Ask Your Lender for a Good Faith Estimate

Some Lenders Skirt GFE Requirements Some lenders are avoiding the requirement that they lock in the good faith estimate by providing something loan officers are calling "worksheets” or “loan scenario forms" that don’t have to meet a government accuracy standard.The worksheets contain some of the information provided by a good faith estimate. They are typically provided to shoppers who don’t provide – and often aren’t asked to provide – key information, such as the address of the property to be financed.Loan officers defend the worksheets, saying that it is impossible to provide completely accurate estimates. But Vicki Bott, a deputy assistant secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, says if these worksheets turn out to be a way for lenders to avoid meeting their obligations, the department will respond by tightening the guidelines.Meanwhile, buyers should ask for the good-faith estimate by name, so they get an accurate estimate of costs.