Changes Make it Easier for Consumers to Negotiate Refinance Closing Costs

``With recent changes, lenders are required to give the initial disclosures to an applicant within 3 business days after application and 3 days prior to closing. Any changes to the mortgage must be re-disclosed. These requirements are a strain as lenders are overestimating the fees in the beginning of the loan process because they are required to give accurate good faith estimates and are afraid to underestimate closing costs. That is where negotiating at the beginning comes in. Homeowners are urged to compare figures with the final HUD1 at closing to make sure that no fees were increased or new fees added and should request a copy of the final HUD1 at least 1 day prior to closing.''