RESPA is a HUD consumer protection statute that outlines closing and settlement costs and requires disclosures to be given to the consumer throughout the purchasing process. Here is a recent mandate (as of January 1st 2010) which benefits consumers during the loan application process. Information gathered from California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) newsletter:
Good
Faith Estimate form now in effect
RESPA changes that went into effect Jan. 1, now mandate consumers
receive a standard, three-page Good Faith Estimate to help consumers
shop around for the best loan and compare lenders’ offerings.
Under the new rules, lenders and mortgage brokers are required to give
consumers the standard estimate form within three days of receiving a
loan application. The Good Faith Estimate form requires lenders
to combine all of the bank’s fees into one “origination charge,”
enabling consumers to compare one lender’s fees with another’s.
Lenders also are prohibited from increasing the origination fee from
the estimate.
Some additional charges, including title services and recording
charges, can increase by as much as a combined 10 percent.
Estimates for other charges, such as homeowner’s insurance and other
services provided by third parties selected by the borrower, aren’t
subject to such limits.