This side-by-side comparison table highlights key numeric discrepancies between your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure forms for residential mortgage applicants finalizing home purchase closings. It is designed to be printed and stored in your physical mortgage closing folder alongside both official, dated forms, so you can cross-reference values before signing binding closing paperwork. All entries should be pulled directly from the documents issued by your lender, with no self-estimated values, to ensure accurate discrepancy tracking. Margin Desk created this worksheet to align with TRID guidelines enforced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, so you can complete the comparison without specialized lending training.
First column fields capture all finalized Loan Estimate quoted cost values for each service line
The first column of the accompanying comparison table is reserved exclusively for values pulled from the dated, signed Loan Estimate (LE) your lender provided within three business days of your initial loan application. If you formally requested changes to your loan terms after the initial LE was issued—switching from a 30-year fixed rate to a 15-year fixed rate, increasing your down payment, or adding a co-borrower—only use values from the final revised LE issued after those requested changes were processed, not the original initial LE. All line item labels entered into this column should match the exact wording used on your LE, with no abbreviations or rephrasing, to avoid mismatches when cross-referencing with the Closing Disclosure later. For example, if your LE lists “Origination Charge: 1% of Loan Amount” input that exact label alongside the quoted dollar value, not “origination fee” which could be confused with other administrative line items. Note the official issue date of the LE you are using at the top of the column to reference if disputes over quoted values arise with your lender.
Second column cells document corresponding Closing Disclosure actual charged cost values for line items
The second column of the comparison table is for values pulled directly from the Closing Disclosure (CD) your lender is required by federal law to send you at least three business days before your scheduled closing date. Each entry in this column should correspond directly to the matching line item from the first column, so you are comparing identical services rather than unrelated charges. If you encounter line items on your CD that do not appear on your final LE, flag those separately in the variance column, as unlisted charges are not allowed under TRID rules without your explicit written prior approval. If the CD uses slightly different phrasing for a line item that matches an LE entry, add a parenthetical note next to the CD value with the exact CD label to eliminate confusion during review. Illustrative example: if your LE lists “Title Search Fee” and the CD lists “Property Title Records Search Fee,” note the CD’s exact phrasing next to the dollar value to confirm the services are identical.
Variance flag rows mark line items where cost differences exceed legal tolerance thresholds
For every line item where the CD value is higher than the quoted LE value, mark a variance flag (Y for yes, N for no) in the third column of the table, then calculate the exact dollar difference between the two values to note in the adjacent notes section if needed. You do not need to mark variances for line items where the CD value is lower than the LE value, as those reductions are passed directly to you at closing with no further action required. Before marking a variance, double-check that you are comparing identical service line items, and that you did not submit a written request to change that service after the final LE was issued. For example, if you opted to add an enhanced owner’s title insurance policy after receiving your final LE, any increase for that line item is pre-approved and does not require a variance flag. Variances only flag unapproved, unrequested cost increases between the final LE and CD that may violate federal lending rules.
Tolerance limit boxes outline maximum allowed cost shifts per federal mortgage lending requirements
The fourth column of the table includes pre-filled tolerance limits aligned with TRID (TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure) rules, which categorize all mortgage closing line items into three distinct tiers: zero tolerance, 10% cumulative tolerance, and no tolerance limit. Zero tolerance line items cannot increase at all between the final LE and CD unless you explicitly requested a documented change to your loan terms or the service in question; these include origination fees, state and local transfer taxes, and fees for lender-required services you did not shop for independently. The 10% cumulative tolerance tier applies to fees for services you were allowed to shop for yourself, government recording fees, and other third-party fees selected by your lender that you did not opt to shop for, with total increases across all tier line items capped at 10% of the total quoted tier amount on your final LE. The no tolerance limit tier applies to items like prepaid daily interest, property insurance premiums, escrow account deposits, and fees for services you selected that were not required by your lender, as these can fluctuate based on closing timing or your independent purchasing choices. Illustrative example: if your LE quoted $1,150 total for all 10% cumulative tolerance line items, the maximum allowed total increase for those items on your CD is $115, for a maximum total of $1,265 across all tier line items.
Discrepancy note sections outline required next steps for correcting out-of-tolerance cost errors
The fifth and final column of the table is for you to document next steps for any line items where the cost increase exceeds the applicable tolerance limit. First, note if you have any written proof of approval for the cost increase, such as a signed change order or email from your lender confirming a requested change to your loan or selected services. If you do not have written proof of approval for the increase, contact your loan officer immediately to request a corrected CD before your scheduled closing date. Lenders are required by law to refund any amount that exceeds the applicable tolerance limit within 60 days of closing if they fail to issue a corrected CD before closing, but you can avoid closing delays and unexpected out-of-pocket costs by addressing discrepancies before you sign binding closing paperwork. If your lender refuses to correct a confirmed out-of-tolerance error, you can escalate the issue directly to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or consult a licensed real estate attorney for guidance on your rights and next steps.
| Line Item Description (LE Exact Matching Label) | Final Loan Estimate Quoted Cost ($) | Closing Disclosure Actual Cost ($) | Variance Flag (Y/N) | Applicable Tolerance Limit | Next Step Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origination Charge (1% of $325,000 loan amount) | 3250 | 3250 | N | 0% | No discrepancy found, no action needed |
| Lender-Required Appraisal Fee (lender-selected provider) | 550 | 625 | Y | 0% | No written approval for increase received, follow up with loan officer for corrected CD |
| Title Search Fee (lender-approved provider) | 375 | 400 | Y | 10% cumulative | Part of 10% tier, combined with recording fee increase, total tier increase is $35 |
| County Property Recording Fees | 225 | 235 | Y | 10% cumulative | Total 10% tier quoted at $1150, total increase of $35 is under 10% limit, no action needed |
| 12-Month Prepaid Homeowner’s Insurance Premium (self-selected provider) | 1120 | 1215 | Y | No tolerance limit | Premium adjusted per selected policy, written approval on file, no action needed |
Print a copy of this completed table and attach it to your closing folder before attending your signing appointment, so you can reference any flagged discrepancies directly with your closing agent before signing paperwork.