Beginning August 1, 2015 lenders, realtors, buyers & sellers will face new rules which govern how mortgages will be handled. Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Lending Act, new procedures and timelines will be implemented which could result in a delay in closing.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will be implementing a mandatory 3-day waiting period requiring the closing disclosure be given to the buyer at least 3 days prior to closing to allow the borrower sufficient time to review loan costs associated with borrowing money to make a purchase.
Why is this new rule in place?
The CFPB wants to help buyers understand the costs and ensure they are not making split-second decisions.
What can trigger a new 3-day waiting period?
- Changes to the loan product.
- Changes to the interest rate.
- Changes that require lender approval.
- Problems that arise during the final walkthrough.
- Items that are often negotiated very close to the closing date.
Anytime a new loan estimate or closing disclosure is issued, the rule mandates a new 3-day waiting period.
What happens when delays occur when there are certain contract dates that are set up and if these dates are missed then there are certain per diems that are going to have to be paid? Who is going to pay it?
The National Association of Realtors among other trade organizations have asked for a delay of enforcement until January 1st of 2016 so they obtain a better understanding of what it’s going to look like in practice; however, according to a recent letter from the CFPB, it appears the extension isn’t going to happen.
What can be done?
Realtors are going to need to work very closely with lenders that understand the rules and be on top of any changes and get the changes to the buyers immediately. Any changes will need to have been reviewed by the buyer at least a week before closing in order to avoid a delay in closing.
Did I leave anything out or do you want to join the conversation? Let me know in the comments below.
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Thanks for reading,
John Tsiaousis
Please read the update to the post below (6-18-2015).
As reported by NationalMortgageProfessional.com the CFPB has announced a 2-month delay in the new rule changing the start date to October 1, 2015.
Please read the update to the post below (8-6-2015).
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau delayed the rule change one more time with the start date of October 3, 2015.
Thank you for updating appraisers on the new closing disclosure. This is something that there is a lot discussion among real estate agents and title companies, but appraisers have been quiet.
Very true Gary, the industry is scrambling now to prepare it will be interesting to see how things work out.
Good piece John. I agree with Gary. Haven’t heard much about this as it applies to appraisers but some of the title attorneys that I know are spending a great deal of time in preparation for these changes.
One appraiser’s perspective was how it was going to affect fees, especially on complex assignments. Meaning since the appraisal fee is in the disclosures and an appraiser needed to go back and request a fee increase that could trigger another waiting period and how appraiser’s might receive push back as a result.