Costs & Fees
How do I compare two Loan Estimates?
The short answer
Because every Loan Estimate uses the same federal format, you can lay two or three of them side by side and compare fee for fee. Start with page 1 to confirm the loans are truly comparable — same loan amount, term, and rate type — then compare the closing costs on page 2. Focus your attention on the fees a lender actually controls: the charges in Section A (origination) and the services you can shop for in Section C. Government fees, most third-party fees, and prepaid escrow amounts are set outside the lender and should be similar across estimates, so a big difference there is worth a question. Comparing the all-in totals matters, but comparing the lender-controlled and shoppable subtotals is where the real leverage is.
Key points
- Confirm the loans are comparable first — same amount, term, and rate type.
- Section A (origination) and Section C (shoppable) are where lenders differ.
- Government, third-party, and prepaid amounts should be similar across estimates.
- Compare the lender-controlled subtotal, not just the grand total.
Where comparing gives you leverage
A lender sets its own origination charges and can offer credits; the services you can shop for (like title) vary by provider. Those are the numbers that move when you compare offers. The CandidCost Loan Estimate comparison tool separates them from the fixed costs so you can see, per fee and in total, where one lender is genuinely cheaper.
Common questions
- Should I just pick the lowest total?
- Not necessarily. A lower total might come with a higher rate, or with points that lower the rate up front. Compare the rate and the lender-controlled costs together, and make sure the loans are otherwise identical before judging the totals.
Put this to work
Sources
Every claim above traces to a public government source.