05/20/2026
The MOST important section to compare when shopping lenders is Box A 👀
Why?
Because Box A is the section the lender actually controls.
This includes:
✅ Points
✅ Origination charges
✅ Lender fees
✅ Credits
The rest of the closing costs?
Things like taxes, insurance, escrow setup, title fees, recording fees, prepaid interest, etc. are mostly third-party or government costs that will exist no matter which lender you use.
So when comparing Loan Estimates:
🚩 Don’t just compare the TOTAL closing costs.
➡️ Compare Box A.
That’s where you’ll see the true difference between lenders.
A good lender should also explain why those numbers differ — whether it’s a lower rate with points, lender credits, or different pricing strategies.
Understanding this can save buyers thousands 🙌