What can I do if my mortgage terms at closing are not what I was told earlier?
Short answer
You do not have to sign if the loan at the table is not what you were promised. The CFPB says the lender owes an explanation, and you can wait to sign until the written terms are acceptable. Options differ for a refinance and a purchase.
Full explanation
The CFPB says you do not have to sign closing papers if the loan is not the one you were told you would get. Satisfaction with the written terms is your decision. The CFPB says the lender should explain why anything changed.
On a refinance, options include asking to renegotiate or not completing the new loan and looking for another lender. On a purchase, options include asking for the promised terms or asking the seller for more time to find another lender. The purchase contract may limit that time, and leaving a purchase can have legal or financial consequences under that contract.
Whether to leave a purchase closing is a contract-specific question. Review the sales contract. The CFPB also lists a complaint channel — online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372) — as one way to report a concern. This is general information, not advice to walk away from a particular sale.
Sources reviewed
What do I do if the terms of my mortgage loan at closing are not what I was promised beforehand?
Last reviewed
September 10, 2026