How to Review Your Closing Disclosure Before Signing

The Closing Disclosure is a five-page mortgage form that details the loan you selected. It includes loan terms, projected payments, closing-cost details, cash to close, loan disclosures, and contact information.

It is not the same as the Loan Estimate. The Loan Estimate comes earlier and helps compare offers. The Closing Disclosure comes near the end and should be compared against the most recent Loan Estimate and your contract.

Borrowers generally receive the Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing. Use that time to review, ask questions, and resolve errors. Do not treat it as a formality.

Not every fee change triggers a new three-day waiting period. Certain material changes can, such as some APR increases, a prepayment penalty being added, or a loan product change. Ask the lender if you are unsure.

Start with the loan amount, interest rate, monthly principal and interest, estimated total payment, and cash to close. These numbers tell you whether the loan still matches what you expected.

If the payment seems off, compare it with the Mortgage Calculator and then identify whether the difference is rate, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, or escrow.

Use this checklist as a sense-check, not as a substitute for your lender, settlement agent, attorney, or real estate professional.

Compare lender fees with the Loan Estimate first. Then compare title and settlement charges with your title quote or settlement-provider estimate.

For title-specific review, use Title Insurance and Closing Services You Can Shop For. For prepaids, use Prepaid Costs and Escrow Deposits Explained.

Seller credits should match the contract. Lender credits should match the locked loan pricing or latest lender agreement. Earnest money should appear as money already paid by or on behalf of the borrower.

If credits are central to the deal, compare the numbers with How Seller Credits and Lender Credits Lower Cash to Close.

Ask immediately about a changed loan amount, changed rate, missing credit, missing deposit, higher cash to close, added points, unexpected prepayment penalty, or loan product that no longer matches your understanding.

Some changes are reasonable. A closing-date shift can change prepaid interest. A final insurance premium can change escrow. A title quote may become more precise. The issue is whether the change is explained, documented, and acceptable before signing.

Start with the lender or loan officer for loan terms, rate, APR, lender fees, and lender credits. Contact the settlement agent, escrow officer, closing attorney, or title company for title charges, recording, prorations, wiring instructions, and deposit credits.

If contract credits or repair credits are missing, involve your real estate agent or attorney. Keep written records of answers and revised documents.

The Buyer Closing Cost Calculator is useful for a planning comparison. It is not a substitute for the final Closing Disclosure.

If the final numbers feel off, compare them with your calculator estimate and identify the difference by category before you sign.

The Closing Disclosure deserves a calm, line-by-line review. Verify the loan, payment, cash to close, credits, deposit, title charges, prepaids, and escrow funding before closing day.

If the final numbers feel off, compare them with your Buyer Closing Cost Calculator estimate before you sign.