The Good Faith Estimate or "GFE" is a written estimate of the settlement charges for your mortgage transaction that must be given or mailed to you by your lender within three business days of applying for a mortgage. You shouldn't expect the Good Faith Estimate to list the exact charges that you will pay at settlement. The Good Faith Estimate is only an estimate or range of charges. For example, the lender may not know the costs for a settlement agent that you choose, or the exact amount that will be collected for an escrow account for taxes and insurance. The best protection is to let the lender and settlement agent know that you will want to see the HUD-1 Settlement Statement one day in advance. You should question any amount that you do not understand. More information about the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA) is available at the referenced web site at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/res/resconsu.cfm