lien letters and transfer taxes....what the heck to do on the new GFE and HUD-1

Here's my take....

First things first, determine whether the charge is TYPICALLY a buyer/borrower fee.  If yes, then you MUST show it on the GFE and HUD as a buyer/borrower fee, even if the seller has agreed to pay for it.

In my neck of the woods, typical is determined by state and county custom.

Transfer taxes are TYPICALLY split between buyer and seller in Pennsylvania, SO one half of the

if you enjoy forums, there's a new title insurance forum start up

Here's a blurb from its creator, Jonathan Yasko:

There is a new web forum dedicated to title insurance professionals called The Title Web (www.thetitleweb.com).  It is by title professionals, for title professionals in the attempt to create a repository of information for all to use.  It is free to join and has main and sub-categories to for different types of topics.  In addition, there are

IRS confusion over whether or not a HUD-1 must be signed

I am getting numerous queries concerning the availability of a SIGNED HUD-1 because folks are trying to comply with IRS instructions related to the tax credit program.

The HUD-1 form is part of RESPA.  This link will take you to the pages in RESPA concerning the HUD-1.

Many of you are telling me that the IRS is asking you to provide evidence that individual states do not require signatures on

Hey, Stewart from GA...

you're welcome and thanks for taking a moment to call.

Stewart is a loan officer who found this post  about calculating escrow, used the formula and found that he could predict the escrows with good accuracy rather than having to guess.  He has since created a bit of software so he could ditch the pencil and paper.

The funny thing about escrow calculation is that most everyone uses software and

In a bizarre move....

we had a lender overfund a closing then ask that we change line 802 on the HUD...AFTER closing.


What?

the unintended consequences of RESPA 2010 and the new HUD

For once unintended consequences are POSITIVE.  Yes, positive.  I sure don't think they intended to do this but by creating a uniform method for GFE disclosure which flows to a uniform method of HUD prep, we in the title world are enjoying UNIFORMITY of INSTRUCTIONS.  I love it.

What was it that everyone hoped to gain with UNIFORM CLOSING INSTRUCTIONS?  Uniformity, right?  Well, guess what? 

query: new GFE - FHA MIP refund

This is entirely an educated guess on my part.  I would say you would NOT show the refund on the GFE.  I think you would show it on your Cash to Close Summary or Details of Purchase on the 1003.  I do hope everyone is working with a Cash to Close Summary so that consumers have a clear understanding of the anticipated bottom line.  This is where you would show the seller assist, right?

On the HUD