THE TRU TEST · FREE LOAN ESTIMATE REVIEW

Got a mortgage offer?
Find out if it’s a good deal.

Upload your Loan Estimate. 30+ lenders compete for your business on rate and fees.
Free. No obligation. One credit pull.

Start my free TRU Test →
Loan EstimateFICTIONAL DEMO · LENDER IDENTITY HIDDENA. ORIGINATION CHARGES$5,1201 point × $297,000$2,970Processing$1,250Underwriting$900ALSO CHECK: B / C services + J lender credits
Fictional teaching illustration · Not a full Loan Estimate or current rate offer.

The TRU Test in 5 steps.

Less guesswork. A clearer comparison of rates and closing costs.

1

Upload your Loan Estimate

It’s the 3-page form every lender must send within 3 business days after you apply. Send all three pages as a PDF or clear photos, and black out your Social Security number.

Loan EstimateFICTIONAL DEMO · LENDER IDENTITY HIDDENLoan amount$297,000Interest rate7.875%Monthly principal & interest$2,153.46Loan term30-year fixedUPLOAD ALL 3 PAGES · PDF OR CLEAR PHOTOS
2

Check the rate & payment

Page 1 shows your interest rate, monthly payment and whether the rate is locked (held for a set number of days). Also look for a prepayment penalty: a fee for paying the loan off early.

Loan EstimateFICTIONAL DEMO · LENDER IDENTITY HIDDENLoan amount$297,000Interest rate7.875%Monthly principal & interest$2,153.46Loan term30-year fixedCHECK PAGE 1: RATE + PAYMENT + LOCK
3

Check the lender’s fees

Page 2, Section A is what the lender charges you: points, origination, processing and underwriting. It’s the part lenders actually compete on. Lender credits (Section J) lower your costs.

Loan EstimateFICTIONAL DEMO · LENDER IDENTITY HIDDENA. ORIGINATION CHARGES$5,1201 point × $297,000$2,970Processing$1,250Underwriting$900ALSO CHECK: B / C services + J lender credits
4

Compare 30+ lenders

We shop the same loan, on the same terms, with 30+ lenders. One application, one credit pull. You see whether anyone offers a lower rate, lower fees, or both.

Loan EstimateFICTIONAL DEMO · LENDER IDENTITY HIDDENMATCH THE LOANSame termsLender ARate + feesLender BRate + feesLender CRate + feesCOMPARE OPTIONS ACROSS 30+ LENDERS
5

Pick the best deal

If a better option shows up, apply with us online and request a rate lock. If your current offer is the better deal, we’ll tell you to keep it.

Loan EstimateFICTIONAL DEMO · LENDER IDENTITY HIDDENREVIEW YOUR RESULTCompareYour next stepChooseAPPLY NOWThen confirm eligibility and request a rate lock.

Does your offer pass the TRU Test?

We look for a better available option. If your current offer holds up, you can keep it with more confidence.
Free review. No obligation. No guaranteed savings.

Put my LE to the TRU Test →
Is the lowest mortgage rate always best?

No. Compare upfront costs, lender credits and monthly payments against how long you expect to keep the loan.

Why can cash to close differ?

Fees, credits and tax, insurance or prepaid assumptions may differ. Check the reason for each change.

Does the review approve my loan or lock a rate?

No. The comparison is preliminary. Eligibility, underwriting and a confirmed rate lock are separate steps.

About the demo & sources

Fictional $330,000 purchase; 10% down; $297,000 loan; 30-year fixed at 7.875%. Principal and interest: $2,153.46 monthly. Taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance and HOA dues are additional.

One point: $2,970. Processing: $1,250. Underwriting: $900. Section A total: $5,120; other closing costs are additional.

CFPB: Read a Loan Estimate · CFPB: Compare loan offers

Dan Frio | NMLS #246527 · PBT Bancorp | NMLS #257781

Mortgage products originated by PBT Bancorp. 524 Main St, Hazard, KY 41701. Equal Housing Lender. Available in jurisdictions served by PBT Bancorp.

All document visuals are fictional teaching illustrations with anonymous lender marks. They are not full federal disclosures or current rate offers. App comparisons are preliminary illustrations, not lender-issued Loan Estimates, approvals, commitments to lend or rate guarantees.

38 yearsin mortgage lending
30+wholesale lenders compete
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NMLS #246527PBT Bancorp NMLS #257781
AS FEATURED INYahoo FinanceNewsNationHomes.comAOLThe HillSee Dan in the news →
FREE GUIDE · HOW TO READ A LOAN ESTIMATE

How to read your Loan Estimate, page by page

Every lender has to use the same 3-page Loan Estimate form, and send it within 3 business days of your application. That makes offers easy to compare side by side, if you know where to look.

PAGE 1

The offer at a glance

  • Loan Terms: loan amount, interest rate and monthly principal & interest
  • Prepayment penalty or balloon payment? You want “NO”
  • Rate lock: is the rate locked, and until when?
  • Projected Payments: payment with taxes, insurance and any mortgage insurance
  • Estimated Cash to Close
TRU tip: an unlocked rate can change. Compare offers from the same day, for the same loan.
APAGE 2 · MOST IMPORTANT

Closing cost details

  • Section A, Origination Charges: points, application, underwriting and processing fees. This is the lender’s own price
  • Sections B & C: appraisal, credit report, title and other third-party services
  • Sections E–H: taxes, insurance, prepaid interest and escrow. Mostly the same at any lender
  • Section J: total closing costs, minus any lender credits
TRU tip: Section A and the rate are where lenders really compete. That’s exactly what the TRU Test shops.
PAGE 3

The long-run cost

  • In 5 Years: total you’ll pay, and how much principal you’ll pay off
  • APR: your rate with loan costs folded in. Lower is usually better
  • Total Interest Percentage (TIP): total interest over the life of the loan
  • Other Considerations: late fees, assumption and servicing
TRU tip: compare APR only between loans with the same term and type, like 30-year fixed to 30-year fixed.
Section
What’s in it
Do lenders compete on it?
A. Origination Charges
Points, lender fees, underwriting, processing
Yes. Biggest difference
B. Can’t shop for
Appraisal, credit report, flood certificate
A little
C. Can shop for
Title services, survey, pest inspection
You can shop these yourself
E–H. Other costs
Taxes, recording fees, insurance, prepaid interest, escrow
No. Mostly the same everywhere
Interest rate
Page 1, Loan Terms
Yes. Shop it with Section A

Free. No obligation. Based on the CFPB’s standard Loan Estimate form. Figures on a Loan Estimate are estimates until closing.

The TRU Test: 30+ lenders compete on your Loan EstimateDan Frio compares your lender's Loan Estimate vs. TRU in the TRU Test: who wins?