Loan Estimate review template: copy, paste, and remove personal identifiers

Want feedback on a mortgage offer? Copy the template below into a new post and fill in what you know.

You may attach a fully redacted Loan Estimate, but you do not need to. Typed figures are enough.

Start with the fields you can provide. A missing field should lead to a clarifying question, not automatic removal of a legitimate borrower story.

SHOPPING CONTEXT

Stage (preparing/comparing/locked/closing):
Decision needed:
Quote date:

LOAN OVERVIEW

State or broad metro area (optional):
Purchase or refinance:
Property type:
Primary residence, second home, or investment property:
Loan type (conventional/FHA/VA/USDA/other):
Fixed or ARM:
Loan term:
Loan amount:
Down payment or approximate LTV:
Approximate credit-score range (optional):

PRICING

Loan Estimate issue date, if different from quote date:
Interest rate:
APR:
Rate locked? If yes, until when?:
Discount points and cost:
Lender credits:

COSTS AND PAYMENT

Section A: origination charges:
Section B: services you cannot shop for:
Section C: services you can shop for:
Estimated closing costs:
Estimated cash to close:
Monthly principal and interest:
Mortgage insurance:
Estimated escrow:
Estimated total monthly payment:

YOUR DECISION

How long do you expect to keep this loan?:
What part of the offer concerns or confuses you?:
What question are you trying to answer beyond the decision above?:

OPTIONAL COMPETING OFFER

Quote date:
Loan type, amount, and term:
Interest rate and APR:
Points or credits:
Section A charges:
Estimated cash to close:
Rate locked?:

Before comparing two offers

Try to match the loan amount, loan type, term, fixed-versus-ARM structure, lock period, and quote date. Mortgage pricing can change, so quotes from different days may not be directly comparable.

Also confirm that you received an official three-page Loan Estimate, not only a fee worksheet, prequalification, email quote, or verbal estimate.

Guidance for reviewers

Use this structure so the borrower receives more than a rate judgment:

Offer summary:

What looks competitive:

What deserves a closer look:

What information is missing:

Questions to ask the lender:

Points or credits break-even:

What to compare next:

Important limitations:

Every useful review should explain the tradeoff, identify assumptions, and provide a concrete next step. Separate lender-controlled charges from taxes, insurance, prepaid interest, and other costs that may be similar regardless of lender. Ask about the borrower's expected time in the loan before judging points or credits.

Do not request personal information or move the conversation to DMs for sales purposes. Professionals must disclose their role, affiliation, NMLS information where applicable, licensed states, and compensation. Avoid presenting a rate as universally “good” or “bad” without context.

After receiving feedback

Take the questions back to the lender, request a revised or competing offer when appropriate, and return with an update. Useful updates include a revised Loan Estimate, a lock decision, a closing result, or what you learned. Keep every document fully redacted.

Helpful references:

• CFPB: Compare Loan Estimates
• Fincast: How to compare Loan Estimates
• Fincast: Loan Estimate red flags

Moderator disclosure: r/rateshopping is owned and moderated by Fincast. Participation does not require using Fincast or any participating lender.

Community feedback is educational and cannot replace review by a qualified professional who understands your full financial situation.