differ for reasons outside a lender's control. Ask why any property-related estimate varies substantially.

Points and lender credits

Points can reduce the interest rate by increasing upfront cost. Lender credits can reduce upfront cost by increasing the rate or cost elsewhere. Compare the same approach across lenders, then ask each lender to show alternatives when useful.

Five-year borrowing cost

On page 3 of the Loan Estimate, subtract the principal paid in five years from the total paid in five years. CFPB uses that difference as a way to compare interest and fees over five years. It is one comparison measure, not a prediction that you will keep the loan for exactly five years.

Questions to ask each lender

Is this an official Loan Estimate or only a worksheet or scenario?
Which assumptions must stay the same for this comparison to remain valid?
Is the rate locked? What does an extension cost?
Which costs can change, and which are subject to tolerance limits?
What documentation or underwriting condition could affect approval or timing?
Does the property type, occupancy, assistance program, or condominium status change the pricing?
Who will service the loan after closing?
How quickly can the lender address appraisal, title, insurance, or closing issues?

Keep current rates dynamic

Mortgage rates can change daily and individual pricing depends on the borrower, loan, property, points, credits, and lock. This page intentionally does not publish a rate. Use the CFPB's official rate-exploration and Loan Estimate tools, then obtain personalized estimates from licensed lenders.

Connect financing to a live home search

Once you understand your comfortable budget and lender requirements, use live listings and an agent-specific campaign page to focus the search.

Search Georgia homes | Request licensed real estate guidance

Frequently asked questions

Is the lender with the lowest rate always the least expensive?

No. Compare points, origination charges, lender credits, mortgage insurance, total monthly payment, cash to close, adjustable features, and the five-year borrowing cost.

Does a Loan Estimate mean the mortgage is approved?

No. It shows expected terms and costs based on the information provided; underwriting and other conditions still apply.

Will requesting estimates affect my credit?

Credit-scoring treatment depends on the model and timing. CFPB says multiple mortgage credit checks made within a shopping window are generally treated as a single inquiry. Ask the lender and use current CFPB guidance for your situation.

Does Rising Star require a particular lender?

No. Consumers may compare and choose qualified providers. Any partner relationship or paid placement must be disclosed separately and does not remove consumer choice.

Entity boundary: Rising Star Properties owns and maintains this educational website. Licensed real estate services are provided by appropriately licensed professionals through Rising Star Realty Group, LLC or the brokerage identified at engagement. Mortgage products and advice are provided by licensed lenders, not Rising Star Properties.