Loan Estimate Comparison

Q: What affects my monthly payment the most?

Rate, loan amount and term, private mortgage insurance (PMI), property taxes, and homeowners insurance.

Q: Is a lower rate always cheaper?

Not necessarily. Over shorter horizons a slightly higher rate with lower upfront fees can be cheaper. Compare 5-year cost.

Q: How do points pay back?

Points make sense when the monthly savings from the lower rate recover the upfront cost within the time you expect to keep the loan (see this page’s break-even).

Drop in numbers from two Loan Estimates to see the real monthly payment, cash to close, 5-year cost, and where you can save by shopping fees. Estimates only, not a loan offer.

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Georgia • Purchase and Refinance
NMLS #2533287 • Equal Housing Lender

Your mortgage guide in Atlanta, GA

TL;DR — Compare Two Loan Estimates

Paste the numbers from both LEs to see monthly payment, cash to close, and 5-year cost. You can lower cost by shopping discount points, lender fees, title & settlement, appraisal/credit/flood fees, and homeowners insurance. Taxes and government fees are set by locality; prepaids/escrows depend on timing.

Quick answer: Line up rate, points, lender fees, and shoppable third-party costs for each LE, then compare monthly payment, cash to close, and 5-year cost. Lower totals by shopping points, lender fees, title/settlement, appraisal/credit/flood, and homeowners insurance.

Lender A

Paste from the Loan Estimate. Use numeric values.

Lender B

Same fields for apples-to-apples.

Results

“5-Year Cost” = Interest (60 mo) + PMI (60 mo) + points + lender + shoppable + other 3rd-party − credits. Excludes principal and escrows.

Monthly Payment

P&I + Taxes/HOI + PMI

Lender A

$—

Lender B

$—

Diff

—

Cash to Close

Points + lender + shoppable + other 3rd-party + prepaids − credits + down

Lender A

$—

Lender B

$—

Diff

—

5-Year Cost

Interest + PMI + upfront/3P − credits

Lender A

$—

Lender B

$—

Diff

—

Points Break-Even

Months for lower rate to recover extra points (rough est.).

Lender A

—

Lender B

—

Who wins?

—

Notes

Longer lock windows usually add to pricing cost.
Title/settlement shopping reduces cash to close and 5-year cost.
PMI typically ends around 78–80% LTV by schedule or with value updates if allowed.

Loan Estimate FAQs

What affects my monthly payment the most?

Rate, loan amount/term, PMI, property taxes, and homeowners insurance.

Which fees can I shop to lower costs?

Discount points, lender origination/processing/underwriting, title & settlement services, appraisal/credit/flood fees, and homeowners insurance.

Is a lower rate always cheaper?

Not always. For shorter horizons, a slightly higher rate with lower fees can be cheaper. Compare the 5-year cost.

How do points pay back?

Use the tool’s break-even months. If the break-even is less than how long you expect to keep the loan, points may be worth it.

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