Loan Estimate vs Closing Disclosure: Side-by-Side Comparison [2026 Guide]

Q: What should I do if my Closing Disclosure is different from my Loan Estimate?

Compare every line item. If fees in the 'cannot increase' category went up, your lender must cure the violation (refund the difference). If total fees in the '10% tolerance' category exceed 10%, the lender must also refund the excess. Contact your loan officer immediately about any unexplained changes.

Feature	Loan Estimate (LE)	Closing Disclosure (CD)
When you get it	Within 3 days of applying	At least 3 days before closing
Purpose	Estimated costs & terms	Final, actual costs & terms
Pages	3 pages	5 pages
Fees	Estimates (may change)	Final (what you pay)
Interest rate	Estimated (not locked)	Final locked rate
Can you negotiate?	Yes — shop around!	Limited — flag errors only
Required by law	Yes (TRID rule)	Yes (TRID rule)

What Is a Loan Estimate?

A Loan Estimate (LE) is a standardized 3-page document that lenders must provide within 3 business days of receiving your mortgage application. It includes:

Loan terms: Amount, interest rate, monthly payment
Projected payments: How your payment may change over time
Closing costs: Itemized estimate of all fees
Cash to close: Total amount you need at closing
Comparisons: APR, total interest over 5 years

💡 Pro Tip: Get Loan Estimates from at least 3 different lenders on the same day. Since rates and fees vary, comparing LEs is the single best way to save money on your mortgage.

What Is a Closing Disclosure?

A Closing Disclosure (CD) is a 5-page document you receive at least 3 business days before your closing date. It reflects your final loan terms and costs. This is what you actually pay.

The CD mirrors the format of the LE so you can easily compare them side by side. Any differences should be explained by your loan officer.

Which Fees Can Change? (Tolerance Categories)

Federal law (TRID) limits how much fees can change between your LE and CD. Here are the three tolerance categories:

Zero Tolerance — CANNOT Increase
Lender origination charges	$0 increase allowed
Transfer taxes	$0 increase allowed
Fees paid to lender-selected service providers	$0 increase allowed

10% Tolerance — Can Increase Up to 10% Total
Recording fees	Max 10% total increase
Services you shopped for from lender's list	Max 10% total increase

No Limit — Can Change Freely
Prepaid interest (per diem)	Depends on closing date
Insurance premiums	Depends on policy chosen
Initial escrow deposits	Depends on closing date
Services you shopped for independently	No limit

🚩 Red Flags: What to Watch For

1. Origination fee increased

This is a zero-tolerance fee. If it went up even $1, the lender must cure it. Ask them to refund the difference immediately.

2. Interest rate changed (without a new rate lock)

If you locked your rate and it increased on the CD, this is a violation unless you had a valid rate lock expiration or a qualifying changed circumstance.

3. New fees appeared that weren't on the LE

Surprise fees like "administration fee" or "document preparation fee" that weren't on your LE are a major red flag. Challenge them immediately.

4. Cash to close jumped significantly

If your cash to close increased by more than a few hundred dollars, review every line item. Common culprits: property taxes, insurance, or escrow adjustments.

5. Seller credits disappeared or decreased

Verify that any negotiated seller credits appear correctly on the CD. Missing credits can cost you thousands.

Step-by-Step: How to Compare Your LE and CD

Place them side by side — Both documents use the same format, making line-by-line comparison easy.
Check Page 1: Verify loan amount, interest rate, monthly payment, and loan term match.
Check Page 2 (Closing Costs): Compare each fee. Flag any that increased and check the tolerance category.
Check "Cash to Close": Verify the total amount matches what you expect and can bring to closing.
Look for new line items that weren't on the LE — these need explanation.
Verify credits: Seller credits, lender credits, and any negotiated concessions.
Contact your loan officer about ANY discrepancy before closing day.

🔍 Want Better Terms? Compare Multiple Lenders

The easiest way to ensure you're getting a fair deal is to compare Loan Estimates from multiple lenders:

Compare Lender Estimates Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Loan Estimate and a Closing Disclosure?

A Loan Estimate (LE) is provided within 3 business days of applying and gives you estimated costs. A Closing Disclosure (CD) is provided at least 3 business days before closing and shows your final, actual costs. The CD replaces the LE and reflects any changes that occurred during processing.

Which fees can change between the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure?

Fees fall into three categories: (1) Fees that CANNOT increase: lender origination charges, transfer taxes, and fees for lender-selected providers. (2) Fees that can increase up to 10% total: recording fees and services you shopped for from the lender's list. (3) Fees that CAN change freely: prepaid interest, insurance, and services you shopped for independently.

How many days before closing do I receive the Closing Disclosure?

By law (TRID rule), you must receive your Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing. This gives you time to review final terms and ask questions. If significant changes are made after you receive the CD, a new 3-day waiting period may be required.

What should I do if my Closing Disclosure has errors?

Contact your loan officer immediately. If fees in the zero-tolerance category increased, the lender must cure the violation and refund the difference. If total fees in the 10% tolerance category exceed 10%, the lender must also refund the excess. Do NOT sign until errors are corrected.

Loan Estimate vs Closing Disclosure: Side-by-Side Comparison

Quick Answer: Loan Estimate vs Closing Disclosure

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