Mortgage pricing changes every day, and two lenders can quote very different terms for the same borrower on the same day. That is why the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau encourages borrowers to compare Loan Estimates. If you already have an offer, you do not need to start over to compare it. Upload it above and Bethany Sanchez (NMLS #2425491) will review it line by line.
No-pressure promise: If your offer is already strong, Bethany will tell you. Always good to get a second set of eyes.
Why a second look is worth it
- Markets move. Rates and lender pricing change daily, sometimes several times a day. A quote from two weeks ago may not reflect today’s market, in either direction.
- Lenders price differently. One lender may charge discount points that another does not, or price your credit score, down payment or property type very differently.
- Fees vary. Origination charges, processing and underwriting fees, and lender credits can swing your cash to close by thousands of dollars.
- Locks cut both ways. Once you lock, you are protected if rates rise, but you generally cannot act on improvements unless your lock includes a float-down. The best time for a second look is before you lock.
Why a wholesale broker can help
A retail lender or bank can only re-quote its own products. Sunset Home Lending is a wholesale mortgage broker with access to more than 200 wholesale lenders. That means Bethany is not pinned into a corner with limited options: she can compare your exact scenario across many lenders and their wholesale pricing. Her incentive is to find the option that fits you, and if she cannot improve on what you have, she will say so.
What Bethany checks on your Loan Estimate
A Loan Estimate is three pages. Here is what she looks at, and what you can check yourself:
| Section | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Page 1: Loan Terms | Loan amount, interest rate, monthly principal and interest, and whether there is a prepayment penalty or balloon payment |
| Page 1: Projected Payments | Mortgage insurance, estimated escrow for taxes and insurance, and the total monthly payment |
| Page 1: Costs at Closing | Estimated closing costs and estimated cash to close |
| Page 2: Section A | Origination charges, including points paid to lower the rate. This is the cleanest lender-to-lender comparison |
| Page 2: Sections B and C | Third-party services such as appraisal, credit report and title, and which ones you can shop for |
| Page 2: Section J | Lender credits that reduce your closing costs |
| Page 3: Comparisons | APR, the “In 5 Years” total, and Total Interest Percentage (TIP) |
She also looks at the rate lock date and expiration, the loan type and program, and anything that suggests a cheaper or better-fitting option, such as mortgage insurance that could be avoided or points that do not pay off over the time you plan to keep the loan.
How to compare two offers fairly
To compare apples to apples, make sure both offers are for the same loan amount, loan type and term, the same lock period and roughly the same date. Then compare:
- The rate and the points together. A lower rate with two points of cost is not automatically a better deal.
- Section A origination charges. These are the lender’s own fees.
- Cash to close and the monthly payment. What you pay up front and what you pay every month.
- The 5-year total and APR. Useful for seeing the combined effect of rate and fees.
The CFPB’s Loan Estimate explainer walks through every line if you want to go deeper, and the guide to closing costs explains each fee category.
What a second look often turns up
Every file is different, but these are the issues a careful review finds most often:
- Points you may not need. Paying discount points makes sense only if you keep the loan long enough to recover the cost.
- A better-fitting program. A buyer quoted FHA may qualify for conventional financing with mortgage insurance that can be removed later, or the reverse.
- Mortgage insurance options. Different lenders and programs price mortgage insurance differently, and some offer lender-paid options.
- The lock period. A lock that is longer than you need can cost more, while one that is too short may need an expensive extension.
- Missing lender credits that could offset closing costs.
- Estimated escrows for taxes and insurance that look too low, which can make a payment seem smaller than it will really be.
Sometimes the answer is simply that your offer is competitive. That is worth knowing too, because you can move forward with confidence.
What happens after you send it
- Bethany reviews your document, usually the same business day.
- She contacts you by email or phone, or by text if you checked the optional box, to ask anything the document does not show, such as your credit range and timeline.
- You get an honest answer. Either your offer is strong and you can move forward with confidence, or she shows you specific options with their own Loan Estimate so you can compare line by line.
- You decide. There is no obligation, and you are free to stay with your current lender.
Your document and your privacy
Your upload travels over an encrypted connection and goes directly to Bethany. It is used only to review your offer and respond to you, as described in the privacy policy. Website forms never ask for your Social Security number, and you can black out account numbers before uploading. If you would rather not upload, you can also call or text (760) 713-3814 and read her the key numbers.
For real estate agents
If your buyer has a quote from their bank or another lender, this page is an easy, respectful way to get them a second opinion without asking them to start over. Buyers always choose their own lender. See how Bethany works with agents on the For Agents page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the second look really free?
Yes. There is no cost and no obligation, and sending your offer does not check your credit. If Bethany finds options worth considering, she will explain them and let you decide.
Can you guarantee you will beat my offer?
No one can honestly guarantee that before reviewing your full scenario. What Bethany can promise is a straight answer: if your offer is strong, she will tell you so, and if she can find better terms through Sunset Home Lending's network of more than 200 wholesale lenders, she will show you exactly how they compare.
What should I upload?
The best document is the official Loan Estimate, the standard three-page form every lender must provide within three business days of an application. A written quote or fee worksheet also works. PDFs and clear photos are fine, up to 3 files and 10 MB.
I already locked my rate. Is it too late?
Not necessarily, but timing matters. Once you lock, you generally cannot take advantage of later market improvements unless your lock includes a float-down option, and switching lenders usually means starting a new lock and application. Bethany will tell you whether a switch is realistic before your closing date.
Is my document secure?
Your upload is sent over an encrypted connection directly to Bethany and used only to review your offer. A Loan Estimate does not show your full Social Security number, and you are welcome to black out account numbers before you upload.
Will Bethany contact me?
Yes, that is what you are asking for when you send the form. If you check the optional call and text box, she can text you too; otherwise she will reply by email or a regular phone call.