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Who should I get my closing cost figures from prior to settlement?

Mortgage and Lending with Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

January 24, 2011 04:35 AM

where can I get my total closing costs prior to my settlement on my new home.

My Lawyer seems to be avoiding me when I ask for my total closing costs…. should I proceed with caution?

I am all about transparency and making sure that I provide the correct answers. I know most of us want to be helpful, but can some of our answers be hurtful instead?

The question above was just asked on Trulia advice the other day, aka asking questions on Trulia. One answer ruffled my feathers, because unless you know all that you need to know about mortgages, this can be a dangerous question with answers that could backfire on a buyer. One needs to evaluate and understand who to ask specific questions.

Here are some of the answers given by some realtors :

(I know some of you don't like clicking to another site, but I am trying to promote my main site, The FHA Expert. And you can read the answers by 4 realtors in this post that is mentioned below.)

Answers to where should I get my closing cost figures from prior to settlement?

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Gerry Michaels

Glasswork Media Arts - Gettysburg, PA

GettysburgGerry Social Meida

Jeff, I like a combination of a & d, Realtors these days have to be careful when discussing mortage information, it is not our specialty and it could come back to bite us. BTW I don't mind helping promote your site, as long as you don't helping promote mine. I have book marked you site and will check back regularly

Jan 24, 2011 04:45 AM

Jerry Cecil

Bloomtree Realty - Prescott, AZ

I'm with ya Jeff. Many answers by Realtors on Trulia trully bother me. There's so many other Realtor type questions that are asked, why would Realtors go for the questions that are beyond their expertise?

Jan 24, 2011 04:59 AM

Charles Perkins

Charles G. Perkins, CPA - Burien, WA

I bookmarked your site. Nice to have a resource like this to read and review. As a CPA, I also have learned that it is important to be cautious in how some questions are answered. Transparency is important, but sometimes partial information can lead to the wrong conclusions.

Jan 24, 2011 05:48 AM

Tim Bradford

Cleveland, OH

NMLS 250013

Jeff, I also belong to Trulia and am surprised with some of the questions and answers that are posted there. It really surprises me that many people answer questions outside of their expertise and the geographic area where they work.

Jan 24, 2011 06:05 AM

Jeff Belonger

Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ

The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

GERRY... . sounds good.. I had no problem except for the letter "C".... as I showed in my example, it could have been very costly for the buyer last minute. And yes, I will be glad to help push your site also. We'll talk about it later... thanks

JERRY... . in my opinion, very simple... so they can be in front of everyone else... hoping that people will click on their name and or link. Just another way to advertise freely... no matter what answers they give.. and usually thinking that they are helping and not hurting..

CHARLES... . I think that is the problem in regards to transparency and wanting to be in front of your borrowers, showing that you are willing to help.. and thinking that you should know the answer to the question above. But mortgages have become more tricky and should in many cases, just be left up to the loan officer. Doesn't a realtor have other things to do? And my pleasure regarding my site... I have established a place all about mortgages on my own site, The FHA Expert ... it's not just about FHA loans.. and a site to where there are 6 of us as professional loan officers, always putting the correct info out there... Mortgage Myth Busters and to where people can come ask us mortgage related questions.

TIM... . one of my biggest complaints regarding the internet and Trulia would be forums like this or places for questions and answers. For most, it's about getting their face in front of others and it irks the hell out of me. It's bad enough that some loan officers give the wrong answers and or information. Even if they are in the same geographic area... they should not be giving half answers or their opinions when it comes to mortgages and or financing. I know some realtors will disagree with me and or hate me for that... but it's a fact, no matter how much the realtor wants to help and or thinks that they know the answer. To give such an answer that the buyer should come to the realtor for the closing costs is absurb and my example proves this point. It could be a huge mistake... again, I know they want to help and in many cases, show that they are helping. .. but they just need to say... speak to your loan officer. thanks

Jan 24, 2011 06:31 AM

Richard Iarossi

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD

Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Jeff,

What's that old saying, "you get what you pay for." That's what I generally feel when I see answers on Trulia. I'm surprised a major lawsuit hasn't happened yet.

Rich

Jan 24, 2011 06:40 AM

Janice Roosevelt

Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA

OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

Jeff, I'm bookmarking this site too. Great Piece !

Jan 24, 2011 06:46 AM

Mark Organek

And the United States of America - Mesa, AZ

It's not a game, it's your life.

I can't believe what people put out there. It makes you wonder if they really know what they are talking about.

Jan 24, 2011 02:50 PM

Markita Woods NMLS#196099

Fairway Independent Mortgage Inc. - Woodbridge, VA

Queen of Mortgages - FHA, VA, Conventional, USDA

Get the answer from the horses mouth! So true....

Jan 24, 2011 04:16 PM

Who should I get my closing cost figures from prior to settlement?

My Lawyer seems to be avoiding me when I ask for my total closing costs…. should I proceed with caution?

Answers to where should I get my closing cost figures from prior to settlement?

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Jeff Belonger

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My Lawyer seems to be avoiding me when I ask for my total closing costs…. should I proceed with caution?

Answers to where should I get my closing cost figures from prior to settlement?

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Jeff Belonger

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