Slow down at the finish line.

Check one: the actual loan

Confirm borrower names, property address, loan amount, term, interest rate, and whether the rate or payment can change. If you expected a fixed-rate loan or a particular locked rate, a different term is a stop-and-ask moment. Look at the payment schedule, mortgage insurance, and any balloon or prepayment feature. Keep the latest written Loan Estimate beside the disclosure.

Check two: monthly ownership cost

The principal-and-interest figure is not the whole housing payment. Review property tax, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, and escrow estimates. If the home has HOA dues or assessments, confirm how those fit into your own monthly budget even when they appear elsewhere. A small change in one item may matter when the budget was already tight.

Checks three and four: fees and credits

Examine lender charges, points, title and settlement costs, prepaid items, and any seller or lender credits you negotiated. Ask why a number changed; some estimates can move for valid reasons, but you deserve an explanation. Confirm the deposit and other funds already paid are credited correctly. Then look at the final cash-to-close amount and whether it matches the funds you have available without emptying your reserve.

Check five: the safe transfer of money

If wire instructions arrive or change, call the escrow or settlement company using a number you independently verified earlier—not a number in the new message. Do not let closing urgency override this check. The CFPB says the pre-closing review period is meant to resolve problems. Raise discrepancies at once with the lender and closing team, and ask if a corrected disclosure or date change is required.

Quick answer

Can I wait until signing day to read the Closing Disclosure?

That wastes the review window. The lender generally must provide it three business days before scheduled closing; use that time to question differences and correct errors.