• Have a knowledgeable friend, relative, attorney, or housing counselor review the Good Faith Estimate and other loan papers before you sign the loan contract. Be sure the terms are the same ones you agreed to. For example, a lender should not promise one APR and then--without good reason--increase it at closing.
• Refer to the list of questions you’ve written down. Ask where these terms are covered in the loan contract. And ask for an explanation of any dollar amount or term you don’t understand. Don’t let anyone rush you into signing the loan contract.
• Make sure all promises, oral and otherwise, are put in writing. It’s only what’s in writing that counts.
• Get a copy of the documents you signed before you leave the closing.

Don’t Sign on the Dotted Line if the Lender …

• Tells you to falsify information on the loan application (for example, suggests that you write down more income than you really have).
• Pressures you into applying for a loan for more money than you need, or one that has monthly payments larger than you can afford.
• Promises one set of terms but gives you another with no good reason for the change.
• Tells you to sign blank forms or forms that aren't completely filled in. If an item is supposed to be blank, draw a line through the space and initial it.
• Pressures you to sign today. A good deal today should be available tomorrow.