CFPB’s 26-page TOOLKIT Explains Aug. 1 Changes

It includes an explanation of the changes that take place Aug. 1, 2015, and includes sample forms of the new disclosures – Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure – that must be used.

Washington – April 2, 2015 – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a toolkit Tuesday that guides consumers through the mortgage and homebuying process. It includes an explanation of the changes that take place Aug. 1, 2015, and includes sample forms of the new disclosures – Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure – that must be used.

"The new mortgage disclosure forms coming in August will help consumers comparison shop for mortgages and avoid surprises at the closing table," says CFPB Director Richard Cordray. "We are releasing this toolkit well in advance of the effective date to help the mortgage industry come into compliance with the new rules."

The toolkit can also help Realtors understand the coming changes.

The Your Home Loan Toolkit can be downloaded online through CFPB's website.

Using a step-by-step guide format, CFPB says the toolkit is designed to help homebuyers understand the nature and costs of real estate settlement services, define what affordable means to them and find their best mortgage. It has interactive worksheets and checklists, conversation starters for discussions between consumers and lenders, and research tips to help consumers find important information.

Going forward, the toolkit will replace an existing booklet that creditors must give to mortgage applicants initially developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The updated toolkit includes the new Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure forms effective Aug. 1, 2015. Creditors must give the new toolkit to mortgage applicants as a part of the application process, and CFPB encourages other industry participants, including real estate professionals, to provide it to potential homebuyers.

The toolkit can be downloaded and printed, but CFPB also provides an electronic version with fillable text fields and interactive check boxes so consumers can save and print their progress. The electronic version meets federal accessibility standards to ensure that all consumers, including those with disabilities, can use it.

A Spanish language version will be available later this year.

The CFPB says it's providing the toolkit well ahead of the August effective date for the "Know Before You Owe" mortgage disclosure rule to give the industry time to order and receive or print the new toolkit, as well as integrate electronic versions into their mortgage origination systems.

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