What is the most important thing for me to do when I get my closing papers?

The CFPB has resources to help you review your documents and prepare for closing:

Our interactive guide to the Closing Disclosure helps you double-check the details and get definitions for unfamiliar terms.

Our guide to closing forms  helps you navigate the rest of your closing documents.

Our closing checklist  helps you know what to expect at closing and suggests questions to ask.

Tip: Make sure you keep the Loan Estimate for the loan you select to compare it with your final closing costs. You should use the Loan Estimate to compare against the Closing Disclosure to see if there have been changes in fees. Ask your lender for an explanation of any changes you see and do not sign papers you do not understand.

Note: You won’t receive a Loan Estimate or Closing Disclosure if you applied for a mortgage prior to October 3, 2015, or if you’re applying for a reverse mortgage. For those loans, you will receive two forms – a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and an initial Truth-in-Lending disclosure – instead of a Loan Estimate. Instead of a Closing Disclosure, you will receive a final Truth in Lending disclosure and a HUD -1 Settlement Statement. If you are applying for a HELOC, a manufactured housing loan that is not secured by real estate, or a loan through certain types of homebuyer assistance programs, you will not receive a GFE or a Loan Estimate, but you should receive a Truth-in-Lending disclosure.